A/N
Holy cow! I have to tell ya, this was a hard one to get out. I tried so many times to do it, but really life interrupted. I actually had to work at work, and not a single night in the last two weeks was free. The holidays have thrown a kink into the creative workings of my brain. I still haven't bought a single thing for Christmas. Really, not one thing. I get to do that tomorrow, Christmas Eve day. Lucky me.
Have a wonderful Holiday. I want to wish everyone warm wishes and happy thoughts of good things to come.
Also, Arbella Insurance Company is a New England based Insurance Company. I don't own them, or even use them, but with Emmett's' unique sense of humor, it somehow ended up in the chapter.
I Hear You
Chapter 37
BPOV
Alice made me drive with the window open on the way home. "Wet dog is not your best smell Bella" She said wrinkling her nose. "I don't know how you can stand to be around him."
"That's funny Alice because he says the same thing about all of you. I have no idea what you all are talking about! Jacob just smells like Jacob. You smell like you, Rose like Rose etc…"
"Well, you have to shower before Edward gets home. You are grossing me out, and I'm a vampire, and married to Emmett. That is saying a lot right there. " Rosalie said.
"You know, Jacob freaked out about me smelling like Edward and even dragged Charlie into the argument. He told Charlie I smelled like onions and needed a shower." I said. "Edward made sure that I was encased in his smell before he left. He was spouting off about remembering whose girlfriend I was. Boys are dumb." Wicked wicked dumb.
When we reached home, I headed right upstairs to take a shower. It annoyed me that I was taking another one so soon after taking one at my house, but I guess it wasn't going to kill me. I turned on the shower and then went into Edwards's room to turn on his stereo. I searched for and found Pearl by Janice Joplin 1971. I love this album. I put it on and skipped right to Me and Bobby McGee. I then flipped on the speakers in the bathroom so I could hear it. I walked back into the bathroom singing as I went.
I showered and rewashed my hair. I thought about what I wanted to do. I had a pretty great idea, but I needed a lot of help. I would be pushing Edwards's very last button with this. I hope that Jasper would go along with it. I know Emmett would totally get a kick out of it. I would have to dip into my college money a bit to accomplish it, but it will all be worth it, I hope.
I finished showering and shut off the water. The music was still playing, and now had restarted and Cry Baby was playing. How fitting! I walked back into Edwards's room to get some clothes out of the closet. I was stunned to see that there was twice as many there as before. I needed to talk to Alice about that. I don't need any more clothes and I especially don't need her buying them for me. I grabbed some sleep pants and a pull over and opened a draw in the built in bureau to grab some underwear. I pulled out the first pair I found, and then shoved it right back into the draw. Alice was going to definitely hear about this. I do not wear thongs. If I wanted dental floss up my…No one is listening Bella, just save it. I rooted around in the draw and then slammed it shut. Nothing but thongs and matching bras; UGH! I opened the next one down and found more comfortable undies. I grabbed everything and headed back into the bathroom to dress and dry my hair, stopping to shut off the stereo.
When I was done I headed downstairs to find the girls. They were in the kitchen. "Alice. I. Do. Not. Wear. Thongs."
"Bella, you have a fantastic body, and you should wear thongs. Edward will love it."
"Alice, I don't care if Edward was the King of the World and decreed that thongs were the only undergarment to be worn. I. Do. Not. Wear. Thongs. You should stop buying things for me, I don't need them, and I am not going to wear half of them. Please Alice, stop."
"Bella, I am going to forget you just said that. You do need them. If you are going to be going to an Ivy League school, then you will be needed to look like and dress like an Ivy Leaguer."
"Well fine, Alice. I won't go to an Ivy League School."
"Bella! You have to!"
"No I don't. Plus, where does it say Ivy League College students have to wear thongs?" Alice and I were just about nose to nose by this time. I am not giving in, and it looks like she wasn't either. Man for someone small she sure is a pit bull when it comes to clothes. We both turned our head to the sounds of Rosalie laughing really loud.
"You two should see how you look. Bell, you are being completely ridiculous about thongs, and Alice you are being the same about clothes." She stopped to laugh some more. "No one is going to win, so juts drop it for now. Also, Bella?"
"What?" I snapped sitting down onto a stool.
"You ARE going to Dartmouth. Emmett has taken a notion to become a photographer, and they have a great program. He needs you for his subject."
I stared at her like she had three heads. "I am not going to pose for Emmett. Are you crazy?"
"We can talk about it later, but you are." She said with a smirk on her face.
How do I argue with that? Can I argue with that? Emmett a photographer?
"Oh Bella, they will be here in 14 minutes." Alice announced all shreds of her annoyance gone.
We chatted a bit about nothing really and when we heard the jeep, I got up to get a drink. We were waiting in the kitchen when the boys came walked in. I was drinking a glass of milk and concentrating on not thinking. I was so absorbed that I was startled when I felt hand wrap around my waist. I hear Edward chuckle at me, and then his cool lips pressed on the side of my jaw.
"Hello Love, miss me?" He asked.
N…me.
"Bella I didn't get any of that" He said frowning.
Not really. I had Jake to keep me company while I was at home.
"Nice Bella."
You asked, I….ed
I caught Rosalie's eyes, and she gave me a smirk. "Edward, I need to see you."
"Rosalie, can it wait? I just got home. I'd like to shower and spend some time with Bella before she goes to bed."
"No Edward, this is IMPORTANT." Rosalie cocked he head to the side and must have said something to him in her head, because Edward got a pinched look on his face and his grip on my shoulder tightened.
"Ouch, Edward! Gentle! Gentle!" His grip loosened and he bent down to kiss my shoulder. Fragile human here!
"Sorry Love, I didn't mean it. I am so sorry."
What is wr…ou? Usually you tr….ves.
"Bella, I am not getting very much from your head tonight. Are you tired?" He asked.
"Yes, but do you think that is affecting my brain that much?"
"It seems that way. I was hearing you loud and clear all day while you sang those awful Christmas carols."
"Well, maybe I should go to bed now. Do me a favor, if you all are going to talk then do it away from Edwards's room? I would like to sleep and the quieter the better. Do you mind?"
"No, I'll just take Edward for a ride in my car. Is that ok with you Eddie?"
"Do NOT call me EDDIE!"
"Fine, but I do need to talk to you, so let's go." Rosalie stood up and turned to kiss Emmett. He grabbed her and made a big production of bending her over backwards and planting a big romantic kiss on her neck. She giggled the whole time.
"Edward you behave with my wife. Don't make her throw you out of the moving vehicle." Emmett said and then winked at me.
"Alice so you want to come along?" Rosalie asked.
"Sure. Jazzy do you mind if I go?"
"No Sugar, I'll just go and hang out in my study." He bent down and kissed Alice sweetly.
"I'll go up with Bella, and be down in a few minutes." Edward said taking my hand and helping me rise. We walked out of the room together and headed for the stairs. "Bella, do you know what Rosalie wants?"
"Sorry Edward, I am in the dark." I yawned for effect. "I just want to go to bed."
"Alright. I'll just wait until you fall asleep." Edward said as he pulled sown the covers for me.
"Don't bother Edward. If you keep Rosalie waiting, she probably won't be happy." I said to him.
"She let me know exactly how she felt about me wanting to wait until later." He said.
"Well, then go make her happy. I am fine." I yawned again. "I'll tell you about my night in the morning." I crawled into bed, and scooted to the middle.
"Good night Love. I'll see you in your dreams." He leaned down and kissed my forehead.
My forehead? Really? Wha…ld?
"I missed that, but I am sure it was snarky. Good night Isabella." He turned to walk out of the room, and shut the light off on the way.
EPOV
I walked to the tree line and then turned to wave bye to Bella. She was there in the door waving back to me. I wasn't thrilled that Jacob Black was going to be here tonight while I was out hunting with Emmett and Jasper. At least Charlie would be here. I snickered to myself thinking about leaving my scent on Bella. Jacob would surly take offence to that. He was so easy to annoy.
I turned back to the forest and ran as fast as I could towards the meadow. The boys were meeting me there. I slowed down as I got closer. I could hear Emmett telling Jasper a joke. I missed the beginning so the punch line didn't make sense.
"Ready?" I said as I approached them.
"Dude, I'm always ready, in more ways than one." Emmett said with a grin.
"Ugh" Jasper said. "You are so predictable, get some new material. That gets old after 50 years of hearing it every time you are asked that question."
"Whatever, Jasper." Emmett scoffed.
"Where are we headed?" I asked
"I did a search on the internet and found that there is a need to cull deer and moose at Wenatchee National Forrest. Feel like a run?" Jasper asked.
"How come there are never any bears to cull?" Emmett whined.
"Maybe you'll get lucky." Jasper said.
"Race ya!" I said as I took off. They would never catch me. I am the fastest. I head laughter behind me and snuck a peek. Jasper and Emmett were racing neck to neck, trying to knock the other off their feet as they ran. I slowed down and let them catch up. We spent the next hundred miles or so one upping each other as we ran. It was fun. When we reached the Wenatchee Forest, it took us no time at all to feed. The deer were everywhere. Emmett snagged two huge moose, and spent the rest of the search talking in a Bullwinkle voice. He tried to get Jasper or me to do the Rocky voice, but we having nothing to do with it. We finally were done, as we had done our part in culling the deer herd. Jasper told us that in order to get back for the girls by 9:30 we needed to leave, and run fast. Not a problem for a vampire.
On the way home I thought about the day. I realized that I really missed her. I want to get home to her and just wrap her in my arms. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Jasper looking at me.
'Edward, I can feel it man. You love her. It is pouring out of your whole being. Were you just thinking about her?' I nodded to him and kept running.
'She was really upset with us this morning. It was more about her being embarrassed, and less about being angry. '
"I know. I am sorry about it. I didn't think. I thought it would be funny."
'You aren't Emmett. You should leave the funny to him. He is better at it.'
"I know, I know."
"The girls are all in the kitchen. Just take a minute to look at them. They are quite the sight together. "Jasper said to us. "The beauty that is in that room is quite humbling, is it not?"
"We are luck lucky men indeed."
"Oh yeah, they are HOT!" Emmett said. "Even Baby Bell and she isn't vampire yet."
I just shook my head at him. He nailed it, crudely, but nailed it right on the head. We stood watching the girls for a few minutes. Bella was drinking a glass of milk, and staring off out the side windows. She wasn't paying any attention to what the girls were talking about. She was so deep in thought that see didn't feel me slip and arm around her and it startled her. I chuckle at her, and then placed my cool lips pressed on the side of her jaw.
"Hello Love, miss me?" I asked.
N…me.
"Bella I didn't get any of that" I said frowning.
Not really. I had Jake to keep me company while I was at home.
"Nice Bella." I pulled back and stood up. That wasn't very Bella like. She usually refrains from saying things like that to me.
You asked, I….ed
"Edward, I need to see you." Rosalie said to me.
"Rosalie, can it wait? I just got home. I'd like to shower and spend some time with Bella before she goes to bed."
"No Edward, this is IMPORTANT." Rosalie cocked her head to the side and 'Edward you are going to take your scrawny ass out with me because we are going to talk about Bella. I have a few things to say to you about her, and YOU ARE going to listen. Do not make me say this out loud!' I got a pinched look on his face and tightened my grip on Bella's shoulder
"Ouch, Edward! Gentle! Gentle!" His grip loosened and he bent down to kiss my shoulder. Fragile human here!
"Sorry Love, I didn't mean it. I am so sorry." I had no idea I was hurting Bella.
What is wr…ou? Usually you tr….ves.
"Bella, I am not getting too much tonight. Are you tired?"
We decided to get her to bed so that we go co and get back, Rosalie invited Alice to go, and I am absolutely not looking forward to this.
"I'll go up with Bella, and be down in a few minutes." I said taking her hand and helping her to rise. We walked out of the room together and headed for the stairs. "Bella, do you know what Rosalie wants?"
"Sorry Edward, I am in the dark." She said as she yawned. "I just want to go to bed."
"Alright. I'll just wait until you fall asleep." I said pulling down the covers for Bella.
"Don't bother Edward. If you keep Rosalie waiting, she probably won't be happy."
"She let me know exactly how she felt about me wanting to wait until later." I said.
"Well, then go make her happy. I am fine." and yawned again. "I'll tell you about my night in the morning." She crawled into bed, and scooted to the middle.
"Good night Love. I'll see you in your dreams." I leaned down and kissed her forehead.
My forehead? Really? Wha…ld?
"I missed that, but I am sure it was snarky. Good night Isabella." He turned to walk out of the room, and shut the light off on the way.
JPOV
Edward, Rosalie and Alice all left in Rosalie's car a few minutes ago. Alice just text me saying they would be gone for at least an hour, and if Rosalie picks a fight then two hours.
Rose being bitchy. Edward being bitchy. Gonna be a while. Go plan! Love you!
I walked to Emmett's room, where he was just coming out of the shower. "I am going to shower myself and then we can meet in my library. Can you grab Bella?"
"Sureeeeee! I've always wanted to grab Bella!" hahaha Emmett laughed.
"Wow Emmett, that was so mature! No wonder Bella ended up burning that cheerleader outfit in effigy."
"Dude, that was funny and you know it. Plus, there is no wives around to squash my sense of humor, can you please just roll with it?"
"Whatever. My study five minutes."
I turned back towards my room and hurried to the en suite bathroom. I needed to get the smell of animal blood off my skin. I know that the smell grosses Bella out, and it makes her feel feint. It will be interesting to see how she handles it when she is a vampire. That is the only thing that sustains us.
I quickly showered and then redressed. Thank god for vampire speed. By the time I was done and walking back into my library, Emmett was walking down the hall with a giggling Bella thrown over his shoulder. "Emmett, I can walk you know"
"Yea, but not very well, and you were asleep. So when you put clumsy, tired and Bella together in a sentence and you get a hurt Bella." She smacked him on the back and he wacked her on her rear end, "behave baby Bell" he said in his best authoritative voice. That just made her giggle even more. "This is Our Bella Insurance plan, get it Bella? Arbella Insurance? We are keeping you safe" Emmett was laughing really hard now. I joined in too, because that really was funny. He comes up with some winners every now and then.
"Emmett you really need to put me down please. Your shoulder is wicked hard."
He placed her down on the floor and grinned at her. She threw her arms around him and gave him a good squeeze. "You my friend Emmett are good for my soul."
"I am good for lots of things Baby Bell. But that, I am afraid is not a conversation for your ears." Hahahaha.
"Ok kids we are here for a reason, so take a seat." Jasper said, and waited until Emmett sat on the couch, and I chose the chair by the desk.
He walked over to me, took my hand and lifted me up. Then he grabbed the chair and put it in front of the couch, and placed me back in it. "You don't need to be so far away Darlin'. He backed up and sat down next to Emmett on the couch. "What did you have in mind?"
"I have pondered a lot of things some, not so nice, but I believe that I have narrowed it down to a few things." Bella said "Do you know what a midi machine is?"
I nodded, but Emmett shook his head. "It is a sound bit machine. What would you be doing with a sound bit machine?"
"Well after pondering how far I could go without actually inciting the wrath of Edward for too long, I have narrowed it down to two things. One being out of my financial reach and the other well within it, but assistance will be needed."
"Why don't you share the out of your financial reach first?" I said to her.
"You know how much Edward cherishes his music collection. He has it all chronological, according to genre, artist, release date, and personal preference. Well I thought that I would get that god awful single of "I Think We're Alone Now by Tiffany and replace each cd in his room with it. He absolutely hates that song remake, and thinks she is immensely untalented. I have pretty much decided that I cannot waste my entire college fund doing that since he has like 5,000 cd's. Although it would be great, because it is the prank that keeps on giving. It would take him while to figure out it is EVERY cd. I just can't afford to do that one."
"Bella you have a great mind for pranking. Why is it that I am just finding this out now? Bells, we could have had quite the career together over the last few months. I am impressed." Emmett reached out a fist and was waiting for a bump.
Bella bumped him and said "Well you haven't heard anything yet Emmett. Now about that Midi Machine. "I decided that I am tired of his petty jealously where Jacob is concerned. Jacob is just my friend, nothing more just my friend. I know he wants more, but I love Edward, unconditionally. So, with that said, I am going to buy two of the smallest midi machines I can get. I will need help installing one in his piano, and one to the ignition of his car."
"Bella, Darlin', what would be putting on for a sound bit?" Jasper asked already grinning. "Would it have to do with a certain Warren Zevon song?"
"Ding Ding Ding Jasper! We have a winner!!! You my friendly southern Vampire are exactly right. I can buy the midi machines, and upload the sound bits, but I need Rosalie to install it in his car, and someone to install it on his piano." She said with a grin.
"Werewolves in London playing as soon as he started his car is the most perfect prank I can imagine. I am so proud of you Baby Bell! You are the Queen!" Emmett got down on his knees and was genuflecting in front of her.
"Thank you, thank you! It took a lot of consideration. I wanted to do something to his car, but I would have had guilt I d I had Rosalie take the engine out of it and plant flowers under the hood."
"You have got a mean streak! Remind me to never ever get on Mean Bella's bad side" I said shaking my head at her.
"I also thought about putting some bubble his in his tail pipe, but that would have been too girly a prank." She said.
So Jasper, while I am school tomorrow can you and Emmett drive to Olympia and hit the Guitar Center to buy two small midi's? I can get Rosalie to install them while we are at the Hospital getting the next MRI tomorrow. I'll just insist on driving to my house in the morning to get my truck so I can drive to Newton's. I can download the sound bit and Jasper can you upload it to the machine?"
"Bella, it would be our pleasure!" I said. "Also would you mind if we bought the cd's to replace his with? That is genius."
"Jasper that is going to cost you too much money."
"No it isn't Bella, I'll just buy one and then burn it a few thousand times. If I use Emmett's lap top, mine, and Esme's plus the one in Carlisle's office, I can get it done in no time at all.
"Look at it as my contribution for being the most uncouth gentleman ever for not noticing you slipping and falling into the towel rack this morning." I said taking her hand and kissing it.
"Jasper…"
"Bella…subject closed." I said.
"Baby Bell, Emmybear is sorry too, and I will buy the midi machines." Emmett said.
"No, I will buy them. I have the money right here. This is my prank. I want to own it."
"I should go back to bed, I want to really be sleeping when Edward gets back."
"Ok, so 'Operation Never Ever Mess With Bella' has commenced!" Emmett said!
Bella walked to the door and turned around. "Good night boys; don't breathe a word of this to Edward."
As if either one of us was going to miss the surprised shocked outraged face of Edward when he hears that sound coming from his piano or car. We weren't going to spoil it by thinking about it beforehand.