Chapter 36

This chapter is cute. Not as cute as the last chapter was, I have to admit that.

Love you guys! Please review. I appreciate every single review I receive. Well—I do appreciate the nicer ones better. :P

Love,

Kim-Macafee

P.S. I will be beginning high school tomorrow. Please forgive me if chapters come out slower than usual. :)

Chapter 36

Bella's POV:

I woke up in Edward's warm, strong arms. It took me a second to remember where I was… I had been used to waking up in my aunt's comfortable house. Alice's room was definitely comfortable and the entire house had a good feel…well, I wasn't sure how I felt about everything. I couldn't decide what felt like home to me.

Edward was still sound asleep. He was snoring lightly; his breathing blew my hair a little every time he exhaled. Edward was adorable.

I noticed Alice was gone. I'm sure she was sick and tired of mine and Edward's flirting. We did it constantly.

I slowly removed myself from his arms. He didn't budge or even notice that I had moved. I went to my dresser and picked out a new outfit for the day. I had stolen an old shirt that Edward had worn on our trip. I slipped it on and a pair of black skinny jeans. The shirt still had the scent that comes off of Edward. It was an old, grey Led Zeppelin shirt that had the "The Song Remains the Same" logo on it.

Edward was asleep when I was finished. The clock read that it was 11:33 in the morning. He needed to be awake.

I hadn't noticed that Edward was shirtless when he crawled into bed last night. He was lying comfortably on his back in the bed with his arms stretched out above his head. His pale chest was chiseled. Luckily, his chest wasn't overly hairy…which was very good for me. Even as a child, I would be disgusted by men at the local pool or the beach because of their ape-man like chests. Aunt Nellie always wondered why their wives never waxed their chests or back while the men slept.

I softly rubbed the middle of Edward's chest. He groaned inside his throat. Slowly, his topaz eyes began to appear from under his rising eyelids. A slightly smile crept upon his face when he saw me. It made my heart flutter inside my chest.

"Why—hello," his velvety voice greeted.

"Hello to you too… you ready to get up?"

He winced and shook his head no. I kissed him on the forehead lightly. He still looked tired.

"Question—why am I in Alice's bed?" Edward asked, sounding confused.

"Do you not remember waking me up? And then you scarred Alice for life because you snuggled up to her…" I tried to explain without laughing. He snorted.

"I'm beginning to remember things now—I remember her telling me to go snuggle up to Emmett," said Edward. He hopped up out of bed and kissed me on the forehead. We held each other's hands as we walked downstairs. Emmett and Jasper were yelling loudly.

"AAAAAH! Why did you do that Emmett!?" Jasper exclaimed. They were only on level 7 of Super Mario Bros. Jasper was showing Emmett some sentence in one of the Nintendo Cheats books that Edward bought them. Emmett stared at it looking very concentrated. Then, he nodded and began to play the level once more.

Alice was sitting next to the tense Jasper shaking her head.

On the screen, Emmett ran into one of the little orange turtles. The two idiots yelled into the heavens once more. Emmett grabbed one of the squishy balls that doctor's give you for stress or physical therapy. Emmett squeezed it as hard as he could. The ball was flat at first, but began to inflate again once he sat it back down. Edward sat down on the couch beside Alice. I didn't want to sit in another chair by myself, so I sat down in front of Edward in the floor. It was comfortable. He tried to protest.

"I am fine," I assured him. Edward stayed quiet then…however, he began to run his fingers through my hair. It put chills up and down my spine.

Rosalie entered with a tray of drinks. She had brought Edward and me two cokes and gave Alice a bottle of lemon flavored water. She gave Emmett and Jasper two cups of coffee. I stared more closely at the two goofballs…there were black circles around their eyes.

"How long have they been playing this game?" I asked in general.

"Emmett never came to bed last night," Rosalie groaned. My eye twitched in confusion.

"So they've been playing it all night long?" I gasped. Edward just shook his head sadly.

"Heck yeah Bella! We've been doing it ALL NIGHT LONG!" Emmett shouted just as he passed into a castle. He through the controller up in the air and jumped straight up. Jasper and Emmett started yelling and freaking out. I'm sure he meant it as the sexual innuendo that it sounded like.

Now, it was Jasper's turn to play a level. Of course—this time he was hit by one of the big bullets that flew through the air. Those had always been my favorite thing in the game—mostly because they were VERY easy to get by. You just had to duck at the right time and place.

Edward took the controller from Jasper.

"I can actually beat this stupid thing…." he murmured. I was eager to see this one…

He began playing and got farther than Jasper did. He was almost near the castle when he didn't realize there was a hole in the ground. Edward fell in it and died. Now—they were out of lives. The sad "Game Over" music gently played. All of the guys groaned.

Alice looked at Rosalie and me.

"Wanna go shopping?" she eyed us. Rosalie nodded, I groaned. "Too bad. Two outnumbers one, Bella. You'll get over it."

Then, I was drug up off the floor. Edward was too focused on the game to notice my leaving…which was very unlike him. Why the hell were the Cullen boys so obsessed at beating some ancient game? There were better things to do in life, one of which was saving me from a shopping trip!

………………………………………………

After getting a few grunts from the guys, we all headed out in Alice's yellow Porsche. I was sitting in the back of the car by myself. I hadn't felt so lonely for quite a while. I decided to text Edward.

Edward—

You WILL die if I make it out of this alive.

-B

I sent it with a grunt and closed my phone.

"What's your problem?" Rosalie wanted to know. "You're being too quiet."

"Edward wasn't acting like himself today. He was fine in the morning—but as soon as he touched that controller… he began to act like…" I tried to find the word.

"An idiot. Just like Jasper and Emmett," Alice stated as she turned a curve on the highway.

"I didn't mean that as an insult or anything… but yeah," I backed up.

"No. We both know that our boyfriends are idiots. THEY know they're idiots. But somehow—they are perfect for us," Rosalie explained lovingly. "Edward is not an idiot. He has his moments though. Today must be one of them."

My cell phone vibrated my leg. Edward must have gotten my text. When I checked, I was surprised to see that it was from Emmett.

HEY BELLA! I haven't sent you a text in weeks…well—neway…would u b offended if we punched your boyfriend? E won't give the controller back 2 us. –Emmett

"Yeah—Rosalie…your boyfriend is an idiot," I said as I sent the big teddy bear a seal of approval to punch Edward.

"Did he text you?"

"Yeah."

I closed my phone once more. I groaned loudly as we pulled into the parking lot of the mall. Alice rolled her eyes. We all got out of the car and headed into the large mall. First, Alice pulled me to some store. Rosalie followed behind laughing. All the clothes inside the store were black and white.

"I may actually like this store—at least the floors aren't pink," I murmured. Alice snorted. She grabbed a mini dress that was black and looked VERY retro. It hung onto someone's body by fabric that circled around someone's neck. The fabric had sequins that sparkled in the fluorescent lighting. It was a pretty dress that would make Edward's jaw drop. She handed the dress to me as soon as I saw it. I checked the price tag and gasped. It was 200.

"Alice—noo…" I said while pushing the dress away. She pushed it right back into my chest.

"Yes. Don't worry. I have plenty of money. At least try it on," Alice assured me. I sighed deeply and held onto the dress. She laughed happily and continued. She threw a few more shirts and skirts at me. I hate skirts. I look like a heifer in them. I put the skirts back on the rack once Alice wasn't looking.

Of course, she noticed. Rosalie was beginning to giggle. She knew I would be feeling the wrath of the shopping master very soon.

"Alice, its November. It is NOT the time for mini-skirts," I argued. She laughed as if I said something an idiot would say.

"That's where Hot Topic comes in, my dear. I will stock you up with some leggings that will keep your skinny, little, white legs warm. Is that fine?" she asked sounding impatient. I was wasting her precious shopping time. I took a few skirts back and nodded. I headed back towards the dressing rooms. I locked myself in one and laid all of the clothes down on the black bench inside.

I took my shirt off and slipped my bra off as well. Alice would go insane if she saw baby blue bra straps stick out of the fashionable dress. Before I began slipping my pants off, I felt my phone buzz again. I pulled it out and checked. This time—it was from my boyfriend. It read:

My dearest Bella—I am so SORRY I was acting like Emmett and Jasper earlier. Please forgive me! –I love you. –Edward

I texted back:

Edward—

I'm not mad at you for that—it's the fact that you didn't protest when Alice decided to drag me into this hell!

But, I love you anyway…

--B

P.S. You will still die later.

I closed my phone and put it back in my jean pocket. I slipped my pants off and put on the sexy dress. The dress fit me like a glove. The balloon hem on the dress showed my legs off better than I expected.

I opened the door to find an eager Alice. She squealed in delight when I walked out. She turned me around and looked at my body in all views. It made me feel awkward. The beautiful Rosalie grinned when she saw me. Although—I wasn't sure but I think I saw a hint of jealousy in her eyes. Surely to goodness she wasn't jealous of me.

Rosalie entered the dressing room across from me and locked the door. She said nothing.

Alice loved the dress and was going to make me buy it whether I wanted to or not. She said that if I didn't wear it, that she would at some point. I tried on the rest of the clothes and decided to get two black-denim skirts and one sweater that had thick black and white stripes across it. It was cashmere again. My purchases pleased Alice just fine. Rosalie got a long black dress that hugged her body perfectly. Alice got some black bangles, a hounds tooth jacket that was black and white, and black slacks. The total of it all made me clench my teeth together. UGH! Where does she get all that money??

We continued on through a few more stores. I tried on about 40 more things and bought about 20 (It would have been 10 but Alice refused).

I had told her, "You know that you are just as stubborn as your brother is."

"Emmett's not very stubborn!" Alice exclaimed while sticking her tongue out at me. Rosalie snorted.

"You know which stubborn brother I'm talking about…." I murmured.

Unfortunately, Rose and Alice ran into the store that I never liked entering: Victoria's Secret. It was too pink and smelly for me. Then of course, there was the lingerie that should be illegal.

I sat down on the bench across from the entrance. Why the hell was there a bench that looked right into Victoria's Secret?

Rose noticed me sitting down. She ran out and grabbed my arm and began to drag me into the store.

"You have a boyfriend, right?" Rosalie asked. I nodded. "Then, you must have something to wear if things get……um…."

"We're not having sex," I stated. I made her stop.

"We all know you want to…" Alice overheard and said.

"SHUT UP. We're not doing it! Okay? Even if I was just dying to do it, Edward would refuse. He's too old-fashioned," I added.

Rosalie and Alice stopped to think. Then they winced at each other.

"You're right. My brother is a bit of a prick, isn't he?" Alice murmured.

"Yeah—he believes in that no-sex-before-the-wedding-night crap," Rosalie said sadly.

"Yeah he does. And I do too," I informed her.

Luckily, they shoved me out then. I went back to my lovely bench. Right as I sat down, my leg vibrated once more. The text was from Edward once more.

Where the heck are you? Did Alice kidnap you to the mall? I love you and miss you.

--Edward

I responded:

Do you not remember me telling you I was going to the mall? Yes, I'm here. Sitting in front of Victoria's Secret…waiting for those two to get out. I wish you'd come and save me. I love you too.

-Bella

I held my phone for a minute after I sent the text. Quickly, I got a response.

Your wish is my command, my darling. –E

Oh he wouldn't…. no…he's not seriously coming, is he? Oh…. Alice is going to kill me. Right as I began thinking, I got another text.

Don't worry about my sister. I will take care of her. Rosalie will play with her some more. I'll tell her that I want you back. It's true, isn't it? : P –E

I rolled my eyes. Edward would protect me from the wrath of Alice.

Alice and Rosalie were taking a lot of time in that store. I could see the dressing rooms for here--and Rosalie was walking out of one of them! Alice was entering one now. GAAAAAH! They were doing this on purpose. I looked for another store that I could enter. The Disney store was next door?? Wow—they really decided to be random while placing stores in the mall. I texted Alice telling her I would be in the Disney store.

I loved the Disney store. I loved the stuff animals that were in the back, I loved all the clothes for little girls that wanted to dress like Minnie Mouse… I loved the tee-shirts. I was a little girl at heart.

While looking at the piles of Mickey Mouse's in the back, I felt hands wrap around my waist. Someone's face landed on my shoulder. The hands that were holding me close didn't look like Alice's tiny hands.

"I'm sorry, Bella," Edward murmured and kissed my cheek.

I turned around to face him. His topaz eyes looked happy.

"What are you apologizing for?" I asked.

"For being stupid earlier. Emmett and Jasper rub off on me, sadly. Please forgive me," he said. I kissed his forehead.

"I've never been much to hold a grudge," I responded happily. He grinned and hugged me tightly. A mother with a stroller and a toddler walked by, looking at t-shirts.

"Edward—we're in the Disney Store. They don't approve of PDA in here," I joked. He snorted and let me go carefully.

"So—you would rather be here than in Victoria's Secret? You like Mickey Mouse better than panties?" Edward teased.

"I love the Disney store."

"Have you ever been to Disneyworld?" he asked curiously. I shook my head no. He bit his lip thoughtfully. He was up to something.

"What are you thinking?" he wondered.

"I'm thinking that you're up to something."

"You're right," he laughed. "But I won't tell you what I'm thinking about."

"That's not fair," I exclaimed, picking up a Sully doll from the Monster's INC. section of the stuffed animals. He grinned.

Finally, we left the Disney Store and headed out. He assured me that he had talked to Alice and that everything was fine. We got into his silver Volvo and drove off.

"What do you want to do now?" I wanted to know.

"Kiss you," he answered.

"You can't do that while driving," I protested.

"Want to try me?"

"No."

Then he pouted. Suddenly—I remembered a place I wanted to go.

"Edward?"

"Yes, my dearest?"

"Can we go to the meadow?" I asked. He grinned at me.

……..

Edward's POV:

Did she just ask to go to the meadow? I had figured that she had forgotten about it. I was delighted that she wanted to return though.

"Edward? Edward? Can we go?" she interrupted my thoughts. Oh, my beautiful Bella…

"Of course we can!" I exclaimed, sounding more excited than I intended. She grinned at my voice.

I turned on the exit that led to our meadow. OUR Meadow…