"Food's ready!" Alice had gone back outside and she was calling to everyone who was inside. I looked at Edward suspiciously, wondering how he would cover the fact as to why they Cullen's weren't eating.
"Don't worry, we know how to handle it." He smiled my favorite smile. "Would you like to eat?" He asked me. I hadn't realized how hungry I'd been all day.
"Yeah, some food would be good." I climbed off of Edward's lap and he got off of the chair. Hand in hand we walked outside together, me bare-footed, to the buffet table where Alice, Jasper, and Rosalie were helping serve the food. I took a plate off the edge of the table and began at the beginning. There were baby back ribs, mostacolli, chicken wings, and everything in between. I grabbed whatever looked good and Edward and I walked to an empty picnic table that was set up outside. I sat down, placing my plate in front of me and Edward sat across from me. Immediately, I began eating the food, hardly stopping the take a breath. I couldn't believe how hungry I was.
"Someone has quiet an appetite today." Edward chuckled and took the napkin that was beside my plate and wiped the corner of my mouth, cleaning it of the barbeque sauce that was painted on my face.
"I don't even know where it came from." I said, my mouth half full. I looked at Edward, his eyes were gazing beyond me. I turned around and saw Charlie standing behind me.
"Hey, Dad." I swallowed the rest of what was in my mouth and wiped my mouth with the napkin.
"Hey, Bells. You did great." He sat down beside me and placed a hand on my back, rubbing it up and down.
"Thanks." I smiled the same time I bit into another rib. I couldn't even imagine how much of a slob I must look like right now.
"Edward, why aren't you eating? Why aren't any of you guys eating?" He sounded suspicious.
"While Bella was getting ready we all ate so there would be enough food for the guests. We weren't sure how many people were going to show up."
"I see." Charlie rubbed his chin. "Don't get anything on your lovely dress, Bella. You know your Mother's going to want pictures." He started to stand up to leave.
"Don't worry, Dad." I assured him.
"Love ya, kiddo." He pecked my cheek and left mine and Edward's table, following Renee into the house.
"He really cares about you."
"I know he does, that's what worries me sometimes. What if he finds out I'm.. you know.."
"Trust me, he won't. Us Cullen's are excellent actors." He laughed as I did as well. Without even realizing, everything I had put on my plate was gone. I had eaten too fast and my stomach ached.
"Oh boy." I placed my hand on my stomach and took deep breaths. Edward laughed at me. I set my elbows on the table and rest my chin in my hands. Edward was staring at me, not blinking and not moving. I gave him a skepitcal look, but he didn't do a thing.
"What?" I asked him curiously.
"I can't.. I can't even fathom how beautiful you look. It's indescribeable."
"Oh, stop it, Edward." My cheeks bagan to heat up. They must have turned red, because Edward had placed his hand on my cheek and smiled.
"I love that about you, you know that." He was making me blush more. I pulled away.
"That makes one of us." He shook his head in disbelief. He then made a guesture towards my right, and I turned in that direction. Alice was approaching us quickly, a bright smile on her face.
"Time to cut the cake!" Her soprano voice was bouncy. It must have been nearly six o' clock, because the sun was starting to set. I gave Edward a confused look, seeing as how he can't eat anything, and yet hundreds of people will be watching us feed each other cake, but he didn't notice. He stood up from the table and came around to my side, taking my hand to help me over the bench, and not letting go. Alice had slid behind us and placed one hand of hers over each of ours eyes and guided us around the other picnic tables. She stopped us ebrubtly and removed her hands. Sitting on a gold side table was the same cake she had shown us in the picture a while ago, towering high. It looked even more amazing in person.
"Oh my goodness. This is incredible!" Even though I had eaten so much, the cake actually looked good. I looked up towards Edward, who kept his eyes on the cake. I could tell he wished he would be able to actually eat it. Alice walked up to us with a thin, long black box and opened it. Inside laid a long, silver cake knife, reflecting the sun set-colored sky above. I reached my hand to remove it when Edward's hand stopped mine.
"Why don't you let me do that?" He chuckled as I moved my hand away and took it out himself. We looked at it together, the handle engraved with "Edward and Isabella Cullen – August thirteenth".
"Thank you, Alice. That was nice of you." I smiled at her and she nodded her head. I laid my hand on Edward's which was still on the handle of the knife. Together, we led the knife to the first layer of the cake, sliding it through, cutting off a thin piece. Edward pulled it out, carefully breaking it in half and handing the other half to me. I gave him the same confused look I had before. The guests eyes were glued to us now and I had no idea what to do.
"Just do it." Edward whispered.
"You first." I whispered back. And immediately, Edward brought the piece of cake slowly to my face, as I opened my mouth waiting for it. I closed my eyes, expecting him the slide it right into my mouth, when I felt it smear across my face, hardly any of it making it into my mouth.
"Ugh!" I opened my mouth wide, but I couldn't help but smile. I knew Edward's plan. Now was my only chance. Instantly I slapped the piece of cake that was still in my hand across Edward's face, avoiding his mouth. He gave me a surprised, yet approving look. I stuck my tongue out at him.
"Good plan." I whispered into his ear.
"I thought so, too." His voice had a smile it in itself. Alice handed me a towel and I wiped my entire face clear of cake and frosting, most likely messing up my makeup. I wiped Edward's face for him, giving him a peck on the cheek after doing so.
"Mmmm, you smell like frosting."
"This cake could come in handy tonight." He laughed and I playfully hit him on the shoulder. Alice cut the rest of the cake for the other guests while Edward and I finally got the chance to sneak away. He took my hand and led me around to the front yard, but hadn't stopped. He continued around the house until we reached the garage. Silently, he let go of my hand and strolled to the key pad on the front of the door, punched in a few numbers, and walked back to my side, grabbing my hand, as the garage door slowly opened.
"Just a little wedding gift." He smirked down at me. I gave him an annoyed look and gazed back at the garage, which was now completely open. Inside, rested a baby blue customized 2008 Audi TT.
"Edward, you didn't."
"I did."
"But I-" He placed a cool finger on my lips.
"You married me, that's enough of a present." I was silent after that. I walked inside the garage, gently sweeping my hand across the fin of the Audi. I peeked through the front windows, The black racer seats lined with light blue leather trimming.
"This is over the top, Edward. Really. You know I love my truck."
"Yeah, I know. Follow me." He took my hand again and pulled me out of the garage. He led me to the second garage which was still closed. He entered another code and the garage opened, the humming bouncing off the trees. Slowly, the door revealed a newly painted truck, same as the old, just a brighter red. The silver bumper had been buffed and reflected the concrete of the garage floor.
"Edward! Now this.. this is amazing! I love it!"
"I was hoping you would." I let go of his hand and he put his hands in the pockets of his dress pants. The inside of the truck looked entirely the same, except for the new stereo, similar to the one the Cullen's had bought me for my eighteenth birthday. A memory I did not want to recall.
"The Audi's for special occassions." He followed me as I circled the truck. When we made it back out of the garage, I turned to face Edward, taking his hands.
"I love them both." I craned my neck to press my lips to his, staying there for a moment. "But not more than you." I pulled away for a moment to smile, and set my lips to his once again. I wrapped my arms around his waist and his hands wandered up my back and tangling into the loose flowing curls my hair had become.
"Let's go for a walk." He nearly demanded.
"Sure." I took his hand and we began walking down the driveway when Edward stopped suddenly.
"Alice wants you to change first."
"Oh, I almost forgot." I let go of his hand and gave him a quick kiss before going back into the house. "I won't be long." I shouted back towards him and I entered the house, shutting the door behind me. I lifted my dress as I climbed the stairs, still bare footed. I entered Alice's room and shut the door behind me, walking towards the sofa. Laying on the sofa was a white box with a silver ribbon tied around it. I rolled my eyes and opened the box, throwing the lid aside. Inside underneath a sheet of pink tissue paper was a light blue t-shirt with "Mrs. Edward Cullen" printed in black fancy letters on the front. I smiled to myself and held the shirt up. I turned it around and our wedding date was printed on the back. Alice had gone over the edge. Underneath the shirt was a pair of matching black track pants with a light blue stripe running down each leg. I quickly changed into the new outfit, releaved to get out of the over-tight gurdle, slid on my slip-ons, and raced back down the stairs and outside. Edward was standing in the same spot where I had left him.
"Nice shirt." He laughed the moment I approached him.
"Alice left it in her room for me. She is doing way too much, honestly."
"That's just how Alice is, you'll get used to it." I blew the stray hairs away from my face.
"C'mon." He took my hand and pulled me back towards the garage towards the Audi. He opened the driver's side door for me and I got it, adjusting myself to the new controls. Edward reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys, which had two key chains attached. One was the the letter "B" and the other an "E". I rolled my eyes and smiled at his as he shut the door and walked around to the passengers side, sliding in quickly and shutting the door.
"I thought we were going for a walk?"
"We are. In the meadow."
"Why don't we just run?"
"Your feet hurt." I couldn't argue with that, because they still ached. I stuck the key into the ignition and revved the engine to life, the blare of it roaring throughout the garage. It was much quieter than my truck though, I must say. I pulled out of the garage, and carefully meneuvered down the driveway. The ride was smooth and quick. I could probably get used to this car.
"You like?" Edward asked, rubbing his hand along the dash bored.
"I'm not going to lie. I love it."
"Good to hear." I saw him looking at me through the corner of my eye.
"You seem.. disctracted today." I glanced over towards him then shot my eyes back towards the road.
"I am. By you." He continued to gaze. I made a ticking sound with my mouth. I couldn't help but blush. The moment I felt my cheeks heat up, the back of his fingers were against my face.
"I knew that would work." I could see his overly-white teeth showing without even looking at him. I saw the entrance of path leading to the meadow in the short distance ahead, and pulled onto the dirt-covered shoulder of the road. I unbuckled the seatbelt I paused to look at Edward.
"Will the care be okay here?" There was no way I would be happy if someone decided to steal it, or even touch it. I'd grown attached.
"Trust me, with this mind," Edward tapped his temple with his index finger. "no one will even want to think about touching this car." He nodded his head towards me. As we got out of the car, I locked it with the button on the keychain and it beeped once. I walked over to Edward's side where he was waiting for me. With saying a word, he scooped me up in his cool arms and started sprinting towards the meadow, my hair whipping around my face. It was all so sudden. The world around me was spinning, even though we had stopped. Edward set me down on the grass beneath us and I rolled on my side, squeezing my eyes shut.
"You couldn't have given me some sort of heads up first?" I stiffled a laugh as I sat up and put my head between my legs.
"Sorry about that." He sat down next to me and brushed my hair back with a delicate hand. I brought my head back up, the trees aorund me starting to stay still. I leaned myself into Edward as he wrapped his arm around my waist. We sat there for a moment, while I spun my wedding ring around my finger. Edward ran his finger tips through my curls.
"Well, this is it. You're officially doomed to an eternity." The tone of his voice made it sound like a joke.
"Living with you forever, I wouldn't exactly call that being doomed. I call it.. being the luckiest girl on earth." I looked up towards him. He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"You haven't even seen the worst of our livestyle, Bella."
"I think I've been through worse vampire related incidents when I was human than I possibly could now." I bit my lips as I traced the scar on my hand. No longer cooler than the rest of my skin. As I did so, I felt Edward trace his finger along my neck, in the same spot where Heidi had left her mark.
"Maybe. Just don't think of this as an easy lifestyle, okay?" I didn't really see where he was getting at, but I quit arguing and sunk deeper into his chest. I yawned, covering my mouth with my hand.
"Tired?"
"Just a little. Alice had to wake me up at six.."
"We should get going. The guests should be leaving soon, and I'm sure they're going to want to see us.
"Sure." I felt Edward shift under me and he stood up, reaching out his hand to help me. He easily pulled me up and kept ahold of my hand. We walked to the edge of the pathway slowly and silently. Edward looked like he was about to pick up his pace.
"Edward?" I stopped as he walked a few inches ahead of me, then turned around.
"Hmm?"
"Can we walk?" I wasn't up for running.
"Sure." He smiled at me. We contiuned to walk, listening to the trees rustling above us. Every so often Edward would squeeze my hand gently. We had walked almost half way to the car. Walking took much longer than running would have, but I didn't have the strength - or the stomach - to do it right now. I looked up towards Edward's face, which was carved perfectly. But something didn't seem right. His lips were pressed hard together and his eyes were hard set in front of him. His jaw clenched.
"Edward?" I asked, yet we continued to walk. He didn't answer.
"Edward.."This time I stopped, but he didn't. He was dragging me behind him.
"Edward, what is it?!" I shouted to him.
"Nothing." His tone was flat. He stared down the path, never blinking. I followed his gaze, which stretch the entire visible length of the path. In the distance, I could see a large, dark structure moving closer towards us, growing bigger.
"Edward.. what is that?" He still wouldn't answer. I walked slowly, yet he continued to drag me. "Edward, tell me right now!" My voice roared through the trees as I yanked my hand from Edward's. This time he stopped, looked down at his hand, and turned towards me.
"Jacob." He nudged his head in the direction of the structure. My heart jumped in my chest and my eyes grew wide. I took Edward's hand again and let him lead me on, as Jake got closer and closer. I huddled closer into him as Jake's features became more and more visible. Edward stopped in his tracks, but Jake continued traveling closer towards us, almost fast-walking. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping he wasn't real, but by the time I opened them, he was towering tall in front of me.
"Jake.." His eyes were wandering around chest, I assumed he was reading my shirt. I let go of Edward's hand and crossed my arms over my chest, hugging them close.
"Congratulations." His voice had no emotion to it, yet he sounded paniky. Edward stayed still beside me.
"Jake, why are you here?" I asked him, keeping my arms tight.
"I don't have time to talk, Bella. I have to go." He walked quickly past me, picking up his pace. I dropped my arms to my sides and turned around, watching him travel farther and father away. I kept my eyes on him until he was no longer in sight, vanishing within the trees. I sighed deeply. I could hear a faint rumble come from Edward's direction and I turned to face him. I looked down at his hand, taking it, and let my eyes travel up his body, until I reached his face. For some reason, his upper lip was pulled back over his teeth, revealing a perfect row of venom-coated teeth.
"E-Edward?" My tone horrified. His head sharply turned towards me, which was when I noticed his eyes were growing darker. I sucked in my breath.
"Stay here, Bella." I slowly let my hand go, letting it drop to my side.
"Edward.. tell me what's going on."
"I don't know myself, yet. Just stay here." His voice became louder.
"No, Edward! I'm not letting you go alone!" I was becoming furious.
"Bella, we don't know what's going on, all I know is that.. A-Aro is here."
I promise you the next chapter will be posted tomorrow, because it's already completely typed up. I've just decided to torture you guys a bit. xD If I get a lot of reviews I will post it as soon as I wake up. Sooooooo read&review !!!
