Three Is Never A Crowd
C13: On The Second Day Of Christmas
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters
A/N: I know, another one within the two weeks while I am supposed to take it easy, but thanks to my medication I have been feeling a lot better, and I have been able to write a bit more. I've just started Chapter 16 for this, which makes this the longest Twilight fic I've ever done, and so far I do not see the end coming any time soon. This chapter contains a little bit more of Bella's time in New York as well as a blast from her past there. I hope you enjoy and I will see you for the next one.
Bella's POV
When I woke up the following morning, there was a distinct lack of cold bodies against me, and I pouted a little as I woke up. "Ali, Rosie? Are you two here?" I asked loud enough for them to hear.
I didn't hear anything but after a few seconds the bedroom door opened to reveal Esme, a sweet smile gracing her flawless features. "Good morning sweetie. Did you sleep okay?"
I nodded and smiled at her as she took a seat on the edge of the bed. "I did, I'm just not used to wake up alone anymore."
She smiled at me. "Rosalie and Alice just left for a quick hunt, sweetie, they'll be back soon enough. There is a chance they will become quite possessive of you today, so they wanted to be sure to have some blood in them."
"I understand, but I think everything will be fine. Call it a gut feeling, and if there is one thing I have learned over the years is to trust three things in life. My heart, my gut and myself." I said as I stretched, which inadvertently let the sheets slip from my body.
"You might want to cover up before breakfast though sweetie." Esme said with a soft smile.
I blushed and pulled the blankets back up. "Sorry Mom. We just usually sleep naked because it saves time in the morning. Alice and Rose usually make good use of my morning erections, something I do not mind at all."
"I can't imagine what it feels like to have sex that early in the morning shortly after waking up." Esme said with a soft smile.
I smiled at that as my blush darkened. "Because of my penis and the thrown of balance of testosterone and estrogen, I produce a lot of semen, so I am usually always ready to go."
She smiled at me. "I didn't know sweetie, but I won't ask anymore before Alice and Rose as why you are still blushing so fiercely when they get back. I'll go and get started on breakfast."
I nodded and hugged her, for once not caring I was still naked. "I'll be down after getting dressed and taking care of my human business."
Esme smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "Take your time sweetie. Rosalie and Alice will take at least an hour to get back. Is there something special you wanted for breakfast?"
"I would love some pancakes if it's not too much of a hassle." I said softly.
She smiled at that. "It's been a while, but I can certainly try to make some pancakes for you."
I just smiled and hugged her before Esme made her way back downstairs, so that I wouldn't have to feel more embarrassed.
After I stretched again I rolled out of bed and padded into the bathroom to take care of my morning business, also taking my time to do my make-up a little, because I wanted to make a good impression on my new extended family.
When I came downstairs I could already smell the delicious pancakes Esme was preparing for me. "Hey Bella Bear. Did you sleep okay?" Emmett asked with a smile.
I smiled at him and gave him a hug. "Of course I did, I had my mates next to me after all, I'm just not used to waking up alone anymore."
He smiled at me. "Soon enough you won't have to worry about that anymore. Then you'll be just like us and won't need to sleep anymore."
"It'll have to wait though Brother Bear. I won't be turned until after my birthday, because Ali wants to organize a birthday party for me.." I said with a smile.
He grinned as Esme called me for breakfast, and as I walked into the kitchen, I saw a big plate of pancakes, which made me smile. I was famished after last night and I could use the meal.
"I hope they turned out okay sweetie." She said as she sat down opposite of me, like she usually did when I ate. It really gave me a sense of domesticity that I couldn't help but smile at.
As always Esme's cooking was amazing. "They're amazing Mom. You really have an amazing talent for cooking."
She smiled at that. "Thank you sweetie. That means a lot to me."
I smiled at her. "Since you have cared more for me in the last couple of months than anyone outside my grandmother has done in my entire life, I would say it comes easily for me to love you as a mother, no scratch that. You are my mother."
She smiled brightly and pulled me into her arms, albeit a little bit too forceful. "Mom, air, still need to breathe." I said as I tapped her arm.
She quickly released me. "Sorry sweetie. I just never heard something so sweet before."
I smiled at her. "Well, it's not like I mind having breasts smother me, but I would rather them be Rosalie's or Alice's."
She smiled at that. "I understand, but it is too early for you to sound like Emmett so much."
I blushed a little at that. "Sorry Mom, but your breasts were actually smothering me."
She smiled and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "What's this love, already trading us in?" Alice asked with an audible smile.
"Since I have a thing for Pixie like brunettes and Goddess like blondes, I wouldn't say I was trading in anything. Mom and I were just having a sweet little moment." I said with a soft smile to my two lovers.
They smiled and almost glided over to me to give me a kiss. "We've missed you love. We can't wait until you can't go hunting with us." Rosalie said softly.
I smiled at that. "I can't wait for that too, it's only ten days until my birthday after all, and after that we can start planning a date."
They smiled and kissed me softly. "Yeah, I don't think even we can get away with letting your birthday slide without a nice party." Rosalie said as she wrapped her arms around my waist.
I smiled and leaned against her, while Alice took up a similar spot in my arms. "Indeed you can't. We never get to celebrate a birthday, and we feel you deserve at least one birthday with a family that loves you." Alice said with a soft smile.
"I really can't wait to see what kind of party you can cook up, love. It's been a long time since I had an actual birthday celebration." I said softly.
Alice and Rosalie smiled and pressed a kiss to my cheek as we took a seat on the couch.
Rosalie's POV
As we waited for Tanya and the rest of the Denali's to arrive, Alice and I took our time reaffirming our bond with Bella, because we had a feeling our possessive urges would flare a little, although Bella didn't seem to mind that we nuzzled her neck continuously. "Is everything okay loves? It's been a while since you two were so possessive."
"The Denali's are close by and while everyone but Tanya has a mate, we're feeling a little bit possessive of you. Especially Kate and her mate Victoria are a bit exuberant at times." I said softly.
Bella smiled at that. "I'm used to exuberant people. I worked at a strip-club, remember. All of the girls there were ten times more exuberant than our Pixie on her best day."
I smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "While I find that hard to believe, I will take your word for it." Alice said with a soft smile.
Right then I heard the soft footfalls of eight vampires running to our home. "They're close. We better get ready for the questions."
"It'll be fine. If you guys trust them with me around, then I know I will get along famously." Bella said with a soft smile.
We both smiled and pressed a last kiss to her neck before we stood just slightly behind Carlisle and Esme, who were already in the backyard.
Soon enough the familiar blonde streaks that were the three sisters broke through the tree line, and a single glance at Bella surprised me a little. It was one of recognition.
Her look was mostly focused on Kate and Victoria, who also looked a bit shocked to see the brunette at our side. "It seems you never fail to surprise us, Carlisle." Tanya said with a smile.
"Yes, so it would seem. This is Bella, the latest addition to our family." He said as he motioned me forward.
She smiled at him and squeezed our hands softly before standing next to Carlisle. "Bella, these are Tanya, Kate and Irina Denali. Our cousins."
"I know most of them already from my time in New York, right Kat? Vicki?" She asked with a smile.
Kate, Victoria, Tanya and Irina smiled at her. "Indeed we do, although I am surprised to see you here Isabella." Kate said with a smile.
Bella smiled at that. "I told you I had to go back and live with my dad until I turned eighteen, and my dad lives here in town. Thankfully Rosalie and Alice saved me from that pretty quickly, since I only stayed with him for a week or so. Thanks for the glitter by the way. I made the bomb for under his chair."
The blonde and redhead grinned at that. "We were glad to help Bella. When you told us about that asshole we just knew we had to help you a little. We're glad you got at least a little bit of revenge on him." Victoria said with a smile.
"We're wondering more how you know Bella. How did you even meet her?" Esme asked intrigued.
Tanya smiled at her. "We, and with that I mean Kate, had the bright idea to open up a strip club in downtown New York when Eleazar and Carmen were on a vacation. Irina handled the hiring of the dancers and I was in charge of staff, so when Bella came in looking for a job as a server, after hearing a little bit of her story, I hired her without a second thought, and I felt we really hit it off until she was forced to leave, and not soon after that we sold the place and moved back to Denali. I'm glad she has found a place in your family. She deserves a loving home."
Bella smiled at them and seemed to try and resist the urge to go and hug them. "It's okay love. We won't kill them just for hugging you." I said with a smile.
She smiled at us and ran over to Tanya, Kate and Victoria, hugging the three women tightly. "I've missed you guys so much. You don't know how much I wanted to stay in New York just so I would have people that cared about me."
The four women smiled at her. "We would've liked to stay too, but we were already pushing our luck with staying there as long as we did. I'm truly glad that you found our dear cousins as your family." Irina said with a rare smile.
Bella smiled at her. "I know, the attraction I felt to Alice and Rosalie was instantaneous, much like you and Laurent back in New York."
The blonde smiled at her. "Yes, much like that, and he excuses himself that he isn't here yet, he caught scent of a vampire near here, so he'll be along later. He has missed his baby sister around."
Bella smiled as she molded herself into Alice's side. "I've missed him too. He was always so sweet."
Irina smiled at that. "That he is, but tell me Alice, did you and Rose feel the same for Bella when you first saw her. I am awfully curious about how this all happened."
We both smiled at her. "It was, I saw her just arrive in Forks and knew she was our mate instantly, and the second we actually saw her at lunch we knew it was true. We couldn't imagine a life without Bella at this point, especially since she proposed to us so sweetly yesterday." Alice said as she leaned against me and wrapped an arm around Bella's waist.
They smiled at us. "We're glad you two have finally found your mate. I can honestly say you can get no one better than Bella. She is a fierce protector of those she cares about. I've seen her kick out guys thrice her size at the club."
"We know she is a fierce protector. She nearly killed a shifter a couple of days ago." Alice said with a smile.
Bella blushed a little at that. "Jacob tried to attack you, and I wanted to make it clear that there was a reason he used to fear me."
"You never cease to surprise us Bella. You will be an interesting newborn." Tanya said with a smile.
"Indeed she will. I have never seen as much potential in a human before. Her gift is astounding." Eleazar said with a smile as he stepped from behind Tanya.
"That is Eleazar and his mate Carmen. They are to the Denali's what Carlisle and Esme are for us. He has a gift that lets him detect other gifts in humans or vampires." I said suppressing a giggle at the surprised puppy look on Bella's face.
She smiled at that. "It's nice to meet you. Dad did mention something about my gift but I am curious to find out what it is."
He smiled at her. "I'll gladly tell you, but maybe we should move this inside. We smelled another vampire close and Victoria thought it might be James."
Carlisle frowned at that. "He usually comes to bother us around Christmas. Perhaps this time we should make sure it is the last time, because we all know he will make Bella his next target."
Everyone nodded as we moved inside. "Who is James love?" Bella asked once we sat down.
"James is the bastard that hunted me before Esme turned me and saved my life. He stalks our family from time to time and now we are sure that he will target you next, if only to get back at me, and to top this all off, he is also an old 'friend' of Laurent and Victoria." Alice said softly.
Both Bella and I wrapped an arm around her waist. "He won't bother us again love. We'll end it this time." I said softly.
Alice smiled and cuddled into me while pulling Bella with her. "I agree. He has taunted too long already and we should have ended him a long time ago. He has hurt my daughters long enough." Esme said from her spot next to Carlisle.
Carlisle nodded at her, and I knew he meant it this time. He might be a pacifist, but he was fiercely protective of his family. "We do have to find a way to protect Bella at the same time. For the time being she is still human, and while she has proven to being able to protect herself, against a vampire she wouldn't stand a chance yet. Unlike the shifters we can't be hurt by a knife."
"For once I'll obey orders Dad. I don't want to die because of this James guy and hurt Rosalie and Alice even more because of it." Bella said with a soft smile.
We smiled and pressed a kiss against her temple. "We'll be there next to you love, a last line of defense if things for some reason go awry." I said with a soft smile.
She smiled at that. "With Jasper there I am sure we won't have any problems, and with the obvious numbers we now have with Tanya and the others, I am sure we won't have any issues."
"Since we will be here for the foreseeable future, I think we can help with that." Tanya said with a smile.
"As always our home is your home, Tanya. After Bella's birthday next month we can make our way to Denali together, we think it will be safer for Bella to go through her newborn phase there." Carlisle said with a smile.
Tanya smiled and nodded. "Much obliged Carlisle. I promise we won't impose anymore than you are used from us, although we would like to take some time catch up with Bella a little."
"I would like that, as long as Alice and Rose can be there. I really don't want to be parted from them at the moment." Bella said with a smile.
"That's more than okay Bella. We understand the pull of the mating bond." Kate said with a smile.
Bella smiled at the blonde. "I always knew there was something more between you two then you let on in the club."
They smiled at that. "That might have something to do with your gift, Bella. Your gift is to see someone's true nature, what resides in their soul, so to speak, and to add to that you seem to be a lie detector, so basically you are able to tell if someone is lying to you. You also have a powerful mental and physical shield." Eleazar said with a smile.
"Those first two don't really surprise me to be honest. I have always been able to tell if someone was lying to me, and I have always had that knack of seeing past the surface of people's looks." Bella said with a smile.
"If you are a shield it makes sense why I can't hear your thoughts or why Jasper's power doesn't work on you, but why Alice can receive visions about you." Edward said with a smile.
Bella smiled at him. "I've always been really guarded about my thoughts and emotions, so that might have something to do with it, but it might also be that shield helping me keep things close to the vest. I guess we'll be able to tell once I am turned."
Edward smiled at her. "I understand you wanting to keep things close, Bella. I would be shocked if you didn't after everything."
Bella smiled at that. "True, but I would say I have improved a little since I started with living with you guys, although I think one of these days Charlie will come and try and fuck up everything. He's bound to visit Billy at some point and I just know Jake will run his mouth about what happened to him. He'll then come here to fix the mistake he made when I was born, or at least that is what he hopes, and I want to ask you guys if that happens to let me deal with him."
"We will sweetie. You deserve some measure of revenge against him." Esme said with a smile, which surprised me a little bit, since she had been against ending Charlie.
Bella's POV
Later that day after we had all caught up a little, we all made our way to the cabin, since I had been pretty excited to do some training again, and while it was a no-brainer that Alice, Rosalie and Emmett would come, I should have expected that everyone was excited to see my capabilities.
Thankfully the Emmett, Jasper and Edward had thought of a dressing room for me and I couldn't help but smile when I saw my own custom gi lying there. It was all black with dark crimson and had a stylized 'C' on the back. This had to be Alice's work, because it was too much of my likes in this for it not to be.
I quickly slipped it on and smiled at the fit, which was absolutely perfect. I had to admit it felt good to have this outfit on again, and slowly I felt myself slipping back in the familiar zone where time always seemed to slow down and my focus increased.
When I walked back out of the dressing room everyone smiled at me. "I hope it fits love. I've never really made something like this before." Alice said with a smile.
I smiled and kissed her softly. "It its perfectly love, like everything else you have made for me. It was also pretty easy to see that you made this, only you and Rose know my preference for these colors."
She smiled at me. "I felt you deserved something extra special, love. We're all curious about what you can do."
"I will have to warm up first though, otherwise I might pull something, and that is something I would rather avoid at this moment." I said with a soft smile.
She nodded and both her and Rosalie gave me a kiss before I started doing my stretches and warm-up routine, everything coming back to me quickly, for which I was thankful. "I do think we should keep to boxing for now, Bella. We can't do the other things together until you are turned, but you can try and hit me all you want." Jasper said with a smile.
I smiled at that. "I was just about to suggest that too, but it will require a different outfit. I can't go boxing in a gi. I'll go and change while you pad up."
He nodded as I made my way back to my dressing room, quickly changing into a sports bra and shorts, and of course I also made sure to tape up my hands, the routine soothing after such a long time.
Walking back I had to smile at the lust filled looks on Rosalie and Alice's faces. "Later loves, I know it must be a very sexy look." I said with a smile.
They growled softly as Jasper helped me put on my practice gloves, and I just smiled at them. "I promise to make it up to you, my loves. I just need to burn off a bit of excess energy."
They smiled at that. "Trust us that you will wish you hadn't by the time we get back to our room Isabella." Rosalie said with a soft husky growl.
It took all of my willpower not to get hard from the tone of her voice alone, even though I knew that any time either of them called me by my full name, I was up for something special.
"You ready Bella?" Jasper asked in an attempt to get my focus back on the matter at hand.
I nodded at him, tearing my eyes away from my lovers. "Yeah, I'm ready. Will you be okay Jazz?"
He nodded and smiled. "Having you around for the last few days has given me time to get used to your scent. I can handle it now. It also helps that your scent has always been very minimal to me, which might have something to do with your gifts."
"You do know that means I will be cashing in on that hug as soon as we are done right?" I said with a smile.
He only smiled and took his pose. "If you manage to make me feel this, I will let you hug me all you want." He said with a grin.
I grinned right back at him. "Be careful what you wish for Jazz. Kate and Vickie can tell you plenty of stories about people who felt my punches."
He only smiled and tapped the pads. "Prove it then, sister."
I smirked and exhaled as I felt myself slip into my familiar pose of boxing, for once being light on my feet as I tried a few air punches, feeling confident enough to try my luck with Jasper.
It didn't take long before I fell into my rhythm again and from the look on Jasper's face he was at least surprised at the strength behind my punches and as I started getting into it he actually seemed to have trouble keeping himself in place.
"Wow, I didn't expect you to pack such a punch, Bella. Despite the pads and me being a vampire, I actually felt those." Jasper said with a smile.
I panted a little from the exertion and smiled at him. "Yeah, I always enjoyed boxing a bit too much according to my trainer. The only reason I never fought any actual matches was the issue of my penis. I couldn't compete with the men because I am a woman, and I never fit any weight class for the women, but he always said I definitely had talent and that if circumstances had been different, I could have been a champion boxer."
"I have no doubt about that. You have amazingly quick hands for a human and your footwork is flawless. It's just such a far cry from the clumsiness I am used from you." Jasper said with an awed smile.
I smiled at that. "That comes from the fact that everything just seems to slow down whenever I fight and it allows me to actually register and think about my movements. Usually everything is just drowned out by the storm in my head."
He smiled and hugged me. "That'll sort itself out once you are turned, sis, but for the sake of your remaining stamina, I will leave you in the capable hands of your mates again."
I turned to Alice and Rosalie, who were looking at me hungrily. "Esme, we'll be at our cabin for the rest of the day. We'll be back some time tomorrow." Rosalie said with a growl.
Esme smiled and nodded. "That's okay, but no exhausting my baby. We have a lot to do before the new year is upon us."
They nodded and dragged me to Alice's Porsche, since that would get us alone sooner, and as soon as we were on the road after I had changed, Rosalie pulled me into a deep kiss. "Here's what's going to happen in the next 24 hours, love. You made us so damn horny with that display that we are going to see how much stamina you actually have without exhausting you, because we get the feeling you have been holding out on us."
I smiled at her. "I can promise you that I haven't love. I just seem to tap into another type of energy when I fight. I never could explain it."
She smiled at me. "Nevertheless, you have ruined both of our underwear and we will show you exactly what you have done to us."
I kissed her softly. "When have I ever had issues with having to pleasure my beautiful fiancees. You two know I will never tire of making love to my Pixie and my Goddess."
Rosalie smiled and nuzzled her nose in my neck. "And we will never get tired of feeling that enormous cock inside of us, or the ten thousand other things you do to pleasure us."
I just smiled and relaxed against her until we got to the cabin, where my two lovers wasted little time in literally ripping my clothes off the moment we were inside.