"So?" He asked on the drive. "What did you do?"
"Nothing much. I was working on the album for the last two days. And thanks to the sun I was sparred from the torments of Alice's shopping. I am almost complete."
"He'll love it." He always knows what I want to hear.
"I hope so." I mumbled. Before I could let any part of the sulking wash over me, I changed the topic. "I informed Charlie about Seattle. He was reluctant but then I talked sense to him. Please bear him if he is a little hard on you."
"I'll bear it, you don't worry. By the way, where is he? Isn't he coming for the party?"
"Billy called him to join them in LaPush for a while. He'll be with us in an hour."
He needn't read my mind to hear what I was thinking. He knew me too well to guess for that. He knew I was deflated that I wasn't any more allowed down at LaPush and it stung me a lot.
He put his hand over mine and squeezed it gently. "He'll be fine. They won't tell him anything." I grasped his hand tightly in mine and nodded lightly, hoping that he doesn't have to bear the consequences for my stupid actions.
When we reached home, Rosalie was helping Esme prepare the s'mores and marshmallows and other snacks for the human while the boys were setting the whole fire and seating arrangements in the lawn, also the crackers they were excited about. Alice was no where to be seen. Esme informed us that she had gone out to bring beers and sparkle sticks.
Everything was set by seven thirty, the only thing they were waiting for was to Charlie to come.
"He told it's fine if you start without him." I told Esme while she was reading the book.
"It's not acceptable by me, sweetheart. We wanted to celebrate it with him and so we wait for him." She said politely.
"Thanks, Esme. And I know that it's a little worrisome that he is over there –"
"They're his friends, Bella. He should be with them. And you shouldn't worry about that. Why don't you go up and relax." I nodded and gave her a kiss on the cheek and went upstairs in our room. Edward preferred I called it as our room from now on.
He was in the shower, and I didn't mean to pry but I knew he heard me – or knew I was inside – so instead I sat on the couch facing the wall – facing away so I don't get too tempted.
I looked outside in the greenery, the trees and plants and everything. It soothed my nerves a little – I was a little better now and wasn't worrying much about what may be happening back with Charlie. He will tell me when he comes and I trusted Billy and Jake enough to not let anything trouble him.
But, will they?
Jacob was probably more than angry with me – still. And on top of that, to see Charlie there, overhearing him about my wedding preparations, and my plans for Seattle. It may be too much for him. And I didn't trust Sam. He will be looking for a way to take revenge against me for hurting Jacob the way I did. I can only count on Seth. But he too is only a kid. No one will even listen to him.
I didn't know when his cold fingers held my hand tightly in his and pried my fingers away from my skin where my nails were digging marks. "You'll hurt yourself." He said softly, his fingers slowly rubbing the spot my nails were digging in. I now realized it pained.
I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly. "It's fine."
"No. It's not." He denied gently. "Do you want Carlisle to call Charlie or talk to Billy?"
"No. It's alright. I'm probably exaggerating."
"Fine." He kissed my temple. I closed my eyes again and leaned my head against his chest.
It was then when I realized he was not wearing a shirt – his chest was bare. It was still a little wet, small drops of water dripping from his unruly locks. He was wearing just his jeans and had his shirt on the couch.
"Besides, if you are going to comfort me like this," I murmured teasingly with a small smile on my mouth and looked at him with too innocent eyes, "I think I will even forget the problem."
He looked at me with wide eyes, like I was the lioness here and he was the lamb. "Looks like I am in big trouble." He muttered with a laugh.
"A big one indeed." I agreed as I leaned down again and gave him a small peck on the neck. He sighed loudly and kissed my neck too.
He kissed me a little on the lips, building the kiss a little. And just like a thunderstorm which comes to interrupt the silence, Alice walked in the room.
She instantly turned around. "Geez! Now even your room is not safe to walk in before knocking, Edward."
He laughed and stood up. "What happen Alice?"
"Nothing. I just came to give Bella the dress she was trying to avoid. Here." Before I could say anything she gave me the look don't-you-dare-say-no. "And both of you, be down in twenty minutes."
"Fine, Alice." Edward said, irritated, and showed her the door.
She huphed but walked out.
"I hate your sister so much, Edward." I informed him casually in an irritating voice.
From downstairs a loud voice came which said, "I can hear anything, and FYI, I love you too."
I laughed. "She is really unstoppable."
"True." He laughed too.
He picked up his shirt from my side and wore it. The whole while I looked at him and marvelled at his god-like beauty, feeling a little insecure about myself. He gazed at me through the mirror, where he was adjusting his hair a little, and asked what happen. I just shook my head. He didn't buy it. I rolled my eyes and he rolled his eyes at my stubbornness too, able to crack a laugh from me in the process.
"I was wondering," he mused as he looked at me again through the mirror, "what do you have in mind for Seattle."
"I have no clue. It was your idea anyway, so whatever you decide it fine by me." I reasoned.
"Okay."
"Do you have anything particular in mind?" By the looks of it, I knew he had something big and major in his mind.
"Yes. I have, but you know if I tell you then I'll be ruining the surprise." I groaned at the name of surprise and he smirked. "I thought you were used to it by now."
"That doesn't mean I like them. I mean, the last time you had a surprise planned, you got me into engagement with you. I don't know what all is left in the store."
"You'll love it." He promised.
"Sure, sure."
He rolled his eyes this time and walked towards me, kneeled down and took my hand in his. "For the upcoming weekend, I want you just to be mine and think of nothing else."
"Like your sister will let us be us." I broke in. "She is probably still angry with me for agreeing to go with you."
He scoffed and shook his head dismissively. "Please? We may never get a chance like this again. At least not till the wedding is over."
"Where are we going for the honeymoon?" He wanted that, too, to be a surprise for me so I had no clue about what he was thinking. Neither Alice was helping me in the matter. So it had become a habit of mine to ask these sudden questions at anytime so that I may get an answer.
But everytime he let me down. Just like this time.
He chuckled. "You do have a one track mind, don't you."
"You sound like I am too eager just for the physical part and you are ever so saint."
"It's just because I hide things much well and you are no mind reader."
A big smile stretched over my face listening him. "Seriously?"
He laughed and kissed my lip. "I love you, so much."
"I love you too, Edward." He kissed my head. I leaned my head against his neck. "You haven't answered my question yet."
He laughed again and I joined him.
.
.
.
We were all sitting by the bonfire Carlisle had still not lit – Edward told me it was a tradition as he was the eldest person of the family. I was sitting between Edward's legs, just like the Emmett and Rosalie and Jasper and Alice. Carlisle was sitting with Esme beside her, their hands twinned. There were s'mores and marshmallows and fries waiting to be fried by the fire by each one of us. There were crackers beside us waiting to be burnt, there were sparklers too which were kept aside for now.
When I had asked them why they even want to heat it, Esme replied with "It's a tradition, Bella." While Carlisle told me "It makes us feel more human." While Emmett and Alice explained "'Cause this is the only day when we get to play with the s'mores. On other days they smell too disgusting."( this one from Alice.) While Edward answered slowly in my ear with "It's the traditional way and Carlisle likes to celebrate it just the way we did back when we were human. It just connects us more with our human time." Jasper had reasoned "Some things are better in the old ways." Rosalie listened to all of their perspectives just like me and when I looked at her, she smiled little at me and I smiled back tentatively.
As time passed , everyone started sharing one of their favourite incidents which happened during the past year – one which made them laugh the most.
Emmett shared the incident when he got to kill the new-born vampires and we all made it out of it without injuries. Though he had further mentioned, "But I am still mad at you Eddie for not asking me to be your best man. And not to forget, I still regret that I didn't get to fight with the wolves. I would have brought them to their knees." I gave him a dirty look. I never wanted – neither do now – to see both the parties fighting with each other. He made a puppy face and scoffed. "Don't make such a face, Bella. You at least got to punch one!" I tried to hit him by throwing a stick at him but he dodged it anyway – and to be precise, my aim is too bad.
Rosalie told that her best part was the two vacations they had – London and Seattle – and shared an incident when Emmett got in a ridiculous fight with a lion. "He is so used to grizzlies," she explained, "that he almost forgot that lions are much more handful than them. It was so hysterical I fell on the floor laughing loudly." She laughed again, loudly and heartily, imagining the whole scene again. It was the first time I saw her laughing freely, like she too was just a normal girl who wants to laugh her heart out, without any worries or fear of judgement.
Alice and Edward joined her, no doubt seeing the whole scene themselves with their abilities while Emmett, at first, made a pouty face but then I saw the changes in his eyes as I saw him looking at Rosalie as she laughed freely. He kissed her temple lovingly. I looked away to give those lovebirds a little privacy, my hand automatically tightening on Edward's hand.
"I was thinking about Paris now..." Rosalie mused once everyone's laughter subsided but her train of thought paused when she heard the grunt from Alice. She huphed and pushed her hair back her shoulder. "Stupid sister!" She growled.
"My turn now!" Alice announced enthusiastically. "Mine would be many things. But mainly, my research on my family – it was nice to know that I had people who at least remembered me; Edward's wedding – for which I've been waiting for a long time; and of course, of Bella's decision to make me the wedding planner and her maid of honour."
"I am already regretting my decisions, Alice!" I mumbled. Everyone laughed at her expense. She stuck out her tongue at me and melted further into Jasper's arms.
"Mine would be..." Jasper mused for a second before answering, "The battle that we won, of course, but the preparations too." Everybody looked at him like he was crazy. "Come on, guys! We all know anything could have happened with vampires and werewolves watching a fight – things could have gotten too intense – but I'm glad it came nothing to that." Carlisle nodded to his explanation, and we all knew that Carlisle thought the same.
"And also now." Jasper added further. "This whole year had been a mess with the things we all know – the battle, werewolves, Victoria, Alice's research about herself, and of course, Edward's stupid decisions..." Edward hid his face by my hair, making us all laugh. "but now that everything is fine, I'm loving all these positive vibes. You have no idea how much crazy I had been during the past one year and how much relieved I am now!"
"Any guess whom should we blame?" Emmett teased throwing a stick at Edward and everyone laughed at his expense. He again hid his face in my hair. I laughed and put my hand on his cheek.
"Mine would be..." Edward didn't think before answering, he was already prepared with his answer. "When you all forgave me for my stupid mistake with a smile." He looked at everybody else while saying it, and especially at Carlisle and Esme. Then he looked at me. "Even when I didn't deserve any."
"Oh, honey." Esme murmured and gave a flying kiss to him. "You know I love you."
"I love you too, mom."
"Let him be Esme." Emmett interrupted. "You only see him apologising once in a century." He huphed.
Before it could turn up as a stupid thing to discuss about, Carlisle broke in. "I am just grateful and happy" He murmured looking at all of us, "to see all of us together. I could never ask for any other thing, ever." Esme stroked his arm. "And also when Edward asked me to be his best man." For the first time ever since I have known Carlisle, a saw the boyish charm in him – how Edward described him – at the mention of best man. I had no idea how much it meant to him, but at that moment I realised it meant so much more to him that it meant to Alice being the maid of honour. Edward was not only his first companion, his first friend and family, but also his first son.
Esme looked at Carlisle then at all of us. It was clear she was way too happy and content seeing the whole family sitting together. She put her head on Carlisle's shoulder. "I have gotten what I always dreamt of – happiness for each of my children. And Bella, you have fulfilled my wish by agreeing to marry my son, completing my family. I could ask for nothing else – from anyone." Carlisle kissed her head. I heard him mumble a true.
"What about you Bella?" Edward asked me. "What was your special moment?"
"I don't know – there are so many moments." I thought about it for a second. "I am grateful that Charlie didn't shoot you when we announced our wedding to him." There were many other special moments too but I wanted to disclose them just in front of him, when we were alone.
Everyone laughed listening this. "The hell it didn't happen!" Jasper snickered. "I wanted to see it!"
"Me too, Jasper!" Rosalie whined cunningly. "You have no idea how much I've dreamt of that moment."
"We can still see it." Emmett broke in with his boyish evil grin. "We just have to inform the chief of police that every night a boy sneaks in his little girl's room. He will do the rest. Right Edward?"
He just growled as an answer.
"What Edward?" Alice questioned smugly when she saw him pinching the bridge of his nose. "You know that we can do that. Anyway, it's customary that the bride and groom shouldn't hang out together before the wedding. We will be, in fact, helping you."
"You know what?" Jasper cut in with a cunning smile of his own. "We don't have to wait. Charlie will be coming in a few."
"True." Emmett said, cracking his fists. "We can also exaggerate things like, you know, how much passionate my little brother can be, and that he just bought a bed even though he doesn't sleep..."
"Or that he isn't as innocent as he looks..." Rosalie too had her way to tease him.
"Love, why don't you sit by my parents? I want to level up with my siblings, you know..." and he was out in a blink and so were the others. But their voices could still be heard clearly in the woods.
"Just like I said!" Esme said, putting her hand over mine. "By family is complete now."
"And happy too." Carlisle completed for her.
I smiled and looked at the fire, lost in my own little world when I heard the booming laugh of Edward. You have no idea Esme how your son had completed my life! I thought.
They all returned in a few minutes, still laughing and beating each other. Alice was hunched up on Jasper's back, while Edward and Emmett's pants were wet from below – they must have gotten into river. Rosalie was still set with no wet spots and so was Alice. Edward came and sat beside me. When I asked what happen, he answered by telling that Charlie will be coming in a few, and that he didn't want to make him any more mad by sitting together in such a position.
Emmett still managed to say an innuendo, "else he knows he will he at the other end of the gun for messing up with his daughter." This time he didn't miss the stick Edward had thrown at him – but I did miss it: it was too fast for my human eyes to watch it properly. But my laughter was more louder than any other's. I very much liked it when he got hurt, or at least pretended to be hurt.
Charlie came by after eight and immediately apologized to the others. Carlisle and Esme, being noble as they always are, accepted his apology easily and lit the fire, offering Charlie some food. Though he had already eaten, he didn't want to make Esme feel offended and accepted the food without any complaints. We all tried some marshmallows and s'mores, laughing and joking around.
We all laughed and talked and shared some of our Fourth Of July experiences. Charlie too shared his experiences with others while I listened to everyone.
Soon it was near to eleven and Charlie decided to conclude the evening.
"Let's go, Bella. It's getting late." He said a little sternly as he knew that Alice was going to propose me staying at their place.
And the same happened.
"Can she sleep here, Charlie." Alice pleaded in a soft tone.
"I'm sorry, honey, but I'm too going out for two days tomorrow and I don't want to leave without seeing her face."
"Please?" She tried once again.
"You all are going to Seattle anyway. Let me keep her for tonight." Charlie argued back.
"He is right, Alice." Esme said, stopping her pleas.
"Fine." She pouted.
Charlie smirked at her small face but didn't gave up to her wishes. "Good bye Alice." He also greeted to everyone and had a small talk with Esme and Carlisle while I helped Alice and Rosalie to clean up a little.
When I came back, I saw Edward walking with Charlie to the car, talking.
"What does he has in his mind?" I asked Alice curiously. From the view of it, I could only see that Charlie had a hard face while Edward seemed very much patient about something.
"Nothing. Just something he wanted to talk with Charlie about since a long time."
"You are not giving me any clue?" I guessed.
"You ask him only."
I nodded and walked to the lawn, there Carlisle was sitting with Esme near the bonfire, talking about something.
I cleared my throat. "I didn't mean to pry," I started, not knowing how to say further, "but thanks for not holding any grudges against Charlie for today."
"Bella," Carlisle said with a minute shake of his head. "you are stressing without any reason."
"True, Bella." Esme added with a smile. "He's a part of the family now. Stop stressing over that."
I nodded and gave her a tight hug. "Thanks, mom." I whispered in her ear. I was, also, not so habitual about that just like her.
If she could blush, she would also be red by now. "I'll have to get accustomed to it."
"Me too." I murmured.
Beside Esme Carlisle coughed. I laughed. "Good night, dad." I added.
He laughed too and kissed my head lightly. "Have a safe trip to Seattle."
"I don't have to worry. Your son is with me."
"True. But make sure he doesn't worry much."
"Will do it." I promised.
"Good night." I finally said to them. They both also greeted me a night and I went to the car where Charlie was waiting for me along with Edward. "Shall we go dad?"
"Yeah." He nodded and sat in the driver's seat. I looked at Edward and asked him what happen. He mouthed later, kissed me on the forehead as a bye, and opened the gate for me.
"See you later, Edward." I winked.
He smirked. "Yeah. Bye Bella, bye chief."
Charlie nodded lightly with a small smile and pulled the glass up.
I waved him a bye and watched his chalky-white figure disappear slowly as Charlie drove the car away.
"What was that about?" I asked him suspiciously. He was never that accepting of Edward since he came back.
"Nothing. We just had a little talk."
"And?" Now I get how others must feel when I do not tell the whole story in a call. It was very much frustrating.
He looked at me for a moment, his eyes a little glassy, and turned his head to the road in the same moment. "Nothing. I still hate him and hope you don't marry him."
"Dad!"
"But I know one thing." He inhaled slowly and sighed loudly. I could feel him stressing over how to say it. "Even when he is the one to hurt you every time, and that too very badly, he loves you more than anything in the world."
"Dad!" I said again, but this time softly. "It means everything to me." I added softly.
He preferred silence while he drove, so I complied all the while thinking what did Edward talk to Charlie.
Once in the home, when I was done with my bathroom routine, I saw him sitting over the dining table, holding bear in his one hand but not drinking it, mulling over something.
I thought about let him be, but when he called "Bella?", I knew he had something big related to me in his mind.
"Yeah?" He motioned to the dining chair where he was sitting too. He seemed tensed. "What happen dad?"
He looked at the can he was holding while I watched him still thinking about what and how to say. "I know I haven't been the best father lately."
"You were fine, dad." I jumped in, knowing it was all me to be blamed. "If I had been in your place, even I would have reacted the way you did."
He scoffed with a slight smirk. "I don't think so, but that's not the point. The point is that I know how much this whole marriage thing means to you. And I haven't been able to appreciate your choice."
"I have been there, once with your mother, and it is still a decision I never regret. And why would I? I got you in exchange." He was suddenly all smiles now.
Sometimes it is so difficult to get him...
"Thanks, dad."
"But... I still don't understand your desire to marry him at such a small age, but you have my blessings for it."
"What?!" I couldn't believe my ears. He nodded, looking at me. "Really?!" I couldn't control myself and jumped like a small kid and hugged him tightly, not caring that it was all awkward for him. "Oh, dad! I love you. Thank you so much."
"Easy, Bella." He laughed as he patted my back, squeezing me too. "I might spill the beer."
"I don't care dad!" My voice breaking slightly but I didn't care at all.
"But I do. I care so much about you to see you like this." There was a small heavy silence between us. I tried to lean back but he didn't let me. He held me tightly to him, as if he knew his time with me was limited.
"You are the single most important person of my whole life, Isabella, and I would do anything, and I really mean anything, to make sure that you are happy. And if that boy, no matter how much I hate him, makes you the happiest, then I don't have any aversion to him being your partner. I just want you happy, honey."
"Oh, dad. You've made me the most happiest with your blessings."
"Promise me that you will tell me the instant he does anything wrong with you. And I promise I won't think once before shooting him."
This time I leaned back and gave him a stern disapproving look. "Dad!"
"What?! Don't I get this much leverage? Where's the fun then?" I laughed along with him. He took my hand in both his. "Are you really happy?" he asked me, all serious.
"Yes, dad. I've never been this happy. Trust me."
"But I don't trust him." He mumbled. I gave him another hard look and he sighed. "I can't believe in just a few weeks you will not be just my daughter anymore."
How to tell you dad, that in just a few more weeks, you'll lose me forever. I won't be your same Bella again.
I gulped.
I realized I also want one more thing the most now.
"But you remember one thing, sheriff. No matter what happens, you will always be my first man, my first love. I don't want you to forget that ever. Got it."
I could see him holding back his tears but I failed the competition easily. I couldn't hold back my tears and let them wet my cheeks.
I had always averted to show affection or feeling to someone, and especially dad, but today I didn't care any of that. I hugged him too tightly, without thinking if he was feeling odd or not.
"I love you dad. More than anything in the world."
"You too, Bella." He kissed the top of my head. "Everything may change, but this thing never will."
I let him bosom me for a little more time, reliving the time when I was a kid and he used to engulf me in his arms that time too just like this – strong and comforting embrace.
"You should sleep now." He said after a minute. "You are already tired and you don't want to miss anything in Seattle."
"Yes. You have a safe journey."
"Thanks. You too. And if anything happens, call me."
"Dad! Edward will be with me... and so the others." I added after a second, not wanting to make him suspicious. "You needn't worry about me." He just grunted as an answer. "I'll call you." I promised. He smiled and kissed my forehead and went upstairs for his sleep.
I sat down for a fewer seconds more, grasping all these information slowly, making sure I haven't imagined all it.
I still couldn't believe Charlie was now no longer taking part in my wedding reluctantly. He himself was ready to give me away. It was really happening.
Now I could say that I have almost everything that I could ever ask for.
I wondered about what Edward might have told Charlie to persuade him so easily. I was going to get answers fast, I knew, but I was far too impatient for that. Charlie's snores could be heard from the room and I smiled listening him. He can now have a peaceful slumber and so will I.
Thinking that Edward will we waiting for me in my room, I climbed the stairs in a haze, eager to share the news with him.
As I had expected, he was waiting for me in the room, leaning against the window, a small crooked smile of victory on his lips and relaxing lines on his face.
I couldn't control my happiness when I saw him.
I ran and jumped, he caught me in the air, hugging him too tightly, my legs swinging in the air. Before he could ask me anything, I kissed him.
"Thank you. Thank you." I chanted over and over as I kissed him in his whole face – eyes, nose, cheeks, lips, neck, every part I could reach.
"For what?" He asked, confused.
I couldn't believe he had no idea what just happened.
"You have no idea?" I qualified, scrutinizing him closely.
He seemed more confused now. "None."
"Then why were you smiling back then?"
"Because you seemed too happy. Also because I just saw Charlie having a weird dream."
"I love Alice." I murmured, excited that it is going to be a surprise for him too, and kissed him again, this time on the lips. "I love you, too. So much."
He laughed, puzzled. "I really wish I could read your mind, you know."
I laughed. He sat on the bed while I sat on his lap, refusing to change my position. I was too excited, I didn't want to leave the way I was sitting with him. "Now tell me." He requested. He was very curious to know what lifted my mood.
"Charlie is ready to give us his blessings!" I finally announced to him once when he was seated, not able to control my voice. "He wants to be a part of our wedding himself, happily."
While I waited to hear Charlie's snores again, he processed this news in his mind.
"Really?" He asked for confirmation, his mind boggling with this brand new information.
"Yes!" he looked at me still amazed for a moment. "I know! It was just a few minutes back. He called me and said it." I told him about our whole conversation. "So, you really had no idea this would happen?"
"None." He affirmed with a frown. He didn't like that such a big thing was hidden from him. "But now I get why Alice wanted me to go after some time."
"Then what did you talk to Charlie earlier?"
"I just assured him that I will take care of you in Seattle and he needn't be sacred of you. I just wanted to make sure that he knows you are safe with me even when he is not there to keep an eye on me."
"And what did he say then?"
"You better take care of her, else I won't hesitate to knock you down." He answered imitating his voice perfectly. "I never got the idea that it would have such a good effect on him."
"It doesn't matter. He is ready, happily, and that is what it matters. Thank you so much." I kissed his forehead. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
He laughed again, heartily, and kissed me. I gave in, melting in his arms, as we got lost in our moment.
.
.
.
I was all dressed in white with a small bouquet of white rose in my hand, jumping nervously, wondering why hasn't Charlie came to stand by my side. It was my wedding day, and I was very eager to go to Edward. When Charlie came, he wasn't ready. He was dressed in casuals. When asked, he said "I never supported Bella for this. She must have had a misunderstanding." And laughed wickedly. From the other side came Jacob and stood with Charlie. "You chose him and I had no other way to stop you from marrying him." He told me as a fact, like I should've understood it in the starting. And from nowhere, Edward launched himself on Jacob, starting a small massacre there itself.
I woke up in a heist. "It was just a dream. Nothing else." I chanted.
It was still dark. I checked for the time – it was quarter to five. I yawned and rolled away, but then I realized I couldn't feel Edward beside me. I opened my eyes more properly and searched for him. He was neither sitting by the bed nor by the rocking chair.
I grunted in my half sleep and looked on the nightstand – he always kept messages for me on the pillow or the nightstand. There was one, placed below the cell-phone he had gifted me.
Cursing myself for not setting up night lights even when I had a chance, I read the message. It read, "Charlie is about to leave and will come to check on you, also I had to make some arrangements for tomorrow, so I left early. Hope you sleep well, but if you may get up, I'll be right back. Till then, try to catch your beauty sleep. P.S. I love you, E."
I scoffed reading it and tried to catch on my slumber back. But I couldn't. My mind kept working in several areas. And sure enough, at dot five in the morning, Charlie stepped up in my room – I faked up my slumber and before that I made sure I had hidden Edward's message.
I felt him standing in my room, looking at me for a minute. He came near me and sat on the bed, soothing my hair back. He kissed my forehead and then walked away.
I kept thinking about him and his upcoming trip and about all the possibilities that could happen, and somewhere in between I drifted back to my awaiting slumber.
When I woke up again, there was enough sunlight in the room. I rolled towards the wall to escape the brightness. There I saw some diamonds sparkling reflection on it
"Good morning, sleepy head." I heard him murmur.
I smiled in my half-sleep state and rolled towards him again so that I could cuddle with him. He kissed my head. I smiled and snuggled further in his arms. "What time is it?"
"Near to eleven."
"What?!" Sure I didn't sleep this much.
"Yeah. I guess you didn't catch your sleep earlier so I didn't wake you up."
I rubbed my eyes and looked at him. "When did you come back?"
"Near to nine." I mumbled an Okay. "So you woke up in between." He concluded.
"Yup. Near when Charlie left. I was half sleepy then so I didn't talk to him, but from the look of it, he was still having a sour mood."
"He'll be fine."
"I know." I sighed and thought about him. Hope he is. "What did you have to do?"
"Nothing. Carlisle needed me for some stuff and then I had to make some bookings."
"For?"
As I had predicted, he said the same thing again. "It's a surprise."
"Ugh! You and your surprises!" I groaned. He laughed, not offended. "When are we going to leave by the way?"
"Alice said it'll get cloudy after two, so around three."
"Okay." I closed my eyes and cuddled by his side again.
He laughed lightly. "Don't you have to get up? Get ready?"
"Why? I am perfectly content. Alice said, and I quote, 'I am restricted from doing my own packing as I have no sense of packing', so I have nothing to pack. I am not hungry now, and I have nothing to do. Also I miss this." I brought myself closer to him, telling him what I am referring to. "We do not get any alone time now." I pouted.
He smiled and kissed me for a brief second. "This is why I wanted to whisk you away for myself, love."
I laughed. "I love the sound of it."
"Me too." He kissed me again.
"So, what have you planned for the weekend?"
"Guess it." This time he squeezed me to him and pampered light kisses on my face. I giggled and enjoyed the morning he had planned.
.
.
.
We spent a bit of time at my house and the other half at his. There was nothing to do anywhere so we just spent the time in our rooms, talking and laughing and cuddling. By the time it was two, as Alice had predicted, the clouds covered the sun. And by the time it was three, we left for the road in his Vanquish.
We reached Seattle city in an hour – thanks to his crazy, maniac driving – but as I had thought, nothing happened. We didn't stop by any resort or hotel.
"Where are we going?" I had asked him several times but he never uttered a word. "Ugh!" I groaned for the tenth time in the past fifteen minutes.
How I hate surprises!
"Relax, love." He soothed in his calm, musical voice. Amusement was clear in his tone. "You'll love it."
"Maybe more if I knew where we are going." He shook his head with a smirk. "How I hate you!"
"Just like I love you." He murmured softly and kissed my hand which was sitting idly in his since the past hour. I blushed and he grinned broadly, unashamed.
After a ride at slow speed for a few more minutes, we finally reached the outskirts of Seattle, far away from the city and in the natural park, near the seashore. Nothing else than water or sea could be seen. I started to wonder what actually he had in his mind for this weekend.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked again.
Instead of answering he smiled and parked the car a few blocks away, in front of a beach-house. There was next to no public there, almost alone. We were to be the only ones amidst the big white house that was built here.
"Carlisle have a few contacts." He answered smugly with a shrug of indifference, like it was nothing, as if I should have seen that coming.
But the hell it was nothing. The house he had rented appeared to be of huge rent.
He parked the car in a garage, where already a black coloured stylish sports bike was parked.
"What's this?" I asked myself as I glanced at the stylish beauty.
"It's a Yamaha YZF-R6." He answered casually. "It belonged to Emmett first – he owned it during previous year – but then he got bored of it and put it here as a spare. That's the reason I gave that bike to Jasper."
"But why here? I mean don't you usually put your spare vehicles back at home itself?"
"Actually, yes. But you know how Em is. He easily gets bore." He seemed a little reluctant about the whole thing, like he didn't want me to know about this. It was strange. I shook it off and went in the house.
It was a big bungalow on the coastline providing the sea view. It had a big porch, a lawn with the swings and sitting tables on it.
Inside, it was as spacious and open as the Cullens' mansion, with large full-sized windows, curtains making the place look more elegant, the windows providing the view of sea and the beach, serenity and silence.
There was a big living area – or say areas – and a kitchen on the first storey. There was no piano over there as I had expected, but as a compensation there was a large collection of musical CD's and movies. The furniture here had a recliner set, a dining area, a high table sitting near the kitchen and few couches near the television set. A small fireplace completed the whole living area, making it appear more luxurious than any other place.
Edward carried our bags to the second storey to a room on the right of the stairs.
We passed the wooden door and entered in a room which was even bigger than Alice's closet – and it was saying something.
There was a bed with mosquito netting in the centre with a small couch at its foot. A small, yet big, television unit in the front along with a small sitting area in the corner of the room – recliners, ottomans, coffee table.
In front of the huge balcony it had the full sized windows which made the room seem way more larger than it was.
I went in the balcony which provided a magnificent view of the seashore.
"Good lord, Edward! I didn't mean we have to be ravishing." I knew he would listen.
But I didn't expect him to be behind me, so I gasped when I felt him fold his arms around me from behind. "As I said, Carlisle had his contacts. And don't you worry. It's free."
"Still?"
He chuckled and kissed my temple. "Don't worry. I am not spending a penny on you, so you can relax."
"You know ways to go around me, don't you?" I accused.
His answering smirk was too beautiful – it left me almost breathless. "I've lived almost five decades with Alice now to learn how to find a loop hole."
I laughed with him too and turned around in his arms to that I could see him more clearly.
I touched my fingers to his cheek and rested my palm on his jaw. He closed his eye, a big smile on his face. "What do you have in mind for today?"
It felt nice to be the one questioning it.
"If you still want to go, the concert will start in three hours."
Actually it was not my first wish but Edward liked the band so much...
"Yes. I want to go." I affirmed.
"Okay fine. And for the other time, how about we navigate this place?"
"Um-hmm." I denied with a shake of my head. "We'll have two days for that." I pouted, closing in the distance between us. To be with Edward and still far away killed me. I wanted to be near him, closer and yet impossibly closer.
He laughed. "One track mind." He accused lightly with a smile and gave in for a kiss.
I too laughed and captured his lips with mine as I started the day here.
But my stomach, as always, knew when to interrupt. It growled loudly in no time. We both laughed loudly.
This time I patted my stomach with a laugh. "Stupid human needs."
He chuckled. "Come on in. Let's get you something to eat." And led us inside by my hand.
We went downstairs to the kitchen. It was as big as the Cullens' had with a contemporary design. It was designed with hydraulic cabinets, grey in colour with a chimney above the stove, two ovens, and a refrigerator which was already stuffed with the things I may need – groceries, coke, bread, spaghetti, eggs, and many other things.
I pondered over what to make for a good time while he watched me from beside the wall he was standing while I checked the refrigerator for the tenth time.
"It isn't that hard, you know." He commented with a smirk.
"Humans aren't as sophisticated as vampires, Mr. Cullen. Unlike you, we have so many options."
He scoffed. "Stop joking about it, Bella. Besides, we too have to select from a big variety."
"Unless there are lions." I chuckled.
"Mountain lions." He corrected with a chuckle of his own.
I finally decided to make pancakes.
While I prepared the batter, a thought occurred to me. "This is one thing I won't miss later." I mused while I flipped the pancake upside down.
I heard him growl in the background. "Can we not talk about this?" He suggested.
"Fine." It was just a whisper, but I knew he heard it.
But I couldn't take my mind off it. I knew it was silly to think that he would suddenly be supportive of my decision. He had made it very clear when we came back from Chicago that he still is waiting for me to announce that I have changed my decision. But what hurts the most was that even now he is not ready to talk about it with me.
"I'm sorry!" He murmured in a whisper. I nodded slightly. He came from behind and wrapped me in his chilly embrace and put his chin above my shoulder. "I'm sorry. Really."
For the first time I was happy when my stomach growled again. "I'm hungry. Let's go eat."
He turned me around and lifted my head up by putting his finger under my chin. He looked intently in my eyes. His ochre eyes held mine, not letting me pry myself. He must have seen that his silent disapproval hurt me more than he had expected. "I'm sorry. Really."
I put my fingers on his cheek, rubbing my thumb over it. "It's fine. Really." He smiled and kissed the back of my hand.
We sat on the couch watching some random movies which were running on the screen. No words were spoken between us, but it didn't matter me. I was content by just putting my head on his shoulder. But today I didn't do that. I sat straight on the couch, refusing myself to lean on him – I knew he needed some time for himself to think over it.
"Bella?"
"Hmm?" I looked at him. He was looking at the wall in front of him, his eyes too distant, thinking about something.
"I know you have said it so many times, but still... I hate that you believe you are ready to leave everything behind, leave everyone just to be with me."
"I'm scared, too, Edward. But that won't change the fact that I want to be with you."
"But it is not that easy, love. I have been there, a long time ago. I didn't have anyone to go back to then. I had Carlisle but not the family I wanted to be with."
I now knew how hard it was for him to recall his human life...
I crawled to the other side of the couch and leaned my head on his shoulder, twining my hand with his.
He looked at me. "But it is going to be so much different for you, love. You'll have a family waiting for you, hoping to see you soon. And to know that you'll never be able to see them again, even for their own safety... It'll kill you. I don't want that for you. I don't want you to leave everybody you love leave behind just because you want to be with me."
I shivered, for a whole another reason.
Never once he had told me this. I got chills.
"It'll be fine, I just know it. I'll find a way to be near to Charlie without hurting him." I mused, liking the idea. If only I could find a way for that...
He looked at me and smiled sadly, knowing that it was a long shot I wanted to take. "I wish that it happens. I would want nothing more."
I smiled imagining it. It was an amazing picture which I wanted to come true. "Come here!" He murmured as he pulled me closer to him. I rested my head on his chest, lost in my own thoughts.
"You never told me you were scared."
"If I had, you would've tried every nook and crook to diverge me from my decision."
"You're wrong about that." He murmured softly, shaking his head, kissing my nose. "I'm with you, whatever you decide."
"Then?"
"That doesn't mean I'm happy about it. I'll try till the last moment I have to make sure you decide thoroughly, but also it doesn't have to mean that I won't be beside you. Whatever you decide, whether it's Carlisle or me to change you – of course it'll be me to change you" he corrected when I looked at him with narrowed eyes, "I'll be standing right there, holding your hand."
"What was that in the kitchen then?"
"Like I said: just because I am ready now regarding your ultimate change, that doesn't mean I have to be always supportive of it, isn't it?"
"You were right." I laughed. "Alice has taught you almost every way to find a loop hole." I laughed again and then sighed, pulling myself more closer in his embrace.
"Well, I learnt from the best."
"The worst, actually."
The corner of his lips twitched as he thought something. "I could just see her, you know, scowling, hearing us."
I laughed imagining it. "Suits her well though."
He sighed and put his chin over my head. "What can I do?" He asked softly.
"Just support me." I suggested. "Be with me. That's more than I could ask of you."
He kissed the top of my head. "Always."
I sighed and kissed him over his heart. "I love you."
"I love you even more." He said in a soft murmur. I looked up at him and smiled. He grinned back and lifted my face to kiss me more properly.
The idea of fourth of July was from Ewonny Brown's fanfiction Fifty Eight Nights. I've just reedited the plot that was in my head. The whole credit goes to her.
More chapters on the way. Stay updated.