"So, you three are off to see the world." Kate purred as she sat next to Bella. She ran her finger over Bella's arm and still marveled at the lack of effect her gift had on Bella.
"Still trying to shock me." Bella teased, finishing her lunch.
"No, I find it fascinating… in a thousand years, you are the first person I have come across who my gift has zero effect on." She shook her head. "A shield, stay well clear of Italy until you are turned, we sure as hell do not need to give the Volturi a reason to take you. Your gift will make them so much powerful than they already are." The minute Eleazar had made it clear what Bella's gift was, the Volturi had become a real threat as far as everyone was concerned.
"Yeah, I know everyone keeps saying. Hell, Rose was determined to stay well clear of Europe, but Alice assured her we would be fine." Bella shrugged.
"You appear rather blase about the whole thing," Kate observed.
"I see no reason to live in fear over something that is highly unlikely to happen. Alice, for over a year, has seen my turning by Rose and Em. It seems to be a vision set in stone." Bella countered.
"I can see your point." Kate acquiesced, moving closer to the brunette and placed her hand on the small of Bella's back. Before she could say anything about Kate invading her personal space, she heard a growl, and her shoulders dropped in defeat. She caught the disappearing form of Rosalie and turned to glare at Kate.
"You knew she was coming and got close on purpose. Seriously, why do you have to antagonize her like that." Bella sighed, jumping off the stool to go after her irrationally jealous mate.
"What are you talking about?" Kate didn't even bother to keep a straight face.
"Your middle name should be trouble," Bella grumbled, walking away.
"It already is." Kate retorted with a chuckle. Bella groaned every time Kate came to visit trouble followed.
"Thanks for the warning, Em." She muttered, heading up the stairs. She knew he was so engrossed in his game, he paid attention to little else.
Rosalie was in the shower when she got to their bedroom, she sat on the bed and waited. "So, are you going to tell me why Kate bothers you so much?" Bella asked when Rosalie entered the bedroom.
"I don't have…" Rosalie started.
"Don't lie to me," Bella interjected softly. "Clearly, you are bothered by Kate's constant flirting. You have to realize that at this point, she only does it because she knows it bothers you."
"I know… it's just that… I know if Emmet and I had not declared our love for you, you would have ended up with Kate. At first, Alice wasn't sure which one, but now it's obvious." Bella nodded.
"You are saying if we had come back from Seattle without having taken the next step in our relationship, I would have ended up with Kate." Bella looked somewhat intrigued by the idea, which didn't thrill the blonde. "I mean… I could see how that would have happened. With Kate's flirtatious nature and my being disappointed about how the weekend panned out. Yeah, I would have been receptive to her flirting." Bella added. "Having said all that, that is not what happened, and I am with my mates. Kate can flirt till the cows come home, it changes nothing."
"She wants you," Rosalie dam near whined.
"She can want me all she wants, the only thing that should matter to you is whether I want her or not, and I don't." Bella stood up and sauntered over to her mate. "How could I… when I have you and Em." She whispered.
"I still don't like her flirting with you." She answered petulantly.
Of course, you don't." Bella laughed. "Want to have me under you screaming your name and calling for God to come and save me from the beautiful vampire?" Bella teased. The blonde slowly undid the tie holding her dressing gown together, and slowly shrugged it off her shoulders.
"Back to the scene of the crime." Bella found it funny how different she felt this time. "The difference a year makes." She whispered. She'd chosen to celebrate her birthday at the Four Seasons with her mates. If it was to be her last as a human, she was determined to do what she wanted.
"What difference is that?" Emmett asked.
"I was incredibly nervous the last time, despite Alice's words, and Edward's attempt to sow doubt I still did not believe until you blurted out that you were in love with me. A part of me expected a perfectly perfect platonic weekend away with friends, and I would end up with my poor human heartbroken." She giggled, she could joke about it now.
"You weren't the only one," Rosalie admitted. Bella believed that their nerves might not have been as obvious as hers, but it was there. A difference a year truly made. This time she wasn't the one nervous, they were. She knew them well enough now to see it, no matter how subtle it was. Emmett wasn't so jovial, and Rose kept avoiding eye contact as though if she made eye contact, she'd break and spill whatever secret the two were hiding. Of course, she could just ask them what they were hiding, but why do that. Where was the fun in that as Rosalie so often said.
By the time she stepped out of the shower and into the bedroom, her mates appeared relaxed somewhat. "Take it off, take it off." Emmett chanted as he knew her towel would come off before she got dressed.
"I see you are back to your usual selves." She teased.
"Of course, you'd notice," Rosalie complained with a radiant smile that had Bella on the back foot suddenly.
"We have plans, plans we hope you would love and accept," Emmett said as he took the bottle of lotion of her.
"Your plans have never failed to make me feel loved and happy," Bella replied.
"That means more than you can imagine." Emmett choked out.
"I have some idea because I always hope I make you feel the same," Bella added as her camisole went over her head.
"You do," Rose said with a smile. "Now, come to bed." She put her hand out for the brunette.
"Are you going to let me sleep." She'd barely finished her sentence when she found herself sandwiched between her mates.
"Eventually." The blonde said with a smirk as she ran her fingers through Bella's hair. "How do you want to celebrate your birthday?" She asked.
"Apart from here with you two, I haven't thought past that." She said with a yawn.
"You've had a long day get some sleep." The blonde said softly.
"All I did was lounge in the back of the truck as you drove, can't say that was tiring." Bella chuckled. She'd chosen to see America by car, it was not that hard with two vampires taking turns driving. They'd bought a new Chevrolet Tahoe for the trip. It was comfy and spacious, even more after the extensive modification, Rosalie insisted the truck needed. Bella loved the three traveling alone, simply because Rose was more herself. She was as playful as Emmett, and the smallest thing she or Emmett did amused the blonde. Bella had seen this side of the blonde during their camping trip before their relationship had taken the next step. It was evident to Bella now that Rose put up a front when with her family, and the idea saddened the brunette. She wished the blonde allowed more people to see her as she truly was.
"Come on, just a little." Bella pleaded with a pout to boot.
"I am not eating a cucumber, I don't care if it's mostly water," Emmett growled.
"You love me, don't you?" Rosalie rolled her eyes at the pair. They all knew Emmett would eat the damn food and complain for hours on end.
"I love you, but what has that got to do with eating a cucumber?" Emmett groaned.
"I just want to know what it tastes like to you. I mean, it's mostly water, but I don't actually… just what does it taste like. Is it tasteless?" Emmett could actually see her point, so as expected, he tasted it.
"I don't know why I let you talk me into eating this crap." He screwed up his face as he headed for the bathroom.
"You are truly evil, Isabella," Rosalie whispered into the brunette's ear.
"Thanks." Bella retorted with a smug smile.
"You know he's going to complain until you get naked and ride him." The blonde purred as her hand snaked under Bella's shirt.
"Rose." Bella moaned as a hand, groped her breast, and fingers pinched her nipples. Rosalie's hand disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Bella glared at the blonde, who just smirked in return as she took a seat at the dining table. "How long are we staying?" She loved Seattle and especially staying at The Four Seasons, Bella hoped they had more time to explore the city.
"A little over a week," Bella beamed at the blonde. "Thought you might like that. We could go to the spa tomorrow, and then dinner at the space needle. If you think of something else you'd like to do, let us know." Rosalie added.
"Can you even get a massage?" Bella asked.
"No, but everything else is applicable, especially the hot treatments and various baths." It felt wonderful to get heat into her body sometimes even if she didn't need it.
"Yeah, that sounds great. I was hoping to visit the space needle before we left."
"Excellent." The blonde murmured.
Emmett joined them at the dining table. " That was horrible, but not the worst thing I've tasted." He murmured.
"I'm giving you new experiences," Bella said with a rather straight face.
"No, what you are doing is torturing me," Emmett mumbled.
"I love you, why would I want to torture you." Her hand dramatically went to her heart. Rosalie rolled her eyes at the pair.
"Come, I want you," Rosalie put her hand out for the brunette, who took it without hesitation.
"Bells, time to wake up." Rosalie shook her gently.
"Why?" The brunette whined.
"Because it's our first anniversary, and you are not going to spend it asleep." Emmett bellowed from the bathroom. Bella lifted her head from under the duvet and smiled sleepily at the blonde.
"Happy anniversary," Bella cheered.
"I ordered your breakfast. You should have enough time to get ready." She pushed the brunette's hair off her face. "Happy anniversary, Bella." She kissed Bella's forehead. They all knew the brunette didn't like to be kissed on the lips when she hadn't brushed her teeth. They didn't really care, but Bella did, and that was enough.
Emmett was just stepping out of the shower when she entered the bathroom. "Happy anniversary, Bells." He bellowed before twirling her around.
"I can't believe it's been a year." She murmured, grabbing her toothbrush.
"Indeed, I mean a year ago you could barely ride me without coming and collapsing on me five minutes later. Now… it's half an hour of solid riding and grinding." Bella just stared at him in disbelief.
"Of all the things to measure the year by, that is what came to mind?"
"Yes, because it's important." He replied with a straight face. She ignored him and proceeded to brush her teeth.
She couldn't help the chuckle that left her as she brushes her teeth. It was Emmett, after all, what did she expect from him. Not so long ago, his words would have embarrassed her, but now it didn't even earn a blush from Bella. In truth, she felt smug about his assessment. It was apparent she was getting better and comfortable at sex with her mates, and they with her. These days they didn't even bruise her, practice did indeed make perfect. She quickly rinsed her mouth and stepped into the shower. The hot water felt divine on her skin, and she spent a little too long underneath, only rushing to dry off when she heard the doorbell.
"Bells, breakfast," Rosalie called.
"Coming." She quickly moisturized her skin and pulled one of Emmett's t-shirt on. There was no point in getting dressed when she had no idea what their plans were. "French." She cheered when she saw the breakfast laid out on the dining table. "Thanks, Rose." She muttered, sitting down to her breakfast.
"What should we do today?" Rosalie asked.
"I vote for staying in bed and enjoying the warm human body." Emmett piped up.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." The blonde growled.
"When Alice mentioned seeing us celebrate my nineteenth, I was thinking of what I'd like to eat, but I've pretty sampled most things in the last few months." She said with a shrug.
"Well, you haven't seen much of Seattle; we can do that and anything you want to do." Rosalie offered. She and Emmett had their own plans later in the day. Now, it was about Bella, but it seemed the brunette didn't have much of a plan for the day.
"Oh, I know." Bella suddenly exclaimed.
Emmett would admit, he expected to be thoroughly bored watching the mini-series of Pride and Prejudice, but he found himself thoroughly entertained.
"You know who he reminds me of me, Edward," Emmett muttered.
Bella whirled on him. "Do not compare Mr. Darcy to Edward. His behavior was perfectly justified in those days. You married in line with your station. Mr. Darcy was a little prideful, Edward is just a jerk." She argued.
"Can't disagree with that." Rosalie chuckles.
The rest of the morning and afternoon is spent with the mates merely enjoying each other's company. There has always been an ease about their time together. Rosalie and Emmett especially felt the joy Bella brought to their lives, that ache had disappeared the minute they met her. Her friendship, if it was all they got, would have sufficed, but to find their soulmate in her was glorious.
"Who knew doing so little could be so rewarding" Bella murmured as snuggled further into Emmett. Rosalie was sitting on what had quickly become her favorite armchair with a magazine in hand.
"Actually…" Emmett started then looked at the blonde.
"One more thing before the day is over," Rosalie added, moving to kneel in front of Bella. "There isn't a word as far as I'm concern that could possibly quantify what you've added to our existence." Rosalie started.
We thought we'd never find that missing link. Would you believe at one point, we weren't sure what we were looking for could even be found?" Emmett added, kneeling next to Rose. "It wasn't a coincidence that you were born right after we stopped looking and believed fate or whatever higher power there is would put us in each other's path, and it did."
"Jasper described it best, it's as though our hearts got bigger to accept more love. Our very existence is incomplete without you, and now that we've found you, we never want to be without you." Rosalie declared earnestly.
"I do not want to be without you either, I don't think life would be worth all that much," Bella whispered.
"Then I hope you would do us the honor of marrying us," Emmett asked as Rosalie pulled out a ring. It was a heart-shaped diamond set in a platinum ring. It was simple, yet beautiful, just like their mate. Bella was not one for gaudy jewelry, and anything of the sort would not have suited her.
"Yes." She managed past the tears. Her mates slipped the ring on and leaned up, planting lingering kisses on each cheek. "I did not see this coming." Bella choked out a laugh as she stared at the ring.
"It would not have been much of a surprise if you had." Rosalie teased.
"No wonder you two weren't pushing for some extravagant outing to celebrate. This beats it all." The brunette was beaming with so much happiness, her mates would swear their hearts beat.
"Call Charlie, I'm guessing he is more than likely pulling his hair out with impatience." Emmett quipped.
"Charlie knows?" Bella's eyes widened.
"We had to ask for your hand," Rosalie answered before darting off to the bedroom to get Bella's phone.
"Thanks." She calls Charlie, who picks up on the first ring. "I'm engaged." She practically screamed down the phone.
Charlie chuckled. "Congrats, Bells. Are you happy?" They can all hear the teasing lilt in his voice.
"Ecstatic." She looks at her ring.
"I will be down next weekend and see you before you leave for your road trip." Charlie offered.
"That would be great, dad." The two talk a little more before Bella hung up.
Its been almost a year since she left Forks, and she was coming back to surprise Charlie before heading for Denali. Bella had decided she wanted to be changed on her own terms. She had seen most of the world, seen some amazing things and done some incredible things as a human. She was ready for her newborn year of madness. Bella had therefore decided to see Charlie before the change, as she might not see him for another year depending how fast she got over her bloodlust.
She got to the house only to realize she didn't have her keys. Having spoken to him earlier, she knew he was in La Push. "Take the truck, we will wait here," Rosalie said, handing Bella the keys after taking the backpack with their passports and other paperwork.
"I will be back soon." She jumped into the driver's seat and peeled off down the road. The two settled under the large tree by the house and relaxed. "It better not rain," Rosalie grumbled, looking up at the ominous clouds hanging over Forks. Half an hour later, Alice called changing everything.
