Chapter 43: Going to Alaska
Being a vampire had its perks. You could drive for hours without getting tired. If only the car would cooperate, that is. They were on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere without gas.
Bella was having too much fun with the inconvenient situation. Edward was shouting in the phone to robots, the only things answering at two in the morning. Until he swallowed his pride and dialed Emmett's number.
"Yo, Eddie!"
"Fuck you!" Edward absolutely hated being called that.
Bella snatched the phone from Edward's hand. "Emmett, we have a situation."
Edward rolled his eyes at her. Such an interesting situation.
"What can I do for you, Rub…Amber?"
"We're out of gas, Topaz."
"Ouch. Where are you?" He sounded concerned. Was he actually going to come back and help?
Bella rattled off directions as Edward started pacing. He heard Emmett saying that he'd be with them soon. Not one minute before Bella hung up, the phone rang again.
"Yeah?" Bella answered, sitting on top of the hood.
"Tell Edward no. You'll get caught," Alice chirped.
"No to what?" Edward asked loudly. It was annoying not to know what people were thinking. His vampire power was the gift that came with this life.
"You'll know soon enough. Gotta go!"
They looked at each other for a few moments then shrugged. Edward looked around, wondering how was it possible to end up without gas in the middle of nowhere. Weren't vampires supposed to know everything?
Bella ran a hand over his chest, fisting her fingers in his shirt and tugging him closer. Their lips met as Edward leaned her backwards onto the car. For the first time since he had become a vampire, he felt that pull toward her. The pull he always had when he was human. Maybe he was getting over the blood-lust part.
Oh, great. Must they fuck on the car?
Edward's head snapped up and he saw Emmett stepping out of his Jeep, a few feet away. How did he miss the engine of his car?
"Sorry," Edward mumbled, realizing what Alice had meant by getting caught.
"Yeah, it's cool. You're seventeen, after all." He thrust the gas can at him.
"Aren't you jealous?" Edward challenged. "You wish you had my libido."
"All you will do for the next few months is lust for blood. Unless you're a zoophile."
"Emmett, must you hurt him?" Bella snapped.
Edward preoccupied himself with putting gas in the tank. Emmett was right, of course. Edward had liked kissing Bella a moment ago, but it was nothing compared to what he had once felt. A worrying thought occurred to him. Will she stick around if I don't satisfy her?
"Thank you, Emmett," Edward said once he was done.
"You're welcome. Try to fill the tank on your next stop."
"Why did you turn around?" He blurted out before he could stop the words.
"We're Cullens, Edward. We stick together." He walked back to his car.
Another thing to prove Edward wasn't like them. He wasn't even a Cullen in every sense of the word.
"If you're going to brood, let me drive," Bella joked. She was surprised when he went to the passenger seat and slumped in there. "Hey, what happened? You were in high spirits when we left."
"That was about sixteen hours ago, Bella."
"Edward, I'm serious. What's eating at you? I don't like to see you like this."
"I'm scared," he admitted, picking at a hole in his jeans.
Bella raised his head and whatever she saw in his eyes made her hug him fiercely, soothing him with soft words. In her embrace, Edward let everything out. He talked for about an hour about all his insecurities since he'd become a vampire. She listened patiently, answering in kind and trying to make him feel better. She convinced him that she wasn't going anywhere and that marriage wasn't only about sex. He knew as much, but he felt it as his duty to make her feel good. She argued with him, promising that she was content with what they had.
After crossing the Welcome to Alaska sign, Edward's phone started ringing. He picked it up knowing Alice would keep calling if he sent it to voicemail.
"Hey, we're at the first shoulder off the road. Stop by. Carlisle is thinking of a little hunting trip before continuing the journey."
"Okay, I think I see you."
"You won't miss it. Besides, the cars are right there."
They hung up, and Edward returned his eyes to the window, watching the scenery flying by.
"Would you cheer up if I let you drive to Denali?" Bella whispered. "You can even choose the music."
He sighed, glancing at her. "That would be lovely."
She growled loudly, parking violently next to Carlisle's Mercedes. "You're so infuriating sometimes. That would be lovely," she mocked. "Really, Edward!"
"Should I have said 'cool' or 'awesome'?"
"I'm not talking to you until you decide to get your head out of your ass. We've all been in your position! We know how you feel! Do I have to remind you about the way I woke up?"
He looked down, ashamed. He was making a fuss out of nothing. He had wanted this life. He knew what came with it, the implications. He had to suck it up. One year of abstinence hadn't killed anyone, right?
The hunt was short indeed. The men took a route, leaving the ladies on their own. Emmett took Edward away from the others after they drank their fill. He sat his new brother down on a fallen tree.
"Listen to me. In all seriousness, Edward, I know exactly how you feel."
"You do?"
"Yeah." When Rosie saved me from the bear, I thought I had died and was seeing an angel, but then…I was changing and burning…I thought I was in hell. And waking up to find out what had happened and how she saved me… I was indebted, he told him silently.
"And?"
"She was beautiful – the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. It was a challenge for about a year to choose what I loved the most. There was Rosalie and there was the blood. When I thought my lust for blood had subsided somewhat, I came across my singer."
"And you ate her," Edward stated, knowing the story from Bella.
"Yes. Rosie stopped talking to me for months. But then we made up. That's not what I wanted to tell you." He paused a little, gathering his thoughts. You love our little Bella and that won't change. Ever. She knows that. You know that. Simple as that. And being a newborn doesn't mean you won't do the deed. Your head will be more on blood than Bella. Just that.
"Really?" he asked, surprised. "You mean I would actually feel something-"
"You won't stop feeling stuff for Bella. You will still love her. Still lust after her. Still want to fuck her. Got it? I don't know what preconceived idea you had about this. I hope we're clear now."
"Wow. I just thought…doesn't matter. I even feel stupid for thinking that in the first place."
He laughed and slapped Edward's back. "Race you back."
Edward shot up as soon as the words were out of Emmett's mouth. Edward left Emmett behind and when he reached the parking lot, Bella punched Jasper's shoulder, beaming at him.
"Told you he's fast!"
"Never bet against me, sweetie," Alice chirped, kissing Jasper's scowling mouth.
Once back in the car, Edward was behind the wheel, feeling better than he'd felt since the change.
"How much?" Edward asked, putting a CD with classical music since Bella allowed him to take over.
"How much what?" she asked surprised.
"How much did you win?"
"Oh. Fifty bucks. I'll buy you something nice, on them." She winked.
"I don't need anything," he said, embarrassed.
"I was thinking about some new music or movies. Are you sure you don't want anything?"
He nodded. "Positive."
They lapsed into silence. Edward was mulling over what Emmett had told him. He wanted to get to Denali and test the theory. He wished Emmett was right. Edward missed touching Bella, being with her – in her. He kept having flashbacks from their honeymoon.
Walking on the beach, stealing kisses, and any time the need to get lost in each other arose they just attacked the other. He was the one attacking most times – especially when he was seeing her sparkling. That seemed to arouse him.
Then there were those late mornings when Edward didn't feel like leaving the bed and they just sat intertwined, talking, kissing, or playing chess. She managed to win once, but she had to cheat. Edward bit his lip, remembering how good her small foot had felt pressed against his erection.
He squirmed in his seat. It was the first hard-on since he had turned into a vampire. That ought to be something.
Bella's pearly giggles turned his attention to her. "What?" He questioned, hoping she hadn't realized what was going on.
"Is driving my car turning you on?"
There goes my hope. "Fuck. I was just…thinking of something."
"Now, you sound like a ninety-year-old."
"Actually, I sound my age," he said playfully. "Seventeen-year-old boys are allowed to get spontaneous erections."
"Is this going to happen a lot? I'll always be willing to help." She winked, leaning into him. "I could help you now," she purred into his ear.
"Bella," he breathed. Her hand cupped him through his jeans. "Please."
She kissed behind his ear before sucking on his earlobe. "Tell me."
"What?"
"The memory that triggered this," she murmured, rubbing the heel of her palm against his dick.
Edward gulped, focusing on the road. It wasn't a good moment to swerve the car. "Our honeymoon."
"I was thinking about that too," she said quietly. "What part?"
"The late mornings… That day you won our chess game."
"Oh, you liked that, didn't you?" she teased.
"A lot," he answered honestly.
Bella lowered the fly of his jeans, taking him out of the confines of the boxers. Edward groaned, startled by the sensations coursing through his body at her touch. His stomach muscles started tightening and the telltale signs of heading to the inevitable release started taking over his body. It was as if he awoke for the first time, his skin was on fire. Was this how she had felt when he touched her?
Edward was so focused on the road that when something warm wrapped around his dick, he looked down. Bella's chestnut brown hair greeted him from his lap. Holy fuck. She was giving him head without the restriction of ten condoms. And it felt divine. She licked him then started sucking vigorously. Edward was sure his eyes had crossed. Without even meaning, he pressed the gas pedal to the floor making the car fly down the empty highway. If she continued like that, he'd have to pull over. They needed the car to get there, besides Ginger was still alive. All rational thoughts left him when he felt the head of his dick hitting the back of her throat. Then she swallowed and he was done. Through his haze, he heard a loud snap, but he didn't focus on his surroundings until a car honked loudly. Edward righted their car right in time before pulling over.
He turned his eyes to Bella who had righted herself in her seat and was watching him smugly. "How did it feel?"
"A hundred times better," Edward said sincerely. "Umm…you have…" He pointed to her chin, trying not to laugh. She looked beautiful with his cum on the corner of her mouth. It sparkled in the dim morning light.
Bella let down the visor mirror and giggled. "Oops."
"Come here." He grabbed her waist, pulling her close then started kissing her. Edward didn't give a damn that he could taste himself on her lips. Emmett had been right. He still loved her and he wanted to prove how much he loved her, that he still felt attracted to her.
A car passed them. It wasn't until the thoughts that greeted him that Edward realized who was in there.
Five more hours. Can you hold on for five hours? Carlisle wondered amused.
Ah, I was wondering when you'd realize that the blood is not that important, Esme thought. But do wait a few more hours, honey.
"We should wait," Edward mumbled, taking his lips off Bella's.
"What happened now?" She groaned.
"Uhh…Carlisle and Esme just passed us," he told her embarrassed.
"Oh, dear! Did they see anything?"
"Probably. They wanted to make sure we waited until we got to the new house."
After rearranging their clothes, Edward turned toward the steering wheel. A part of the circle was missing. He frowned, inspecting it. This must have been the snap he heard.
"Did you see this?" Edward asked, chuckling.
"Yeah. How could I know you'd destroy my car? I wouldn't have helped you if I knew."
"It looks like a Formula One steering wheel." He laughed.
"You owe me a steering wheel, Edward."
"Since I wrecked my car, this is our car. Being married means to share everything."
"I'll share my anger if you want," she muttered. "I know you don't like my car. You tried to destroy it a long time ago."
"I didn't mean to!" Edward defended himself, pulling on the highway again. "We can ask at the first gas station. While I fill the tank with gas, you can ask if they have car parts."
"Aren't you acting like a loving husband?" She asked sarcastically.
"I'm keeping you away from the awful gas smell."
She snorted. "Besides, can you imagine how it would look if I buy a steering wheel?"
Edward laughed, shrugging.
It turned out that they didn't have steering wheels in the gas station and Edward had to drive with the ripped one to Denali.
They all met at the edge of a road that winded through the forest and then followed Carlisle's car. Edward was right behind Carlisle, and Emmett was behind him with Alice on tail.
"Change the gear."
"There's no need," Edward muttered.
"Edward, I know more about driving than you. If the engine stops, you're going to run into Emmett," Bella insisted.
He didn't listen. The next curb he took, Edward changed the gear, but it was too late. "Shit." The ground being wet made him slid even easier toward Emmett. The engine died as he kept tugging at the hand brake. Emmett must have heard them arguing because he overtook them, but that made them go straight into Alice's car with a loud crash.
"EDWARD!" She screeched. You were supposed to listen to Bella.
"I'm sorry," he groaned. Then he felt a slap on the back of his head. Edward turned to Bella who looked furious.
"Are you ever going to listen to me?"
"I was sure I was doing it right."
"Whoever gave you a license must have been drunk."
"Hey! I'm a decent driver," he argued back.
Alice rapped on the window. Edward opened the door, stepping out, running a hand through his hair after glancing at the cars. They weren't totally destroyed.
"You're lucky my engine is in the back," she hissed.
"Then what's the big fuss?" he muttered, bending to look at the protection bar of Bella's car. It was twisted.
"You made a huge dent in my baby! And there's blue paint over the front!"
"Alice, there's nothing we can't repair with our hands," Jasper said softly, stepping out of the car and coming toward them. Don't mind her. She just hates that you ran into us, he added in his head.
Edward nodded, still trying to understand how they could repair the dents with bare hands. That's when he saw their trunk popping open and Jasper touching under it a little, making it look good as new. The only problem was the blue smudge on the front bar.
Edward crouched beside Bella's car and took Jasper's lead, but his fingers went straight through the bar. When he heard Bella laughing, he saw her in front of him, hands on hips.
"Let Rose do it when we get there. We have a few more minutes until we arrive."
"You can drive," he told her, going to the passenger seat.
"Oh, you did the damage and now-"
"Look, I'm sorry. I promise to listen from now on." Edward had said that to himself for a long time. He should take his own advice and swallow his pride and just listen to others.
When the forest finally ended, they were in front of a huge gray house. It looked like a palace. It had many steps to the front door and the house itself was a monstrosity. It hit him hard and fast. They were going to live with the other vampires.
"Ready?" Bella whispered, touching his knee.
"As ready as ever."
The Denali clan was outside, greeting their family.
Ah, I thought I lost my new family members, Carlisle thought amused.
"We got held up," Edward explained.
Alice snorted, wrapping her arms around one of the sisters. Edward had to learn their names because he'd forgotten them. He just remembered Tanya.
"Was there a problem?" Tanya asked, coming toward them. Damn, he turned out a fine sight.
Edward could tell Bella wasn't her greatest fan because she dodged her and went to one of her sisters. That left Tanya to hug him. He still remembered how she had made him feel in school. He was uncomfortable to be around her.
"What have you done to the car?" Rose asked, horrified.
Edward wrenched from Tanya's hold, glad to have an excuse. He went to Rose, scratching the back of his head. "Well I sort of slid…"
She turned to him, growling. "I just repaired Bella's car!"
"I know! Jeez, I'm sorry."
You should take your cat out of the car, Edward, Alice announced. I'm sure he's sick of being locked up in that cage.
"I really didn't mean it," he told Rose, opening the back door of the car and then opening the cage. Ginger jumped in his hands, mewling loudly. Edward kept him in his arms, not sure where he'd go if he put him down.
"Oh, isn't he a cutie?" One of the sisters glided to him and stroked the cat's little head. "I'm Kate," she whispered.
Edward grinned, showing her he was glad she introduced herself. Ginger didn't seem to like the attention. He turned to her, claws out, ready to scratch her – only he couldn't.
"Sorry. I don't think he likes strangers," he apologized, hugging him to his chest. Ginger relaxed, starting to purr softly.
Kate showed them to their room. Edward carried the luggage after handing Bella the cat. The room was beautiful. He felt like he was into a classic movie with this atmosphere around.
As soon as they were alone, Bella dropped Ginger on the floor and started moving around the room, unpacking. Edward didn't feel like unpacking. He just wanted to continue what they had left off in the car. He plopped on the bed and sighed.
"Come here," he whispered.
"I'm kind of busy. You should help me," she said, grabbing clothes and putting them in the closet.
Damn, stupid clothes. Edward sprang up from the bed and crossed the room to her side in less than a second. His arms went around her slim waist, and he turned her around. Her hands came to his chest with a loud smack, her head titled back, eyes wide.
"What are you doing?"
"Hmm, I'm going to show my wife how much I love her," he whispered, picking her up and walking to the bed.
