Chapter 55 – Bait and Switch

Bella

We piled into my car, with Rose behind the wheel, and headed off to destinations unbeknownst to me. I was starting to get incredibly nervous and wished Edward were here with me. Mom had practically thrown him out of the house this morning, citing bad luck, forcing him to spend the night with Emmett. He was getting dressed there, and then Emmett and Jasper were charged with getting him back to the house in time for the wedding. I hadn't seen him all day, and I was missing him terribly.

Alice was in the back seat behind me, and when Rose turned and nodded at her, a blindfold was slipped over my head. Alice threatened to tie it around my neck, tightly, if I continued to squirm and protest. So, I sat still, with my arms crossed over my chest, while she tied it behind my head, blocking my view of where we were going.

I felt the car turn and then pull in somewhere and stop. I couldn't see a thing, so Alice and Rose helped me out of the car, both taking an arm and leading me inside…to where, I had no idea. They both instructed me that I had to be absolutely silent, or they would bind and gag me as well. Again, knowing them, they would do it, so I obeyed.

They led me into a room, closing the door behind me. I was then allowed to remove my blindfold for a few minutes. It was a nice room, obviously someone's home. Sitting around the room were three elderly gentlemen who smiled at me, or rather grinned sheepishly, I should say. I recognized them as doctors from around the hospital, colleagues of Edward and Carlisle.

"Bella, these gentlemen are part of a little game we're going to play tonight. Take a good look at them, because they'll all be kissing you in a few minutes," Alice instructed.

Rose gave me a "don't even think about it" glare, as I eyed the door, wondering how far away I could get in stilettos before they caught me.

"Afterwards, we're going to put the blindfold back on you, and then one of them is going to kiss you again, and you have to figure out which one it was." Alice introduced me to them all, and then she had me give each one of them a quick kiss, so I had something to base my answer on.

There were only three of them, thank goodness, so I figured it shouldn't be too hard. Dr. Martin's kiss was soft and warm, but I could feel his false teeth behind his lips when he pressed harder against my mouth. Dr. Arnold was a bit of a wet kisser, and very enthusiastic. Dr. Wilson's lips were very cold and thin, and his kiss was quick and grandfatherly. I was hoping for him. None of them were wearing cologne, and they were all tall, about the same height, so that wouldn't help me determine anything.

Alice tied the blindfold back on, and I was led out into another room, where I could hear several people talking low and some giggling. I blushed bright red at the thought of being kissed by one of these older men in front of heaven only knew who. The room got noticeably quiet, as I heard my prospective kisser being moved in front of me.

"Okay, soon-to-be newlywed…ready, set, kiss!" I tilted my face up slightly, waiting for one of the older gentlemen to lay one on me. At first, I was sure it was Dr. Martin, because his lips were so soft and warm when they first lightly touched mine. But then, he wrapped his arms around me and deepened the kiss, and I knew immediately who it was. I threw my arms around his neck and buried my hands in his hair, leaning into him, as whistles and laughter rang through the crowd.

"You two had better break it up before your betrothed finds out about this!" Alice teased.

"I think he already knows," I laughed, as I took off the blindfold to find Edward doing the same. The three older gentlemen I had been introduced to were standing around the room, holding the hands of their lovely wives, who Edward had been tricked into kissing as well, all of them laughing and waving at the two of us.

"Darn, now I wish it'd been me," Dr. Martin teased. "She's some more kisser, Edward!"

"Edward wasn't too bad, either, but you're still the best, dear," Dr. Martin's wife poked his ribs, smiling up at him, and then she grabbed his face and planted a huge kiss on him. He staggered a little, and then he wrapped his arms around her, looking lovingly into her eyes with their foreheads together, still obviously very much in love.

"I hope you guys aren't too disappointed about no strippers or hookers," Jasper said, grinning from ear to ear. "We decided to spring a couples shower on you instead."

Mom and dad were sitting in the back of the room, as well as Esme and Carlisle, who had Stacey, Madelyn, and Abigail with them. There were also several people from my office and the hospital as well. I was surprised to see Dr. Black and Dr. Cheney there, as well as Dr. Stanley.

"Hey, soon-to-be Mrs. Masen, no hard feelings, huh?" Dr. Black said, as he pulled me into a quick, tight hug. "If you ever decide to ditch him, though, you know where to find me," he winked and grinned at me. He clapped Edward on the shoulder, and then his eyes suddenly went wide when he spotted Leah, my attractive new co-worker who had just arrived, and he went over to introduce himself and probably annoy her with his flirting. Edward pulled me into his arms and looked at me with those loving eyes that melted my heart.

"Not gonna happen in my lifetime," I whispered into Edward's ear, capturing his lips again for another kiss. I saw Dr. Stanley watching us from across the room. I smiled at her, still in Edward's arms. She just nodded at me and turned to Dr. Cheney, joining in his conversation with our admin, Angela. It looked like they were hitting it off as well. Maybe something good would happen for the Testosterone Twins, and they would finally settle down and grow up. One could only hope.