As some of you pointed out, Bella's not a huge fan of surprises, but she didn't have a birthday party since she was 17. =)
Thank you all for the lovely reviews and support. As always, big 'thank you' to Gabby for helping me improve my writing.
While catching up and eating ice cream on the beach, Bella could tell that her brother was distracted. She had no idea why, but she guessed he was worried about Victoria and their daughter, being away from them.
When she invited him over, he eagerly accepted, almost relieved.
Bella hoped he wouldn't make some snide remark about how rich Edward was. Hopefully, James knew her better than to think she was with Edward for the money.
The driveway was a lot more crowded than she'd ever seen it. She slowly turned to James, narrowing her eyes.
"Oh, my God! You knew about this!"
He grinned. "Guilty as charged."
"I can't believe it!"
"It's called a surprise," he deadpanned.
She huffed, storming out of the car. James followed her, chuckling.
Bella nearly stumbled when she spotted Jake's bike near the garage entrance. What in the hell was Jake doing there? Had Edward invited him, too?
She opened the door, ready to give Edward an earful, only to be choked up. She'd never had such a big birthday party, with all her friends in one room. Everyone was gathered in the entrance way. They blew into party blowers and clapped loudly when she stopped in her tracks.
Edward stepped away from the group, wrapping his arms around her. "How much do you hate me?" he whispered just for her.
She tilted her head back to look him in the eyes. "I love you," she cried out, hugging him tightly. "This is so beautiful."
James joined them, whistling loudly.
"Did you do this in only two hours?" Bella asked curiously, unable to believe it.
There were festive garlands reading HAPPY BIRTHDAY hanging from the walls and balloons and flowers. And so many of her friends. Garrett and his girl Kate were there, Alice and Jasper, Jake and his two minions – Embry and Quil, and…Bella screeched at the sight of Seth. He'd been off to college on the other side of the country and hadn't been able to visit.
"Seth!" She rushed to him, nearly knocking him down when she collided with him. "Holy shit!"
"Hey, Bella! Nice to see you!" Seth patted her back.
She turned to Jake, still hugging Seth. He was the baby brother she'd always wanted. Seth had started spending his afternoons at Jake's garage in his last year of high school, and Bella had always felt protective of him. He was the youngest of the group and a ray of sunshine.
Jake shrugged. "Why would I tell you all the aces up my sleeve?"
Bella choked back another sob, as she reached out to hug him. "Thank you."
"Seth was already visiting," he said into her hair.
"I mean, for being here." She pulled back to look at him. "I know you must be uncomfortable."
"Anything for you." He kissed her cheek.
Bella moved on to Garrett and Kate, then to Alice and Jasper. Alice had too much force for her small stature, and she nearly crushed Bella's bones.
While the party moved to the living room, Bella noticed someone had allowed Harley inside the house. He was laying by the wet bar, unimpressed by the party hat he was wearing.
"Oh, he looks so adorable! But who in their right mind dressed my dog up?"
"Blame the little freak," Edward said from behind her, looping his arms around her waist. "He's been exceptionally well behaved."
"At least, one of us obeys you, Sir," she said cheekily.
Edward chuckled, kissing the top of her head.
Edward didn't move farther than arm's length from Bella's side for the rest of the day. She appreciated his silent support, when she had to open presents. There was a mountain of bags and boxes stacked by the fireplace.
Bella went through them slowly, truly appreciating each one.
For the first time in a very long time, Bella enjoyed the attention and having all her friends in one room. She doubted she could thank Edward enough for this surprise.
As the evening wore on, Bella pulled away from Jake's group where she had been catching up with Seth for hours. It was time to entertain other guests, like the event planner. On the way to the kitchen area where Alice was sampling the finger food, Bella leaned into Edward's side, smiling up at him.
"Thank you so much!"
"I'm happy you're having fun."
"This is more than I ever expected to get on my birthday."
"Well, I've got you something more durable," he said, amused. They stopped by the island counter. Edward pulled out of his back packet a long jewelry box.
"What have you done?" Bella moaned, watching it as if it were a ticking bomb.
Edward opened the box, placing it in her hand. "Happy birthday, Bella."
She stared amazed at the delicate bracelet and the sparkly stone. She looked up at him in shock. "This is too much."
Edward rolled his eyes, taking the bracelet from the box and fastening it around her left wrist. "I plan on adding more charms to it," he said seriously.
Bella stared at her wrist, surprised how feminine she felt with the bracelet on her skin. She'd never worn jewelry, except earrings, which she'd stopped wearing some years ago. In that moment, Bella realized how different and better she felt by wearing jewelry, it was similar to the feeling she got when wearing a dress or heels.
"Are you having fun?" Alice joined them, beaming.
"Yes! Thank you so much, Alice!" Bella turned to hug her.
"It's the most fast-forward event I've ever pulled and I have to admit, it turned out all right."
"It's perfect," Bella insisted.
"I had faith in Alice's skills for throwing a party," Edward said, grinning.
"Jazzy, can you give me the gift for Bella?" Alice extended her hand toward Jasper. "I've got you something that you better open in private."
Bella felt Edward tensing up behind her, his hand curling into a fist at the small of her back. She leaned back into him, taking his other hand.
Jasper pulled out a small box from his breast pocket, placing it on the counter beside them.
The curiosity got the best of Bella, and she figured that no one was paying them any attention, after a glance at her guests. She picked the box, which felt heavy in her hand. Edward was a wall of tension, breathing harshly down her neck.
Bella chanced a look at Alice, but she smiled encouragingly. With shaky hands, Bella unwrapped the paper and opened the lid of the otherwise common white box. The contents held what appeared to be paper clips linked by a chain.
"Jasper," Edward barked, taking the box from Bella.
"What…" She frowned, looking between the two of them.
"I told Alice, it was a crazy idea." Jasper shrugged. "You probably already own several pairs."
"But not this model. It's something new," Alice said, excitedly. "It can vibrate!"
Edward shoved her present into one of the kitchen drawers, still glaring daggers at their friends. Bella was utterly confused. What the hell was that to get such a reaction from him?
"You didn't check the clothes I got you!" Alice linked her elbow around Bella's, pulling her away.
"Alice," Edward growled after her, probably worried she was going to tell Bella about the present.
Bella was counting on it. She hurried Alice's pace toward the few gift bags left.
"Tell me," Bella whispered as they picked the remaining bags, carrying them to the couch.
Alice smirked. "I'll let you discover what that it is. Edward's just a grump, but he'll enjoy our present."
"It's for him?" Bella asked, curiously.
"Well, for you to wear and for him to enjoy." Alice winked. "Sucks I can't wear them anymore with the pregnancy. I'm extra sensitive."
Bella knew that Alice wasn't going to explain what she meant by that, so she focused on the contents of the gift bags. The first one held a thick, cotton dress, which Bella wasn't sure when she was going to wear, considering the temperature in Cali rarely dropped that low. The second bag was full of designer lingerie, and she wasn't fast enough to stuff the lacey pieces back into the bag, before Jake whistled loudly from behind her.
Bella slowly turned to grimace at him, and he laughed.
"Too bad your friend wasted money for these to rot at the bottom of your closet," he joked.
Bella stepped on Alice's foot, when she opened her mouth to retort. Jake had no idea Bella had changed her view on many things, some of them being wearing sexy lingerie. It was all for Edward, which was reason enough for why she hadn't been a fan of this type of things before. She hadn't had someone to wear lingerie for.
The last bag was light, Bella actually thought there was nothing in it, but when she looked inside, her eyes widened. There was a soft looking bathrobe – something she'd always wanted.
"It's every woman's dream to own such a thing," Alice said seriously.
"And every brother's nightmare," James grumbled, sitting on Bella's other side.
Alice pursed her lips, but Bella hugged her. "Thanks." Then she turned to her brother. "I'm not twelve anymore, Jimmy."
"I'm starting to see that." He cringed. "At least, I can tell Edward's serious about this. He's head over hills for you."
Bella blushed, biting on her lip. "The feeling is very much mutual," she whispered, leaning into his side.
He hugged her with one arm, kissing her cheek. "I have to go, sis. I promise to return."
"Did you find a place?"
"Yes. It's not far from our old house. I'll be back in less than a month's time. We have to wrap up our life in Los Angeles."
She nodded, unable to speak. Bella had never imagined thinking about forgiving James, or accepting him back in her life. But his explanation sounded like exactly something her brother would do. Of course, she'd hoped that he'd thought through his decision, but thinking ahead wasn't his biggest trait.
"Hey, Birthday Girl!" Jake leaned over the couch, hugging her. "We're having a bonfire tomorrow, for Seth."
"Count me in," she said eagerly, grinning at him upside down.
He smiled brightly, reaching for her hand and pulling her up. "Come with me."
She rounded the couch, following him to the front door. Bella found Edward's narrowed eyes on them, as they left the house. He had to loosen up. That trust thing he kept talking about, had to go both ways.
Jake led her to his bike, and her heart skipped a beat. She didn't say anything, knowing he'd remind her how she'd ridden Edward's bike. Hopefully, he wasn't stealing her away for a ride in the sunset.
He crouched to dig through the satchel strapped on the back of the bike. He caught her hand, spinning to face her, she felt his fingers on the bracelet. Before she could ask what the hell he was doing, he beamed up at her.
"Happy birthday, Bells!"
She looked down at the addition he'd placed there. It was a little sun. "Did you gang up with Edward for my present?"
"Actually…I got you a necklace to go with that, but then I noticed he got you a bracelet and I think this looks better as a charm." He gripped her hand, still crouched by his bike.
"Yeah," she nodded.
Jake's eyes widened then narrowed somewhere behind Bella. She turned in time to see Edward striding to them. He stopped by her side, glaring down at Jake.
"Look what Jake got me," she said, showing Edward the addition on her bracelet, before Edward could start throwing punches.
His eyes flicked to the new addition, then hardened as they returned to Jake. "It's very thoughtful of you."
Bella wrapped her arms around Edward's left arm, mostly to keep him from getting into a fight. "There will be a bonfire tomorrow for Seth's return. We should go, too," she said. Bella ignored the hurt look in Jake's eyes, but he better get used to see Edward around, because they were a package deal.
"We'll drop by, but we can't stay much. Rose invited us for dinner at her place. She called me earlier." Edward met Bella's eyes, and she could tell he wasn't making up excuses not to attend the bonfire.
"When does it start?" Bella asked Jake.
"Around five," he said tersely.
"We could stay for a couple of hours," Edward promised. "Come on. Time to cut the cake."
"If anyone starts singing, you better remember I'll be the one holding the knife," she threatened, leading the way inside.
"Scary, isn't she?" She heard Jake commenting.
The second part of her birthday - next chapter. It will be Edward's time to test Bella's present from Alice and Jasper.
PS: for anyone interested I posted the second part of the Jake/Nessie story. It's called Transmutation.
Reviews are love.