Hey everyone! Sorry for the small wait but here is the next chapter! This update is jammed packed so get settled in!
READ! You get to finally know Bella's exact age! After this chapter if this story is not for you it is fine, we understand, but please keep the flams to a minim! If you don't like then just walk away please!
The rest of the school week dragged by, and come Friday, I was ready to become a high school dropout. If it weren't for Alice, I think I would have begged Edward to reconsider homeschool. As it was, Edward didn't even like the idea of me seeing or talking to Alice.
"You're not there to make friends, Bella," Edward said exasperatedly. "You are there to finish your education."
"I don't even want to finish high school at this point, though," I argued. "Alice is the only reason I'm still even going there! The kids hate me, and the things they say could be considered verbal abuse."
By now I had tears streaming down my face. It wasn't fair.
"Baby," Edward cooed, pulling me in to his arms, "kids can be jerks, and if you're that miserable, then I'm glad you have Alice. But I don't want to see you get hurt over her either. It's just safer to not make friends."
I wiped my nose and nodded my head, even though I was silently disagreeing with him. Alice wouldn't hurt me.
"I wonder when she'll start showing."
"She already has a little bump."
"I heard she went and got an abortion in Seattle."
The whispers and the stares followed me through the hallways until I finally came to my locker where Alice was waiting for me.
"What's the damage today?" I asked her, not caring in the slightest.
"You know, the usual," she grinned. "You're pregnant, but had an abortion, but somehow managed to get pregnant again all within a week."
I nodded my head and slammed my locker shut.
"I am pretty talented," I agreed.
With that, our eyes locked and we burst in to a fit of giggles. We wrapped our arms around each other's waists and made our way to our next class that we shared. Yes, I was indeed glad that I had Alice by my side.
At lunch, I sent Edward my daily check-in message, telling him how much I loved him.
"Want to come over after school?" Alice asked as soon as I had placed my phone down.
I shook my head, already knowing it would be pointless to ask Edward.
"I can't," I said sadly. "I'm helping decorate the house tonight for my birthday dinner tomorrow," I explained.
"Oh yeah! It's your Birthday?" she shrieked.
"Shhhhh!" I whispered, waving my hands to try and get her to keep it down.
I whipped my head around to see that the damage had already been done, though. Everyone was staring at the two of us, and I could feel my face flaming red. I turned back around quickly and shot a glare in Alice's direction.
"Thanks for that," I muttered grumpily.
Alice looked down at the table and stabbed a grape with her fork.
"Sorry," she said, giving me an apologetic look. "But I can't believe my best friend is having a birthday party and didn't invite me!"
"It's just a birthday dinner," I argued. "And it's not a big deal."
"Your first birthday dinner here, though," she countered. "And isn't it your first with your new in-laws?"
I popped a chip in my mouth and chewed contemplatively. She was right. It was the first birthday that I would be celebrating with my husband and in-laws. I couldn't stop the smile that broke across my face.
"You're right; it is a big deal," I said happily. "It's not every day you turn seventeen and get to celebrate with your husband."
Alice laughed and nodded her head. "It certainly isn't."
"So, what time is this party?" she asked.
I shrugged and continued eating as my cell phone vibrated. "Around six," I answered. "We're just having a dinner."
I love you, too. I have a surprise for you after school.
I did a little squeal of my own as Alice leaned over to see what had me so excited.
"Wonder what Officer Cullen has planned for his wife tonight?" Alice joked. "Bet he'll put those handcuffs to use…" she said suggestively.
I blushed and looked back down to my phone. If she only knew that I had no desire to see those handcuffs again. They were not connected with our sex life whatsoever, and I hoped to keep it that way.
I jumped slightly as the bell rang. I was so caught up in what the surprise was that I missed the rest of what she was saying.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" I asked Alice as we stood up with our bags.
"Never mind," she giggled. "I'll leave you alone to your dirty thoughts."
As soon as I was in my next class, I brought out my phone once more, hiding it beneath the desk before class started.
What kind of surprise? I asked.
I was surprised when it vibrated almost immediately with Edward's response.
A good one. You'll know it when you see it, so be ready.
I smiled and couldn't help the playfulness that bubbled up inside me. I knew I would go crazy waiting for him to get home.
Ready how? I asked. Naked and on the bed, ready? Or dressed and by the door, ready?
I had to stifle my laughter behind my hand as my phone vibrated immediately after I hit 'Send.'
You're an evil minx. How about naked and by the door?
However you wish, Mr. Cullen. Would you like me on my knees, or on all fours? I asked, looking up as the teacher took the roll.
How about your back? Now pay attention in Biology, and don't use your phone again in class.
I blushed and put my phone away quickly as the teacher began to pass out a work packet. It shocked me that Edward knew exactly what class I was in, and that I wasn't at lunch any longer. I couldn't get away with anything.
Throughout the rest of the day I could barely manage to sit still. I was excited for whatever my surprise was. I was so caught up in the excitement of it, that the rude and hateful comments about Edward and I that flew around didn't even bother me.
"I'm just so excited!" I exclaimed to Alice as we were finishing dressing at the end of P.E.
"And you have no clue what it could be?" she asked through the bathroom stall.
I shook my head and threw my backpack onto my shoulders. Why she insisted on changing in the stall was beyond me. It seemed to take more time than just changing by the locker.
"Not a clue," I answered, tapping my foot impatiently.
I pulled my hair up off of my neck as she came out before handing Alice her bag.
"Are you coming to say hello to Esme?" I asked her as we made our way out of the gym.
"Of course," she said cheerfully. "I just know I'm growing on her."
I laughed and bumped her hip with mine, our arms wrapped around the other's waist.
"You really are," I agreed with her.
Over the course of a few days, Alice had wormed her way into Esme's heart, as well. Alice would wave to her in the mornings, and then walk me to her car to say hi after school. Esme liked Alice a lot, and was happy that I had her on my side, but we didn't let Edward in on that little detail. It probably wouldn't be a great outcome.
We laughed and danced our way to the front of the school where Esme always met us, only this time, I stopped in my tracks, causing Alice to be jerked back.
"Hey!" she protested. "What's wrong?"
I swallowed nervously and stared straight ahead.
"I think we were wrong about my surprise," I whispered as I untangled our limbs.
Alice's eyes grew wide as she looked to where my husband was standing. My first reaction was that he had never looked more handsome in his faded blue jeans and button down, black, long sleeved shirt. Moisture immediately coated my panties as I took three steps towards him.
My second, and delayed reaction, caused me to stop short when I realized that I was probably in a heap load of trouble.
"You are one lucky girl," Alice muttered, grabbing my arm and forcing me to move my feet forward.
I looked around and noticed that we had drawn our own little crowd, with the students whispering behind their hands.
"Aren't you going to say hello to your husband?" Edward asked, his arms opening.
Laughing at his carefree expression, I threw myself into his arms as Alice giggled behind me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him, peppering kisses all over his face as he lifted me up.
Edward chuckled and set me back down on my feet before giving Alice a small smile. "I'm your surprise."
I laughed and hugged him again before pulling Alice closer so I could introduce them.
"Honey, this is Alice," I said. "Alice, this is my husband, Edward."
"It's nice to meet you, Edward," she said sweetly.
"And you, Alice," Edward said, shaking her hand.
Edward then took my bag in his hand and wrapped his arm around my waist.
"We have to leave now if we're going to make our reservation, but it was nice to meet Bella's friend," Edward said.
Alice made me laugh by blowing me a kiss as we got into the car. I didn't understand when Edward said we had reservations, but I was pretty sure it was just an excuse to leave. I knew he was mad at me, and I really didn't want that.
"So," he started to say as he pulled out of the parking lot, "that's your friend?"
"Yes," I said looking down at my hands.
"You always ruin important days..."
"I won't," I promised, knowing that I may have already broken that promise.
"I'm sure you will," he sneered. "You can never be good for days on end."
"Yes, I can!" I said defensively.
"Oh yeah? Did you not get in trouble just a few days ago? And now you are about to be over my knee again!" he yelled. "The last thing I wanted to do today was spank you."
"I'll be good. I don't even know what I did wrong," I said, pleading with him.
"You don't listen! You don't follow the rules! I said no friends!"
"You said I could talk to her at school," I argued as I started to cry. I was really confused.
"I don't want to see how happy another person makes you. Say it," he said between clenched teeth.
"You are all I have. You are all I need. You are my life, Edward," I said with a hiccup.
When I realized that he wasn't going to acknowledge me again, I turned in my seat to face forward once more, tears falling freely down my face. I could tell he was mad. His jaw was clenched, and that was one of the signs of just how angry he was. I waited patiently as he parked the car before leading us up to the house.
"I don't think you mean it," he said as he took me by the arm.
"I do! I love you so much and I don't know how else to show how it!" I exclaimed. "Sometimes I don't think you understand just how much I love and need you. I'm lost every day without you. Going to school is so hard, knowing that I am away from you. You are truly the only person I need in my life. If I didn't have you, I would probably go crazy. You are the love of my life. I love you," I said as I attached myself to him as we walked into the bedroom.
As he pried my fingers off of him, I suddenly realized what the issue was. Just telling him of my love for him wasn't enough anymore. He needed to see it. To feel it. To know it. I didn't give him time to talk as I immediately brought myself to his side once more. I knew he needed me. I hadn't given him much husband time since I'd had my period, and that was not okay. I was not doing my wifely duties in keeping my husband happy and satisfied, and for that I knew that I needed to be punished.
"Edward," I whispered brokenly, trying to hold in my tears.
I ran my hands over his chest and brought my fingers to his buttons, slowly undoing each one as I placed gentle kisses over his heart.
"You are all I have," I whispered as the first button opened, revealing a little bit of his chest hair.
"You are all I need," I said as the second button came undone.
"You are my life."
Kiss.
"You are the reason I wake up in the mornings."
I looked down to the last button. Once it was undone, I slowly reached up and placed my hands on his shoulders, moving down his shirt so that he was standing in front of me shirtless. I ran my fingers through his coarse chest hair, using my nails to lightly trail down through his happy trail until it came to rest at the top of his jeans.
"You give me a reason to live," I whispered, standing up on my tiptoes so that I was just below his chin.
I pressed my lips gently to his jaw, using my tongue to feel the stubble that had grown throughout the day. My hands moved on their own accord around his hips and up his back until they came to rest at the nape of his neck. I looked up to his face to see his eyes closed fully, his face completely relaxed. I smiled slightly, knowing that I was the reason for his contentment.
I grazed my lips across his, silently jumping for joy when I felt his lips moved with mine. Not wanting to wait for him to take charge, and not even knowing if he would, I opened my mouth and gently traced his bottom lip with my tongue, begging him for entrance. As his lips parted slowly, I moved my tongue in, tasting him for the first time that day.
I walked him back to the bed, and when he sat down, I climbed onto his lap, straddling his legs. I groaned into his mouth, my hands on either side of his face, holding him to me, afraid that he would pull back at any second.
As our tongues danced together, I felt Edward's hands move to my hips, gripping them tightly in his fingers.
When I needed to breathe, I broke away from him reluctantly. My lips immediately found purchase on his cheek, and then moved to the other one.
"I love only you," I whispered.
I moved up slightly and kissed his closed eyelids.
"I need only you."
I carefully stood up and pushed on Edward's shoulders until he was lying flat on his back on the bed.
"What are you doing, Isabella?" he questioned.
"Taking care of you," I replied simply, leaning down and placing one last chaste kiss to his lips.
"I love you so much, Edward. You are the only man I will ever love. The only man that will ever touch me. The only man I will ever want. I love you," I said as I started to kiss down his chest. I worked my way back up to his mouth wanting his kisses more than anything. "Please," I said against his lips, not really knowing what I was asking for. "I need you."
Suddenly Edward sat up, sweeping me into arms and bringing me onto the bed with him. He locked his arms around me and moved so that I was under him - right where I belonged. When his lips crashed down on mine, my fingers tangled in to his hair. I moaned into his mouth and wrapped my legs around his waist.
"You're mine," he said, holding my face in his hands.
All I could do was stare in to his eyes; I knew I was his.
"These lips are mine," he said, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth.
"These ears are mine." He sucked my ear lobe in his mouth and his hot breath wafted over my ear, sending my body in to a violent shiver.
"This neck is mine," he growled as his teeth ran across my skin.
"Edward, I love you," I moaned.
He was setting my body on fire.
He gripped the bottom of my shirt and pulled it roughly over my head. He moved so fast that I didn't even know he had unhooked my bra.
"These," he said gripping my breasts, "are mine."
His mouth covered one while his other hand massaged the other. I was moaning and falling apart under his hands and mouth. By the time he was done with my breasts, my nipples were as hard as rocks. I had never felt so claimed in my life, and I was sure he wasn't done. He moved to my jeans and his long fingers made quick work of unfastening them. He pulled my jeans and panties down my legs, discarding them on the floor, and then ran his hands up my legs, parting them more at my thighs.
"Say it," he said as his thumb ran over my wet sex.
"You are all I have. You are all I need. You are my life, Edward," I said shakily.
I pushed myself in to his fingers as he rubbed my clit, but he pulled his hand away too soon. He jumped off the bed to rid himself of his jeans. His member broke free of its confines and stood at attention, lightly hitting his abdomen as he moved. He was so hard that it looked painful. The mushroom head was nearly purple with need, and I wanted to touch him...I needed to touch him.
"You are mine, Isabella. I am the only man you will ever need or have. You belong to me. Every inch of you belongs to me. This," he said cupping my pussy, "is mine."
I gasped as he traced my slit with his finger, feeling the wetness that had gathered there before plunging into me roughly while curling his finger so that he was hitting that one perfect spot to send me over the edge. As I came down from my high, Edward wasted no time in hovering over me and sheathing himself inside me. My back arched off the bed as a strangled cry fell from my lips. As we moved together, everything seemed more intense. With every thrust, kiss, or hand grope, he was making sure I knew who I belonged to.
When he hit that special place inside me, I reassured him of my love. Over and over again. I needed him to know how much I loved him. He was everything to me.
After three more hard thrusts, we laid tangled up in each other. I ran my fingers through his sweaty hair, showering him with love and kisses.
"I love you so much, Edward," I said as my eyes started to close on their own.
"I love you too, Baby," he said as he kissed me.
The kiss was so lovingly sweet, and left no question about his love for me.
"If you can be a good girl, I would like to take you out to dinner," he whispered, running his fingers over my ribcage and up to my breasts.
"I'll be good!" I said excitedly, no longer sleepy.
He chuckled as he moved off of me, reaching down to help me up as well.
"Well, you better get ready then," he said playfully.
The smile on his face told me he was happy with me, and I planned for it to stay that way for the rest of our lives.
~~~~~AOMM~~~~~
"Happy Birthday!"
I squealed and jumped back in to my husband as our family members stood around us, smiling widely. I heard Edward laughing behind me, and couldn't stop my own giggles from escaping.
"You scared me," I whispered, clutching my chest.
"You're young and in good health," Carlisle joked, coming up to give me a hug. "You'll live."
"We love you, Bella," Esme said, coming up to me after her husband and wrapping her arms around me.
"All of this is for me?" I asked her, looking around at the decorations.
I had helped with the decorating a little bit the night before, but then earlier today, Edward wanted me to go with him to his work. We ended up being there for a couple of hours until he brought us home. Then we walked into...this.
"A surprise party for our favorite daughter-in-law," Carlisle said, chuckling. "Come in and let's celebrate."
I looked up to Edward to see him smiling down at me before placing a chaste kiss to my lips.
"Happy Birthday," he whispered.
I swallowed back my tears and thanked him as he led us through the room, shaking hands with some of his family and friends that had come.
I smiled politely at our guests and thanked them for coming, giving Rosalie a hug. She was the only other female I recognized besides Esme. The rest were the wives of Edward's coworkers. I noticed that the majority of them gave us tight lipped smiles but said nothing. Then I remembered that Edward said a lot of them disagreed about us getting married because of my age.
I internally rolled my eyes. I was of legal age to give my consent.
Esme brought me over to the dining room table where a beautiful, three tier flower cake was sitting in the middle with seventeen candles lit at the top.
I blushed as everyone followed us, complimenting Esme for her job well done with the cake.
"You made this?" I gasped.
"Of course," she laughed. "I spent most of the last two days on it."
"Thank you," I whispered, giving her a tight hug.
Just then the doorbell rang, and I continued to smile and talk with people as Edward went to let in our next guest. I felt the blood rush my face as Edward led in an excited yet anxious looking Alice. I looked to him in confusion and saw that his jaw was clenched. This was not good.
I was too frozen from shock to even move, and luckily Edward noticed, because he then began to introduce her to the few family members that were in the living room.
"Alice, these are some of our friends and relatives: Emmett and his wife, Rosalie, and the blonde guy is Jasper."
I watched, somewhat in horror and somewhat incredulous, as Alice and Jasper made eye contact. Her own blue eyes widened right along with his, before a dark blush stained her cheeks and she looked to the floor.
Interesting. Very interesting.
At that moment, I finally regained my composure and walked over to her, breaking her out of her Jasper induced haze.
"Alice?" I asked, walking to her and giving her a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"My best friend is having a birthday and you think I wouldn't come to help her celebrate?" she asked, appalled.
Before I could answer, Carlisle stepped in beside us and stuck out his hand. "I'm Isabella's father-in-law," he said kindly. "And you are?"
I saw Alice swallow nervously before she answered, shaking Carlisle's hand.
"I'm Alice," she said softly. "I'm a friend of Bella's from school."
I watched Carlisle's eyes flash as he caught Edward's gaze, sharing a look with him.
"That's very nice that Bella has made a friend," he replied snidely before gesturing for Edward to follow him to the kitchen.
I tried to hide my hysteria at the turn of events my party had suddenly taken. None of this was boding well for me. Before I could throw myself in to a full blow panic attack, Alice rushed from my side and threw her arms around Esme.
"It's so good to see you again, Esme," she said happily.
I couldn't help but giggle at Esme's startled expression before she managed to compose herself and return Alice's hug.
"It's good to see you too, Dear," she chuckled.
At that moment, Carlisle and Edward came out of the kitchen, Carlisle looking even more perturbed than before.
"It looks like she knows more of our family than we knew," Carlisle said as Edward nodded.
I felt tears well up in my eyes at the way they were treating her, yet I knew that I had no one to blame but myself. Alice blushed and looked down, wringing her hands in her lap. Creating a diversion, Esme stepped in and announced it was time to sing so I could blow out my candles.
My only wish for tonight was to make it through without being punished.
As everyone ate cake and made conversation, Alice stuck beside me, looking more and more uncomfortable as the time passed. It probably didn't help that Carlisle and Edward continued to practically glare at her over their beer glasses.
"Bella, it's been fun, but I should probably get home," she said a few minutes later. "I'll see you on Monday."
I walked her out, shooting Edward a pleading look behind her back. After that, the rest of the party dwindled down until it was finally just Edward, Carlisle, Esme, and me.
"Bella, go wait for Edward in the living room," Carlisle instructed. "He'll deal with you in a minute."
"Yes, Sir," I whispered, walking past them quickly.
"Edward, having her friend show up here today was completely disrespectful to you," Carlisle hissed. "She has obviously not learned her place as well as we had hoped."
I saw Edward pinch the bridge of his nose as he nodded his head in agreement. I bit back my sob and fled the room. I flung myself onto the couch and hit the pillow with my fist. Carlisle was constantly filling Edward's head or telling him how he should handle me. He was always getting me in to trouble. Sure, I knew Edward was mad, but after Carlisle was through with him, he would be beyond pissed simply because Carlisle would wind him up.
It wasn't fair. I never even had a chance to explain.
I sobbed in to the abused pillow as I waited to see what kind of punishment Edward would deliver.
"You always manage to ruin special occasions," Edward bit out as he placed himself beside me.
I nodded my head but said nothing in return. He was right; I couldn't do anything right. I couldn't please him. I couldn't follow simple instructions. I couldn't even get pregnant. Before I could register that he had moved, I was thrown over his knees with my dress pulled up and over my hips.
I screamed as his palm connected with my bare backside, and flushed a deep red as I realized that Carlisle and Esme were probably still in the kitchen. I hadn't heard them leave yet.
Edward was ruthless in his spankings, and after fifteen, I thought he would never stop. Tears fell onto the floor as my eyes swelled and my throat became hoarse. After twenty swats, I knew that I wouldn't be sitting comfortably again anytime soon. He was right. I did ruin every special occasion. When he was finally done, he stood me up on my feet in between his knees. I sniffled and wiped my nose with the back of my hand, keeping my eyes planted to the floor. I was too ashamed to even look at him. I didn't want to see his disappointment in me.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know she had any intentions of showing up," I cried.
"I said to be at-school friends! Why can't you follow any kind of rules?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I'm sorry. I'm trying so hard, but I keep messing up and I don't know what to do," I whispered.
I moved forward to wrap my arms around him, only to be stopped short as he grabbed my wrists in his hands.
"No," he said, keeping me at arm's length. "You don't get to say you're sorry and then cuddle with me. You made me spank you on your birthday, you invited your friend over without asking, and you seem to break every rule I have for you. Clean this house and meet me in our room. Do not come up those stairs until this house is perfect," he said, turning and walking away from me.
I stood at the bottom of the stairs and cried. I disappointed him again. I was sure I was never going to be good enough. With a deep breath, I started to clean. It took me over three hours, but I was able to get the house looking perfect once again. I was so tired and hoped that we would go right to bed, but I doubted I would be that lucky. Sure enough, as soon as I was in our room, I saw the closet door open. I thought I was going to be sick.
"Edward, I will do anything...I swear it. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it," I begged, falling to my knees at his feet.
"Do you want to be my wife?"
"Yes! More than anything!" I said anxiously.
"Monday, you will end your little friendship with Alice. I don't care what your reasoning is to her as long as it gets done. You are there to learn! How many times do I have to say it? Even when you are at school, you are my wife. You represent me! I'm not putting up with this behavior any longer. Get in the closet," he said, taking me by the upper part of my arms and standing me up.
"I can't go in there! I can't breathe when I'm in there. I'm sorry I was bad again. Please don't make me go in there!" I cried as I tried to cling to him.
His eyes narrowed as he walked me backwards. I tried to keep my feet planted, but he was too strong for me to fight. Before I knew it, the door was shut. I was immediately incased in darkness, and I closed my eyes to try and block it out. My darkness was better than the darkness that was forced upon me. I swallowed back my despair and took deep breaths through my mouth, willing myself to not throw a fit the way I was desperately wanting to. I knew that would just make things worse. My breathing was coming quicker, and I was beginning to feel lightheaded. Knowing that I was about to fall, I quickly placed myself on the floor and curled up in to a ball. I needed to think of anything other than being in the closet...
~~~~~AOMM~~~~~
"Bella," Edward said as I opened my eyes.
I blinked at him before looking around. Suddenly I remembered that I was in the closet. Did I pass out? I felt disoriented.
"You did well," Edward praised with a smile.
"Can I get out?" I asked as I struggled to move towards him.
"Say it."
"You are all I have. You are all I need. You are my life, Edward," I said as my hand touched his. "I'm sorry. I'll be a good girl. I'll end the friendship with Alice; I'll never speak to anyone ever again. I'll be the wife you need me to be. I'll never make a crappy dinner, or disobey you again," I said as my eyes filled with tears.
"Baby, don't make promises you can't keep," he said, brushing my tears away. "You can come out, now."
I didn't need to be told twice. I scrambled out of the closet and into his arms, ignoring my protesting muscles. I clung to him as he began to undress me. The only time we weren't connected was when he pulled my dress off. I held him tightly and kissed his bare chest. Once we were in bed, I made sure he went to sleep the happiest husband in the world.
~~~~AOMM~~~~
"Stop avoiding me...please," Alice begged.
I didn't stop my trek through the hallway as I heard her feet running to catch up with me.
"Bella!" she called desperately, grabbing onto my arm and turning me around to face her.
I felt the tears slip from my eyes as I looked at her crestfallen face.
"Let's talk in private," I whispered, leading her to the cafeteria.
It wasn't the best solution, but with the noise levels, I knew that we wouldn't be overheard. I hadn't spoken to her in days and I felt horrible, but I didn't have any other choice. I guess in a way, I was just trying to hold off the inevitable.
After spending however many hours in the closet, I knew that I couldn't be friends with Alice any more. I was Edward's wife. I didn't need to have any friends. All I needed was for Edward to be happy.
"I'm sorry," I croaked, looking at the lunch table. "But we can't be friends anymore."
I heard Alice gasp and felt her grab my hand tightly in hers. "Please don't say that. You are the only friend I've had since I moved here. What was up with your family?" she asked as I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"Alice, I was pressing my luck by talking with you at school. I'm sorry," I said blinking tears away.
"You are my only friend. If we can only talk at school, that's okay. I promise to never show up at your house again. I just wanted to bring you a present. I am so sorry," she said, letting tears fall from her eyes.
I looked up and smiled at her sadly.
"Thank you for the book, by the way. I'm sorry for everything," I said, not responding to her other request.
Talking with her only at school was better than never getting to talk to her at all. And right now, I would take what I could get.
"Um...I'm very scared to be around men," Alice said suddenly. "My life has been shitty, but it's better now. I almost feel normal again, and having you as a friend really helps me. I feel less alone."
I curled my fingers around hers and squeezed her hand in understanding. She was opening up to me, and I knew that this was her way of showing me that she trusted me, and that I could trust her just the same.
"I want to be your friend, but Edward says I can't," I admitted out loud. "I'm married, so that means I don't need friends."
Alice shook her head quickly, disagreeing with what I just said. "Everyone needs friends," she countered. "And what Edward doesn't know won't hurt him."
She shot me an evil grin, and I couldn't help but giggle in response. I wasn't sure about needing a friend...but I sure liked having one.
"I'm not saying you should lie to him...okay, I am, but I don't want to go back to being alone," she admitted.
"If you told me stuff, I wouldn't tell anyone," I promised her, letting her know that our arrangement was fine with me. She knew I didn't really want to stop being friends with her in the first place.
"Thanks," she said with a smile. "The same goes for me. I would never tell anyone anything you said."
I nodded and gently extracted my hand from hers so I could pick up my sandwich. I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell Alice anything about my life with my husband, but I was curious about her.
"How did you and Edward meet?" she asked as I smiled.
"He was out of town at a convention. We met and couldn't bear to be apart, and the rest is history," I said.
"How sweet! Where did you live before here?"
I opened my mouth to answer, but I didn't say anything right away. Edward had asked me this before, and when I had answered, he didn't seem happy about it. He said that my past didn't matter…
"I don't really want to talk about that yet," I said, hoping that she would drop it.
"That's fine, I have things I wouldn't want to talk about now, either," she said, making me feel better.
"So who is Jasper?" Alice asked as I grinned at her mischievously.
"He's Edward's cousin...why?"
"When I'm around men I get really nervous, but I didn't feel nervous around him at all. That was the first time I had ever felt at ease around a man...I don't know," she said blushing. "I don't know."
"I haven't really talked to him or anything, so I wouldn't know. Edward doesn't like me talking with other guys," I said with a shrug.
"Is he very protective of you?"
"Yeah," I nodded. "I'm sorry I can't be friends with you outside of school."
"It's okay; this is better than nothing," she said, sounding so sure of herself.
"Why do you change in the bathroom during gym?" I asked suddenly before biting my tongue.
That probably wasn't something she wanted to talk about.
"I have scars, and the last thing I need is to have people start talking about me," she whispered.
"I understand that more than you probably know," I said. "Were you in an accident?"
She shook her head, and her eyes zoned out as she saw things that I couldn't.
"No, my father used to whip me if I said no to him," she said quietly.
She blinked as she shook her head and gave me a brave smile. I wanted to ask more, but she didn't seem to want to talk about it. I was okay with that. We had two years to get to know each other, I hoped.
The rest of the day flew by as Alice and I began to further our friendship. If all we could get was time at school, then we weren't going to waste a moment of it. After gym, instead of walking together outside, we went our separate ways so that Esme didn't see us. I knew that she probably wouldn't say anything, but I didn't want to put her in that position. That wouldn't be fair to her. I was about halfway through the grass when I saw Edward leaning against his car door. He was still in his uniform, and his belt that carried his gun and cuffs was attached at his hip.
I smiled widely at him and waved when I was suddenly thrown to the ground. I grunted as my body collided with the grass, tingles shooting throughout my arm. My left side erupted in pain and I squeezed my eyes shut as the sound of thundering feet ran past.
"You're such a fucking douche!"
My eyes popped open, and I sat up as I saw two boys from my year shoving one another, not caring about whoever was in their way. Kids immediately surrounded the area, chanting out various war cries and egging the two Neanderthals on. I rolled my eyes and got to my feet just as two things happened. Edward stepped up in full cop mode as he began to separate the two boys, but not before one managed to throw a punch right in to the other boy's jaw. The sound of flesh hitting flesh stopped me dead in my tracks. Suddenly, I wasn't in the school yard anymore, I was looking at a man. A man that had a mustache, whose eyes were dark and evil. His face was blurry, but I could clearly make out those two features.
"You worthless piece of shit!" he bellowed, his fist rising right before it collided with the side of my face.
I grabbed my cheek as my focus returned to the present and what was in front of me. I could almost feel where that man's fist had made contact.
Was that a memory or a dream?
That man was my father...I think...
I looked up to see that the crowd had dispersed, leaving only Edward, the boys, and the Principal. Both Edward and Mr. Banner looked livid while the boys were shooting one another glares.
"Is there any reason why you felt the need to knock my wife to the ground?" Edward bit out, holding the one boy by the scruff of his neck.
The boy's eyes widened as he began to stutter out his apologies to me, but I didn't care about that. I was still in shock, and my arm was hurting badly. I felt tears well up in my eyes as I tried to make sense of what was happening.
"You're lucky we won't be pressing charges," Edward snapped, letting him go as he stumbled to right himself. "Gerard, I trust that this will be handled accordingly?" Edward asked.
Mr. Banner nodded and gestured for the boys to go back into the school. "Yes, Officer Cullen," he answered.
I stared as the rest of the party walked back inside the building, not even registering the other students still lingering around, waiting to see what Edward and I would do.
I gazed up at my husband as he took my face gently in his hands, bending down to place a soft kiss to my lips.
"Are you alright?" he asked, looking me over for any signs of broken skin.
I whimpered and shook my head. "My arm," I whispered painfully. "I fell on it."
Edward immediately took my arm in his hands and shook his head as he moved it in different directions. "It's not broken, but I think you might be a little sore. I'll have my father look at it when we get home to make sure."
I nodded along with him, not really paying attention.
Who was that man, and why did my mind tell me that I knew him somehow?
Edward snapped his jaw closed and glared out over my head. He pulled me into his body and crushed me to him, holding tightly as if he was afraid I was going to disappear. I looked up as he lifted my chin. His eyes were narrowed in anger and his lips were pursed.
"Fuck," he whispered, pulling me back to him. "What's going on inside that head of yours?" he asked.
"W-what?"
"I saw your face when those two assholes fought. You were thinking about something," he explained.
I shook my head and clung to the back of his shirt. "I don't know who he was," I whispered, afraid of his reaction. "His face was blurry. I could only make out a mustache and his dark, brown eyes. He was angry. He...he hit me," I cried. I was lying, but I didn't want to be put in the closet for having a thought about my father. I knew who he was, but I didn't want to hurt my husband's feelings.
Not able to hold back any longer, my tears finally fell. Edward reached between us and cupped my jaw in his hand as if he knew what side of my jaw it was that felt the imaginary pain.
"You never did have a stomach for physical violence," he muttered.
I shook my head, not really paying attention. It was too much. Everything felt so real. When they were hitting each other, I swear I felt the hit. I was so confused. Edward never hit me in the face...I knew the memory was from before with my father.
"Who was it?" I asked as Edward slipped me into the car. If Edward brought up my father, then I knew he wouldn't be as mad. I also knew that I couldn't just come out and say his name.
I wiped away the remainder of my tears as Edward shook his head and shut my door. I looked into my lap as he climbed in on his side and started the car, peeling out of the parking lot.
"Do you love him?" he asked.
"What?" I gasped. "Love who?"
"The man with the mustache," he clarified. "Do you love him? Is he a teacher?"
"Of course not!" I exclaimed. "I don't even know if he was a real person."
"Does your imaginary friend keep a roof over your head?" he growled. "Does he keep you satisfied? Does he take care of you?"
"N-no," I whispered, hating where this was going.
"Then why do you care who he is?" he asked angrily.
I blinked and looked out the window as another tear fell down my cheek. Why did I care?
"Did you end your friendship with Alice?" Edward asked suddenly.
"Yes," I said, probably too quickly.
We both lapsed in to silence as the scenery passed us by.
"Where's Esme?" I asked as an afterthought.
"She won't be around for a few days," he said as my stomach sank.
"That's my fault, isn't it?"
"Yes; that's what happens when you only think of yourself," he said as my eyes filled with tears. "Life isn't all about you, Bella. You need to think of others before you break the rules. Every day it is something new with you. I'm getting sick of it!" he yelled, making me jump. "I want the house spotless, your homework done, and dinner on the table at six."
"I understand," I said, still not looking at him.
I hated to see the disappointment on his face.
We drove all the way home without saying another word. When we arrived at the house, he led me inside, but before he could walk out the door, I hugged him tightly. Between the fight at school and knowing that I got Esme in trouble, I just needed to be held for a moment.
"I love you," I said, looking up to him for the first time.
I gasped in surprise as he suddenly leaned forward and picked me up under my arms. My legs automatically wrapped around his waist as his hands clamped down on my bottom to support me. His mouth found mine and I surrendered more than willingly to his kiss. I moaned in pleasure as his tongue tangled with him. Too soon, though, he pulled away, leaving us both gasping for breath.
"I love you, too," he said. "I'll see you at six."
Okay who's still with us? Hope most of you liked it! See you next week!