Guarding Bella
Chapter 1: Paradox Promises
A/N: This story is a sequel set in the same universe as my other Twilight story, Because i Love You; thus it may make more sense if you read that story before reading this one; just a word of warning.
Disclaimer: This story contains disciplinary spanking so if you don't like it, don't read it. These characters are not mine; I didn't write the Twilight books, Stephanie Meyer did. Hope you enjoy it; suggestions, comments and constructive criticisms are welcome; In other words please do REVIEW! ;p
BPOV
Edward, Charlie and I sat around the wobbly-legged kitchen table; Charlie scarfing down the remains of his dinner amid our sparse conversation.
"Bella's no longer grounded?" Edward asked; rephrasing Charlie's words; yet again displaying his flawless acting skills. He, of course, had already read Charlie's thoughts and therefore he already knew about my newly acquired freedom.
Charlie nodded his assent "Yup; but she still has a curfew on school nights!" he added as an afterthought; giving Edward a sharp look. Sheesh you'd think that Charlie was about to arrest Edward for asking a simple question. Charlie has been erm…brusque with Edward lately; especially after we got back from Italy…I've never seen Charlie so upset, and I still don't think that he's been able to forgive Edward for leaving me and making me delve into depression.
"Of course Sir; we understand" Edward replied, his voice smooth as silk. Edward's ability to placate Charlie was a skill that I desperately needed to acquire…
"Yeah Dad; we've got it."
Charlie cleared his throat uncomfortably "Well alright kids…" he got up from the kitchen table and headed over towards his lumpy living room coach; his flat screen had evidently been beckoning him.
I turned to look at Edward; he was smiling mischievously over at me from across the lopsided kitchen table. "Look what I've got Bella" he smirked whipping out a stack full of college applications.
"Ugh…" I moaned causing Edward to grin; displaying my favorite crooked smile. "Are there any schools left that I haven't applied to yet?!" I complained; dropping my chin into my hands in frustrated defeat.
His persistence was really beginning to chafe my ass; literally. Last week he threatened, jokingly I hope, to spank me bare if I didn't stop acting spoiled and immature and just fill out the college applications. He then smiled a grin that extended to his liquid topaz eyes and continued to explain to me, in his intoxicatingly sultry voice, that it was for the best. And I guess I had to agree with him there; I have to at least go through the motions of preparing for college, for Charlie's sake. Even though Edward and I both know that I will be in no condition to be anywhere near humans next fall; due to the fact that I will be a savage, uncontrollably blood thirsty, newborn vampire by that time.
He chuckled and passed me a portion of the dreaded pile. I sighed in resolve before getting to work filling out the mindless forms.
Edward and I chatted happily, continuing to scribble in the monotonous information. We worked for what seemed like hours before I finally decided to say something that had been bugging me for a while now. It was like there was some leaky faucet, looming somewhere in the back of my mind that was dripping: drip, drop, drip, drop; slowly eating away at me.
Jacob Black, my…ex-best friend…hadn't spoken to me since I left for Italy. He was probably feeling heartbroken and betrayed and…it was all my fault. I was the one who had taken a dagger to his back...abandoned him...the one who had seen me through my darkest days. He had been the one to reassemble all of the shattered pieces of my broken heart when Edward left… I had to find a way to rekindle my friendship with Jake; I owed him that much…that much, and so much more.
"I've been thinking…" I began slightly hesitantly; unsure of how to start.
"yes?" Edward smiled calmly; raising an eyebrow.
"I think I should go and see Jacob. He's been having a real tough time; he needs me_"
"no, Bella" he cut across me; quietly.
"What do you mean? No?" I hissed back; not wanting Charlie to overhear.
"Werewolves are not safe to be around. I don't want you to get hurt Love." he gently brushed his icy hand across my check, causing goosebumps to rise up on my comparably warm flesh.
"But_" I started; then I paused quietly to consider his words.
I had spent a ton of time in La Push and nothing bad had ever happened! I pondered that thought a moment further, remembering a few instances when I had gotten hurt or nearly gotten hurt by the wolves…and then I thought about Emily, Sam's fiancé, and the huge scar that would be forever gashed across her beautiful face; a horrific and constant reminder of the results of a werewolf's rage... I guess the wolves can be kinda dangerous; well sometimes…
Edward nodded sadly, acknowledging my realization as if he really could read my mind. I felt my expression shift to that of annoyance. I didn't want Edward to be right about this! And it really bugged me that my expression had given me away.
"Please Bella? Please promise me that you will not endanger yourself by associating with those monsters? Promise me that you will make a conscious effort to keep yourself safe."
"Hah" I scoffed; nearly inaudibly. I guess I can promise that… I mean it is true after all. Haha I won't be endangering myself at all. Jacob's not a monster! No harm, no foul. Yay for loopholes and quick thinking! "Sure, sure Edward" I said rolling my eyes; continuing to scowl.
He frowned; but not just any old frown, this was a scrutinizing, almost skeptical frown. A frown that one might receive if one had said that they hadn't eaten all of the triple fudge brownies, but they had in fact been caught with traces of chocolate smudged on their lips. A dead giveaway that said brownie thief was fibbing. I however, was cleverer than that; and I don't have chocolate crumbs all over my lying lips.
"Bella," his gorgeous, yet firm voice interrupted my thoughts "do you have any idea how much I care about you?"
I felt my scowl falter.
"I will stop at nothing to keep you safe Love. Even if that means that I must take severe precautions in order to do so…" he said raising an eyebrow sternly.
I didn't know how I should react to that. What does he mean by 'severe precautions'? I felt my eyes glazing over again as I slid into a vortex of wild assumptions.
Edward cleared his throat; calling me back to my surroundings. He then reached over to me, and pulled me protectively against his chest in a tight embrace. I tucked my head beneath his cold, firm chin, and kissed his throat. I felt safe in his arms; there was something about the confident, almost dominating edge to his voice that was a total turn-on.
I felt his eyes staring down at me; concerned, and still waiting for my response.
I giggled "I know how much I love you"
I felt his frown melt away and turn into my favorite grin. I snuggled closer to him.
A few moments of cuddling later:
"Come on Edward" I laughed sitting up again; trying to throw him off the safety topic. "Let's hurry up and finish these damn things before I get carpal tunnel" Edward smirked, his warm gold eyes searching mine.
Before I knew it, it was curfew and Charlie strode back into our tiny kitchen; hinting slightly tactlessly that it was time for Edward to go.
Edward got up from his chair; gathering his belongings "Good night Bella, good night Chief Swan"
Charlie shifted awkwardly in the kitchen doorway "Erm… night Edward"
"Bye" I said pleasantly; smirking with the knowledge that Edward would be returning later tonight.
Edward smiled warmly at me before heading out of the cramped kitchen. Charlie exhaled deeply as we heard the front door close with a pop. He then proceeded into our tiny kitchen and took a seat in Edward's vacant chair.
"Bells I gotta talk to ya about a few conditions for your release" he was obviously referring to our pervious conversation, in which he un-grounded me.
"Um ok; go ahead Dad"
"Bells it's important to have balance in your life. Erm it's good; healthy and all that to keep everything in check. I just don't want you to get hurt again…so try and remember balance."
I raised an eyebrow at Charlie. What the heck is he going on about? "Uh? Dad I'm not sure that I'm following…"
Charlie sighed "I think you're spending too much time with Edward and not enough time with your other friends." He explained; putting a little too much emphasis on the word 'other'.
My mouth popped open and I huffed indignity. Us Swans get our feathers wrestled easily, but how dare Charlie say that! Who the hell does he think he is?!
"Now, now; Bells hear me out. I just mean that you shouldn't ditch all of your other friends for your boyfriend; it isn't nice. And quite frankly I think you'd be better off spending less time with Edw_"
"Wait just a minute Dad!" I interrupted; cutting across his ridiculous speculations. "I guess you're right about the spending more time with my other friends, but I am definitely not about to cut down on Edward and me time."
His mouth twitched, sending his mustache aquiver, as if he were trying to contain his frustration. "Fine." he said stiffly "But another thing, don't forget to add Jacob into the mix. After all the Blacks are practically family… and I know he misses you kiddo. He's been going through a lot lately; he could use his friend right about now..."
My heart sank. The dripping faucet in the back of my mind continued to etch that nagging sensation into me. It seemed to drip more audibly and more persistently all the time. Jacob, my Jacob; he was always bright and sunny, laughing, joking, and just messin' around. He was like having my own private sun. I felt my face pale and for about the gazillionth time today the image of Jacob's face replayed itself in my head over and over again, like it was stuck on replay; a montage of hurt and betrayed expressions, reeling before my eyes.
"Listen Bells, I don't wanna make this complicated; just don't forget your other friends. Ok?"
I gulped back the vile that was blocking my airway; keeping me from breathing properly. "Yeah sure thing Dad; I'll try and keep that in mind."
"Well, good. Erm, I'm glad we had out little talk; erm night Bells" Charlie smiled awkwardly, before standing up, and lumbering back out of the kitchen, and up the creaky stairs ,to his bedroom.
I stared after him; all I could think about was how much I missed Jake. And then about how much trouble I'd be in with Edward, if I did manage to risk a trip to La Push…Was a trip to see Jacob worth a trip over Edward's knee? Am I really that desperate? I must be a masochist.
Hey there! icul8er here
So there it is, the first chapter of my first sequel
I'm absolutely dying to hear what u guys think!
If I get enough reviews then I'll update; if not I may choose to abandon this project…
So if u wanna read more, then all u have to do is REVIEW ;p