An Occasion

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to SM.

A/N-thank you very much to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter.

Part Nine-Decision Time

The afternoon passed quickly after that. School ended, and Bella was left in a state of complete paranoia about what Edward and Alice would do next. Edward walked her to her truck, and before Bella even realised what he was doing, the old Chevy's keys appeared in his hand and he was opening the passenger door for her. Alice must have been taking his car home so that he could keep her from making a run for it.

Bella folded her arms across her chest and glared at him resentfully. "I can drive myself."

"Of course, you can." Edward gave her a mocking smile, deliberately dangling the keys out of her reach. "But it is your birthday, Bella. At least allow me to chauffer you home as a treat."

"Don't treat me like a child, Edward. We both know what this is really about. You want to keep me prisoner in order to make sure I go to your house tonight for that stupid party Alice has organised."

Edward's eyes tightened at the corners. "Why do you continue to be so difficult?" He demanded. When Bella didn't respond to his question, he let out an aggravated sigh and shut the passenger door. "Alright, have it your way. You drive."

Bella scowled as she snatched the keys out of his hand. She walked around to the driver's side and climbed into the truck, feeling happier when she heard the satisfying clunk when she swung the heavy iron door shut. It was only she shoved the key into the ignition that she realised Edward was sitting next to her on the bench seat. She hadn't even heard him get in.

"What are you doing?"

Edward played with the radio, shaking his head in disapproval. "Your radio has horrible reception."

Bella frowned; she didn't like him criticising her truck. It was great – it had personality. "The radio is just fine. Jacob fitted it for me when he restored the engine. You want a nice stereo? Drive your own car."

She was still pissed off about Alice's plans, on top of her already gloomy mood, it made the words came out harsher than she intended. She was rarely bad tempered with Edward, and her tone was clearly getting under his skin.

When she parked the car in front of Charlie's house, Edward immediately moved to take her face in his hands. He handled her very carefully, like she was a doll made from the most delicate porcelain. He pressed his fingers lightly against her temples, her cheekbones, her jawline. His sweat breath fanned across her face.

"You should be in a good mood, today of all days. Bella, my love, its your birthday. Please smile."

"And if I don't want to?"

Edward's golden eyes smouldered. "I'll make you smile."

Bella's head was spinning by the time he leaned closer and pressed his icy lips against hers. As he intended, no doubt, to make her forget all her worries by using his vampirish charms to get his own way, but Bella had become used to his tactics.

"Trying to seduce me doesn't work anymore, Edward."

Edward unlocked his grip on her and sat back. "That was not what I was trying to do, Bella." He said flatly.

He had drawn many careful lines for their physical relationship, with the intent on keeping her alive. That was the excuse he gave for maintaining a safe distance between her skin and his razor sharp, venom coated teeth.

"I am insulted that you jumped to that conclusion. Be good, please." Edward leaned in again, his cool lips brushing against her cheek. He pressed his lips lightly to Bella's one last time and then pulled away. "Let's go inside." He said, reaching for the door handle.

Billy rolled his chair into the living room to find his son placing the piece de resistance in the centre of the table – it was a triple layered chocolate birthday cake. The middle was rich and sweet, the coating was double cream mixed with melted chocolate. It looked expensive, just like all the other food and drink that was dotted around it.

Billy's stomach dropped. "Jake, where did you get the money for all this?"

Jacob shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "I didn't use the housekeeping if that's what you're worried about." He continued to fuss over the cake, turning it this way and that, trying to show it off to its best advantage. He wanted it to be the first thing Bella noticed when he led her inside. He knew she had a weakness for chocolate, and tonight she was free to indulge as much as she wanted.

"If you didn't use the housekeeping money, then how did you afford all this food and drink? I doubt Old Quil would have let you put this on the tab. He knows how tight things are with us right now." Billy's anxious eyes rose to the banner Jacob had strung high above the heavily laden table.

Jacob let out an impatient sigh as he finally turned around to face Billy. He was getting annoyed with all the probing questions. "I paid for most of it with my own money. Old Quil threw in the cake for free. He likes Bella. He said it was a present from the Ateara's. Happy now?"

His explanation still didn't appease Billy. "You used your savings? Is that what you're telling me?"

"So, what if I did? I don't understand why you are making such a big deal over this." Jacob said defensively.

"Because you worked hard for that money, doing all those odd jobs for our neighbours. That money was supposed to be for your future – "

"Enough, Dad!" Jacob cut in irritably. "I am not a kid. What I choose to do with the money that I earned, is up to me. Anyway, I only used some of it." His pulse was thudding in his ears. He put his hand over his heart. It drummed hyperactively under his palm. He could feel the heat rising up in his face as the usual frustration threatened to boil over. His temper was so quick to rise these days and he tried to dampen it down. "I'm sorry, Dad. I know you're worried. But you need to trust that I know what I'm doing."

Billy backed down quickly when he saw the slight tremor in Jacob's hands as he spoke. "Okay, son. I hear you. Forgive your old man for being overprotective."

Jacob's heart slowly stopped trying to jump out of his chest. He forced his face to relax and he smiled. "Thanks for looking out for me. I do appreciate it. Can we rewind and start again?"

"Yeah." Billy returned his smile weakly. "Do you have any party tricks up your sleeve to entertain us tonight?"

Jacob's smile turned into a teasing grin. "I thought you could provide the entertainment."

Billy's brows drew down suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

"You could always do your magic trick and turn into the wolf. I'm dying to see how its done." Jacob tried to stifle a laugh when a scowl took over his father's face. "Oh, come on, Dad. You are going to have to admit it sometime. Bella and I have already seen you, remember?"

"You think it's funny? That it is something to be mocked?" Billy demanded angrily. "Perhaps you still have a lot of growing up to do after all." He spun his chair around and disappeared back into the kitchen, leaving Jacob staring after him in shock.

Edward ignored Charlie's chilly greeting and sprawled across the couch as he left Bella to appease her father. She dragged her Charlie into the kitchen, making sure to close the door firmly behind her. Not that it would do much good, Edward would still be able to overhear every word.

"What is he doing here, Bella?" Charlie demanded as soon as they were alone. "We've been invited over to the Black's tonight. Billy assured me you knew all about it."

"Dad, calm down!" Bella hushed him.

"I will not!" Charlie was not in the mood to be told what to do. "Billy and Jacob are like family to me. I will not let them down just so you can placate that ignorant boyfriend of yours. I don't care if his sister has organised a party…you are coming to La Push with me."

Bella rolled her eyes in frustration. What was it with the men in her life refusing to listen? She had been trying for most of the day to keep her thoughts and mind empty. Edward might not be able to read her mind, but Alice could certainly read her intentions. She had been practising hard to keep her decision focused on going to the stupid party at the Cullens to fool the little seer into thinking she was still going. Charlie was about to blow it all if he carried on ordering her about.

"I am sick and tired of people telling me what to do. Keep out of it, Dad. I go where I like, with whom I like, and when I like. Do I make myself clear?"

Charlie glared at her, his jaw twitching in frustration. "You're eighteen now, Bella. You're right, I can't make you go anywhere you don't want to. Do what you want. Happy birthday!" He said curtly, disappointment clear all over his face. "I'll give your apologies to Billy and Jacob when I get there."

Bella stared miserably after her father as he stormed out of the kitchen and stomped up the stairs. The strain of keeping up the constant acting was taking its toll and she didn't think she could take much more. When she returned to the living room and Edward, she perched on the edge of the sofa in front of him. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest. Bella shivered against his sculpted chest, the cold coming from his body chilling her skin even through her clothes. He pulled an old Afghan off the back of the sofa and draped it over Bella so she wouldn't freeze beside his body. It was supposed to be a caring gesture on his part, but Bella didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was all just too ridiculous.

"I'm sorry about Charlie." Edward murmured, kissing the top of her head. "He's upset right now. But he will forgive you. You made the right choice."

"I think I did, too." Bella said dully.

Edward caught the flatness in her tone. "You'll enjoy the party once you get there, Bella. Its normal to be anxious, but all we want is for you to have the most enjoyable time possible."

Bella was done. She couldn't keep up the pretence any longer. As soon as she let down her guard, Edward's cell started ringing. It had to be Alice. She would have known as soon as Bella decided on her course of action.

"Don't answer that." Bella said quietly. She placed her hand over his when he reached for his cell phone. "Its Alice."

Edward smiled at her placatingly. "You're probably right. She probably wants to go over a few last minute details."

Bella shook her head- as if she could shake away what she was about to do – she grasped Edward's hand tighter. "That's not why Alice is calling, Edward."

Edward's smile faded when he took in her serious expression. "How do you know why she is calling?" He asked carefully.

Bella removed her hand from his and sat back, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. This was the most difficult conversation she'd ever had in her entire life. "I had hoped Alice would have the grace to let me tell you myself before she interfered…. but it seems not. I'm sorry, Edward. I don't want to hurt you."

Edward looked confused, like he couldn't absorb what she was saying. "What could you possibly do to hurt me?"

"Oh, Edward." Bella let out a mournful sigh. "You're not making this easy. I guess the only way is to be direct." She took another deep breath and raised her eyes to meet his. "I can't do this anymore, Edward."

A trace of pain touched his perfect features. "Can't do what?"

"This. Us." Bella gestured between them. "It's over, Edward."

Edward appeared incredulous. "All this because of a party?" His tone was exasperated now. "If it really is that much of a strain, then we'll cancel it. You only had to say."

Bella was the one looking at him incredulously now. She wondered if he actually believed what he was saying. "I have been telling you for days, you just never listened."

"I always listen." Edward insisted.

"No, you don't." Bella felt her frustration rising again, along with an intense weariness. "And you're not listening now. I need you to hear me, Edward. I am breaking up with you. Its over. And this is not just about the party, or you never listening to me. Its because I'm tired. I'm so very tired. I'm tired of pretending to be something I'm not just to make you happy. After spending so much time with Jacob, and being able to just be myself around him, it felt freeing. I was happy around him, and it highlighted just how unhappy I was around you."

Edward was about to argue, but then Charlie came barging in, his jacket slung over one shoulder. "I'm off now." He announced. "It's your last chance to change your mind, Bella."

Bella couldn't bear to look at Edward's devastated face. It was too painful. She was glad for the escape Charlie offered her. "I'm coming." She said, rising to her feet.

A/N-thanks for reading! Please review.