99
When we're alone, Bella doesn't talk, choosing to intently watch the bag of popcorn revolve in the microwave instead. She's been quiet since we left the courthouse. Less engaged than usual, like she's got something on her mind.
I approach slowly and wrap my arms around her, drawing her close, and we both sigh in relief at the contact.
"That's bad for your eyes, you know."
She shrugs. "I'm a vampire. Nothing is bad for my eyes."
I reach around and press cancel on the microwave. "Talk to me, Bella. What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?"
She sighs and tenses in my arms. "I'm feeling guilty."
I force her to turn around, and her caramel eyes are downcast. "Whatever for?"
"The decision was made three days ago. I knew what was happening, and every time we talked, I wanted to tell you so you wouldn't worry. But they were monitoring my calls, and I couldn't figure out a way to hint to you that everything was going to be okay without saying it outright—"
"Bella, it's fine."
"No, it's not. I never wanted any of this. If I wasn't my mother's daughter, we wouldn't have had to deal with any of this shit."
"If you weren't your mother's daughter, we probably would have never met, Bella. All this"—I squeeze her as hard as I can—"It's just a blip. Your name has been cleared, and Gianna is locked up. The girls are happy and healthy—"
"And still waiting on that popcorn," Alice interrupts. "We've been waiting for you guys for ages so we've decided to call it a night."
"Okay, say your goodbyes, and we'll head home."
"Yeah, about that. They're hosting karaoke down at Cora's tonight. Angela and I thought we'd go and give you guys some alone time."
I start to argue, but Alice holds her hand up.
"Rose and Emmett were already planning on going. It's only until eight-thirty, so we'll be home long before curfew. The two of you should go home. Spend some time together, and when we get home, we'll watch a movie or something. Just us."