Books » Twilight » Simple and Clean B s : A A A Author: Foxiego 1. Chapter 1 2. Chapter 2 3. Chapter 3 4. Chapter 4 5. Chapter 5 Fiction Rated: T - English - Romance/Action/Adventure - Reviews: 49 - Published: 03-06-06 - Updated: 04-08-06 id:2832856
A.N.: First off, I wanted to say thank you for your wonderful reviews on both 'Summer Lovin'" and "Simple and Clean". They are all SO great and I love them immensely! I'll put up chapter two of summer lovin' for sure, once this story gets off the front page. But where it goes from there -even I do not know. lol : )
I know it's been awhile since I updated this story, so I hope you guys stick with me.I'm sorry for taking so long, and then only coming up with...this. Sorry, I just don't like this chapter. And my sister isn't even here to tell me it's ok -lol!
Disclaimer: I am not, nor ever will be, Stephenie Meyer. That is all.
"Oh, this Salisbury steak is wonderful, isn't it, Phil," Renee exclaimed wildly, waving a piece of steak in front of him. "You should really try this, Charlie!"
"Mmm, yes, it is good," Charlie agreed after swallowing the piece Renee had offered him. "Billy, Jacob, everything ok?"
"Yes," Billy said, while chewing on a pair of ribs. "Excellent restaurant choice, Charlie."
"Oh, yeah! It's great," Jacob said happily. Thanks for inviting me, Bella." There was a big grin plastered on his attractive face. Edward looked at Bella expectantly. She shrugged back at him; she had definitely not invited him. But upon seeing Charlie's apologetic face, Bella knew instantly who had.
"It's no problem," she mumbled, lying under her breath.
"And Edward," Charlie asked, completely skipping over Phil in the process. "How is yours?"
"Simply, delicious," Edward said, winking at Bella playfully. She smiled back at him, shooting dozens of questions toward him with her eyes.
It was still a mystery to her as to how Edward was managing not to eat his food. From what she saw, the food was entering his mouth, and he was chewing it. But, whenever she caught his eye, he would smile, opening his mouth wide enough for her to see there was no food inside. Needless to say, Bella was thoroughly confused.
"I'm glad you like it, Edward," Renee said cheerfully.
"Thank you, Renee."
It amazed both Phil and Charlie how easily Edward could put a blush on Renee's face. Bella could only smile.
Dinner was there and gone in an instant, leaving everyone at the table satisfied with their plates empty and their bellies full. Bella still couldn't believe Edward had done it, but his plate said it all –dry and bare as it was. Bella was still at a loss how he had done it, but, then again, it was Edward. And she could no longer put anything past Edward.
Desert was to be a large Devil's Food cake topped with whipped cream and icing, prepared beforehand by Edward and Charlie, as a, however dysfunctional, "team" at Bella's house.
At first, Edward had proclaimed it his duty to make the cake. Charlie approved, but after finding not much else to do, decided he would help and try his hand at baking, no matter how inept he was at cooking. Luckily, and to Bella's relief, his hands never reached the kitchen. Edward had seen to that, programming Charlie's TV to come on exactly when he would get home, enticing him with his favorite sports team on ESPN.
Looking around at the table, Bella could not imagine a stranger group. And, yet, somehow, they were there, all in one restaurant together.
Bella remembered the first time she had came to a restaurant with both Edward and Charlie. After the meal was good and done and Charlie was pestering with his wallet, denying Edward's attempt to pay for their dinner, Edward had said he would pay for the bill with such intensity, Charlie felt obliged and relented immediately. Their waitress was too flustered to speak.
And now they were at it again, Edward casually slipping money into the small folder and Charlie refusing it each time.
"Edward, no," Renee said. "We invited you."
"I'll pay the tip, then."
Once again the soft power of his voice could proffer no rejection.
"Billy, why don't you and Jake come on over to the house and watch Bella unwrap her presents? The girl only turns eighteen once, you know?"
"Oh, no. We really couldn't actually. It's late, and Jacob, here, needs to go to bed."
"Dad! I'm seventeen!" Billy shot his son an angry look.
"Yeah, Bill," Charlie persisted. "The boy's seventeen! Surely he's stayed out later than this."
"Well, I need the rest," Billy countered.
"Billy, it's a long drive home. Why don't you just stay with us," Renee offered politely.
"Mom, if Billy wants to go, then we should respect that," Bella said, as sweetly as possible, hoping to sway her mom's persistence. Billy's eyebrow lifted.
"It has been a pleasure seeing you again, Billy," Edward said, offering his hand respectfully before he had the chance to say anything. Billy hesitated, then reached up and took it sharply.
"Yes. It was …nice."
"It was an honor being your birthday guest, Bella," Jacob said, sweetly. Bella could tell he really did mean it.
"Well, um. Thank you for coming," she said, somewhat awkwardly. Bella couldn't help but smile when she felt Edward's strong arm curl around her waist.
"It was a… pleasure seeing you again," he said to Jacob, tightening his grip around Bella.
"Oh, you too," he said firmly, ostensibly not shaken by Edward's blunt hostility. Bella wondered where his courage came from. "I'm just sorry you didn't eat well and all…."
It took well over a moment for Jacob's comment to fully register in Bella's brain. But, when it did, her mouth dropped. She looked at Edward, only to realize he was already glaring menacingly at Jacob, who didn't look the least bit frightened at all. In fact, he was smirking.
"Sorry, if that, you know, hit a nerve," he said with laughter in his voice. "It's just, well, you were so obvious!"
"Jacob –car! Now!" Billy yelled furiously at his son, having heard his artful remark.
"Hold on, Dad," he shouted. Then, turning back to Bella, he added, "See you tomorrow at work, Bella." Edward's hostile gaze never left Jacob. Not even after he ran after his father.
"Work," Bella thought aloud. Suddenly Mike's excitement over the incoming new "recruit" came back to her.
"Bella," Edward inquired gently.
She looked up at him, expecting to have to explain about Jacob's work comment, but stopping herself once she saw him. There was something indescribable in his eyes –something Bella had never seen before. Almost like… fear.
But what could possibly frighten a vampire?
"Bella… Did you…"
"Edward, I never said anything," she affirmed, "I wouldn't! He told me your secret, remember?"
"I know," Edward said, still watching Jacob, who was now getting into his car. "Of course. You wouldn't…But…"
"Edward…"
"Bella," Charlie called impatiently, motioning toward his cruiser. "Let's go!" Bella rolled her eyes.
"Charlie," she started, annoyed with her father. "I'm going with –
"No, Bella." She turned back to Edward, confused. "Go with him."
"But –
"Just for tonight. I promise," he assured. "Go home with Charlie. I'll be back in time for the cake and presents." Bella nodded sadly.
"Edward, what's wrong? You have to tell me." Edward shook his head.
"No –not now. Tonight," he said, kissing her forehead gently. "I'll be back."
"Don't forget," she warned, trying to swallow the lump that had built up in her throat. Somehow, she felt that this goodbye would last longer than he insisted.
"I could never forget you, Bella."
And without another word he was in his car, that "stupid, shiny Volvo" of his, and driving fast off into the distance, leaving Bella standing all alone in the darkness.
A.N.: Worse chapter yet, I know! I really don't like this one. I thought about changing it, but couldn't in the end, because I already wrote part of the next chapter, and therefore, would have to change it too. And I like the next chapter. Sort of. More than this one, anyway-lol! I'm stupid that way. Oh, well -life goes on, right?
On a side note: I'm really obsessed with Kingdom Hearts 2. And I really really really miss my dog. : (
Ya, I know.That was random. I apologize.
Thanks for reading! Review, yes?
Foxiego : )
