To fluff or not to fluff? Warning: Fluff ahead! (Sorry, I didn't warn you about the last chapter, still trying to get the hang of things! I just needed a little break from the drama, but it'll be back soon!)
Is it too late for disclaimers? This story (all chapters, whether I remember to mention it or not) is based on Twilight by Stephenie Meyers.
Thanks again for all who review. Your encouragement is fantastic and I really, really appreciate it!
John decided to leave the next day. He said he wanted to check and see what was going on with the Council, but I think he was anxious to get Sarah's surprise. He came by early to say good-bye to Charlie, and to pick me up so that we could spend some time together before he left. John drove a cute little Prius, a far cry from the Cullens' cars. It might not be as fast as he would like, he told me, but at least he was doing his bit to help protect the environment. And he drove at a sane speed.
"So where would you like to go Bella?" he asked.
"To the Cullens," I replied automatically. Belatedly, I realized he might want to spend some time alone. "That is, if you don't mind."
"No, I don't mind," John said, with a smile. "It'll give me a chance to say good-bye to them, too."
"You like them, don't you? And not just for my sake?" I asked hopefully.
"Well, yeah," John admitted, reluctantly. "I mean, I don't think Emmett and I will ever be best friends, or anything, but I guess the Cullens are cool for vampires."
"So…can I ask you a personal question?"
"Sure, you can ask me anything, Bella."
"How did the hand-cuff thing work?"
John's little Prius came to a screeching halt. So much for sane driving, I thought.
"That son-of a….he told you!" John demanded outraged.
"John, he didn't have a choice, I wheedled it out of him!" I protested.
"Yeah, right. Bella, vampires are tricky creatures. I see that now. You need to stay away from Edward."
"You just said you liked the Cullens!"
"That was before I realized what a pervert Edward was! I can't believe he told you!"
"That's just rich, John! Edward just told me about the hand-cuffs, and you're calling him a pervert! What's does that make you then?"
"Look, Bella, my situation is completely different. I'm not a blood-sucking vampire. Edward is. I thought he wanted to protect you, to keep you safe. And now you tell me he thinks it's okay to use hand-cuffs? Ha! I'd be laughing, if I didn't want to throttle the no good bastard with my bare hands!"
"John, it wasn't Edward's idea – it was mine! I knew he was keeping something from me, so I made him tell me what he saw in your head. Then he flat out refused to talk to me about it any further. If anything, I'm the pervert."
John had the grace to look ashamed of his outburst. He was quiet for a time, and then he finally said, "I'm sorry, Bella. I know it can't be easy for you. Or Edward, I guess. I know that you guys love each other, but I guess knowing it and accepting it are two very different things. And there are some things I'm not sure I really want to know about the two of you. I mean you said hand-cuffs, and I flashed to a picture of you in my head of when you were eight and had pig tails, with big, bad Edward stalking you. It was all too creepy for me."
I laughed, "I haven't had pig tails in a long time, John."
John started the car again and said, "Don't remind me."
We managed to get to the Cullens without further incident, and the whole family was there to greet us. Alice had already let the others know that John would be leaving, so they were prepared. Carlisle and Esme were ever the gracious hosts, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. I slid into Edward's embrace as soon as we entered, and he came forward to greet John.
"Well, we'll miss you," Edward said sincerely, as he extended his hand in greeting to John.
John shook his hand and gave Edward a small smile, "Thanks," he said, looking down quickly.
I felt Edward stiffen next to me, and I cursed Edward's ability for the hundredth time. Luckily, Carlisle and Esme had ushered John to a sofa in their living room, and were conversing quite easily with him.
"Bella…" Edward started.
"Can't this wait?" I pleaded. "John will be leaving soon, so let's just enjoy the afternoon, okay?"
Edward gave a low growl, but he didn't argue. The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, too quickly, and my tension mounted. I knew Edward hadn't forgotten, and as soon as John was gone, he would demand an explanation. The only bright spot was when Alice came up to me, right before John left, and whispered, "It'll be all right, Bella." She didn't specify what she was talking about, but it was enough to calm my nerves.
I was really sad to see John go, and I gave him a hug as he stood at the door, "Don't wait another ten years," I said pointedly.
John hugged me back, and said with a sad smile, "I won't Bella, I promise."
John shook hands with all the male Cullens, then stood awkwardly for a moment. Understanding, Esme reached out to hug John goodbye, followed enthusiastically by Alice. Finally, Rosalie gave John a warm hug goodbye, until Emmett started growling. Then she let go of John with a wink.
"Take care of Bella," John said, as he left.
The Cullens slowly drifted away from the door, and Edward began pulling me toward the stairs. But Alice was there at the bottom of the stairs, blocking our way. "Listen, Edward, it's obvious that Bella is upset with John's leaving. I think she needs some shopping therapy."
Edward ignored her, and tried to dodge past her, but Alice wasn't having it. Edward said in frustration, "Alice, I'm not going to let you do this."
Rosalie stepped in beside Alice, draped her arm around her, and said smoothly, "Do what, Edward? Alice just wants to take Bella shopping. Cheer her up. I think it's a fantastic idea."
Edward snorted, and once again tried to get past Alice and Rosalie without success.
Then Emmett and Jasper came up behind us. Jasper clapped Edward on the shoulder, and said, "Come on, Edward. Let the girls have their fun. It'll give us a chance to have a quick hunt. I hear there have been some mountain lion sightings recently."
"Yeah," Emmett added, "John's attempts to keep up with us were amusing, but now that he's gone, it's definitely time to have another hunt."
Edward looked around at all his brothers and sisters, who were looking back at us with knowing smiles. He was cornered, his hand tightened around mine, and his eyes showed that he didn't like it one bit.
Alice stepped forward gracefully, and pulled my hand from Edward's, "We'll take good care of her, I promise."
Edward just gave her a curt nod, and walked away with Emmett and Jasper without saying a word.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea, guys," I started.
"Don't be silly, Bella," said Rosalie, grabbing my other hand and leading us toward the garage, "This is the best idea we've had in a long time."
About two minutes later, we were at the mall. Rosalie and Alice managed to unglue me from my seat, and we started shopping. Or rather Alice and Rosalie began handing me ridiculously overpriced garments which they felt would be best for me. Since they were always annoyingly right, I zoned out and turned my thoughts to Edward. It was pretty obvious what everyone was thinking, and Edward's reaction to it all had my stomach tied up in knots. Plus, I wasn't sure how I felt about all these perfect, beautiful people knowing the details of what went on with me and Edward. All in all, I was feeling pretty miserable. Alice noticed my total lack of enthusiasm for the shopping, and decided I must need food.
Grateful for the break, I sat down to sip my Coke. I looked up to see Alice and Rosalie smiling at me.
"Look guys, it's really nice of you to do all this for me. I feel much better about John's leaving." I said, using the same excuse they gave Edward for taking me shopping.
Alice giggled, "This isn't about John, and you know it Bella. This about you and Edward having some quality time together – and the hand-cuffs, of course."
I groaned. How was it that everyone always knew everything? "I don't think that's such a good idea. I mean, John and Edward both thought it was a very, very bad idea."
Rosalie snorted, and of course, even her snorts were perfect, "Listen, sweetie, John thinks of you as his sister – so of course he's not going to like thinking about you in any type of sexual way. As for Edward, he's a man. And sometimes, as women, we just need to lead our men in the right direction."
Alice giggled, "You should listen to her Bella. Rosalie knows what she's talking about when it comes to men."
"Speaking of men, Rosalie, you aren't seriously interested in John are you? I mean, you're with Emmett, and he has Sarah…but all the flirting?" I asked.
Alice began to giggle in earnest, but Rosalie just said regally, "Of course not, Bella. It's just nice to be able to use my powers once in a while. I don't often get the chance, given the way we live."
"What, your stubbornness?" I asked confused.
At that Alice had a full blown fit of hysterics, and people began to stare. Quickly, she stifled her laughter. Rosalie, on the other hand, did not seem at all amused, "Edward told you that the characteristic I carried into our world was stubbornness?" she asked in a dangerously soft voice.
I froze, realizing I had made a major mistake. Luckily, Alice came to my rescue, "I think Edward was just trying keep Bella from worrying too much about you. You didn't exactly take to her in the beginning, remember. If he told her that your power was to drive men crazy, how do think she would take it, knowing that you lived everyday with him?"
"I don't think of Edward that way – he's my brother," Rosalie scoffed.
"I think she gets that now, but she didn't know that in the beginning," Alice said soothingly.
"I'm sorry, Rosalie," I said contritely. Rosalie stared at me, and I guess she must have forgiven me, because her face broke out in a dazzling grin, her white teeth flashing.
"Don't worry about it Bella. I know just how to pay Edward back," she said with an evil grin.
Alice giggled, and the two of them scooped me up and threw the rest of my food into the garbage, before heading back toward the stores. Oh, no, I thought.
It was a nightmare. If I thought shopping with Alice was tough, shopping with Rosalie when she was on a mission was definitely worse. She selected items with the precision of an army general, and when we finally turned toward the lingerie store, I was more than a little scared of what was coming. But when Alice tried to lead us toward the lacy, frilly nothings, Rosalie put her foot down.
"No," she said, "what will drive Edward crazy is that." She pointed to a gorgeous, slinky blue satin nightgown, the kind that made me think of old Hollywood glamour. I loved it at first sight.
"Yes," I agreed.
After we had stowed all our bags in the car, Rosalie started off. But I noticed she was heading the wrong way. "Aren't we going home?" I asked.
Alice and Rosalie gave each other knowing looks. Alice said, "No, Bella. You and Edward need some time alone. We're taking you to a cabin not far from here that we sometimes use when we want to get away from the family."
"Oh," I said. I couldn't think of anything else to say. I was starting to get nervous again.
The cabin was beautiful. It was warm and inviting, with a huge fireplace in the middle of the living room. The girls quickly dragged me into the bedroom along with all our shopping, where a massive four poster bed stood in the middle of the room. And on top of the bed was a pair of thick, metal manacles. I looked at them in shock.
Rosalie came up behind me, "You didn't think a simple pair of handcuffs would hold Edward, did you? We had those special ordered just for you."
I gulped. What had I been thinking? But before I had the chance to bolt for the door, Alice and Rosalie herded me into the bathroom and started in on their make-over. I felt like a doll in their strong, cold hands. Finally, Rosalie decided that it would be best if I just wore the nightgown and they left me to change.
As I stepped out of the bathroom, Alice and Rosalie took in my appearance. They both smiled at me warmly and came over to hug me. Alice whispered, "You're beautiful Bella. Truly, you are."
Rosalie offered a few words of wisdom, "Now be careful of kissing Edward too deeply in the mouth – that's where the venom is. It won't change you or anything unless it gets in your blood, but it might cause you to pass out and that would kind of ruin the mood."
"O..okay," I stammered.
"And Bella," Alice warned, "when Edward asks you to stop, you must stop." She waited for my reaction, and I nodded my understanding, knowing it must be from her vision. She kissed me lightly on the cheek with her cold lips, and they were gone.
I paced around the cabin, unsure what to do with myself. Before I knew it, I heard a car outside. My stomach was doing flip-flops and I was grateful that I hadn't eaten much today. I was sure that if I had, I would be embarrassingly sick right now. I wasn't sure whether I should head out to the living room, but then I heard the door open. I stood frozen by the side of the bed.
"Bella?" Edward called softly, as he pushed the bedroom door open. He saw me and froze. He stared at me, fire burning in his beautiful, butterscotch eyes. That look warmed me and gave me confidence.
"Hello, Edward. I missed you," I whispered, knowing he could hear me perfectly. We stood there for an eternity, drinking in the sight of one another. Edward was wearing a crisp tan button down shirt, open at the collar to expose the tantalizing white marble skin of his neck.
"Bella, you are exquisite," Edward said softly in a deep velvety growl.
Color flooded to my cheeks. I couldn't take it any longer and I flung myself into his strong, cold embrace. The scent of him filled my nostrils, and I drank in his sweet aroma. Edward's arms tightened around me. I looked into his face, and my heart beat faster at the look in his eyes.
"Bella, Bella," he said, his eyes smoldering, his voice a low growl, "do you have any idea of how deliciously tempting you look? All along, I knew what the others were planning, and I resented their interference. I knew they only wanted us to be happy, but it wasn't their right. Then when I came through the door and saw you…so perfect…so beautiful…you cannot imagine how I feel, my desire for you, my love for you… I need you so much!"
"Edward," I said breathless, "I love you, I will always love you."
"Bella," he whispered, touching my lips with his hard, cold ones. Heat surged through my body and I clutched his neck, but when I felt Edward stiffen, I reluctantly pulled back. I stood still for a moment, then dropped my eyes to his beautiful neck. Slowly, as if with a mind of their own, my fingers found the buttons of his shirt, and began undoing them, one by one. Slowly, I slid the shirt off his white, marble chest, letting my fingers stroke his taut muscles.
"Bella," he growled again, and I looked back into his eyes. Then suddenly, my fear vanished, and I knew that this was what I wanted. Edward and I belonged together, and finally, we were going to have that chance. I grabbed Edward's hand and pulled him toward the bed. I pushed him down, and he grabbed me so that I fell on top of him. I laughed with pleasure, and reached out to grab the manacles. Then I turned toward Edward.
With a serious look on his face, Edward said, "Bella, stop."