Disclaimer- I do not own nor do I make profit off of Twilight. All rights belong to it's author Stephanie Meyer.
Hey...Sorry it's been so long. Something happened that quite literally changed my life and now I'm learning to live and move forward after everything that's happened. It's been really hard and I found myself not doing anything, especially things that make me happy like reading, crafting, hiking...or writing. I did put a few words together ver the last month but the chapter wasn't finished and I decided not to post until it was, but I've been getting a few messages and reviews asking me to continue and I just couldn't wait any longer. Unfortunately because this wasn't the full chapter I intended it is a bit shorter than I like to post, but i hope this will tie you all over until I can finish the second half of this. Thank you So much for your patients and I hope this doesn't disappoint!
Guest #1- I'm glade to be back, I hope things will start to get better on my side and I'll find the ability to post more often for you, but no matter what or how long I take to post a chapter I promise to keep going! Thank you so much for taking the time out of YOUR day to leave little old me such a kind review. It really makes me smile.
Meg- I wished I updated sooner, but I hope this chapter is okay. Your review was WAY tooooo nice, and I'm glad you like my story. I also love parental bonding and cant wait to write more of it! Thank you so much for taking time out of Your busy day to leave me such a generous review, it made me smile and I couldn't stop for days
MDBEU-Hello! Glad you found my story! I hope you like this chapter, I thought of your review when I wrote it, specifically when Alice finds out who dressed Mare this morning ;) I have a feeling Alice won't give up on trying to dress both of them once I get Bella into the story. Thank you so much for finding my story and giving it a change and thank you for leaving such a kind and interactive review. It really made me happy and it was so appreciated!
Guest #2- Thank you so much for the review, I'm glad your liking the story and found the time to leave your review. It made me really happy!
Ooshnish- Hello again! I know this year it's taken me quite a long time to post chapters and I'm very sorry about that, but I promise to keep the story going and ask you not to give up on me. I promise I'm trying to get better! I love seeing your name pop up on the review list, it always makes me smile and as always you are much to generous with your words and I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate it, especially someone who always doubts their writing ability! Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and read my chapter and leave such AMAZING reviews. It's WWWAAAAYYYY to kind of you!
Guest #3- Sorry for not updating you sooner, I promise i will get better at this once things start to get a little better for me over here. I can't tell you how much it ment to me to read that you couldn't wait to read more. It really made me feel special and I hope this chapter be it short doesn't disappoint you! Thank you so much for stopping by nd taking the time out of your day to leave such a nice review! it made me smile! :)
Guest #4- I really wish I knew who you were because your review is what made me push for this chapter to come out. It wasn't technically finished but once I saw that you left a review TWO whole months asking for more I knew I had to give it too you! So even though I can't thank your user name properly I dedicate this chapter to you and promise that I won't abandon this story. THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH for the super kind review it really pushed me and I needed that!
Surprises
Everyone decides to leave me alone after dinner, keeping far away from me and primarily to themselves. I follow their lead and hunker down in the room Esme made, tucking myself deep down into the covers and searching for sleep. She never comes and I end up tossing and turning for most of the night, finally finding a little bit of sleep around four in the morning, but all of that is ruined when I bolt awake at six for no reason and end up just laying in bed, finding I won't be able to find rest.
"Morning," Edward practically sings opening the door that connects the two rooms. I roll over burrowing deeper into the covers.
"I'm sleeping," I mumble into a soft satin pillow,
"We both know that's true, you haven't gotten proper rest all night." I groan wishing I had spent the night in the soundproof bathroom where no one could hear me tossing and turning.
"I want to be alone." There's silence for a minute and then quickly the covers are pulled down, the chill in the room bites at my skin sending goosebumps down my arms and legs, I jump up, "Hey!"
"Get up, we're going out." I grab at the covers, but Edward pulls them out of reach. I groan flinging myself dramatically on the bed and roll over, my back to Edward,
"No, go away." Edward sighs. I roll into a ball trying to preserve the warmth left on my skin from the covers only to have two ice-cold arms come around my shoulders and back,
"Let's go." I lose my bearings for a second before Edward not so gently flops me onto his rock-hard cold shoulder,
"Edward!" I scream pounding on his back watching as he carries me out of bed and into the closet. "Stop, let me go!" He does just that when he throws open the door and drops me onto the rug and starts going through the clothes.
"These are perfect," Edward mumbles pulling clothes off the hangers and tossing them at me. In a defiant effort, I let them fall on the floor not caring to pick them up or even look at what he's chosen. He grabs a pair of expensive-looking timberland boots and chucks them next to me. "Put those on."
"No." Edward shrugs,
"Alright, but if you don't get dressed I'm going to send Alice in here." He bends down slowly, his eyes coming to my level on the floor, "And she'll pick out something you don't like, and then she'll make you get dressed." I lean forward, wrinkling my nose and casting my eyebrows down.
"Esme and Carlisle would never let that happen." Edward shrugs,
"Wanna find out?" I bite my cheeks keeping the defiant look on my face, "They don't want you moping around here any more than I do. So go ahead Marceline, call Carlisle and see what he says, but I guarantee you, while his approach is more gentle he'll still ask you to get dressed and meet me in the kitchen. So pick you have two choices Mare, bother Carlisle or just get dressed and stop being so difficult." I feel like I'm going to bite through my cheeks. I hate Edward right now, I don't want to get dressed and leave this room, but I also don't want to bother Carlisle and Esme. I've done that enough already. So with everything in me, I take a deep breath and nod,
"Fine, get out," Edward smirks before standing back up straight and walking out of the closet closing the door behind him. I want to scream, throw my arms out into the air, and shout until my lungs burst and I pass out. Instead, I grab the clothes on the floor and lay them out. I take a second to look them over and then slowly I get to my feet and get dressed.
…
"I descend the staircase slowly, taking each step carefully, gripping the railing with such a vise-like grip my fingers start to cramp and I'm more than happy to let go when I get to the bottom.
"Mare, honey I have breakfast on the table." Esme's voice calls from the kitchen, I sigh and take my time getting there. Esme smiles when I enter, "I hope you're hungry." I am, and slowly walk over to the island and sit down in front of a small plate piled with potatoes, peppers, onions, and scrambled eggs.
"Looks good," I mumble, picking up my fork and spearing a potato and slowly bringing it up to my mouth,
"You look cute." Alice plops down out of nowhere next to me on the vacant bar stool, I roll my eyes as and swallow before reaching for the OJ Esme placed in front of me,
"Edward picked it out." I spit out, taking a sip of the orange juice. She's not wrong, Edward picked out an outfit both Alice and I would like, one that's comfortable and practical, but looks effortlessly put together with a light pair of skinny jeans and a long sleeve white shirt. He also through a red plaid button-up that I tied around my waist. I added a grey beanie so I wouldn't have to brush my hair and tied up my boots before heading down.
"Oh, so you'll wear clothes Edward picked out but not me."
"Alice, not while she's eating." Esme chides Alice who reluctantly backs down. I finish the plate, grabbing my glass of orange juice as Edward enters the kitchen,
"All done?" I finish the glass and set it down slowly,
"Maybe I want seconds."
"You're full." He states matter of factly and all I want to do in the world right now is break his jaw, "You'll break your hand first."
"Stop reading my mind!" I slam my fist down on the counter in front of me,
"Edward," Esme turns from her spot at the sink, "We talked about this, Mare do not bang your hand on the counter like that, there are better ways to express your anger." Esme shouts at both of us, her voice stern but calm. It's not at all like how my mother use to yell at me when she was drunk but I can't help it, before I know it, my feet hit the floor and I'm backing up preparing myself for the slap, the mental picture of her manicured and ringed nails coming at my cheek hard enough to draw blood.
"Mare," Edward's voice is soft. "She's not going to h-"
"Sorry," I mumble keeping my eyes down, fist clenched. I know what Edward was going to say "She's not going to hit you"
"I don't want you to hurt yourself, sweetheart." Esme says gently. I nod,
"Thank you," The air almost seems to stand still, theirs is not a single noise in the kitchen. I take a deep breath and reach up to rub my arms, "So what are we doing?" Edward waits a second before answering,
"Shopping." I groan both on the verbally and menayally eliciting a smile from Edward,
"I think you'll like this kind of shopping." Alice stands up, a sly smile on her face,
"You will." I roll my eyes as Edward steps forward to place his arm around my shoulder,
"I promise you will."
…
I resist the urge to open the door and toss myself out, and if Edward couldn't read minds I just might try. The ride has been long and silent, Edward keeping his thoughts to himself and me just staring out the window. The minute I saw The Forks sign go past, I knew we were heading for a bigger town and I'm instantly reminded of when Alice, Esme, and I went clothes shopping. Finally, I can't it anymore and turn towards Edward,
"I have enough clothes." He raises one brow, turning to face me
"I know." I lift my brows,
"Then what are we shopping for?"
"You'll see when we get there." I reach for the door handle, "Stop it."
"I hate surprises."
"It's a good surprise,"
"I don't believe you."
"Mare, stop being so overdramatic all the time," I open my mouth but nothing comes out, I search for my voice before finding it,
"Dramatic?" I squeak out, Edward smirks at me again, "I'm not overly dramatic, I'm the perfect amount of dramatic, thank you."
"Is that so?"
"If anyone of us is overdramatic it's you."
"Me?"
"You!" Edward releases a breathy laugh,
"Explain."
"Gladly," I turn toward him holding up my hand to list things off on my fingers, "You're always brooding, you rarely ever smile and when you do it's this annoying little smirk. You pop into my room unannounced like some sort of weird ghost-"
"Ghost?"
"Yes Casper, your Omanis-"
"Big word" I reach forward punching Edward in this shoulder only to pull back to cradle my hand,
"I told you, you would hurt your hand." If only I could punch him again,
"Your arms like glass." He smiles,
"Maybe next time you'll listen to me." I roll my eyes and drop the back of my head onto the headrest and release a large breath.
"I hate it here."
"No, you don't" I roll my head to look at him. He's smirking again, but I can't match his little smile, my mind is consumed with other thoughts.
"Is Esme mad at me?" His smirk disappears and he looks to be in deep thought before speaking,
"No, she worried about your reaction though." I slide down the seat and cross my arms because that's the last thing I want from Esme. She should never be unhappy or worried for me,
"That's what I was scared about." Edward turns to look at me, taking his eyes completely off the road to study me. I should be worried about this but I'm getting more use to the way Edward drives. I turn away from him and keep my voice low, "I wish you wouldn't say those things."
"You mean when you thought Esme was going to hit you."
"I knew she wasn't going to hit me!" I shout before I can even think about it, Esme would never do that.
"It's a reflex." Edward says before I can speak, silently I nod, "Don't you see the problem with that?"
"Of course I do." I've always known my reactions to things weren't normal. I remember being in the car with Matt and his mom, the two of them arguing over something stupid, maybe his phone bill or a bad grade on a history test. She didn't shout, instead, she was calm and collected telling him how disappointed she was and there would be some changes, and not once did she stop the car to slap him or even threaten it, but I couldn't stop shaking in the backseat just waiting for her to reach over and hurt him. It never happened, but I couldn't calm down until they dropped me off at home and drove away. I hate the way I am,
"Mare-"
"I'm okay." I whisper, "Oh and you read minds that's another reason why you're more overdramatic than me, so I win." Edward takes a breath a smile on the edge of his lips,
"Alright, you win." I turn to the window seeing the Port Angeles sign.
"Will you tell me where we're going?"
"You'll see when we get there." I throw my arms up letting my hands hit the ceiling of the car,
"Come on!"
"Don't worry, we're almost there."