AN: Thank you to Angel6582 for agreeing to be a beta reader for my story. Once again, I claim no credit for these amazing character. They are the creation of Stephenie Meyer. Thanks Stephenie.
Hope everyone enjoys Edwards PoV.
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May Day - Edward
My family made fun of me for staying with Bella at night and watching her sleep especially Jasper and Emmett who couldn't understand what I found so entertaining, but what they didn't understand was that as Bella slept, I had uninterrupted time to think. Only at Bella's house did I find the peace to think without other minds invading mine. I'd forgotten how quiet night could be when everyone around you was sleeping. It was no different on this particular evening. I had time to think about all Bella and I had discussed. At one point, I thought if I'd stayed in Alaska until Bella went to college, then I wouldn't have interrupted her life. Just as quickly as the thought entered my mind, it was replaced with her comment that if I hadn't entered her life, she'd be dead. She was right. Had I stayed in Alaska, Bella would now be buried under six feet of dirt. That thought alone would have caused me to have chills if my skin wasn't already deathly cold, but the thought also hurt me knowing I'd never have experienced love with the only special person who's ever entered my life.
At that point in my thinking, I decided to alter my train of thought and plan for Monday. I knew it was May and I remembered how in some areas of the country the first day of May was a minor celebration of the beginning of spring. People would usually give flowers to someone special on that day as a way to celebrate. I planned on making Monday Bella's May Day, and I had already chosen what I was giving her; although I didn't know if she ever heard of May Day, and if not this would be something new we could experience together since I had never paid much attention to this special day in the past. I knew that the tradition of May Day was to leave a basket of flowers on a person's doorstep, but I had decided it would be more fun to present the flowers I'd chosen for Bella at different times throughout the day. I figured I would offer her the first one when she woke up, so after Bella had passed out of her nightly sleep talking stage, I rushed home to gather up her first May Day gift. All that remained was for her to wake up.
I sat in the rocking chair for sometime after returning, but slipped into her bed around five so I could feel her soft warm form next to me. Around six, I became impatient for her to wake up and decided I would kiss her ear and then her neck to see what reaction I would get. At first, she used her hand to brush me away as if I was a pest bothering her. Then, as I continued kissing her neck, she began to sigh softly, but a deep throaty sigh of pleasure. Finally, she rolled over, faced me with closed eyes, and wrapped her arms around my neck. She then nestled her head against my neck and whispered, "Are you trying to get me in trouble?"
I thought it was a tempting idea, but wanted to clarify what trouble was to her. "What do you mean, exactly?"
"I mean this," she whispered just before she locked her lips on mine.
Bella's passion clouded my mind for a moment, but I quickly regained control of my emotions and broke our connection. "Isabella Marie, are you awake or is this how you act when you're sleeping?" I decided to use her full name just to see how it sounded. I found I really like it but decided it should be saved for special occasions.
Bella just snuggled up to me and replied, "What did I do?"
"Bella, that kiss could have lead somewhere inappropriate for many reasons. Usually you have better control of your emotions." It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it; I just enjoyed it too much.
"Maybe," she began, "I'm less controlled because I'm mostly asleep. I could be dreaming this, and if so, then there is no danger in my dreams. If this is really happening, then maybe you should wake me up before I do something extremely embarrassing. Am I still asleep?"
"Yes," I whispered in her ear. I wouldn't remind her of the kiss she had just given me, but I would cherish it forever. "Bella, can you please wake up now?"
"Is it time for school already?"
I wouldn't have thought she could get any closer to me, but she did. Enough so that her body's every curve became noticeable to my own body.
I had once told Bella that despite the fact that I wasn't human, I was still a man, and her nearness made that extremely evident to me. It was time to wake Bella up so something inappropriate didn't occur.
"No, not quite, but it is time for one of us to get up." I chucked wondering if she was as aware of me as much as I was aware of her, or if in her sleep she wasn't aware of how close we really were.
"I'm comfortable. I feel safe and secure. Do I really need to get up?"
I don't think I'll ever fully comprehend how Bella could feel safe around me the one person who lusted hungrily after her blood, and now her body.
Her head was resting against my shoulder and she leaned in and began kissing my neck. "If you really say I must get up," she whispered as she kissed, "then I guess I'd better wake up."
I whispered very softly into her hair, "I love you Isabella Marie."
Okay, that woke her up, for her next words, in a rather shocked tone, were, "What did you say?"
"I said I love you." I chuckled, waiting for more of a question.
"No, after that?"
She hadn't disappointed me; I knew she would ask, so I chuckled again and replied in a deep husky voice, "Isabella Marie."
"You listened," she accused.
"No," I kissed the tip of her nose. "Alice heard."
"Everything?" She sounded shocked, and began to push away from me, but I wouldn't release my hold on her.
"No, only enough to know your mother was mad because she used both your names like Esme does when she gets upset with one of us. I figured it was mother thing. I guess I figured right. Was she very upset?" I had waited all night to ask her about the phone call to her mom.
"At first, but she understands a little now, but only a very little." She stopped trying to push away, so I figured she wasn't upset anymore. Then, in her Bella like fashion, she totally surprised my by asking, "What does Esme call you when she's upset."
I guess if I knew her full name, it was only fair to tell her mine. "Edward Anthony Masen Cullen."
Bella became quiet. So I asked, "What are you thinking?"
"Edward Anthony and Isabella Marie," she replied softly. "They sound right together. I never thought I would like my name, but together they seem to fit. And, what are you thinking?"
It was fair of her to ask and I was willing to share, "That I thought the same thing last night. The names do fit together well."
Bella started pushing away from me again. "Edward, let me get up. My foot hurts." She sounded like she was in pain.
I released her and asked, "Hurts how?"
"I think my toes are cramping." She sat up and swung her legs off the bed. Her back was to me so I couldn't see her face.
I quickly went around the bed to look at her foot. Her toes were curled under and a pained expression spread across her face. I knelt down and massaged her toes.
"Is this supposed to happen? Is it normal?" She sounded concerned.
"It can happen, but usually not because of the break. More because the muscles in your legs haven't had much exercise, and it might have been caused by you rolling over in bed to cuddle next to me." I knew that would bring a blush to her cheeks.
"You did that intentionally." She accused.
"Did what?" I decided to pretend I didn't know what she meant. Maybe she would blush again.
"Made that comment. You wanted me to blush."
"I love your blush." That was the absolute truth. Her skin color heightened as did her scent when she blushed. She looked so lovely when she blushed.
"Why?"
"It's so human." Alice never blushed, and I doubted anything could make Rosalie blush even if she were capable of it.
"But it's embarrassing, and it angers me that I embarrass so easily."
"Why?" Why would blushing make her angry? It was a natural reaction and showed her innocence in a world were so little innocence remained.
She furrowed her brow. Was she holding back her answer? Was she deciding how much she would tell me? I kept reaching out for her thoughts, but as always, they were unreachable for me.
"I think it is because I feel humiliated. When you make me blush, I sometimes wonder if you're trying to humiliate me, and if that's not the reason, then there must be more to your reasoning than just the fact that I turn red."
"I would never desire to humiliate you, and I never realized you felt that way." I stopped rubbing her foot and looked up in shock. Her eyes fixed on mine searching for an answer. "Bella, I don't like your blush because you're humiliated. I like your blush because it brings color into you pale skin and it heightens your aroma. I think you look even more beautiful when you blush."
"Oh." I saw surprise in her lovely glistening eyes.
"Come on," I said as I stood up and reached for her hands. I decided now was the perfect time to give her my first floral gift. "I have something for you." I pulled her into a standing position, walked over to her dresser, picked up the flower I had bought, and handed it to her.
"Oh, Edward. It's lovely." She smiled and smelled the flower. "It's an orchid isn't it?"
"Yes. Alice said it should sit on your dresser in a bowl of water, so she bought you a bowl."
Bella hobbled over to the dresser to look at the water-filled bowl. "It's beautiful. It's crystal isn't it?" and she pinged her finger on it.
"Alice almost never buys anything that will depreciate over time," I saw a grimace appearing on Bella's face. She was going to protest the gift so I hurriedly added, "And I've learned never to argue with Alice when she's shopping." I smiled as she just looked disbelievingly at me. "I'm not lying, Bella. Alice is very serious about shopping, and she brooks no arguments from anybody. Even Carlisle has learned not to argue with her about her purchases." I really was telling Bella the truth, but from the look on her face, I couldn't tell if she believed me, but why would she think I would lie to her about something like this; besides, it was only a bowl. To change the subject, I walked over to Bella and asked, "So are you going to put it in the bowl? It's too pretty to let it whither."
She still looked hesitant, like by putting the flower in the bowl she was excepting the gift, which didn't matter because I didn't intend to take it back and neither did Alice. Finally, Bella carefully placed the flower in the bowl, but I was still puzzled by her look and her reaction, so I asked my standard question. "What are you thinking?"
Bella turned and looked at me. "Why is Alice buying me a gift and such an expensive one at that?"
"Well, she wasn't really. She bought it for me to give to you, so really she bought it for me because I would have just let the flower whither and die on your dresser."
She gave me a skeptical look.
"Bella, I'm new at this. I'm not use to buying presents for my girlfriend. Alice was just trying to help. In fact, Alice always tries to help." I felt like I wasn't sure what Bella was asking, and definitely not sure what she was thinking. I felt at a total loss for words. "What is bothering you Bella?"
"I'm not sure. I just feel overwhelmed. The flower, the crystal bowl, the prom dress and shoes, they're all too much. You and your family shouldn't be spending money on me. Not to mention what I cost your family because of Phoenix and the trip there and back. Edward, I can't pay you back. I'll never have that kind of money."
I embraced Bella and kissed her forehead. "Bella, you've already paid me back. The fact that you love me is more than enough for me. For Esme, the fact that you accept us, and you're willing to be around us is something she'll always cherish because no human has ever treated any of us the way you treat us. It's almost like being normal rather than something monstrous and unnatural." I looked into Bella's deep brown eyes. "Bella, nobody expects you to 'pay us back.' A thank you would be nice, but nothing else is necessary." I had hoped she knew that what I did for her came from my heart and not from a desire to gain something in return. She already did the most wonderful thing for me I could ever ask; she loved me.
The whole time, Bella just watched my eyes. No, she searched my eyes, but looking for what, I wondered. Then she reached up and gently kissed me on the lips. "Thank you Edward," she replied softly.
It took me by surprise. Those three simple words held so much love that I swept Bella up into my arms and returned her gentle passionate kiss. Then I sat her down in the rocking chair. "If this keeps up, we'll be late for school. Wait here; I'll wrap your cast so you can get ready."
It took me a few minutes to retrieve the plastic wrap and then wrap the cast, but after I was finished, I told her she had one hour before I would be out in the drive waiting to take her to school.
I rushed home to change clothes and stopped to see Carlisle before driving back to Bella's house.
"And to what do I owe this pleasant visit?" Carlisle asked as I walked into his office.
"Bella's foot was cramping this morning. Is that an indication of anything to be concerned about?" I hadn't mentioned my concern to Bella because I knew I could talk to Carlisle about it first.
"Edward, how often do you carry Bella around?" He smiled at me as he asked his question.
"Maybe more than I should." I felt like a child who was caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"There's your answer. Let her walk on that leg, the muscles need the exercise. It needs to build up some strength before the cast comes off in a few weeks."
"Three, it comes off in three weeks." I smiled. Carlisle arched his eyebrow as he looked at me. "Bella is counting the days, and she constantly reminds me how long is left."
"Oh." That was his only reply. "Aren't you going to be late for school?"
I chuckled. "Not the way I drive, and thanks." With that, I turned and left.
When I reached Bella's driveway, she was already at the front door waiting for me. That was a first; usually I sat in the car and waited for her. Either I was getting slower or she was getting faster. We arrived at school in plenty of time. In fact, Emmett was by the parking lot waiting for us, and his thoughts gave away his impatience.
As soon as we were out of the car and walking toward the school, he joined us.
"I need help." He pleaded.
"What kind of help?" I was searching his mind for his problem. I didn't need to look far, Rosalie was mad at him, and he didn't want my help but Bella's.
"You can't help Edward. I need Bella's help." He smiled at her. "Rose is mad and it's all Edward's fault," he glared at me.
"What did I do?" I searched some more. I hadn't done or said much of anything to Rosalie lately. I couldn't believe what I found. She was mad because I bought Bella flowers. That was so childish; no, so Rosalie, I thought.
Emmett looked directly at Bella. "Edward already knows he peeked. Anyway, Rose is mad at me because Edward got you flowers and I didn't get her anything. Now, I can't get her flowers because she'll just think I'm trying to placate her, which would probably be true. So, I need to do something else for her and I thought maybe you could help me with an idea."
Bella just stared at him with a blank look on her face. Then she looked off to the side and saw Alice watching us. "Why didn't you ask Alice?"
I chuckled at Bella's questions because I already knew the answer.
"It's not allowed. Anytime there's a fight in the family, Alice is off limits for help because of what she can do. We can ask anyone else for help, but not Alice. Alice can only tell us if an idea will work or not; that's the family rule." Emmett answered
"Oh." I could see that Bella was at a loss for an answer.
I felt responsible for the position she was in. Then she furrowed her brows as if deep in thought and after a few moments her eyes lit up. I wanted to pat myself on the back, because I felt I was getting better at reading Bella's facial expression.
With a smile, Bella said, "Edward mentioned that there might be a wedding soon. Have you purposed to Rosalie lately?"
"No." Emmett looked confused.
"Well, are you going to marry Rosalie anytime soon?"
"Actually, we had talked about this summer, but what does that have to do with the problem I have now?"
Even though Emmett didn't see where this was going, I had an idea that I did, but I wanted it to come from Bella so I said nothing.
"Well, you could propose to her at lunch." She replied.
"Hey, that could work." Emmett brightened up and looked toward Alice who just smiled back.
Bella continued. "Have you purchased an engagement ring yet?"
"No, maybe I should." He looked over at Alice and quickly asked her. Alice's reply was just what Emmett wanted to hear. I was so proud of Bella that I beamed. "Bella, you're fantastic," and right there in front of me he leaned over and kissed Bella on the cheek.
The smile vanished from my face, and I couldn't help but let out a low growl. Emmett just looked at me and said, "Well, if you'd make her my little sister, then I could do this," and he swiftly kissed her on the lips. I was ready to strike him but two things stopped me. First, Bella's reaction; her face turned beet red with embarrassment. Second, I thought, How can he do that without losing control? So, instead of hitting Emmett, I laughed. It was obvious his kiss didn't evoke any emotion in her accept embarrassment so I had nothing to be jealous about, and I needed to ask him how he could touch her without first thinking to control his strength and thirst.
"Thanks, Emmett," Bella said very quietly.
"Can I borrow Edward for the morning?" He was asking Bella's permission. Another surprise from Emmett, usually he just said what he was going to do. I just stared at him. "Well, I can't take Rosalie's car, and I don't think you'll let me drive yours," he explained.
"Sure, but have him back by lunch." She turned to me, smiled, and kissed me on the lips. "I'll see you at lunch, and help him find a really nice ring."
I smiled at her, "I will." Then I turned to Alice and very quickly said, "Take care of her for me. Don't let anything happen to her." I said it fast enough and low enough that I knew Bella wouldn't hear it. I didn't want her to think I didn't trust her to stay away from trouble, but then again, I knew trouble could easily find Bella. I kissed Bella's lips and told her, "I will see you at lunch." I added with a low chuckle, "Please stay out of trouble."
Then Emmett and I walked off toward my car. We decided Port Angeles would be the best place to find an appropriate ring, but as we were pulling out of the parking lot, I heard trouble looming in Rosalie's mind. She'd overheard a couple of girls comment on the kiss Emmett had given Bella, and Rosalie's thoughts weren't pleasant. I was glad I had asked Alice to watch over Bella. I knew she would foresee any problems and keep Bella safe until we returned. I also heard what she planned to do to Emmett, so I decided I'd better warn him about hurricane Rosalie.
"When we get back, you'd better have a good story for Rosalie. She's fuming right now."
"Why?" he casually asked.
"She overheard two girls discussing that kiss you gave Bella in front of me. They were waiting for a fight, but thought we'd fight off the school grounds because they saw us leave."
He frowned. "Man, that's not good. Rose will kill me. What am I going to tell her?"
I looked over at Emmett and said, "What you won't do is tell Rosalie that this was Bella's idea. If you do, this will backfire on all of us. You already know she dislikes Bella, and I don't want to give her another reason to dislike her. So, instead, you'll tell Rosalie that you kissed Bella as a thank you so I could take you to buy her a gift. You had better also tell her that you had planned on buying it this weekend, but her anger changed your mind, so you decided to have me drive you because you knew she would be upset if you took her car." I thought about what he should do next to distract Rosalie from thinking about Bella. I knew Rosalie liked to be the center of attention so I told Emmett, "Then you get down on your knee and propose to Rosalie."
"In front of everyone in the cafeteria?" He hadn't expected to make that much of a scene.
"Yes. You'll make her the center of focus, show her how much you love her, and she'll forget all about the kiss you gave Bella. And, if she should mention it later, you need to play it down. It wasn't romantic and you have to convince her of that."
Emmett stared at me in shock. "Of course it wasn't romantic. Do you think I'm crazy? It's bad enough Rose is mad at me, but do you think I want you after me too. I would have to be crazy to do something like that. Bella is your girlfriend. To me she's just like a kid sister. I want to keep it that way. Besides, I like Bella; she's funny and smart. So don't growl at me anymore," he concluded with a smile.
"I won't growl if you promise never to kiss her on the lips again."
"I knew that would get you. I just wanted to see how serious you were."
"And?" I asked.
"I got my answer. You're as much in love with her as I am with Rose and Jasper is with Alice. You seriously need to do something about it before it's too late." I could tell he was serious from his expression.
"Don't you start too. I won't change her, and I'd appreciate it if everyone would stop telling me that I should." My anger came out in a growl.
"Don't growl Edward. We're only telling you what you already know but won't admit. You love her, you want her, and you need her in your life. What's more, she feels the same way. For this to work, you need to be equals. And stop growling at me, I'm only telling you the truth."
I hadn't realized I was still growling, but I did stop and declared, "I won't change her; end of conversation."
But Emmett had to add on last jab, "Then let her go."
I can't, I admitted to myself, but I wasn't going to share that with Emmett. Instead, I just sped up because I was determined we would arrive back at school in time for lunch.
I made it to Port Angeles in record time, but Emmett was slow in picking out a ring. I suggested several extremely expensive ones; I knew Rosalie's taste ran high, but Emmett dismissed them as too bland. He finally settled on one of the flashier engagement rings with multiple diamonds in it. He also purchased the matching wedding ring. He said it would save time. While he was wrapping up his purchase, I found a small rather unique gift to give Bella, but I decided I would not give it to her in front of Rosalie. Let Rosalie have her big moment, I'd save Bella's for a quieter more personal time.
All Emmett could talk about on the way back was Rosalie. It started to grate on my nerves, so I finally decided to ask my question from earlier.
"Emmett, how could you kiss Bella without worrying about hurting her?"
"What'd you mean?"
"Well, when I kiss her I have to be very careful that I don't press to hard and hurt her. I have to concentrate on what I am doing at all times."
Emmett laughed. "That's because you're in love with her and I'm not. I wasn't going for a passionate kiss, just a little peck, and that was mostly your fault anyway."
"I don't follow."
"I saw it in your face. You were ready to deck me for kissing her cheek. I had to see what you would do if I kissed her on the lips. What made you laugh? I hadn't expected that."
"First, Bella blushed, and then, I couldn't fathom how you could do that without thinking about control. How did you?"
"Easy, like I just said, I'm not in love with her, so there was really nothing to control, and she didn't respond to my kiss, which also told me how much she loves you. Besides, Bella has been around me long enough that I have just learned to be careful of her. Remember, I was the in the back restraining her when we were driving her away from James. Your problem is you're lusting after her blood and her flesh, so you have to refrain from taking both. Now, if . . ."
"Don't go there Emmett. I've already made it perfectly clear that that is not an option."
His thought came through clearly, even though I cut him off. I'd change her.
"Have it your way, but your just making it hard on yourself and Bella. I really don't understand you. If I were Bella, I'd be wondering if you really loved me."
"Why?"
"Because it would feel like you didn't want to keep me around. Bella must really be special for her to put up with your rejection."
"I'm not rejecting her."
"Yes you are." Is he that blind?
Emmett was beginning to make me mad. "How?" I almost yelled.
"By refusing her the one thing she wants." He looked over at me, "Don't, and just listen." He must have noticed I was becoming extremely irate. "Bella wants to be with you, she doesn't want anything to stand between what you feel for each other, but this difference is the biggest wall that separates the two of you. She's asking you to remove it; instead, you're fortifying the wall, and reinforcing any chinks that any of us might try to put in it. If I were Bella, I'd see this as a rejection. Sure, you tell her you love her, but you refuse her the only thing she asks you for." Bella must really love him if she's willing to put up with this. I know I wouldn't.
"Emmett, if the roles were reversed and Rosalie was human, would you kill her so you could be with her?"
"If it was what Rose wanted, yes. You know I can't refuse her anything, and truthfully, I don't want to refuse her. Just admit it Edward, at some point you will have to either change her or leave her. Either way, she'll be in pain. At least one is only temporary, but can you be sure if the other one is?" I'd die before I'd let Rose go, I wonder . . . but he didn't finish the thought.
Just then, we pulled into the school parking lot. I noticed I had five minutes before fourth period would end, and all I wanted to do was be at the door when Bella came out of Spanish class. I didn't say anything to Emmett, but picked up a gift for Bella before I left the car. Emmett's parting thought was, How can he love her that much but not want to be with her forever, but he was wrong because I did want to be with her forever.
Since no one was in sight, I was able to make it to the classroom door in plenty of time before the bell rang. I leaned against the wall and waited. I should have walked slower, because I had time to recall Emmett's comments. It was as if a battle was raging in my mind. There was part of me who wanted to change Bella, then a part that refused to damn her to this existence, and then there was the monster who reminded me I could just take her blood and that would end the internal war. It was easier to override the monsters argument because the last thing I wanted was to end Bella's life permanently; the part that wanted the change countered with by changing her I was not really killing her, just stopping her heart, but she'd still be the Bella I loved and she would stay with me forever. Before I could go any further, the bell rang and I noticed Alice and Jasper headed my way.
"Don't let her out of your sight. Rosalie wants her blood, but not literally. We've been escorting her between classes just to ward off a Rosalie attack." Alice said quickly, and then she and Jasper turned and headed for the cafeteria.
I slipped my arm protectively around Bella's waist the moment she walked out the door. "I told you I'd be back in time for lunch."
She smiled up at me and replied, "I didn't doubt it, but why have Alice and Jasper been so conspicuously protective?"
"Rosalie heard Emmett kissed you. She's not happy." I guided her toward the cafeteria.
"But there wasn't anything in it. I mean, it was all very brotherly. Of course, you did growl at him," she laughed.
"Yes I did, but then you turned a beet red and I knew the kiss meant nothing to you. Here," I gestured to the wrist corsage I was holding, "A little something for you for May Day."
"Edward, you already gave me an orchid." She turned and smiled at me. "Are you trying to spoil me? And what's May Day?"
"I'm not trying to spoil you, I'm just showing you how much I love you, and May Day is a celebration of spring, so I decided I'd give you flowers." The flowers were a deep red that reminded me of her blush this morning. I held her hand to place the corsage on her wrist.
"Not that one," Bella said as she pulled away her hand. Then she extended her other hand, "This one."
I looked at her questioningly.
"I don't want anyone noticing the scar," she said quietly.
"Oh." I smiled. Bella was the only human I knew who carried a vampire bite scar. If she didn't want to emphasize her wound, I wouldn't either, so I gently placed the corsage on her other wrist.
"Thank you, they are lovely, but you have to stop."
"Why?" I couldn't understand why she didn't like my gifts. Rosalie loved it when Emmett bought her gifts.
"I feel funny having you spend money on me. I'm not use to this kind of attention."
"Bella, would you take my pleasure away? It pleases me to give you things, and none of it has cost very much." Except the gift I purchased this morning, I thought.
"Come on Edward, what did the orchid cost? I know they're expensive, and the crystal bowl. It's too much. Promise me you won't buy me anything else expensive." She looked up into my eyes.
"Bella, I don't know if I can do that. What if I see something I know you'll just love? What if it whispers, 'buy me for Bella.'?" She glared at me, so I thought that maybe she would agree upon a compromise. "Okay, how about I promise to try, but if I slip you'll forgive me?"
She continued to look into my eyes searching for something, but I wasn't sure what. "Okay, but only if you promise to really try, and if I decide it's too expensive, you agree to take it back."
I thought about that for a moment and decided it would at least give me time to convince her to keep the gift. "Okay, it's a deal. Now, let's not be late for the big proposal."
"Are you sure I should be there? If Rosalie is that upset, maybe I should sit somewhere else today."
"No, this is a family event and I want you there as part of the family." I watched Bella turn a lovely shade of pink; her blushes were so endearing that I had to tip her chin up and kiss her lightly on the lips. "Let's go," I said as I propelled her to the cafeteria.
As we entered, I heard Emmett explaining to Rosalie about 'the kiss.' Alice and Jasper were at the table as well.
"Rose, would I really kiss Bella in anything but a friendly way with Edward standing right there? You have nothing to be jealous of because I love you; besides, Edward would have demolished me if the kiss had been anything but innocent and sisterly. I can't believe you were listening to juvenile gossip; they see everything as a melodrama and make more of it than there really is. Honestly, it was just a thank you kiss for allowing Edward to drive me to town to pick up a gift for you." Emmett was saying.
"You had no business kissing her at all, and why does Edward need her permission to do anything. He's a big boy; he can do as he pleases." She argued back.
I interjected, "Because I said he had to ask her permission, and if I choose not to leave Bella alone with no help while her leg's in a cast, then that too is my business. Emmett's right, it was a friendly kiss, or he wouldn't be here right now. If I don't object, than neither should you." I helped Bella sit down next to Alice and I took the seat next to her.
"Well I do. I don't want other females going around kissing my husband." She sneered under her breath.
"Rose, she didn't kiss me; I kissed her, and besides, it's no different than me kissing Alice. It was just a sisterly kiss." Emmett added.
Rosalie lashed out and said, "But Alice is family; Bella isn't."
At that moment, Bella got up from her seat and began walking away from the table. I was about to go after her when Alice laid her hand on my shoulder and said. "Let me."
I glared at Rosalie. "You are the most vindictive, hateful person I know. I'm sorry you're a part of my family," I snapped under my breath.
"Well you're stuck with me," she retorted.
"Maybe, maybe not," I replied. There were times in the past when Rosalie had made me angry, but never like this. If I could disown her as a sister, I would. "I'm glad I never liked you, I'm glad I never chose you as a partner. You have a nasty personality full of meanness."
Rosalie turned to Emmett and demanded, "Are you going to let him talk to me like that?"
"Rose, he's defending Bella like you expect me to defend you when you're attacked. You verbally attacked Bella, and it was mean. She has never done anything to harm you and then you turn around and intentionally harm her. I'm disappointed in you Rose. You're justified in being mad at me for kissing her, but it was an innocent kiss."
"On the lips?" She retorted.
"Well, that was only to get back at Edward. It had nothing personal to do with Bella she was just there. It's not as if she kissed me back. In fact, she turned so red; I've never seen anyone blush like that. It was kind of funny." He chuckled. "But the truth still remains; you have no right to lash out at her. It was not her fault; in fact, it was your fault."
'My fault!" She almost yelled.
"Rosalie, we're in a public place, calm down." Jasper whispered laying a hand on her shoulder, which she shrugged off.
Emmett continued before Rosalie could. "Yes, your fault. You were mad at me because Edward bought flowers for Bella. So, I decided that instead of waiting to get your gift this weekend as I had planned, I asked Edward take me this morning." Emmett looked over at me, and then continued. "I wanted to ask you something, but I won't do it until the rest of the family is present. If Bella and Alice return, then I'll ask you what I meant to save for this weekend. If they don't return, then I may not ask at all." This time Emmett slyly smiled in my direction.
Rosalie looked crestfallen. Emmett seldom talked to her like this, but she was in the wrong this time and we all knew it.
"Rosalie, right now Bella is telling Alice that she can't understand why you hate her so. She knows how much Emmett loves you, and how beautiful you are. She can't understand why you would think that Emmett would look at her, an insignificant nobody, when he has someone as gorgeous as you in love with him. By the way, she's not insignificant, and if you ever make her feel that way again, so help me, you'll regret it." I took a deep breath to calm my anger over Bella being made to feel that way by Rosalie. "I think you owe her an apology."
Rosalie's mouth dropped open. That was probably the last thing she expected from me, but I was going to stand my ground.
"And it has to be an appropriate apology, not some abbreviated 'I'm sorry' type attempt." I added sternly. "If you don't apologize when Bella returns, neither she nor I will remain at this table."
She looked me in disbelief, and then she looked at Emmett. He supported me. "He's right Rose. You owe her an apology, and if they leave, then I'll have to rethink whether or not I want to give you my gift."
Just then, Alice and Bella walked slowly back to the table. I quickly reached out for Alice's thoughts. Bella's fine, Edward; we talked. Tell you later. I could tell Bella had been crying. That only intensified my anger toward Rosalie. I got up, helped Bella sit back in her chair and then looked expectantly toward Rosalie as I sat down.
Rosalie raised her chin a little, looked at Bella, and said, "I'm sorry Bella. It wasn't your fault." There are you happy. I glared at her. "I realize it was Edward's fault Emmett kissed you."
"What?" Emmett and I both challenged.
Rosalie just looked around at the shock on everyone's face and Bella took hold of my hand under the table. "Why are you staring at me? I apologized. I admitted it was Emmett's fault not Bella's."
Emmett laid his hand on Rosalie's and replied, "No, Rose, you didn't. You said it was Edward's fault."
Rosalie looked over at me for confirmation and I nodded.
"It must have been a Freudian slip. Sorry," she replied quietly.
I reached into her mind looking for the reasoning behind her slip, but all I found was confusion, as if she herself was looking for an explanation. The closest she came to an answer was, Well, it's his fault she's with us now.
I looked over at Emmett who was just as lost about what Rosalie said as all of us were.
Finally, he said, "Well, you did apologize."
In reply, Rosalie smiled at him.
Then he nonverbally asked me, Will you accept that? I gave him a slight nod. Emmett then turned to Rosalie. "Rose, we've talked about our plans for this summer, and I have decided I'd like to make this official." He got up from the chair, then went down on one knee, took Rosalie's hand and asked, "Will you marry me, again?" Into her hand, he placed a red velvet box.
Rosalie very quietly replied, "Yes." Then she opened the box and pulled out her ring. Emmett took it from her and placed it on her finger. I noticed the cafeteria was quiet, except for all the thoughts rushing around the room.
I can't believe it. He proposed to her.
How romantic.
Can he do that in school?
I'd never have the nerve to do that in front of the entire school.
Why can't more guys be as romantic as the Cullen's? Edward gave Bella flowers and Emmett proposed to Rosalie.
Good thing it wasn't Edward and Bella. How could I miss that voice. Newton, of course, thinking he still has a chance at Bella. Not on his life if I had anything to say about it.
Why would anyone want to marry their sister? That's sick.
I had to laugh at the last thought. If only they knew the truth. None of us was ever related in that fashion. I looked around to see if any teachers were present. I hadn't thought about that before, Emmett might have gotten detention from a teacher for proposing. It was a good thing only students witnessed the event. I broke up the family gathering by mentioning, "The bells about to ring."
I helped Bella up and we walked hand in hand to class. On the way, I leaned over and said, "Ostentatious."
She looked questioningly at me.
"The ring, it's ostentatious, just like her car."
"Oh."
I had expected a little more from Bella, but she was too quiet so I asked, "Are you okay?" I was worried that Rosalie's comments had really hurt her feelings.
"Yes, I'm fine. Alice and I had a nice talk. I'll be okay; I just have to get use to the fact that Rosalie will never like me or accept me." She sounded so dejected.
"Does it matter that much to you?" I wouldn't care if Rosalie didn't like me; she was a typical spoiled self-centered conceited brat.
"Yes, it does. If I'm ever to really feel like one of your family, then I need to know that everyone accepts me as a member. That'll never happen with Rosalie, and I've tried so hard to be nice to her but it hasn't worked. I'm doomed to be an outsider." On that her voice broke.
I decided it was time for her to have a talk with Carlisle and Esme. "Come on, we're ditching class." I steered her away from school and toward the parking lot.
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