AWW! Thankies, all! I disclaim! I'm so happy, here's a chappie!
Chapter Three - Topaz
As each hour passed, I grew more anxious. What if Alice and Edward were wrong on their predictions? What if Victoria made those plans a few days ago and is right behind me? I looked to make sure. Nothing, but not that I didn't expect that. Victoria wouldn't hesitate to rip each of my limbs off as soon as she saw me.
Where was she now? I couldn't help but feel tense. Vampires - I could deal with that. Vampires that are out to kill me are a completely different matter.
"Bella, honey, you haven't touched your dinner. You did a very good job on it, you should enjoy it!" Charlie complimented over his newspaper, which, by the way, had ragu sauce spattered on the bottom. I took a nibble to appease him.
"Is Alice going to stop by tonight? I know she said she was having dinner at her house, but..." he trailed off, words jumbling in his mind.
"I think so," I muttered. Alice came over every few days to tutor me. No tutoring was done, however, but Charlie never seemed to mind that Alice and I were doing other activities that were not school related. Like clothes. Make-up. Whatever appeased Alice.
"Call her," he suggested before directing his attention back to the article. I pushed the noodles to the side to make it look as if I made an effort before letting my fork drop on the plate.
"I'm not hungry, can I be excused?"
"I suppose. Save it for lunch tomorrow," he replied and I pushed the wooden chair back and grabbed my plate from the table and dumped it in a sealed container. I slumped up my stairs and into my room, letting myself fall into the squashy covers.
"Did you want to be alone?" I heard a voice after a few silent minutes. I looked up quickly from my position and through my frizzy hair into his face. He sat comfortably on my window sill.
"No!" I exclaimed quickly and sat up, tucking the messy strands of hair behind my ears in a rush. He chuckled and clasped my wrist in his hand to stop me.
"Don't, you're beautiful," he whispered.
"You're just saying that because I'm your lata canty," I muttered. He laughed, dropping his hand.
"La tua cantante, love," he sang to me with his words.
"Yeah, that," I replied smoothly. "Is Alice joining us tonight? Charlie's been itching to have her over again."
"She's with Jasper in Las Vegas. She decided that she wanted to waste some cash," he shrugged and sat beside me, brushing my hair to the side so he could take in the scent of my neck. It helped him build up his immunity, which usually always meant a well organized intimate session.
I didn't want to ruin the moment - heaven knows how long we've gone without kissing - but I couldn't help but bring it up.
"What if Victoria planned everything a few days ago and is already here in Forks?" I stared into his darker brown eyes. He was hungry, definitely, but held a slight amount of temptation.
"It doesn't work that way," he sat back, pulling me down with him so we were both laying side by side on the bed, facing each other.
"Oh?" I asked and he massaged my wrist in both hands.
"It only happens when a decision is made," he said. "Alice always has her dates right - unless something changes."
"And if this changes?"
"She'll know. I've already told you this!"
"I know, but I'm scared."
"Don't be," he whispered in a breathy voice, "I'll be with you." My breath hitched and felt my pulse rate quickly. Don't kiss me yet, I still -
Before I knew it his lips were on mine, holding me tightly next to him. It was the most passionate kiss we've had. He moved slightly so that he could keep his distance as to not hurt me, but still keep contact. He moves his lips in a trail down to my neck, until he was snug on the crook of my shoulder.
"Breath, Bella..." he murmured. Oh, God, his voice. It was so... wow. I couldn't concentrate on his words as he kissed my jaw. He moved away slightly. "Bella!"
I let in a deprived breath and felt like I had ran a marathon as my heart began to pump once more. He let me catch my breath, sitting back perfectly content to just relax and watch me.
Before I knew anything, there were hot tears on my face and my breath became more labored. I hate how tears sting!
Edward stiffened in alarm. "Bella, did I hurt you?"
I shook my head quickly, sniffling.
"Are you angry?" he asked, dryly. He know I cried when I was angry.
"No," I blubbered. "Something bad's going to happen! You've never kissed me like that since... then and that means-"
"I'm not leaving you again!" he looked indifferent - torn between anger and sadness.
"N-no, that's not what I meant," I sniffed. "Victoria's going to get me, isn't she? I'm going to die and you're saying goodbye!"
He chuckled in a very non amused way. "Victoria's not going to lay a hand on you. I won't let her, and the only way I would say goodbye is if I'm going home, which I'm not tonight. If, and only if you don't make it these few months before graduation, what with the trouble that follows," he tried to add a little humor for a second there, but I wasn't amused, "I will be saying 'hello' because I'll be following."
"You're sick! Absolutely sick!" I cried more. "Can't you bite me and get it over with?"
"Graduation. I'll change you at graduation, Carlisle won't have to. It bothered me that I was selfish enough to force that choice on you. I don't want you to think the way you do about it - but I realize you have a right to. Bella, we don't have to get married right away, but..."
He left my side and I felt lonely without him laying there. He got off the bed and kneeled next to it. I sat up in shock. What was he doing...!
"Isabella Marie Swan... will you be my future wife?" he was holding up a royal purple box that had a laced cushion inside, but there on the cushion was the prettiest engagement ring. In the middle was a perfect sized diamond and on the sides were the purest color of light topaz. It was too pretty - simple in an elegant way but it took my breath away.
"Edward," I breathed. "It's beautiful!"
"Is that a yes?" he asked, with hopeful eyes.
"Yes," I whispered, not totally aware what I was saying, but I knew it was true. I did want to marry him. Eventually, but he made it clear I could choose when the day would be. "Yes, Edward!"
He closed his eyes with a smile plastered on his lips, bringing my lips down on his with his hand. He was slow to pull away, but he murmured, "Shit."
"I accept your proposal and you say 'shit?' What's wrong with you?" I blurted, offended.
"No, it's not that -"
"BELLA! OH, I KNEW YOU WOULD!" came Alice's chipper voice. I groaned inwardly. She was coming though the window before I knew it, with an uncomfortable Jasper right behind her.
"Don't you have cars to steal?" Edward grumbled, but wouldn't take his eyes off my face.
"Not today," she sang and then paid Edward no attention and sprung into a tight hug. Gentle enough not to crush me, but still tight. Jasper pulled the rocking chair off to the side and sat on it keeping his distance.
"Sorry, Bella," he looked unhappy. I nodded, just as disappointed. Apparently Jasper was still having problems and those problems, apparently, don't go away over the time span of a few months.
"Oh! Can I stand up in the wedding? Please?" Alice pleaded, ecstatic at the chance to go dress shopping and get all dolled up. I chuckled.
"Of course, Alice."
"Brilliant! Oh, I know the best wedding gift!" She hopped in her seat next to me on the bed. Edward continued to kneel by the bed, but closer this time. Gifts? Hold on a minute...
"No, no gifts," I replied vehemently.
"No way, Bella, once you're a Cullen you can't turn away money," Edward was cheerful once more. "I'll finally be able to get you that nice, Audi Coupe..."
My jaw dropped.
"Aw, Ed," Alice pouted. "I was going to get her a Ferrari!"
"Guys!" I yelped. "No cars!"
"A Jaguar?" Edward asked, hopefully.
"NO!"
"Chief Swan has been alerted," Jasper spoke, getting up from his chair calmly. "Nice going, Edward."
"Me? She could have said a nice, quieter 'yes!'" Edward replied, passing the blame. My heart quickened.
"Hurry, you two, into the closet!"
Edward and Jasper did so, hiding themselves behind a few dresses that Alice had bought me and I have never, ever worn. She plopped herself in the rocking chair, that was still swinging from Jasper getting up. This was just in time because the ever-suspicious Charlie poked his head in.
"What's going on in - " he then saw Alice. "Alice! I didn't know you were here!"
"I decided to drop by," she smiled, politely.
"I didn't see your car out front," he pointed out, thoughtfully.
"Oh, I ran here," she gave him a dazzling smile. I looked at her, eyes wide and a dropped jaw. Charlie looked down at her legs.
"In stilettos?" he asked, curiously.
"Of course, sir!" she replied, just as bubbly as ever. "I might as well practice in case there is an emergency."
"More power to you, then," he stared at her incredulously, before turning back to me, with the velvety ring box in my grasp. "Bella, what's that?"
"What's what?" I asked, trying to hide the ring behind me. It didn't work, because he pulled it from my fingers. Before I could grab it back, it was opened. He grew angry.
"A ring?" he growled.
"A nice, shiny ring," I pointed out. It's shininess was very important. Come on, was he even looking at it? "Edward gave it to me."
"Give it back," he ordered, clearly angry but not wanting to upset Alice. "It's too expensive."
"Engagement rings usually are," I said. Boy, if Alice wasn't here I wouldn't have the nerve to tell him. His face turned purple.
"What!" he roared. I could swear I heard chuckling coming from the closet's general area.
"It's my life, you can't make decisions for me!" I said before he could argue further. I used the old threat again. "If you don't like it, I'll leave."
This conversation was one Charlie definitely didn't want Alice to listen in on.
"Do your homework, don't stay up late," he grunted trough clenched teeth and handed it back to me roughly as if it were poison and slammed the door behind him. Alice tilted her head to the side, listening for his retreating steps. I could even hear them.
"He's still on about that?" Alice asked.
"Yup," I said, sadly as the two male vampires gracefully came out of the closet. I would have tripped, that's for sure. "Maybe you should talk to him. He likes you."
"He loves you," she gave me a smile.
"Unfortunately, he doesn't trust me. That's why you have to," I grimly pointed out. Edward crawled behind me, his hand resting on my hip as he pulled me close.
"Win anything?" Edward asked Alice.
"Are you kidding me? We didn't even make it to Nevada when she had her vision. She had to be the first one to congratulate the two of you." Jasper pointed out. "Imagine what we could have won! With Alice and her gift and me there to calm down the angry casino owners, there would be no stopping us!"
Alice didn't seem to regret her decision. "Oh, we'll go next month."
"Any new news on Victoria?" I asked Alice. The boys looked at her with as much expectancy that I did.
"Nothing new. I wish she would make a decision," she said, "I don't even know where she is."
"Don't worry," Edward cooed. "Think about who you are protected by. My family, those filthy wolves."
"Unfortunately, my luck always counteracts everything," I sighed.
I've found a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you
The Reason - Hoobastank