Bella was never one for fashion, though she did try to dress up a little when Edward was involved. Alice typically went overboard when choosing her outfits, but she had set out a simple pair of dark jeans and a plum dress shirt that accented her collarbones and sat nicely against her pale skin, showing off a glimpse of the gifted locket. Bella felt confident and most importantly, comfortable, with Alice's choices for the evening.
Edward watched his love closely as she walked down the stairs, smiling, and completely dazzled by her, though she often assumed she held no power over him. How wrong she was. She was absolutely gorgeous and had his entire attention. His mind practically went blank for a moment just admiring her. Time could have frozen still right then, leaving only the two of them in their states of existence and he would have remained a happy man with everything he needed right in his grasp.
Allowing Alice to dress her was more than worth it for that sort of reaction. She blushed before he even said a word and admired him in return with a soft smile. He admired her blush. Neither of them had to speak, coming together in an embrace because it was the most natural thing for them to do.
"You are absolutely gorgeous." he said quietly in her ear.
"Look who's talking."
"You think I'm gorgeous? I believe I would prefer something more like manly like handsome. Dashing…Sexy." he finished in a low tone in her ear that almost made her shiver.
"All of the above." she answered, feeling him smile against her.
Emmett made fake gagging and throwing up noises across the room.
"He's jealous." Edward said.
"I too think you're sexy, Edward." he teased. "Maybe I am jealous. Perhaps I want some Eddie snuggles."
"And that's our signal to leave." he responded, keeping an arm around Bella as he led her out the door, both of them laughing, him at her happiness, her at his discomfort with Emmett's pretend flirting with him.
"Is it because he's a guy or because he's your brother that you're uncomfortable?"
"It's because he's Emmett." Edward answered as he started the car. "And no one is allowed to call me such things but you."
"You'd best have a talk with Jessica and her friends then."
"They wouldn't say those things to my face."
"Because you work so hard to avoid them." she insisted, though it did make her happy that he hadn't shown interest in any girls before she came to Forks.
"And because if they tried, I'd just talk their ears off about how much I love you. They'll give up."
"Why me, Edward? You must have met hundreds of other women over the years." Bella asked not because she was looking for compliments but because she was genuinely curious and had always been too afraid of his answer to ask, at least until now. She was feeling a little more confident in their relationship every time they talked.
"I have, and none of them were you." he answered, but saw she wasn't satisfied with just that. "Some of the family has theorized it's because I can't read your mind and that had never happened to me before, but I honestly don't believe that. It may have caught my attention at first, but it has nothing to do with romantic feelings. I want to hear what you're thinking sometimes more than anything. There's a lot I would give to be able to read your thoughts. There have been women that I found pretty or even beautiful, but none of them ever interested me in a romantic way, and none of them filled me with desire like you. Now that I'm re-examining my feelings on souls and curses and all of that, I'm starting to wonder if I was waiting to find someone more like me, my soulmate, though I do wish you hadn't taken so long to get here." he finished playfully teasing her.
"Me too." she paused, thinking about what he had said. "Jasper said we're more alike than we think. In what ways?"
"There's the obvious. Shared musical tastes. Love of reading. Disdain for most of the facets of modern society. The strong need to protect our family above all else. Jasper believes that we think very similarly too, perhaps due to our pasts, different as they were."
"We both feel we aren't good enough for the other."
"We're working on it." he said, squeezing her hand gently in re-assurance.
"We are. We're both pretty much rule followers."
"Is that so?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I said pretty much, not absolutely." He grinned at her and encouraged her to keep talking. She did. "We try to be respectful and not cause people unnecessary trouble or discomfort at least. Or curse."
"I've been meaning to ask where you picked up the phrase holy crow."
"I heard it was rude to say crap."
"Ah. Well speaking of…what would you prefer I call my brothers if ass isn't to your liking?"
Bella cracked up laughing, having to look out the window and not at her date to try to stop the laughter before tears started falling, but it was no use.
"What did I say?" he asked.
"If ass isn't to your liking." she mocked, laughing so hard she was starting to gasp for breaths.
"And that's funny how?"
"You're so formal!" she laughed.
"Should I stop being formal?"
"No. I love you for it. It just sounds so funny. If ass isn't to your liking. I like your ass."
"I'll keep that in mind." he said, laughing himself at her sudden outburst of happiness and even randomness. "I rather enjoy yours as well." This caused a fresh wave of laughter from her and a bright blush across her face.
"I don't know what you'd call them. But you should get creative. I'm sure Emmett has called you many things over the years."
"Oh yes."
"You should get back at him."
"You should help me." he agreed. She shook her head and tried to calm down and dry her eyes as they arrived at the Mexican restaurant she requested during their session.
He helped her out of the car and opened the doors for her. She did her best to focus on admiring him and enjoying the delicious smells of cooking food, not thinking about the fact that he was spending his money on her. He did his best to not make her uncomfortable, allowing the host to sit them in a normal section and not bribing them for somewhere private as he would normally do. He trusted her to keep the conversation normal in case anyone was to overhear, and it wasn't like he was hiding any big secrets that she might guess or panic over hearing this time.
They ordered drinks and a platter of fajitas to 'share.' When the waiter left them alone, Edward looked at her with a mischievous grin. "I'm rather enjoying how much you're blushing today."
"You would."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, still grinning, and turning a butter knife over in his hand, fidgeting with it. She simply shook her head no, knowing that others might be able to overhear them. He understood her just tease at his love of her blood. "Have you given any thought to that list for Jasper?"
"A little."
"What would you like to do?"
"He asked you too."
"He did." he agreed.
"Did you think of anything?"
"A few things."
"You first then." she insisted.
He hesitated but wanted to make her comfortable talking to him and sharing her list. It was only fair that he participated too. "I've always wanted to see a live baseball game. I'm sure I must have with my father, but I don't remember."
"I'm surprised you haven't gone to one in all this time."
"They are usually crowded and in the sunlight."
"Oh, right. That could be fun. Maybe on a cloudy day." she agreed.
"You've never shown much interest in sports before."
"No, but I could spend the day watching with you." She would go almost anywhere with Edward, who cares about baseball, she could admire him. Any time she could do that was a great day.
"Is that so? What if I wanted to take you somewhere truly boring?" he asked.
"Like where?"
"A museum?"
"I love museums."
"Me too." he agreed.
"Then why do you think they're boring?"
"Most of the family does."
"Well, I don't, so let's add some to the list." she insisted. "I've always dreamed of going to the Smithsonian and spending a few days looking through the different buildings and types of museums."
"May I take you sometime?"
She hesitated, taking a breath to calm herself and munching on some chips and salsa. "I'm sure that would be expensive."
She didn't freak out or outright say no, he noticed, deciding to try his powers of persuasion, but not resorting to dazzling or anything entirely unfair. "It doesn't have to be right away, and not as much as you might think. What about as a graduation present?"
"But then what would I get you as a graduation present?"
He laughed and her heart fluttered, admiring how relaxed he was as he grinned at her. It was hard to be anxious when he smiled like that, and when she could tell that he was really being himself. He wasn't hiding anything. There were no gears turning in his head trying to dodge her questions or leave out important details. He was simply being himself. Truly himself. Though he was trying to be a little sneaky to get her to agree to his spoiling of her.
He lowered his voice to a quiet whisper that only she would hear. "And just how many times do you think I've already graduated?"
"Fine." she agreed after a moment's pause. "But I'm at least going to get you something."
"Do something I'd like to do with me."
"Take you to a baseball game?"
"That could get expensive."
"Not as much as you might think." she teased, repeating his earlier statement. "Although I guess the sun could be an issue with your pale skin."
"It could. Pick something we haven't talked about yet."
"How would I know what you'd like to do?"
"You seem to know me better than I know myself."
The waiter sat their food in front of them then and they happily conversed with him for a moment before settling in for her to eat. She thought for a moment as she arranged the dishes in front of her how she wanted them. "Have you ever been on a boat?"
"Plenty of times."
"To the beach?"
"Carlisle owns a private island."
She shook her head, not wanting to imagine how much that would cost and quickly tried to keep the subject moving. "You know, I think I might be the only person in the world that can surprise you."
"Perhaps so." he agreed.
"I'm going to do that then."
"You mean make me wonder what's going on in that pretty head of yours for months on end?"
"You do that anyhow."
"Very true." he conceded, dripping a little bit of salsa on his plate when no one was paying him attention so it would appear he had eaten. "How is your dinner?"
"Delicious, thank you."
"Any time, my love." he smiled, looking away after a moment so as not to distract her while she was trying to eat. "I've never been on a roller coaster." he said after a few minutes of silence. "Though I would hate to take my little danger magnet anywhere near one."
"Your little danger magnet doesn't really like them. But I would go with you."
"What about water slides?" he asked.
"I love them."
"I thought you didn't like cold, wet things." he said, thinking of a conversation shortly after they met.
"They aren't usually cold. The water is heated, you know. At least somewhat. And it's usually really hot outside too. Besides, there are some cold things I like."
"Like ice cream?" he asked playfully.
"What kind of weirdo doesn't like ice cream?"
He smiled, taking it as a rib at himself since ice cream tasted like dirt to him. "I'd like to try a waterslide sometime. I'm surprised Emmett hasn't tried to build one on one of our properties yet just to see what it's like."
"Do you all like to swim? I know you don't have a pool."
"We do enjoy it. Pools are too small for us. Our speed. You know we're…athletic."
"Oh, right."
They were quiet again for a few minutes as she ate. "I'd like to go to the symphony." she said. "Mom promised to take me a few times, but we never went."
"I would love to go with you."
"That would be a fun date."
"It would."
"I should get a part time job." she said.
"Why?"
"I'm not going to let you pay for everything."
"I will gladly do so."
"I know, but it feels wrong to me."
"I have plenty of money." he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"I know. But I feel like I should contribute too."
"You contribute in different ways. Much better ones, I might add. Besides, a part time job would occupy some of your time that we could spend together." Edward wouldn't like that one bit.
"True. I wouldn't like that part of it. Maybe we could get one together?"
"I think that might be a little suspicious."
"How so?" she asked, but he raised an eyebrow and looked at some of the other diners eating near them. She thought about it for a second. No one would believe that he needed the money, though perhaps he could say Carlisle wanted him to learn responsibility. But the whole not eating thing might be noticed. Or his strength. Or if he were to truly spend too much time with a human, he might slip up and say, 'When I was human' or 'In the sixties.' Perhaps it was best he didn't get a part time job. Bella smiled and shook her head. "Right."
"I want you to focus on school. Haven't you had a part time job most of your life?"
"What you're really saying is you want me to focus on you."
"I'm not denying it." he agreed, taking the straw out of her drink she had finished and swapping it with his.
"I did work a lot the last few years, yeah. I was trying to save up for college. I really should focus harder on that."
"Do you still intend to go to college?"
"Eventually." she answered, her expression making it clear that she didn't mean the immediate future.
He knew there was a certain word that it would be best to avoid for fear of upsetting her...marriage…but he still wanted to make something clear. "At that point in our relationship, you would very much be a member of our family, though you already are. Thus, the family money would be your money. We will gladly pay for your college. Not just me, but I know how much it would thrill Carlisle to see you getting an education as well."
She looked down at her plate, trying to really consider all the different things she was feeling before she reacted or impulsively answered with a complete refusal, starting to understand that doing so wouldn't be what Edward wanted. "I'm not ready to think about that just yet. Perhaps I can find something that won't interfere with our time together too much. Maybe there's a local newspaper looking for a student journalist or something?"
Edward made it his mission to see that there would be exactly that, even if he had to fund the paper company himself. He knew she would enjoy the work and feel empowered saving at least some of the money on her own. "You would be very good at it."
"You're not allowed to bribe anyone or try to help me. I want to do this all on my own."
"You're sure you can't read minds?" he asked, caught off guard by how quickly she knew exactly what he was thinking.
"I'm sure." she answered. The waiter brought the bill, and she did her best to not look at it or think about Edward spending his money on her. She fidgeted with her locket and took Edward's hand when he was done, allowing him to lead her outside.
"Thank you for allowing me to buy your dinner, though trust me that I would gladly spend so much more on you. You're worth all the money in the world."
He flirted, but she was still a little nervous, watching her feet as they walked. "I should be the one thanking you."
"You did. But I know how hard it was for you to accept it without protest."
"I let you buy me dinner before."
"True, but the first time, you were way too curious about me to put up much of an argument. And we didn't go out much after that."
"I guess we didn't."
"I should take you on more dates." he observed as he helped her in the car. "We really didn't get out together often before." He mused on all of the places he could take her, especially starting on her list. Though she wouldn't remember a lot of their time spent together while she was human after the change, he would, and each memory was precious to him.
"Well, you don't eat, so…"
"Doesn't mean we can't do other things together."
"True. We never had much time before. There was always something going on."
"I know. I'm grateful for the time to just be together."
"Me too." she agreed. He got in beside her. "Edward, I-" she hesitated. He had been amazing with her so far. She didn't want to say anything too weird for him, especially because she knew he would go along with anything she suggested just to make her happy, even if he truly weren't interested or if it made him uncomfortable. She shook her head.
"Go on, it's alright."
"It's silly."
"I like silly."
"You'll think I'm weird."
"I already do." he promised with a small grin that made her heart skip a beat.
"Alright, well growing up I never really played with the other kids much. I always thought they were immature or childish. I preferred to keep to myself and just read or something. But now I wonder if I didn't miss out on a few things I might have liked…you know, for our list."
"Like Nintendo?"
"That was fun. But there's, uh, this cartoon that the other kids used to talk about a lot. I would always pretend to be disinterested if it was on TV like at school or something, but I would secretly sneak and watch what I could of it. If it isn't too childish, I'd like to try to find a copy of a few seasons."
"I'm sure we can. My Bella, I hate that you had to grow up so fast. You sacrificed so much of the fun and experiences you were supposed to have to care for others."
"It's alright. It's what I had to do."
"No, it isn't alright. No child should have to worry as much as you've had to."
"Others have had it worse."
"That doesn't mean that your experience was acceptable either." he said. A tear snuck out of her eye. He had expressed a similar sentiment before, but his total honest bluntness caught her off guard. He was right, of course, but she had never really considered it that way. She loved her mother. She always tried to see the positives, knowing that she was doing her best, or at least assuming so out of love. Was what her mom did perhaps wrong? Could there have been another way for them? Could she be a loving mother and yet still be completely off base in how she parented and how she treated their relationship? There were too many things to consider right now, but still another tear fell down her face.
He wanted to calm her, so he didn't press the serious topic. "Which cartoon?"
"Huh?"
"Which cartoon is it you'd like to see?"
"Oh, sorry. You're going to laugh at me when I tell you."
"I doubt that."
"It's called Aaahh! Real Monsters." she said quietly, looking out the window.
"I've seen a bit of that one. It's entertaining."
"Really?"
"I always pretend to not be interested in what the family is watching unless it's a documentary or something really captivating, but I can follow it in their thoughts." he admitted. She laughed a little. He could always cheer her up.
"You do it too!"
"What's that?"
"Pretend to not be interested in dumb things so you seem more mature even though you're really sneaking and watching or listening to it."
"We'll keep that our little secret." he said.
"Another weird way we're alike. Maybe we should watch more cartoons together then."
"I hear SpongeBob SquarePants is rather good." he said with a shy smile. He would never admit that to his brothers.
"Edward Cullen! You mean to tell me that you have a big kid hiding in that Mr. Serious exterior of yours? Seriously?!"
"I never said I didn't. He just doesn't come out very often. Or maybe ever. Maybe I only feel comfortable enough revealing that to you and only now."
"Why is that? You know your family would still love you if you were honest."
"I know. But I always feel like I should be more mature. I am over a hundred years old. And I'm the eldest son in immortal terms, so it's my responsibility to help Carlisle look after the family. Plus, everyone always assumed that I was a certain way and I guess I just sort of fell into it. After hearing in everyone's thoughts for so long how I was always so serious and mature and moody, well, it was hard not to be. I've just thought that's how I am. At least until you came along. And back in my day, we didn't exactly have cartoons. They're a newer thing"
"Back in my day!" she echoed. "You're seventeen. It's still your day."
"I meant when I was human."
"What does that have to do with what you like to watch?"
He thought about it for a minute. "Nothing, I suppose."
"Exactly! Oh my…you-. You're-. I can't-. I don't even know what to say." she said, shaking her head and smiling with disbelief. "You know I love you no matter what. But to hear how we seem to share even our most embarrassing secrets. It's kind of wild."
"In a good way."
"Yes, in a good way." she agreed. "But don't tell me you have a bad habit of leaving your dirty socks all over the house."
"Esme would never allow that, or else I probably would."
"You don't chew your nails though."
"How do you know that?"
"Because they don't look damaged."
"They're indestructible…well, as good as."
"But they hold up to your own teeth?"
He smiled, raising her hand to his lips to kiss it. "Always so many questions."
"I could say the same about you."
"That's true."
"I want to know everything about you."
"Everything?" he asked with a raised eyebrow as he adored her surprised face.
"Look at the road!" she shouted.
"I would never endanger your life." he laughed. "I was watching the road in his thoughts." He gestured to the car behind them. She hid her face in her hands, unsure if it was in fear or amusement. "Did I frighten you?"
"Yes!"
"Finally!" he joked as he gently pried her hands away from her face with his free hand. "Don't hide the lovely view. Trust me, you don't want to know everything about me."
"But I do."
"Everything?"
"Everything." she said.
"I might scare you off yet."
"Impossible."
"Yes, I'm starting to understand that." he said, raising her hand to his lips to kiss again. "I hope you understand that you can't scare me off either."
"I think I do now. At least, mostly."
"Good."
They rode mostly in silence as he drove her home, though they held hands and listened to soft classical music on the radio. "You know, it's rather odd for someone your age to be into classical these days. Except perhaps the few people who play musical instruments well."
"It's soothing." she said. "I like to try to focus on each of the different instruments if there's an orchestra or an ensemble and pick out all the nuances of each song. It gives me something relaxing to focus on instead of whatever is going on in my mind."
"So, you prefer group performances over an individual say playing piano?"
"No, I love hearing you play too, especially if I can watch you. If it's just one person, I try to think about the emotions behind the music and how much focus it takes them to play so well."
It was insightful and a beautiful way to think about music, but he had to know more before he dropped her off. "Have you ever tried to play an instrument?"
"Yes. I'm not good at it."
"No one is at first." he insisted.
"I mean at all. I'm extra not good at it. Too uncoordinated."
"How long did you try before you quit?"
"A few lessons."
"Which instruments?"
"Flute, piano, drums. Whatever my mom wanted me to try that week. I auditioned for the school band, but they said I was too clumsy and anxious to be any good."
"What an awful way to handle children." he said. "I bet you would enjoy yourself. It just takes time and dedication. It sounds like your mom was the one stopping your lessons, not you."
"Mostly. She said there was no point if I wasn't good at it and didn't like it."
"Maybe we could try again sometime?" he offered.
She shook her head. "I don't think it's for me. I would rather appreciate the music."
"Suit yourself." he grinned. "I have an eternity to change your mind."
She smiled at him and didn't protest when he momentarily took his eyes off the road to look at her. He spoke about her change in an honest, positive, almost excited way. He didn't try to tell her no or convince her otherwise. The feeling was indescribable.
"Your father is watching for you. I'll take the car home and be right back at your window as soon as I can sneak in without him noticing. Will you be alright?"
"I'm fine. And I have my phone."
"So brave." he smiled, caressing her cheek. "I'm still going to insist on walking you in."
"So formal."
"Protective." he corrected. "I wouldn't want you to get struck by a meteor or something on your way in."
"You really think I'm that much of a danger magnet?"
"I know you are."
"A meteor, really?"
"Well, what about lightning?"
"The skies are clear."
"Bug bite?"
"Bug bite?!" she laughed. "I've had plenty of those before."
"Yes, but most bugs naturally avoid me. So, by walking you in, I might be saving you some discomfort."
She was still laughing and shaking her head at him when he led her up the short walk to the door, which Charlie opened for them, smiling back the second he saw Bella's expression.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"Edward was worried that if he didn't walk me in, I would get struck by a meteor or something."
"I mean, you are pretty accident prone." Charlie agreed with a laugh of his own.
"I told you so! Goodnight, Bella." Edward said, kissing her on the cheek. "I'll see you in the morning." he added for her father's benefit.
"Goodnight." she said with a smile as he let go of her and walked back to his car. She didn't panic. She was completely confident that he would return, and she felt the weight of her phone in her pocket and the locket against her chest. He was here. He was staying. He loved her.
"How was your date?" Charlie asked as he led her inside.
"Good. We ate at the new Mexican place in Port Angeles after we talked to the family."
"Did you have a good talk?" he asked, somewhat uncomfortable about prying, but wanting to know what was going on in her life and how to help her still.
"We did. We learned more about what makes me and Edward uncomfortable so we can start to work on it. One of the things was others paying for stuff or buying me gifts, so Jasper challenged me to let Edward pay for dinner without freaking out."
"And did you do it?"
"I did. I let him pay. Although I still feel guilty about spending his money."
"I don't think the Cullens have to worry about money. And seriously, Bella? Dinner? Mexican? Doesn't sound that expensive."
"They don't, and I'm sure it wasn't, but still. I don't like feeling like a burden or like we're unequal in any way, especially money."
"You're never a burden. I truly believe they love you just as much as I do, though they had a funny way of showing it before." She wasn't sure what to say, so she nodded and sat on the couch. "I guess now would be a bad time to give you a small gift from your old dad?"
"No." she laughed, curious. Gifts from Charlie were usually small and practical, other than the truck. Her dad, she could handle. And he never expected a huge reaction either. He handed her a padded envelope. "But what's the occasion?"
"I'm happy to see you taking an interest in things again. I overheard you say you wanted this. Open it."
She opened the envelope to reveal the book she had mentioned in passing several days ago. She smiled, tears forming in her eyes that she tried to blink away. "Thanks, dad."
"Those are happy tears, right?" he asked. He was pretty sure his gift had gone over well, but one could never tell for sure with teenagers.
"Yes. It's so thoughtful. I love it."
"I ordered it for you that night you mentioned it, but it took a few days to get here."
"You didn't have to."
"I wanted to. And no trying to return the favor either. A father is allowed to buy his daughter gifts just because."
"Alright." she smiled at him before opening the first page and stretching out on the couch with it. Charlie was overjoyed, going into the kitchen to let her enjoy herself in peace. It was really nice to see her interested in normal things and being herself again and even better that she seemed to be healing from whatever traumas she had already suffered in her short life. When he went back into the living room an hour later, she was asleep with the novel still in her hands. He carefully placed a napkin off of the coffee table in her spot as a bookmark and then carried her upstairs to bed. The second he left her room, Edward came inside and took his place watching over her.
"Sleep well, my love."