Bella, the Vanderbilt Vampire:
Recap: Bella's POV: "Sounds nice. Family." I slurred before giving up the fight and giving in to sleep.
Chapter 19: Cannon Ball
Bella's POV:
I shifted over and curled into the body next to mine. I opened my eyes a small fraction and saw that I am curled into Edward's side. Looking around I can tell we are no longer in the woods with the old house. Instead it seems that we are on a beach.
"Where are we?" I ask and sat up.
"It is good to see you awake, love." Edward beams and plants a kiss to the top of my head. "We actually just arrived at Crater Lake."
"Well, where is everyone?" Looking around I don't see our overly large group of misfits anywhere.
"They just went to fetch food for the picnic."
"And the vampires?" I ask.
"They went to fill thermoses full of blood for our half. It took me quite a while to get them to stop hovering over you." He huffed.
"Oh, Edward" I slapped his chest. "They were worried. Didn't you worry?"
"Yes, of course."
"Then what is wrong with them if they worry?"
"Because they…"
"They what? Edward?"
"Their worry was completely logical. But I was bloody worried too. I could have lost you. What you did was completely crazy and dangerous. What if we had lost you? What if I had lost you Bella? Can't you see? I could not live a life without you in it, because you are my life. You are the reason that my soul is not as black as it should be. No angel could fall for someone like me if there was not something that was good inside of me as well. Bella, my angel, you keep me from the darkness and my beast-like nature." Edward ranted. I love this man.
"Edward, are you done?" I ask.
"What? I just pour my unbeating heart out to you and you ask if I am done? Whatever for?" He asks completely flabbergasted.
"Because, I would really like to kiss you now," I smirk and jump into his unsuspecting arms. I tighten my legs around his torso and pull his head down to meet mine. "I really love you."
"I love you too, Bella. But should you be doing this right now? What if the magic you just performed is still taking its toll on you? Bell-" I cut off my soulmate by grabbing his bottom lip with my teeth. Effectively shocked I took the opportunity to kiss the blazes out of him. He responded in kind. In no time we found ourselves stretched horizontally on the sand once again. That is until we heard the whistles.
"Woo! Go Bella! Take him!" Paul called.
"Bout time Eddie boy. Consider this payback for the unwanted disturbances that you pull on us," Emmet yelled out.
"I think we should get up now," I whispered.
"Why is that?" Edward asked. Leaning in close to the shell of his ear, I whispered my response.
"I don't want the family seeing what I want to do to you." Then louder for the family's amusement, I said. "C'mon lover boy. It is family time." I stood and pulled Edward with me. We walked hand in hand to where our audience was waiting.
"Darn right it is family time Bells" Embry said and scooped me into his arms.
"We were so worried for you dear," Esme said and hugged me tight after Embry let me go.
"It is alright. The family is in a better place now. " I told them.
"But what about these after effects? What does it do to you Bella?" Carlisle asked.
"All it does is make me tired. So as long as I have Edward around to catch me when I fall I think I will be alright." I informed and latched onto said man's hand.
"Alright, enough with the mush. Let's go skinny dipping!" Hollered Jacob.
"No!" All females within our group shouted.
"It was worth a shot." He sighed.
"But Jake is right," Quil said.
"How?" Alice asked.
"It is time to go swimming." He shouted.
"And of course there is the contest." Jared reminded us all. "Whoever gets to the bottom first gets to give the rest who try a dare of their own choosing."
"Can you handle defeat mutts?" Rosalie asked.
"She is right, how can ya'll's lungs handle such a long trip down into the dark waters?" Jasper asked.
"We are tougher than we look, leech." Paul teased and flexed his muscles.
"Time to find out then isn't it?" I asked.
"We are all doomed," groaned Emmett.
"I will go easy on you." I assured.
"How? Purposefully loose?" Jacob questioned.
"No, purposefully not participate. I will judge, along with anyone else who does not wish to dive." I said.
"That sounds fair," Quil said.
"Alright those who do not want to compete please come stand with me on the side of the line," I said as I used a stick to draw a line in the sand. "Those who do want to compete, stay over there." Immediately everyone moved. When the dust settled, I took note of who was judging and who was not. Carlisle, Esme, Emily, and Leah were all judges while everyone else chose to participate. I hate that the other imprints can't join us yet. They still had some things to settle in Washington before joining us in North Carolina.
"How do we know that someone doesn't cheat?" Emily asked.
"Simple," Leah said, "you have to bring something from the bottom of the lake to prove you went all the way down. Swim to the bottom, grab something and hand it to Bella. The first to get their possession to her wins."
"I like it," Collin said.
"Like you wolves will be able to even make it to the bottom," Emmett taunted.
"Alright, then you might as well begin the competition now." I called. The huge group of immortal teens raced to the lake. Some stripped their clothing so that they wouldn't be uncomfortable the rest of the night. Others simply dove, determined to be the first. Edward, however, was still standing next to me. "What are you doing?" I asked him.
"I wanted a quick good luck kiss." He said.
"Oh, alright," I sighed. Then smiling, I brought my man in for his quick kiss. When I let him go, I whispered, "Bring me back something interesting champion." He smirked and quickly ran and dove into the lake. I sat on the sand and watched the still waters with the four other judges in complete silence waiting on the first to break the surface.
Finally a hand comes out followed swiftly by a tan body. Sam is the first out of the water. Now Rose is behind him with Alice on her heels. Collin and Brady emerge as well. Emmet and Jasper surface and tackle their girls back into the water.
Ha! The boys continue to run this way. I am glad we are perched far away from the lake. This is too funny to watch. Seth, Embry, and Quill come sputtering out next. Paul follows with a tremendous grin on his face. They are slower than the rest. Jared quickly overtakes the knuckle heads. Then I see Edward. He is wearing a stupid smirk on his face. Jacob tackles him from behind making the smirk quickly fade. I laugh heartily at this. The judges next to me laugh as well. Everyone is pushing and shoving each other. Jacob and Edward are able to run around and in front of the arguing crowd.
"Who will win?" Esme asks curiously.
"Jake. He is the fastest wolf." Leah stated.
"But, Edward is by far, swifter than any vampire I have come across." Carlisle responded.
"How can you even see what is happening?" Emily said.
"Emily, enhanced sight, remember?" Leah replied.
"Oh, right. I thought they were still under." She said with a scarlet blush on her face. "How can I help judge if I can't see who runs up here first?"
"You can judge their object sweetie," said Esme.
"Let us see who shall be crowned champion." I said with my eyes still on the duo making their way up the beach towards us. Everyone else is hot on their heels, clearly seeing who they need to overtake. Edward is trying to shake Jake off his tail by running left. However, Jake clearly knows that if he loses Edward then he will lose. They are racing up the beach now. Sand is flying towards the rest of the family as they sprint towards us as well. Jake tackles Edward right at our feet. I laugh as two hands thrust an object towards us.
"Alright, alright," Emily laughed. "Let's see the objects." Then she took the two different objects. I watch as Emily looks carefully at each one. I still haven't caught sight of the objects that they chose from the bottom of the lake. I watch her walk over to Leah, Carlisle, and Esme. Come on woman. I want to see the objects so bad. Finally, after Leah finished examining them Emily walked my way. I then held my hands open, what did these boys find? In my hands she dropped a necklace and a small music box. Both items were rusted and had algae stuck on them.
Quickly, I pushed some of the magic out and it immediately restored both items to their former glory. I heard people around me gasp as I took in the objects. The necklace was absolutely gorgeous. A small silver chain held a teardrop pearl. The pearl was peach in color and had the smallest inscription I have ever seen. On the flattened side of the pearl it read: My Love is My Home. The music box was adorned in diamonds and emeralds. I opened the box and immediately a beautiful song began to play, a song about dancing bears and painted wings in December.
"How are we supposed to decide between two perfectly amazing pieces?" I asked.
"Can't two people tie?" Emily asked.
"Is everyone in agreeance to that?" I asked and looked around. Everyone nodded or grunted in agreement. "Good, Edward and Jacob I believe that you are both the champions. Here is your objects." Edward took his and immediately wrapped it around my neck. I laughed but gently stroked the pearl.
"Here Bella, you can have the music box." Jacob said and held it back out to me.
"Save it for your imprint Jake. I know that she will love it and we could meet her soon." I told him.
"Thanks," He said and put the box into his shorts pocket.
"Now, I believe it is time to dry-off and pack up." I announced.
"Where are we going now Bella?" Alice asked.
"California."
(AN: Hi all! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was a little short, but there will be loads of action next chapter. It was fun and easy to write the family time. It was also needed for the family to bond. Anywho, I can't wait to read my reviews and I hope everyone is having a fun end of summer! I do not own Twilight! I own this fic though. Tootles! )
○Forever and For Always ○
~LHNT~
A.K.A.
*Heather* :D