It's Time
Chapter Five

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. Stephenie Meyer does - yada, yada, yada.

Alice, Carmen, and I returned home after spending our morning at the Meals on Wheels Center. We volunteered there every other weekend. Usually, we delivered food to the elderly shut-ins around Farmington, but due to a shortage of volunteers, we had helped make eight pots of chili.

Once we entered the front door, Alice rushed upstairs to shower. She had spent the day chopping onions and complained the entire way home about her hair reeking of the offensive vegetable.

I took advantage of the gorgeous weather by grabbing my book, and a can of soda as I stepped out onto the veranda. After moving in with the Cullens full-time, it became one of my favorite spots on their property with its tranquil setting and picturesque view of the lush gardens.

Having been raised in the inner-city, it had taken a while to become accustomed to the repose of life in New England. However, I soon realized its unhurried pace better suited my reserved nature. In fact, I wasn't sure I ever wanted to return to the frenzy of Chicago.

I was stretched out across the wicker chaise lounge with my face buried in a novel when Alice crept up on me.

"Boo!" she squealed as she seized my ankle.

I bit back a shriek. "Alice! You scared me to death!"

She plopped down next to me and snickered. "Sorry, I couldn't resist. You were completely engrossed in your book. I said your name, and you didn't even notice."

I gave her a sheepish grin. I had the habit of tuning everyone out while I read.

"Mama wants to run into town. She needs to pick up a couple of canvases at the art store and then we'll meet Father for dinner."

Carmen took painting classes twice a week while Alice and I were at school. With Eleazar working at the law firm, she said she needed a hobby to keep herself busy.

"Do you think we can convince them into going to Cold Stone Creamery afterward for ice cream?" I asked as I put my sandals on my feet.

"Heck, yeah! I need some 'Oreo Overload' in my life."

After backing out of the garage, Carmen suddenly stopped and put the car in park. "Hmm. It looks like there's a package by the door."

"Ooh, it looks like a present," Alice squealed as she opened her door. "I'll go get it."

"No, wait." Carmen threw her arm across Alice's body, ceasing her from moving any further. She then pulled out her cell and made a call. "Eli, there's a box by the front door ... no, of course not. Yes, we are in the car ... okay. I love you, too."

"Why can't I go get it, Mama?" Alice pleaded. Curiosity gnawing away at her. "I wonder what it is? Do you think it's for me? My birthday is in two weeks."

"Be patient, sweetheart. Your father is making sure it was delivered to the correct address. We wouldn't want to open someone else's surprise."

Alice accepted her mother's explanation and switched the conversation to another topic. As they chatted, I questioned why Carmen didn't just check the package for a name before calling Eleazar.

A few minutes later, Carmen's phone rang. "Do you know what it is? Seriously? He's so clueless ... I understand the sentiment, but ... I know … see you soon." She put her phone in her bag, ran to the porch, and picked up the box. After placing it inside the house, she returned to the car.

"Was it for us? Is it for me?" Alice implored as Carmen started the car.

"It's actually for Isabella."

"M-me?" For a second I wondered if it was from Charlie, but I hadn't heard from him in almost two and a half years, and he never gave me gifts when I had lived with him. No, it couldn't be from him.

"Yes, passerotta. Eli called the courier service, and it's from the Promising Young Writers Program. I wish we had time to open it now, but the shop is closing in thirty minutes, and Eli will be waiting. You can open it as soon as we get home, okay?" She peeked at me in the rearview mirror and winked.

"Sure, of course."

We made it to the art supply shop in time for Carmen to get her needed items, but Eleazar ended up running late, so we drove to West Hartford to meet him instead. He was working on a big case and had been putting in late nights and even the occasional Saturday at the office.

"Well girls, do you want to stop to get ice cream on the way home or have dessert here?" Eleazar asked with a twinkle in his eye as the waiter held an assortment of confectionery offerings out for our inspection. He knew what our answer would be before we gave it. We were both known for our obsession with sugar.

"Here is fine." Alice and I responded together to the amusement of her parents. Sure, Cold Stone was a favorite of ours, but it wasn't every day that we could partake in treats such as chocolate molten lava cake.

Alice bit into the gooey concoction, pointed at her plate, and declared, "mmm … I want this for my birthday. So good."

"Mary Alice!" Carmen scolded. "Don't talk with your mouth full!"

Eleazar and I glanced at each other and struggled not to laugh. Alice's teeth were covered with fudge.

When he lost the battle and began quietly chuckling, she placed her fork down and scowled at us.

"What?"

Eleazar's soft chuckles were replaced with full-blown guffaws. I giggled as well.

"Y-you … y-you … have …" I tried to tell her, but couldn't catch my breath from laughing so hard.

Tears were rolling down my face at the sight of her cocoa-coated grimace.

Carmen had managed to keep it together. "Ali, you have ..." She ran her finger across her teeth and then gestured toward the cake.

"Ugh!" Alice threw her napkin on the table and stormed off to the restroom. I felt terrible for teasing her and followed after her.

I found her standing at the mirror checking her mouth. "I'm sorry, Alice. I really tried not to laugh."

"It's okay. I was just embarrassed." She gave me a shy smile and added, "I guess I should just stick to ice cream, huh?"

This time, we both giggled as she threw her arm around my shoulder and we made our way back to the table.

-IT-

"This wrapping is upscale for a conference prize. Don't you think?"

Alice and I stood in my bedroom examining the gift. I agreed that it was wrapped exquisitely. It was almost too beautiful to open. The silver paper had a delicate swirl pattern. I ran my fingers across the blue satin ribbon, which fashioned a perfectly formed bow.

"Well, are you going to open it?"

Alice wasn't known for her patience. I, however, wanted to savor the moment. Even though I knew it was probably nothing more than promotional items from the event, it would be the only experience I would have from the conference.

After carefully removing the gift-wrap, I raised the lid on the box and discovered a letter. I read it several times. My eyes had to be deceiving me. I couldn't believe what it said.

"I-I c-can't believe …" Words failed me. With a trembling hand, I passed it over to her. Alice held the letter and read it.

Dear Ms. Swan,

Congratulations on winning the Promising Young Writers Essay Contest. I had the privilege of reading your entry. You have a remarkable gift with words. I know this award comes after much hard work and dedication.

I was disappointed to learn that you would not be joining us in Orlando as I was looking forward to meeting you in person.

Please accept this as a small token of my esteem with my best wishes for your continued success.

With kindest regards,
Douglas Riley

Remarkably, it wasn't even typed. My favorite author handwrote the note on his own personal stationery. Douglas Riley wrote a letter to me!

After Alice had finished reading it, I returned to the box and unearthed the entire collection of Mr. Riley's books. On further inspection, I found out that they were all first editions. Inside each cover, there was a personal inscription.

"Wow! They really went all out, didn't they? I mean, didn't you say there were about a hundred and fifty winners attending the conference? That's an elaborate prize in addition to the trip to Florida."

"Umm, yeah." I had the same thought. There were three different age category winners per state. Did Mr. Riley send every winner this same gift? Ten, first edition books? All hand inscribed? It did seem a bit unbelievable.

Too excited to give it much consideration, I continued my thorough examination of the books. Alice left after reiterating how happy she was for me.

About an hour later, I grabbed the letter and one of the books. I wanted to show Eleazar and Carmen what I had received.

As I headed toward the great room, I paused when I heard their voices coming from Eleazar's study. I lifted my hand to knock on the door but stopped when I heard my name mentioned in their conversation. Motionless, I stood at the door and listened.

"He should have let Bella attend the conference instead of tossing his money around to ease his guilty conscience!"

"Love, calm down. You will give yourself a migraine." Eleazar murmured. "You know I completely agree with you. I've tried talking sense into that boy time and time again. If only, we could get him away from his father's influence."

Afraid of getting caught eavesdropping, I retreated to my room.

Later that night, I tried to process what I had overheard. Who wouldn't let me go to Orlando and did this person also have something to do with the package I had received?

I thought about a movie Grandma Marie, and I had watched before she died. It was an old, Fred Astaire musical called Daddy Long Legs. In the film, a dashing millionaire became an anonymous benefactor for a poor, orphaned girl. The two eventually met and fell in love despite their age and economic differences.

My mind began to wander. What if I had a 'Daddy Long Legs' of my own? A generous, charismatic man was working behind the scenes to make sure my every comfort and need was met.

He was the one who had awarded me a full scholarship to a prestigious school. The one who had my horrible community service project changed and the one who had sent a loving family to replace my indifferent father.

But unfortunately, that would also mean he was the one who had sent Mike Newton to stalk me, and the one who had crushed my dreams of attending the writer's conference. And a 'Daddy Long Legs' sure wouldn't do that ...

Somebody was definitely calling the shots in my life, but who could it be? Thinking about it kept me awake for the rest of the night.

AN:

A special shout out to the team that helps me finalize my thoughts! It seriously takes a village! SunFlower Fran - you are my superhero and a beta extraordinaire! Gabby 1017 - you lift me in up in ways you will never know. :)

AllTheWayIntoTwilight - Girl, thank you for taking the time to pre-read, offer suggestions, and being such an awesome Twifriend.

To my readers - I am so honored that you are visiting my story. As a first time writer, you have made this such a wonderful experience.

I apologize that we didn't get to Bella's birthday this time around, but the characters needed to go somewhere else first. I am also sorry that I haven't been able to post weekly. I am a slow writer, and work-life threw me a major curveball that has made things a bit hectic.

Daddy Long Legs is also a book written by Jean Webster. It was initially published in 1912. (Back in Edward Cullen's day!) It was my absolute favorite in sixth grade. Have any of you read it?

Until next time.

Honeymoon Edward :)