~ Edward and Bella's Cabin, Alaska - July 15, 2005 ~
"Fuck!" Bella yelled before I heard a loud crash.
I darted up the stairs of the cabin to find Bella sitting on the floor mumbling about ruining everything around her. The crash I heard must have been her taking out some frustration on what use to be the dresser, which was the last piece of furniture that remained undamaged in the bedroom.
"Love?" I asked quietly.
Bella did not look up at me, but instead just sat dejectedly, shaking her head.
"I almost had my shoes tied this time, but I pulled the laces too hard and ripped them straight through my shoes." Bella held out the destroyed tennis shoe as she presented me with evidence of her crime. "It pissed me off that can't even get dressed without destroying something, so I kind of kicked the dresser." Bella finally raised her head and looked at me. She looked so defeated. "Sorry."
"Bella, did I ever tell you about Emmett's struggles with his strength?" I asked while I sat down next to her. Bella leaned against my shoulder and shook her head.
"Well, after his first month as a vampire, the family basically had to abandon our house in the Adirondacks. You see, Emmett liked to go outside the house without a shirt on to see himself sparkle in the sun. One day, Esme interrupted his sun bathing to ask him to bring in some water from the well we had on the property. As he was pulling up the bucket of water, he grabbed the side wall of the well. It crumbled under his strong grip, which caused the entire side of the well to collapse. Emmett lost his balance and fell into the water down below. We all heard his cursing, so we came out just in time to watch Emmett leap, soaking wet, from the well."
"That doesn't sound too bad," Bella said before she paused. "Wait, there has to be more to the story."
I grinned and nodded. "Oh, there is! When Emmett leapt from the well, his pants caught on a root or some debris, and were ripped from his body. He did not immediately realize this had happened, and at that time, he was in the regrettable habit of going commando under his trousers."
Bella started to giggle. "You mean when he landed he was naked!"
"Yep! Emmett stood there in front of the entire family, naked as the day he was born, sparkling. And before you ask, yes, everything was sparkling!"
"Oh my God! What happened next?" Bella asked between her guffaws.
"Emmett shook himself off like a wet dog would have, still cursing, while we all watched. Rose was the first to comment by snarking that the well water must have been cold. Emmett looked confused before he looked down and finally noticed his state of undress. He then let out the most un-manly yelp, before he ran into the house. In his haste to get inside, he took the back door off its hinges. This, combined with his naked leap, caused Emmett to slam into one of the walls of the house in frustration. The only problem was, the wall he struck was structural. So, shortly after his body hit the wall, a good portion of the house came down on top of him. We all stood in stunned silence as the house crumbled into a pile of dust and debris. After a few moments, Emmett emerged from the rubble, still very much naked."
Bella was nearly rolling on the floor laughing. To be honest, I was too.
After I calmed down a bit, I finally finished the story. "Needless to say, Esme was quite upset. And, for years after that, Rose would occasionally taunt Emmett by calling him Mr. Sparkle Peen."
To avoid another wardrobe disaster, I finished tying Bella's second favorite pair of sneakers for her. Carlisle and Esme were expected soon for their first visit since Bella's change. It would be the first of several visits from my family. Given how volatile newborns can be around one another, we would not be seeing Charlie or Irina for several more weeks. During my parent's visit, I would make sure to pull Esme aside and have her bring Bella a new pair of her favorite sneakers on their next trip to see us.
"Thank you, Edward." Bella said quietly. "It seems I take a step backwards for every couple of steps forward. But at least the cabin is still standing." Bella finished with small smile.
"Well, it did take Emmett a month to actually knock down the house, so you still have time." I teased. Bella playfully slapped my arm and this time, it did not hurt, so progress was definitely being made.
We both looked around the bedroom, which was a lost cause in terms of destruction. I could see Bella frown as she looked upon the room.
"Love, I have seen worse from my other family members." I told her while I gave her a much needed hug. "Soon enough, when we destroy a bed…and we will…it will only bring on fond memories of our love making. Now let's go meet Carlisle and Esme. I can just now pickup their thoughts."
Bella and I went outside the cabin and sat down on the rough hewn bench and waited. Soon we could hear Carlisle and Esme approaching. As they broke through the tree line, they both smiled at the scene in front of them. Given that they would be Bella's first guests as a newborn vampire, they slowed and approached us a a human pace.
"Hello!" Esme called out.
Bella waved happily before she rose to meet my parents. I followed slightly behind. As we got within a few feet, Esme opened her arms and Bella, careful not to knock her over, walked slowly into my mother's hug.
"You are so beautiful, Bella." Esme said softly, "And you look so happy."
Bella squeezed Esme carefully. "Thank you, and I am happy!" She answered back. "So very happy!"
After Esme and Bella ended their embrace, Carlisle hugged Bella as well. "Being immortal suits you, Bella," he greeted.
"Thank you, Carlisle." Bella replied softly.
We all walked back towards the cabin. Both Carlisle's and Esme's thoughts were focused on how perfect Bella seemed as a vampire. I agreed completely with their assessment.
Once inside, Bella moved cautiously to take a seat on the couch.
"How is my Dad doing?" Bella asked. I knew Bella has been concerned about Charlie, however given that no one had come to tell us otherwise, we both guessed his change went as planned.
In Carlisle's thoughts the sight of Charlie before his change surprised me. Before I could question what I saw, he looked over towards me. "Please don't say anything. He wants it to be a surprise". He told me in his thoughts before addressing Bella's question.
"He is doing well," Carlisle answered. Bella took a deep, unnecessary breath and then smiled. I could feel her relax next to me knowing that Charlie was ok. "Your father's change was largely uneventful. Irina initially had some hesitation performing the change, but Charlie calmed her down and she eventually was able to change him. I have not seen him directly since he awoke, but Esme spoke to Carmen. He has been struggling with the typical newborn issues of strength, focus, and bloodlust. However he seems to really enjoy hunting with Irina."
"I've been having some newborn issues as well," Bella told them. "I've broken a lot of stuff and my emotions can be all over the place."
"That's completely normal, dear," Esme told Bella. "Just ask Carlisle and Edward. I struggled with my new strength. We all did. And, I remember being quite emotional at times. Just being able to sit here and talk to us is something to be proud of, Bella."
"Thank you," Bella told Esme before she reached over to hold my hand. "Is it normal for Edward's touch to calm me as much as it does?"
"Yes, that is a trait of mating." Carlisle answered while Esme nodded her head. Each reached out and held hands. Carlisle sighed at the contact. "Even after nearly four centuries of existence, Esme's touch centers me and makes feel at peace like nothing else can."
I lifted Bella's hand and kissed it tenderly. Her touch would always be my home.
"Bella, can I ask you some questions?" Carlisle asked. "The doctor in me is curious."
"I don't mind," Bella replied with a smirk. "I was kind of expecting it."
Carlisle pulled a chair up next to Bella and started his questioning, while Esme sat down next me on the couch so we could have our own conversation.
"I don't think I've ever seen you so happy," Esme told me.
I instinctively squeezed Bella's hand. "That is because I never have been this happy. I can't even put into words how wonderful the past week has been."
"Luckily, you don't have to, dear. Anyone can see that both you and Bella are glowing with love and joy. It's all I ever wanted for you. I am so glad you both found each other and that you have forever together."