Chapter 15 – Surprises
BPOV
Edward and I sat on his couch. I had to keep him talking, so that he wouldn't be tempted to fight with Jacob. My heart tore at the thought of the two of them fighting one another. I couldn't believe that of all people to tell Edward about my decision to get married, it was Victoria. Looking down, I saw my clothes were tattered and stained with blood. Edward handed me the blouse. "I'll step outside will you change." He stood up with me in his arms and he set me down on the floor. Moving quickly, I changed out of the tattered remains of my shirt into the new selection.
I didn't want Edward to go outside and face Jacob. Once the blouse was one, I winced a bit as it grazed my stitches. I opened the door quickly and Edward was leaning against the wall. He took my hand and pulled me into his body. His arm was around my waist and his other hand was cupped under my chin, pulling my face to his. His lips were on mine. This kiss was strong and passionate. His lips made mine part and I felt his cool breath on my tongue. With a sigh, he released me, "Let's go. Carlisle is outside with the others."
He kept his arm around my waist and we walked downstairs. When we reached the living room, my body stopped on the step. "Oh, no," my eyes darted around the room, "Look what I've done." Edward pulled me closer to his side, "No, Bella. I did this. I'm the one who fought." One of the couches was completely destroyed, the television mounted on the wall was in pieces and there was glass everywhere. I shook my head, "Yea, you fought, but it was all because of me. Esme is going to be so mad." I couldn't imagine the look on Esme's face when she was this mess. I knew how much care she took into decorating their home.
"Bella, she would be madder still if something happened to you. Come on, let's go." He swept me up in his arms and went through the front door. The darkness was bright with the full moon. I could make out the line of wolves on one side of the clearing and the Cullens on the other. Everyone looked up to us as Edward set me down on the porch. Alice smiled at me. I could only tell because her teeth caught the moonlight. She danced up the stairs and hugged me. My body buckled a bit as her hands pressed into my stitches. She grimaced at me, "Sorry."
Carlisle came over to Edward and clapped his shoulder. "Alright, Sam. What are your terms?" I could make out Sam walking to the middle of the clearing in human form. He was flanked by Paul and Embry. Sam looked directly at me. "This wasn't an easy decision to make. But, after hearing the truth behind the lapse in the treaty and what has happened tonight, I've made my decision." Some of the wolves growled. Sam turned to look at them, before he turned back, "Out of respect for Bella, I'm reinstating the treaty, with the same stipulations that was set before."
I looked at Alice and she nudged me. "I understand why Edward came onto our land. He thought Bella was in danger. I can sympathize with that." Sam would do anything to keep Emily safe. This was good that they can find some understanding with each other. "However, if there is a lapse again," Sam looked up at us on the porch, "the treaty would be severed indefinitely and there will be no going back." Sam looked back to his pack, "So, the treaty is active and we will get off of your land. But, if you should ever come up against this kind of trouble again, please inform us. This is our territory and we will protect it."
Carlisle walked off the porch, to the center of the clearing and shook Sam's hand. "Thank you. You don't know how much this means to us." Sam nodded and turned back to his pack. He nodded to them and they ran into the forest. Jacob was the last to leave. I could make out his russet fur as he looked back. He stared at me and I stared back. I thought about what he wanted to tell me in the garage. The moonlight was in his eyes and there was something there. Did I want to know what he wanted to tell me?
Edward knew, I know he did. But, I wasn't going to ask. Edward and I were finally going to be together and it was best that I didn't ask. He snorted and ran into the forest. I bit my lip and felt Edward tighten his hold on my waist. He was so in tuned with me, that he knew when I was upset.
Emmett sighed heavily, "Rose and Esme are on their way," his phone closed in his hand, "Let's go inside." Alice nodded and went inside. "They're really going to reinstate the treaty, even though I violated it?" Edward asked Carlisle. Carlisle's pale face lit up with a smile, "Yes. Like you, Sam would have done the same if his love was in danger." "Edward, Esme is going to kill you!" Alice shrieked from inside. She saw the disastrous mess in the living room. I couldn't help laughing at her outburst and Carlisle and Edward joined me.
All three of us walked into the house, with the glass crunching beneath our steps. Alice, Emmett and Jasper were whirling all over the room like three tornadoes, cleaning up the debris. "We'll have to call a specialist to get the glass replaced. For now, we'll have to use the steel door," Jasper said, as the doors were lowering. On the edge of the couch, there was a large stain of my blood on one of the cushions. My eyes were immediately on Jasper, who looked as if he weren't breathing.
Emmett came in with a mop in hand, with the burning smell of bleach. He mopped up the blood on the floor. There was a line of blood down the side of the couch. I made me wonder how much blood I lost. Looking back at the couch, the stained cushions were gone. Alice was placing new ones in their place. Everything was being handled and I was suddenly tired. I fought back a yawn, covering my mouth with the back of my hand and Edward saw it. "You must be exhausted. Let's get you home."
I shook my head, stopping him from pulling me to the garage, "No. Alice and I are supposed to be having a slumber party." Alice giggled, "I do have some of Bella's things here. She could stay." She darted over to my side, "Let's get you upstairs. I know you want to shower." I smiled at her glorious face, "Thanks." Alice guided me up the stairs and Edward followed after us. "Good night, Bella," Emmett, Jasper and Carlisle said. "Good morning," I said walking up the stairs. Alice and I went to her bedroom and my things on were her bed, including one of my new pajamas from my Alaska shopping spree.
"Once, you've showered, you can go back to Edward's room." Alice giggled and left the room. What was that about? My mind was too burned out from the day. I went into her enormous bathroom and got undressed. In the mirror, I could see the reflection of the stitches in my back. My arm stretched around myself to feel one of them. It was uncomfortable for me to stretch this far. Edward's stitching was as good as Carlisle's.
Steam began to fog the mirror, obscuring my view of the reflection. The warm water felt good, dulling my body. The fatigue was setting in, making me sleepy, but I didn't want to get out. This felt good on my skin. I was washing away this evening's, well, more like this past month's anxieties and turmoil. I dressed in my nightgown that rested on the bathroom counter. It was a turquoise gown that hung just below my knees. There was a matching robe that I put on over it and made my way to Edward's room. Opening his bedroom door, I gasped, dropping my bag of toiletries.
In the center of his room, there was a huge king size bed. Edward and Alice standing one of the bed's sides, smiling at me. My attention was on the bed; the frame was black, made of intricately patterned wrought iron. It had sculpted metal roses wound in vines up the tall posts and formed a bowery lattice overhead. The coverlet was lavender, with deep purple patterns woven into it. His couch was pushed against the wall, along with his music collection and sophisticated stereo system. I walked further into the room, with my hands cupped over my mouth.
Alice came over to me, picked my bag and tossed it on to the couch. "Good night, Bella." she said, leaving the room. I went to stand by Edward, who had his arms out for me. He wrapped them around my torso and swayed me. "How did you….?" I could barely speak. His quiet laugh filled my ears, "I got it before my hunting trip. Alice and Esme picked out the bed. When she saw how much you liked your bed in Alaska, Alice picked out this cover set on the Saturday I was here. Do you like it?"
I couldn't speak, so I just nodded. I loved it, the bed was amazingly beautiful. Edward untied my sash of the robe and pulled it off my shoulders. I shivered from his cool touch. I got into the bed, which was very soft, to sit in the center. Edward didn't join me, which was odd. "Bella, there is something else I want to give you." I grimaced, "Edward, you've already given me so much. What else is there?"
He smiled, "Can I give it to you?" I smiled back at him, trying to hide my chagrin of another present, "Fine." Edward was in his closet, then got into the bed and sat with me. I wanted to ask him something, but he put his finger to my lips. He held out a small box to me. I knew what it was. The small box rested in the palm of his hand, waiting for me to take it. I looked at the box, then up to him, "Edward?" He smiled and opened it.
There, nestled in the black velvet was a golden ring. Its face was a long oval, which was set with slanting rows of glittering round stones. The band was delicate and narrow. The gold made a web around the diamonds set into the ring. I gasped quietly; the ring was breath-taking. Edward took my left hand and slipped the ring onto my third finger. I felt his eyes on my face, but mine were fixed on the ring. I could feel a tear steam from my eye. Edward kissed it away, "Bella?"
I looked up at him, "Yes?" my voice was quiet. "Are you alright?" "Yes, more than you know." He laughed quietly, "I think I do." He cupped his hand around my cheek and touched my lips with his fingertips. We embraced and he sighed, "Is something wrong?" He shook his head, turned to turn off the light and laid down with me. "Everything is right. Our enemies are gone and I will have you for the rest of my existence." Edward hummed my lullaby and I fell asleep in his arms.
Things changed so much in the past few days. Edward and I agreed to tell Charlie of our engagement after graduation. The next day we went to school to pick up our graduation gowns. He worked out his graduation requirements, which he met while in Alaska. We enjoyed our last day of high school with our friends. On Monday, Alice helped me get ready for our graduation ceremony. I wore my engagement ring, but I couldn't deny I was concerned about people seeing it. I was just graduating from high school and getting married. Small town life had really taken its toll on me.
If Charlie saw it, I knew he wouldn't say anything until we were alone. Charlie and the Cullens were waiting for me and Alice at the bottom of the stairs. Charlie and Carlisle were talking excitedly about the ceremony. Alice and I were downstairs, into te various cars on our way to the ceremony. I rode with Charlie to the ceremony. He had to clear his throat several times before he could speak. "I'm really proud of you, Bells. This is about to be the best time of your life." He had no idea. I was getting everything I wanted. Eternity with Edward, starting out with us getting married. Everything was perfect now.
Alice, Edward and I crossed the stage and graduated. I knew it was more important to them that I was graduating, being that it was my first time. When the ceremony was over, Charlie and the Cullens were talking. I greeted my friends, exchanging hugs and goodbyes. I hugged them all, except for Lauren Mallory. She was keeping Jessica to herself. Edward came over to me and kissed my cheek, "Congratulations." He touched my engagement ring, "Do you want to tell them?"
Our friends stood together, talking excitedly about their plans. "Guys, I have a question. What are you doing about mid-August?" They all looked at each other before answering. "I'll be leaving for school in Maryland about that time," Lauren answered, almost smug. She was accepted at University of Maryland. She was glad to be moving cross country.
I smiled and took Edward's hand, "Too bad. I guess you won't be there then." Angela looked at us confused, "Be where?" Edward smiled wider and circles his arm around my waist, "Our wedding. Bella and I are getting married." He held up my left hand to show my ring. Jessica and Angela screamed, throwing their arms in the air. They hugged me tightly, jumping up and down. "Congratulations!" Jessica screamed.
They took my hand to look at my ring. Eric, Mike, Tyler and Conner smiled to Edward. Lauren's smile faltered as she looked at my ring. Edward was a little smug, glancing at Mike. Jessica promised to call me tomorrow about wedding details. Everyone had to leave with their families. After talking Charlie, Edward walked me to his car. I didn't know where we were going and I didn't care. I was with Edward, my friends and family was safe and I got what I wanted.
Edward kissed the back of my hand as he held, "What are you thinking?" I looked at our joined hands, "You and me." Edward pulled the car to the side of the road, then took my face into his hands and kissed me. "Are you sure this is what you want?" I nodded, "Edward, you and me, that's all that matters now. We're going to be together, the way we're supposed to be." He kissed me again, not letting me go. Edward not letting me go; that was all I ever wanted.
