I kept glancing at Edward as he drove us back to the airport. His jaw was taut but his eyes burned intensely. I shivered and looked back out of the windscreen, looking at the rain relentlessly pounding the window.
In, out, in, out; I concentrated on my shallow breathing to try and stop myself from stealing glances at him.
It didn't work.
I squeezed my eyes tightly together. I wasn't scared for my own wellbeing rather I was scared for Edward. How many times had I tried to convince him that it was mind over matter; that he couldn't hurt me no matter how hard he tried? Too many. I had lost count.
"Bella?" The voice was barely audible, soft and full of self-loathing but my eyes wrenched open and I turned to look at him. His face was anguished and turned towards me.
"I'm sorry," he continued still soft as a whisper. "You can still trust me; I promise I won't hurt you again. I-"
"Don't be silly," I said my voice harsh with relief.
"Silly? I hardly expect I'm being silly Bella."
I massaged my temples. "Edward, I'm worried about you! You might not want me anymore or you might not want to change me or…"
Edward laughed carefree and reached over to cup my chin with one large white hand.
"I'll always want you," he promised then he mouth twisted and he grimaced.
"What?!" I exclaimed worried.
Edward sighed theatrically. "We'll have to put up with Emmett's innuendo until you're changed now."
I groaned. "Oh, hell."
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As we pulled up into the familiar drive Alice was sitting on the porch biting her lip anxiously. As soon as we pulled into the drive she was suddenly hugging me, the car door open and my seatbelt off.
"I'm soooo sorry, Bella, Edward I just had too because..."
"Alice," I said gently prising her away from me. "Why are you sorry? Edward or I don't blame you for anything!"
"Really?" she sniffed looking into my eyes.
Edward reached over and kissed my temple. "Really, Alice."
Suddenly Alice grinned, her pixie like demeanour lighting up, all sadness or angst erased from her delicate ice-white features.
"Alice, I'm not going shopping…"
"No, Bella. You've got a visitor. Charlie's about to ring."
Edward growled softly but tried to keep his face devoid of emotion for my sake.
"I told the dog to stay away..."
Esme was abruptly at my side. She pulled me close against her side and I inhaled deeply before a phone was pressed into my hand. Lightly Esme skipped back into the house, faster than a human but still visible.
Alice nodded and winked at Edward and his face suddenly relaxed. Now wary, I gingerly pressed the phone to my ear half expecting it to explode in a cloud of glitter and Alice-over-the-top confetti. "Hello?"
"Bella! I heard about the flight to your honeymoon destination being cancelled so could I ask a favour?"
"Um, Dad it depends what it is…" I mouthed what is it to Alice who smirked at me and mouthed say yes.
Beside me Edward chuckled deeply.
"Can you go to the airport for me? You've got a visitor," Charlie's voice floated down the phone, sounding crackly and static.
I frowned and then shuddered lightly as Edward smoothed the crease between my eyes with a cool fingertip.
"I thought Mom wasn't coming over for at least six months because of Phil's game," I said cautiously.
"Marianne's coming over from the U.K.! Can you pick her up in…oh, about half and hour?" Charlie sounded pleading and I realized that he'd probably wanted to give me space as a newly wed wife and was only asking me as a last resort. I didn't care though. I had really been disappointed Marianne couldn't make it over for the wedding.
Alice nodded enthusiastically at me.
"Okay, Dad. I'll get her."
"Thanks Bella. See you soon…Oh and remember you've not seen her for years so you might not recognize her."
"'Kay, Dad. See you soon."
"Love you, Bells."
"Love you."
I hung up and looked at Alice who looked sweetly at me.
"I can't wait to meet her!" she said innocently and I sighed.
"Alice it hasn't escaped my notice that you're hiding something behind your back. Show it to me," I demanded. Edward snickered and swept my hair off my neck to kiss my collarbone.
Wincing heavily at my tone, Alice held up a short, jumper dress and dangerously high black stiletto boots.
"What?" she exclaimed at my expression. "You can't see Marianne without looking nice. You haven't seen her for ages!" Pausing she looked tentatively at my face.
I rolled my eyes. "Give me the damn boots, Alice."
"Yes!"
Wow! I got my first review so thanks very much! Who could imagine that such a simple thing like clicking a review button could make me write so much faster?!
Once again, thanks for reading my humble story. Marianne will be explained in the next chapter but she is purely a figment of my imagination.
if you think there is any way I can improve my writing please let me know. Thank you!
ink-stained-rose xxoo