Author's Note: Thanks to my reviewers and my wonderful editor Seraphyn. Here's the transition chap. Next one is their arrival at the island. I have on word for you: Drama!
I carefully picked clothes from my vast closet and threw them neatly into the suitcase behind me. My recent anger toward Edward had slowly transformed into frustrated confusion in the past few hours. I still couldn't believe Alex had invited Edward to accompany us on the trip. What really surprised me was that he'd beaten me to it! I packed the rest of my necessities and zipped up the luggage. I was looking around my room to make sure that I hadn't forgotten anything when I heard a soft tap on my door followed by someone intentionally clearing their throat.
"Bella?" I recognized the voice instantly. Another surprise: Edward had come to me before I could go to him. I walked over to the door, strangely nervous, and pulled it open.
"May I help you?" I asked coldly. He carefully avoided my eyes and looked slightly taken aback.
"May I come in?" he asked. I turned stiffly and strode to the bed, leaving the door open for him to follow.
I made sure to appear perfectly indifferent, not wanting him to see the emotional war in my mind. I sank down on the bed and crossed my legs while Edward sat himself on the floor in front of me. A smile almost broke through my controlled expression as I surveyed our familiar seating arrangements, but I managed to repress it.
"You are angry with me," he said. His voice was monotone, but it was clear that he knew this was a fact not an opinion. He was correct. He looked up and finally met my eyes with his.
"I apologize for letting my anger get the best of me." Sincerity rang in every syllable and trapped my angry words in my throat. "I had no right to raise my voice at you," he continued. "Will you please forgive me?"
He knew exactly what to say and I couldn't bear to refuse him. I smiled and nodded slightly. Even so, I refused to let my plans disintegrate. I didn't think it would be fair to let him off that easily. I let myself smile freely as I contemplated the next few days.
I stood up and offered him my hand. He took it as a sign of our truce and started to pull himself up. I'd managed to forget the fact that he far outweighed me, and therefore, I could not support him. By the time I realized how off balance we were, his weight pulled me down far too quickly for me to catch myself. I was airborne for one frozen second before I crash landed on top of Edward.
His breath rushed out of his lungs as my weight crushed his chest into the carpeted floor. When I noticed that everything was pitch black, I realized that I had closed my eyes. I opened them to see Edward's face half an inch away from mine and I felt his muscular arms wrapped securely and protectively around my waist.
His topaz eyes began to pull me in and I unthinkingly obeyed. I leaned into him and he tightened his grip on my waist, pulling me closer. I shut my eyes instinctively bracing for whatever was about to happen.
I heard a loud crash and my eyes flew open. My door was standing wide open and Edward's entire family stood in the doorway, staring at us in shock. I screamed and jumped off of Edward, stumbling back onto the bed. Edward glared at his family as he sat up and straightened himself.
"Are we interrupting something?" Emmett said with a grin.
I shook my head furiously and knew that I looked like an idiot. I didn't want to have to answer their questions about what had happened. Truthfully, I wasn't sure what just happened or where it might've gone if they hadn't walked in. I decided to change the direction of the conversation before they had a chance to ask.
"Is there something you guys need?" I blurted out.
"Actually, we were wondering if you were done packing so we can get going," Carlisle answered. I nodded my head and went to get my luggage.
"Bella." Alice scolded laughingly as she stepped in front of me and took my hand to pull me out the door. "Don't worry about your bags. The guys will get those."
"Okay," I sighed. I was just relieved to be off the hook.
Alice dragged me down the stairs as she cheerfully told me that Evelyn had allowed her to help with the party. That was very unusual for Evelyn; she was obsessive about everything being absolutely perfect. Alice must have quite a bit of talent.
Evelyn and John were staying home to arrange the final details of the party. My father even refrained from attending for some reason he wouldn't share. It would be just Edward and his family, Alex, and me. This trip was going to be quite interesting.
I sat in the car watching the guys stuff our bags into the trunks of the cars. Edward and Alex were being strangely civil to each other and it reminded me of the calm before the storm. Is it inevitable? I would have to make my decision very soon if I wanted to prevent further damage to either party. Soon, but not yet. I could breathe easy for now having avoided a very awkward car ride by deciding to ride with the girls. Well, maybe not entirely comfortable. Rosalie didn't seem to like me very much.
Author's Note: Yes, I know I have not updated since...forever. But I did now so please review to encourage this author to not take so long to update.