Author's Note: I really enjoyed your reviews last chapter. Particularly the one from Kiss Me Like You Mean It. She talked about how I portrayed Alice as a shopping-is-a-sport kind of person, instead of a bouncy, hyper-active type of person. That was exactly how I wanted to portray her. Thanks for the review! Pirate-princess 1, I didn't really understand what you were trying to say. But anyway, thanks for all the lovely reviews and such! Enjoy!
I stared at Edward for a long moment, not daring to look to see who was at the door. He raised his eyebrows slightly, nudging me with his expression. I collected myself, and managed to play the part.
I put my finger to my lip in mock concentration. "Well, I think…" I was abruptly cut off by someone clearing their throat. Our visitor.
"Excuse me, but can I ask why you two are in here together?" Edward's head snapped up in surprise. Very well acted surprise. I worked hard to contain the nervous giggles that threatened to give us away. I looked over too, very apprehensive about who I was going to see staring back at me. I sighed, relieved. Jasper.
Edward was not relieved. Edward was not happy to see Jasper in the slightest. "What are you doing here?" He asked, rather rudely. Jasper ignored the tone of Edward's voice, and answered the question.
"Hiding from Alice. You know how she gets when she's shopping." Jasper shuddered slightly. I was totally clueless, but Edward nodded his head. They both noticed the expression on my face, and filled me in.
"Alice is a very territorial person. She treats shopping like a sport- it's very competitive for her." Jasper said, calm as can be. I shuddered a little. Alice was a very intense person, and if shopping was like a sport for her, then I would be willing to bet a couple of the Cullen's cars on the fact that her shopping would be scary.
Edwards arm rested lightly on my shoulders. "Yes, she's very intense about her shopping. She's looking for you, as a matter of fact. She found a dress she thinks would look nice on you." He smiled, obviously glad that she wasn't looking for him. "You go, Jasper and I will stay here." He shoved me out the door gently, and closed it behind me. Damn.
I walked out to the sales floor, my eyes scanning the store for her. I found her clutching a very pretty dress, among various other items in the women's section.
"Hey, Alice. Find anything good?" I tried hard to sound genuine, to sound like I was having the time of my life, but for the umpteenth time that day, I fell flat. I really just wanted to be with Edward.
Alice looked at me, and for a moment I was scared. Her eyes were pitch black, and had the look of a wild animal about them. She was paler than usual, and looked like she would rip my face off if I said the wrong thing. I took a deep breath, and tried not to be frightened.
Her voice didn't match her look. "Yes, actually. I found this gorgeous red dress. I want you to try it on. Come with me." For the second time in an hour period, I was being dragged off to a dressing room. I had the feeling that this trip wouldn't be as fun as the last one.
She opened the stall door, and came in with me. "Hurry up, I want to see how it will look." She pressed the dress into my hand. I scoffed.
"As if you don't already know how it's going to look." I smiled at her, and she smiled back sheepishly.
"That's true. But I don't want to buy it without you seeing what it looks like. Now, go on, put the thing on." She waited patiently while I fumbled out of my clothes and into the dress. It was wine colored, and simply cut: The front had a sweetheart neckline, and was tapered at the waist. The skirt was full, and hung down to mid-calf. I had Alice button the back, and looked at myself in the mirror.
I looked good. Really good.
"Alice, this is beautiful!" I gasped without thinking. Alice smiled hugely, pleased with my response. "I wonder if Edward will like it." I thought out loud. Soon enough, I was being dragged out of the dressing room in search of Edward. We found him in men's wear with Jasper, looking at leather jackets. Edward turned, and smiled as soon as he laid eyes on me.
"Bella, you look beautiful." He came over and laid his fingers on my cheek. He bent down to kiss my lips when Alice coughed. He straightened up, realizing we were in public.
"Do you think we should get it for her?" Alice asked. Both Jasper and Edward nodded their heads. I lifted my arm to look at the price tag. I gasped aloud, and all three of them laughed. I found nothing funny.
"Why are you laughing? I'm not accustomed to spending….thousands of dollars on clothing."
Alice was still laughing. "You'd better get used to it, Bella. We Cullens tend to be very well dressed."
Edward nodded his agreement. "It's not uncommon to take shopping trips to Paris or Rome. You got off easy today" He took my hand.
Alice took it back. "Let's go get you changed, so we can pay for this stuff." She escorted me back to the dressing room, where I changed back into my regular clothes. Alice collected the dress, and went to the register. I waited outside with Edward and Jasper. I didn't want to know how much she'd spent in there.
We went to several stores after the first. Alice bought enough clothing to clothe the entire town of Forks. About half was for me. Edward bought several items, as did Jasper.
After about five more stores, Edward put his foot down. "Bella's tired, and I think we need to go home." I smiled when he said home, knowing it was the same place for each of us. Edward smiled too, and Alice and Jasper stood behind us, making gagging noises.
"Shut up." Edward turned swiftly. Alice and Jasper froze, then collapsed against each other with laughter. I giggled too.
"Stop being so serious, Edward. Lighten up a little." I kissed his cheek, and his annoyed expression melted. He smiled at me again, and held my hand all the way to the car.
Jasper drove again, Alice in the passenger seat, Edward and I in the back. On the way out of Seattle, Alice turned around.
"Bella, are you hungry?" She liked watching me eat. It fascinated her. I shook my head.
"No, not really." I just wanted to get home, change into pajamas, and crawl into bed. I wanted to be alone with Edward too. The faster we got home, the faster that would happen.
Edward bent down to me. "Are you sure?" He was always so concerned about how much I was eating. He never thought it was enough. I sighed.
"Yes, I'm sure." Alice shrugged her shoulders, and turned back around. I pulled Edward's face to mine. I whispered into his ear. "You know what I really want?"
He played along. "What might that be? A car? College money?" He chuckled slightly. I didn't.
"I want to be alone. Just you and me." I breathed. He tensed.
"I think that sounds perfect." He sat up, and I leaned against his chest. The next think I knew, he was gently shaking me awake. We were home. By the time I opened my eyes, Jasper and Alice were inside.
"Wake up, sleeping beauty." He said softly. I opened my eyes slowly. Edward's fingers were stroking my cheek.
"Alice wants you to model your dress for everyone when we get inside. I'm sure it can wait until tomorrow, though." He sounded like he really wanted me to wait.
"I really just want to get to bed." But not necessarily for sleep, I added in my head.
"I'm really glad you said that. You don't look up to a runway walk anyway." He lifted me out of the car, slamming the door behind him. As we walked up to the house, I touched his face. He ducked his head into my hand and sighed contentedly.
"How fast can you get us up to your room?" I asked, a hint of sleep still in my voice. Edward laughed.
"I don't know. Want to time it?" He clutched me tighter and started running.