Chapter 12
Perfect
The week passed with incredible speed, Edward was right about my Trig final, I was the first "person" to finish and I felt completely confident. My last final was this morning and the graduation ceremony is next Wednesday night. As I walked out of the locker room after gym I was surprised to see Alice waiting there instead of Edward. "Hey Al, what are you doing here?" Alice looked at me exasperated and grabbed my arm pulling me forward with her, "Look Bella you have agreed to a 7PM pick up time, it is almost 3 o'clock now which does not leave me a ton of time to get you ready for your date!
I sighed remembering I asked for her help, "Ok Tink, I'm all yours!"
An hour later after a mani/pedi we were on our way to Charlie's, I felt a little smug at having compromised my way into soft pink fingernail polish. My toes were a sparkly redish pink of Alice's choosing. Charlie's cruiser was parked in the driveway when we arrived but upon seeing the single minded determination upon Alice's face and the plea for help on my own he gruffly excused himself saying something about a bar showing the game on satellite and made a hasty exit.
After showering and putting on my robe I was settled into a kitchen chair next to what used to be the kitchen table. I am sure the kitchen table was still there somewhere I just could not see it anymore under the mountains of hair and beauty products Alice had spread out. I closed my eyes and dosed off waking every once in a while to commands of "Suck in your cheeks, pucker, look up, look down," and finally, "Ok, let's get you dressed!"
I opened the door to my bedroom and saw a garment bag sitting next to the scariest matching panties, bra and slip I had ever seen. I felt the flush of anger creeping over my body and up to my face, "Alice under no circumstances under the sun will I be putting, that, those on! No freakin way!!!"
Alice looked at me very calmly and started "Bella, I know exactly what you have planned for tonight, unfortunately I have seen it!" She grumbled and I knew that if it were possible for her to blush she would be now. "Just try them on, it you still hate them you don't have to wear them!" I fingered the delicate lace thinking to myself, its just material what could be so scary right?
"No way Tink, not going to happen first of all I need to be calm and have my wits about me tonight, that's not going to happen if all I am thinking about is this being very uncomfortably wedged UP MY ASS all night!"
She looked at me exasperated "Fine I brought back ups!" she spat out taking a bag from beside the bag pulling out more filmy scant fabric. "This is really cute!" she gushed seemingly over her tantrum. She help up the pink bikini panties and matching camisole made of delicate lace. "That is so beautiful Alice but where is the bra?" "Bella, there is no bra and news flash you are 18 years old they fly high and dry!" she snorted. I rolled my eyes in response, "I know that Alice! I could feel the blush coming on. "Oh this should be good" Alice started bouncing, "What is it???" I stared down at my feet and started "Well, that time at the house, I was wearing a camisole, so I would like to switch it up a little this time." I could feel the heat on my face; I knew I looked like a tomato.
Alice flopped down on my bed, "Bella when are you going to learn that you can tell me absolutely anything! You don't ever have to be embarrassed with me! I mean how many times did you cover for me and Jasper while we snuck into the janitors closet at school, or the bathroom at the coffee shop, or," "Ok Alice, I get the point! And thank you, you have no idea how much I need you!" She looked deliberately at my closet "Yes I do!" she giggled.
She hopped up and grabbed at the bag, "This will be perfect!" she threw the smooth silky fabric at me. I held up the white satiny corset with ribbon that criss crossed up the front ending just under the bust line where the material went into a V where I am sure that even with my meager materials it would create cleavage. "Alice" I whispered. "I know," she answered handing me the matching panties. They were boy cut cheekies, a V yoke made of the same material as the corset the rest a delicate lace. "Perfect" I smiled at her, getting her answering smile.
"Ok put it on we only have 20 minutes left!"
I discarded my robe and put on the panties needing Alice's help with the corset. As she moved to the garment bag I decided to ask her about something I had been wondering about all week. "Hey Alice, have you ever heard Edward call me Kitten?" "No," she giggled. "Hmmm, I was jus wondering cause the last time we were close, he called me Kitten." "Oh you mean the time you made him blow his load in his pants and than sent him home skulking?" I rolled my eyes at her, "Yes Alice that time!" "Thanks for that by the way Bells, he actually came in through his window and went straight to the shower!" We stared at each other for a moment and than burst into laughter as she began helping me into my dress, But it makes sense that he called you that!" "Why is that?" I asked almost shyly. Well, ever since you started standing up for yourself and setting all these boundaries, he has taken to calling you Tiger, I guess when you guys are having your "close" time you are more vulnerable and he thinks of you as more of a kitten. That's really adorable Bella, I really didn't think my brother had it in him!" I smiled at the revelation just as the zipper went up and I felt Alice slipping strappy wedge sandals on my feet and I sighed. "At least their wedges Bella, even you can walk in those!" and with that she walked me over to the mirror where I went silent. "Oh my god Bella do you hate it cause I brought other dresses!" "Shhhhhhhhh" I answered. My hair was stick straight in a ponytail that fell just above my waist, soft gold and peach on my eyelids which were lined and smoky with a thick fring of lashes, my lips a glossy soft pink. The dress was strapless black ruched from neck to hemline ending just below my knees and softly hugging the curves of my body the dark fabric made my pale skin glow. "Alice, I.. Oh.. It" My hand involuntarily reached out towards the mirror as to touch a phantom woman in front to me and than I heard Alice giggle. "Perfect?" she asked, "Perfect!" I answered hugging her to me. She stepped back and took a poof out of a pretty pink box and dusted over my décolletage arms and legs leaving a faint shimmer behind and than thrust a cashmere wrap into my hands along with a small evening bag.
"He will be here in 2 minutes Bella, I have to go now so I don't ruin any of the surprises, not all of us have a cement mind block to Edward like you do!"
"Alice" I said.
"I know Bella" she answered and flew out the window.
I stood staring at myself in the mirror unable to accept that it was my own reflection looking back at me when I heard a soft knock at the door.
I shut off the light and made my way downstairs taking a deep breath before I opened the door my mouth gaping. Edward stood before me looking like an Angel in a dark suit, he wore no tie leaving the top buttons undone and it took every bit of self restraint I had to not jump on him, wrap my legs around his waist and lick that spot where his shirt was undone.
"Bella," he whispered, "You are the most beautiful thing in my world!" I smiled shyly, "You look pretty amazing yourself Edward" I answered.
I stepped aside and he joined me in Charlie's small hallway shutting the door behind him. "Bella, I have something for you and it would be really nice if you could be gracious" he murmured. "Ok" I answered hesitantly and he took a large velvet box that he had hidden underneath the coat he had draped over his arm and handed it to me. I stared at it for a moment, trying hard not to think of the price tag associated with whatever was inside that box. Edward reached over and opened the box without removing it from my hands. Inside was a delicate pair of black and white diamond hoop earrings. Between the earrings was a necklace made of alternating black and white diamond rings linked one through the other. As I fingered the precious gems I thought back to a time when I would have become so angry at such an extravagant gift feeling self conscious and unworthy. Now I had to fight the urge to look up into his eyes because I knew that what I would see there would be love and it would bring tears to my eyes. This man loved me with everything he had and wanted to give me the world but had settled for this, what he considered a paltry offering in comparison to what he felt and everything he wanted to give me. My reaction to this gift would set the tone of the evening; I walked over the hall table and set the box down so I could put the earrings on. I took the necklace out of the box and offered it to him, "Edward, will you help me?" He took the necklace and I turned my back to him, he clasped the necklace and kissed my neck softly sending heat through my entire body. "Edward," I started but he cut me off, "Bella, please please please do not say thank you! You have no idea how happy it makes me to do this for you, it would be sinful to have your gratitude as well!" Alright than I said standing on my tip toes to kiss him softly on his lips. "For the love of all that is holy!!!" he muttered, "Edward? What's wrong?" He sighed in frustration, "Open the door Bella!" I walked over to the door and opened it to find his family waiting on my porch; I must have looked really confused because they all started laughing.
Esme stepped forward, "Bella, when Alice was describing how beautiful you look tonight we could not let you get away before we saw you for ourselves and maybe even took a few pictures!" she said sheepishly, I laughed softly and looked back at Edward who had my things in his hands and was locking the door. "Ummm, ok," I said. Edward handed my things to Rosalie and came to stand by my side, his arm circled my waist and he pulled me tightly into him as Esme's flash started going off. My cheeks were hurting from smiling so much but I couldn't help myself, I was so happy! After a few minutes Edward started to get a little impatient, "Mom, we have to go!!!" Esme laughed at the slight whine and came over to kiss us each on the cheek, "Have a wonderful evening my children" she smiled warmly at us and stepped back, Carlisle came and embraced me, "Bella you are absolutely breathtaking!" he stated assuredly and than gave Edward a knowing look. Edward tugged me towards Carlisle's Mercedes, "Good night everyone!" Edward called to them, "Good night!" I echoed as I slid into the car.
Edward slid in beside me and I asked, "So, do I get to know where we are going?" Edward smiled crookedly at me and my heart liquefied in my chest, "Seattle" he answered, "Hmmm, anywhere in particular in Seattle?" I qualified? "Yes" he answered closing the subject.
We of course made it to Seattle in record time driving up to a very swanky hotel downtown. My door was opened and a man in an old fashioned looking bellman's uniform offered me his hand, "Welcome to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel Miss" he said, "Thank you!" I smiled widely at him accepting his assistance out of the car. Edward came around the car and pulled me tight against his body, "You know you really shouldn't do that to people!" he said with a disapproving look. "Do what?" I asked confused, "Dazzle people!" he answered with a wide smile and we laughed together at the memory of when I first said those words to him. "Am I dazzling you now Edward?" I asked coyly. He brought bowed my roughly into his body kissing my hard leaving me breathless, "Frequently!" he answered.
We continued to the front desk where he simply said "Cullen" to the woman at the front desk. "Certainly Mr. Cullen she answered typing into her computer and than handing him a key. The elevator is right behind you and I think you will find we explicitly followed your instructions, if there is anything else you need please let us know we are more than happy to accommodate you!" "Thank you" Edward replied, "Have a good evening Mr. and Mrs. Cullen" she said in parting making me blush. As he elevator doors closed behind us Edward leaned down and kissed me on my neck whispering; "I could get used to that!" "Get used to what?" I asked. "Mr. and Mrs. Cullen," he replied, I looked up at him to find his eyes burning with such strong emotion it rendered me speechless, I kissed his jaw and wrapped my arms around his waist.
We exited the elevator, which took us to the top floor, and there was a man waiting for us, "Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Cullen" he smiled. My name is Laurent and I will be your butler during your stay here. You will find a button on the phone which rings me directly and if there is anything you need please call me!" "Thank you Laurent" Edward answered. "May I offer you a tour of your suite Mr. and Mrs. Cullen?" I could feel Edward swell more and more every time the butler referred to us and Mr. and Mrs. "Thank you Laurent but that will not be necessary." "Very well then, I will bid you goodnight!" "Good night Laurent," I smiled shyly.
Edward let us into the suite and my jaw dropped in shock, the suite was bigger than Charlie's house! I began walking through taking my wrap off and leaving it in a chair with my purse. I turned to look at him, "2 bedrooms?" He shuffled his feet again nervously making me feel suddenly confident. "I did not want to be presumptuous Bella," he said quietly. I walked over to him and cradled his face in my hands, "Always the gentleman Edward," I whispered, we'll see what we can do about that I said wrapping my arms around his neck and tapping his shoulder. He circled his arms around my waist and picked me up, I planted soft kisses from his neck to his ear and along his jaw and than pressed my lips hard into his and was rewarded with a throaty groan. "Bella!" he whispered hoarsely, "Yes," I giggled and then there was a knock on he door, I groaned as he set me down, "Get rid of them!" I hissed!!! Edward chuckled as he answered the door.
A man with a tall white hat and apron on greeted Edward warmly, "Mr. Cullen," he said warmly "My name is Chef Stephenson, I am the head chef here at the Fairmont, may I bring in your dinner? "Please chef" Edward gestured with his hand as the man walked in followed by a man rolling a cart in and 2 others carrying various items. They walked to the dining area setting the table for 2 (ha ha) and were done in record time. Once the table was set Chef Stephenson gestured for us to sit. He than began telling us about the 6 course dinner he prepared expressly for us detailing each dish but I did not hear a word because I could not tear my eyes or thoughts away from Edward. He was so beautiful and mind for the taking, all I had to do was say the words he was waiting to hear, make the commitment that needed to be made. "Bella!" I looked around surprised to find us alone again. "Where did they go?" I asked confused, "They left a moment just a moment ago, I think Chef Stephenson found you to be fairly amusing!" he chuckled.
"Well," I said looking down at my plate, the steak smelled amazing! "Let's eat!" I said meeting his gaze and we both laughed.