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Chapter Five

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Bella sat in Edward's passenger seat in front of her house. She didn't want to leave. Not yet.

"You must be tired."

"Not really." She looked to Edward, to see him reaching behind his seat. What was he doing?

And then a large box appeared and she had to lay it across her lap to examine it. Was this why she was left at the dinner longer than she had hoped?

"What is it?"

Edward laughed as he replied, "Open it and find out."

"You know I don't like surprises, Edward."

"I know, but I'm sure that you'll like this one."

She sighed and turned on the car lights before pulling the lid off gently.

There sat an elegant, baby blue, spaghetti strap dress that more than likely ended a little above the knees. It felt like it had been made from satin and the lining was gold.

"Oh my God! Edward!" He laughed at her reaction as she began to pull out the top section.

"I want you to wear it on our next date. It'll look great for what we'll be doing."

Bella looked at him questionably, but didn't ask. It wasn't like he would tell her what he had planned.

"I love it, Edward." She smiled and then wondered about something. "How did you know my dress size? I don't even know that."

He smirked and just answered with one word. "Alice."

Of course, she thought as she place the box on the dashboard.

"You better get inside. Charlie might get a little worried."

Bella wasn't even sure of that anymore. So much had changed, she wasn't sure if she still had her Charlie. She had only been able to see Cara's new creation.

Or maybe she was just being bitter. He was just happy. That had to be it.

"Maybe." Why can't I bring myself to tell him about my feelings?

"…you can stand anything."

Oh, right. She wanted to prove his words correct. If that was possible.

"Is there anything I can do before we see each other tomorrow?"

Bella smiled at his offer and turned to face him. "There are a few things."

His crooked grin reappeared. "Like what?"

"Oh, I'm sure you could guess those," she said as she grabbed his hand.

His golden gaze heated her body by meeting her own dull gaze. She didn't even notice when he turned his body slightly toward hers.

She held down a shiver as his free hand ran ever so gently through her hair. Her body changed temperature when he closed in on her and everything around them disappeared, like always.

And then, his lips melted on hers. His kiss wasn't hasty or needy. It was romantic, sweet, and passionate.

But Bella didn't have as much control and patience as Edward. Her hands found their way to his hair, the most amazing thing that she had ever run her hands through.

Her lips became hasty as she tried to pull him closer.

But all good things have to end, as they say.

"Bella. My control…" They were both left breathless and obviously unable to think straight. Edward had to turn away it seemed for some reason.

"Lose it. Just once." She had definitely lost all track of thought.

Edward turned around with a glare now. "Bella…" He closed his eyes and sighed before continuing. "Not now. Later."

"Bells? Is that you?" Bella looked up when she heard Charlie Swan's voice. Way to ruin a great discussion.

She opened the door and replied, "Yeah, Dad, it's me." She turned to Edward and rolled her eyes. "You're lucky."

"I truly am." He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead before smiling. "Now, get out of here."

Bella obeyed this time, tucked her box under her arm, and met her father at the door. The odd, fatherly wave he gave Edward really unnerved her. She thought that he hated his guts.

"Dad? Are you okay?" She bent a little forward to press her free hand on his forehead.

Her father laughed and pushed her hand away. "Of course I'm okay. Why?"

"Um, you just waved to Edward. And without any kind of malicious intent." She watched her father to see if there was anything that showed that he was acting.

But there was nothing.

"Oh, Bella. Ever since I met Cara, I realized that the way I treated you and Edward was completely unfair. I wouldn't want you acting that way toward Cara."

Ouch. That hit a spot. She had actually planned on doing that at some point.

"Oh, that's nice of you. Well, I'm going to start heading to bed. G'night."

"Night, Bella." He followed her inside but walked off in the direction of his room. Well, his and Cara's room.

She climbed her stairs, eyeing that piano. She promised herself that when she was alone, she would see if she had gotten rusty at playing her lullaby.

But when she walked into her room, she saw clothes flying and hitting everything in sight. She looked to the closet to see Ivy glaring at the clothes.

"What happened in here," Bella asked, unable to hide a little of her irritation.

Ivy looked up and glared. "You don't have anything presentable in here. I can't believe you expect me to wear your clothes if they aren't even stylish."

Okay, this girl was going to get on her nerves. Just because she was new, didn't mean she could run this place like the spoiled, rotten kid that she was.

"Maybe not for you, but I'm sure that these are stylish here. And besides, if you don't like them, don't wear them. It's as simple as that."

Ivy looked at her with wide eyes at first but glared a little harder.

"No, it's not. I do have to wear something, don't I?"

"I thought you went shopping today."

"That was only for mother."

Wow, that told a lot about Cara.

Ivy wore a smug grin as she began walking over to the dresser now. But she stopped when she saw Bella's present. "Oooh! What's that?"

She wouldn't dare wear this dress. Not unless she wanted to die.

"Just a present."

For some reason, Ivy got really angry at the word 'present'. She turned on her heel and stomped out of the room.

That was odd.

Bella shrugged and looked back to see that Ivy had completely disappeared. So she slid the box under her bed, covering it with an old curtain that she didn't know was under there.

But as she did, she saw the old photo album that she had forgotten in the old house. She smiled to herself as she sat against her bed and flipped through the pages.

Edward Cullen, Charlie's kitchen, Sept. 13th

Bella remembered when she had taken this picture. It was before he left. That was why he didn't have a smile.

But when she flipped it over, she saw that smile. Along with the beautiful shade of green coming from their meadow's grass. But it was darker than usual. And Edward wasn't sparkling. Which meant that it was cloudy outside.

But that was more recent. It was after a happy piano lesson with him. Edward's tie was loose and his collar hung open. Not to mention that his hair was a little more messy than usual.

It was from his hand running through it many times. Hers, as well.

She smiled and turned to the next page. There, she saw Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, Edward and her standing next to each other. Carlisle had taken the picture with Esme watching over them with motherly love. As usual.

She sighed and closed it, reminding herself to take more pictures whenever she got the chance.

She looked up to see something she didn't expect. Jacob was standing in the doorway, watching her. She had been convinced that he hated her. But maybe not.

"Jacob," she asked, rising instinctively. Maybe there was something wrong and he needed her.

No. Because when she started walking towards him, he turned and walked away. Bella questioned briefly if he was in his right mind. But obviously he was. He just didn't like her.

She sighed and turned to see a cabinet next to her bed. On the shelves, she saw her many trinkets. A jewelry box, a few books, and a camera. But the cabinet underneath was locked with a pad lock. Thankfully, the key was inside the lock.

She wondered what was in there for her now.

Bella walked over to it, photo album in hand, and unlocked it. She slowly opened the doors and looked inside. There was a letter inside that had Charlie's handwriting on it.

She picked it up and read it, wondering how many surprises her father actually planned to make for her.

"Bella,

I don't know when you'll open this, but when you do, I hope that you'll use it wisely. This will be your own little secret space where you keep your most precious things. Not even I will be able to get into it.

I hope you can forgive me for not being there as much as before. I love you.

Be nice to Cara.

-Charlie."

She smiled and just accepted the fact that Charlie was going to be a little more… fatherly now. Even if he wasn't home.

It was probably to impress his new wife.

No, don't think like that, Bella. He's probably just got a rude awakening or something.

She looked into the cupboard and sighed. Well, she might as well put this in use. She placed the photo album in there, and thought of something else to put in there.

The box containing the dress was too big, so that was a no.

Suddenly, her cell phone went off. She jumped from the sudden amount of sound, but answered it.

"Hello?"

"Bella? It's Angela."

"Oh. Hey, Angela. What's up?"

"I was wondering the same thing. We haven't talked in a long time. And you didn't give me your new number."

She hadn't spoken to Angela since last summer. "I'm sorry. It must've slipped my mind."

"That's okay. Alice was able to give it to me."

Of course, Alice would predict such a thing. "Was there something you needed?"

"Of course." Bella heard Angela chuckle. "Ben's cousin is coming down. I want you to come meet her with me."

Bella was shocked. "Um, why me?"

"Come on, Bella. I don't want to meet her by myself. You know how shy I can be."

Bella remembered well her first few days at school and she understood.

"When is it?"

"Tomorrow afternoon. We're meeting in the Forks High's parking lot. Then we'll be going out to dinner. We'll be in the new café that just opened."

They planned everything, didn't they, Bella thought to herself. "I'll see if I can make it. May Edward join?"

"Of course!" Angela sounded pleased now that she would be attending.

And then Bella heard a horn in the background. "Oh, that's Ben! I'll talk to you later, Bella, okay?"

Bella smiled and replied, "Okay. Take care."

"You too." Click.

Bella smiled and looked at her phone. She decided that now would be a good time to change her ringtone, before she forgot again.

She scrolled through the many different choices, finally choosing "Fur Elise," the piano sound reminding her of Edward.

Speaking of piano, she wanted to play a little. Just to make sure she didn't get rusty.

She rose after placing the photo album in the cupboard and locking it. Then she descended the stairs, walking straight to the beautiful piano sitting on the far side of the living room.

A smile danced across her face as she sat across the perfectly polished bench and her fingers glided against the smooth ivory of the keys.

"What are you playing?" Bella looked up and saw Cara walking down the stairs with a motherly smile. A fake, motherly smile.

"Oh… it's, uh… a song my boyfriend wrote."

"Your boyfriend? Wow, Bella! You sure are going through adulthood smoothly." That smile never left as she slid next to Bella and watched the piano.

Bella didn't want to play for this pig headed woman. No, this very classy woman. She wanted to play only for herself or Edward.

But she didn't want to disappoint her father. She had to prove that she would try to make this family work.

So, her fingers danced across the piano keys. The music made her smile as the image of Edward flashed through her mind. The beautiful tune had her closing her eyes and a sort of trance come over her.

"Wow. Your boyfriend sure does have some talent." Bella reopened her eyes at that remark. She had totally forgot that she had finished playing.

"Oh, yes ma'am. He does." She offered a sort of smile toward the woman, not entirely able to put on a true one.

Then, Cara pushed out a strand of hair from Bella's face. "Your father is very proud of you. You know that?"

Bella felt odd while talking to her like this. "Yes, ma'am."

Cara smiled and looked down at the clock and gasped. "Look at the time. You should be headed off to bed."

And before Bella knew it, she was rushed up the stairs and into her room. "Good night, sweetie!"

She jumped when the door closed a little loudly behind her, leaving her all alone.

A sigh escaped her as she plopped down on the bed, not exactly happy to see her new mother so excited about the bedtime deal.

Suddenly, her phone went off and Edward raced through her mind again. She sighed as she walked over to it and picked it up.

"H-"

"Bella! It's Alice! There's an emergency! It has to do with Emmett!"

"Wh-What? Alice, what are you talking about?"

"No time to explain! Just get over here!"

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To Be Continued

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