Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. They belong to Stephenie Meyers.
Chapter Three: To the Meadow…And Other Surprises
Edward's discussion with his parents and Alice had taken longer than he'd anticipated so as soon as they had finished he raced back to Bella's house. It was quiet except for the sound of the shower running upstairs. Bella was awake. Edward mentally cursed himself for not making it back before she woke, and quickly climbed through the window and sat on Bella's bed while thinking of how to bring up the subject of the London trip. He knew it was going to take some very careful words on his part. There were two aspects of the trip that had him worried; or rather it was Bella's reaction that had him worried. First, Bella hated surprises, and second, she did not like Edward spending money on her.
Edward decided that this was a conversation that would best be discussed at their meadow. It was a place where they were both able to relax and he hoped she would be more open to the discussion they were going to have. He was determined to take her on this getaway. Sooner or later she had to get used to the fact that the Cullens had money, and she was now (or soon to be) a Cullen. It was not an issue for them, and she had to learn to not let it be an issue for her as well.
The bathroom door opened and steam billowed out the door and into the room. Edward was hit with Bella's delicious scent again, this time more potent because of the warm water. He couldn't get enough of it. It was a combination of pain and pleasure, but he never wanted to live without it.
A huge smile lit Bella's face as she walked into the room and saw Edward waiting for her on the bed.
"Hey, I missed you," Bella said as she made her way over to Edward, her hair damp against her shoulders, skin pink from the warm water from the shower. This was Edward's favorite way to see her, and his gaze was intense as he took in everything about her. Bella started to blush under the intensity of his stare and Edward smiled, loving the effect he had on her and how he could make her blush and her heart beat faster when he was near. If only she realized just how much she affected him as well…
He pulled her into his arms, first wrapping her in the small blanket that was at the foot of the bed so she wouldn't catch chill from his cold body. He inhaled deeply as he ran his nose along her jawline to the soft patch of skin behind her ear. Bella shivered from the sensations he was causing her to feel, as he made his way back across her jawline to her lips.
"I tried to make it back before you woke but there were a few things I needed to discuss with Carlisle and it took longer than I expected," he said as he ran his fingers through her damp hair.
"No, it's fine," said Bella. "Actually, I woke up less than half an hour ago and wasn't sure what you wanted to do today so I thought may as well get up and shower and wait for you to get back."
"Well, I was thinking today would be a perfect day to go to our meadow. Alice says the sun is supposed to break through the clouds around 10 or 11 this morning. It'll be sunny for a few hours before the clouds come back in. We can go now if you want?" smiled Edward as he waited for her response.
Bella's heart started to race as she stared into Edward's eyes, dazzled again.
"Breathe, Bella, before your heart stops. I'm not sure if you could handle mouth-to-mouth resuscitation right now," Edward teased softly. Bella took a deep breath and shivered at the thought of Edward having to revive her with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. It was a good thing she was sitting on his lap because her legs felt like jelly.
"You know, it's not fair the effect you have on me. Why can't I make you forget to breathe, or watch your eyes glaze over?" she pouted playfully as she peered at Edward through her lashes, causing Edward to suddenly lose his train of thought.
He took a deep breath to clear his head. "I beg to differ, Ms. Swan. First, vampires don't need to breathe and you very well know there are times when I'm forced to hold my breath because you smell so temptingly good!" he said as he lightly tapped her nose with his finger. "And, don't ever think you don't affect me the way I affect you. There is no one else on this planet that has the ability to distract me beyond all reason! It's a wonder you don't get what you want more often, considering how it's virtually impossible for me to deny you anything!" They both started laughing at his comment.
"So, do you want to spend the morning in our meadow?" Edward teased, "I'll even let you unbutton my shirt so you can watch the sun make me sparkle…" After all this time it still amazed Edward to know that Bella thought he was beautiful in the sun.
"Sold! Let's go now!" she said eagerly, jumping up out of Edward's arms and lightly tugging his arm. He let her pull him to his feet and followed her to the door, laughing as he said, "Oh, eager now are we?"
"Of course," said Bella. "How often do I get a day where I can just be alone with you, out in the sun, with no one else around for miles and with your permission to ogle you for hours? Not that I would ask for your permission," she teased, "but it's nice to know I've been given special dispensation to do so."
Edward threw his head back and laughed again, charmed as always by the way Bella's thought process worked. "Yes, we haven't had nearly enough time alone and it's probably going to get worse as Alice goes into full wedding-planning mode. I can only hope you're still going to want to marry me after all is said and done!"
"Alice…" Bella said with a groan. "The little pixie is going to drive me crazy, isn't she?" Edward nodded sympathetically at Bella as she dropped her head into the crook of his neck. Suddenly she pulled back and batted her eyes as she teasingly asked, "Will my big, strong vampire love come to rescue me?"
Edward looked deep into her eyes and said, "Always, Bella, I will always be there to rescue you," and then he proceeded to give her a very thorough kiss that had her head spinning as he held her tightly.
She sighed as Edward reluctantly released her and stood up, causing Edward to smile yet again. "Okay, spider-monkey, hop on my back and hold on tight!"
They flew past trees and shrubs, occasionally startling little woodland creatures as they raced through the woods. Edward ran faster, a huge grin on his face, his joy palpable. Bella had a similar grin plastered on her own face, happy because she now felt the same rush, the same joy Edward felt as the wind brushed against their faces and through their hair. In no time at all they arrived at the meadow and sank down into the tall grass.
Edward stretched his long form out on the ground, gently pulling Bella to lay next to him, tucked into his side, his arm supporting her neck as her head rested against his shoulder.
Bella sighed. "I love it here. It's so peaceful, so beautiful. It's like our own little piece of heaven on earth."
Edward turned his head towards Bella's face and softly kissed her lips. The meadow had long been his favorite spot, a secret place he had never shared with anyone, not even his family. When Bella came into his life he knew he wanted to share it with her. In his mind it was no longer his meadow; it was their meadow.
"I've always loved this meadow. I used to spend hours here, taking in the warmth of the sun, no people around for miles and no thoughts but my own. It was my special place. I've never shared this place with anyone, not even with my family. When I realized I was in love with you, I wanted nothing more but to bring you here. I could visualize the two of us here together and nothing made me happier, or scared me more, than the day I first brought you here," he said.
"I loved it the moment I saw it. This place is special to me because our most important conversation took place here. We both let down our guard and declared ourselves to each other." replied Bella. The sunlight was starting to break through the clouds as she started to unbutton his shirt to expose his neck and chest. His skin started sparkling and Bella gave a contented sigh.
"Bella," Edward began, "I want to talk about what happened last night, your nightmare."
Bella's mood suddenly changed, becoming melancholy. Edward knew it was a subject she didn't want to face yet, but they needed to if they were going to be able to move forward with their future.
"Bella," he told her gently. "I've been thinking about all the recent events that have happened leading up to now and how you've been under so much stress, all the strain and tension you've had to deal with… that the whole family has had to deal with. That was why I wanted to talk to Carlisle. We've decided that it's time for the Cullen family to get a way for a while."
Edward looked at Bella in alarm as her heart sputtered for a moment before starting to beat rapidly. Her face turned red and she started to shake. "Bella, what it is? What's wrong?"
"You're going away, with your family?" she asked fearfully. Edward realized how it must have sounded to her and immediately felt the old guilt come back. He pulled her into his chest and started again.
"I'm sorry, Bella, that didn't come out the way it was supposed to. I mean, yes, our family is going away, including you. I told you I'm never leaving your side again. You're coming with us. You're a Cullen now, remember?" he gently chided.
Bella's heart started to slow down as her color started to return to normal. "Where are we going?"
"Well, we've decided a change of scenery is required. Someplace where we can be completely removed from our normal routines, where you can relax and just enjoy yourself. We'll be normal, regular people on vacation without a care in the world, and to do that we are going to get as far away from Forks as possible. We're going to London," he said, his golden eyes looking into Bella's brown eyes.
"London!" Bella jumped up out of Edward's arms, excitement in her voice. "London? As in London, England, London?"
This was going better than Edward had believed possible.
"Yes, silly Bella, London as in Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Wuthering Heights, Queen Elizabeth II, Austin Powers, Harry Potter, David Beckham, London…" he teased as he pulled her back down into his arms.
"Why London?" Bella asked, settling into his arms.
"Well, London is as far away from Forks as we can get where they speak English so there will be no language problems for you!" he said as he smiled at her. "You love English literature, and you and I have already talked about visiting England, although we had thought to do it after your change. England is far enough away from Italy and the Volturi so you'll be safe from them, not that they would try anything knowing your change will take place shortly after our wedding." Edward's voice took on a threatening edge as he contemplated the Volturi trying to get to Bella.
He continued. "And I know you will enjoy all the castles and historic landmarks. Carlisle will be able to show you his hometown," he chuckled as her eyes grew wide, "and the city and surrounding areas have plenty of attractions to keep the others entertained as well. It will also give everyone the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with you. Emmett's been talking about how he wants to have fun hanging out with his favorite human. Not to mention that Alice will be in shopping paradise, eager for you to play British Bella Barbie!"
"No, no, no..." Bella groaned, covering her face with her hands. Her engagement ring caught the light from the sun and Edward pulled her hand to his face, kissing her ring and fingers before placing a kiss on her lips.
"So do you like the idea?" Edward breathed against her lips.
"Yes…I love the idea." Bella replied as she closed her eyes and snuggled in closer.
Having the ability to read minds allowed Edward to know what was coming before the words came out of someone's mouth, but Bella's easy acceptance of the trip had completely surprised him. He was expecting to have to coax and convince her to agree to the trip, yet once again Bella reacted opposite the way he had expected. He so desperately wished he could, at times like this, hear Bella's thoughts.
"You do realize that money is going to be spent to make this happen, right? You understand the Cullens will be traveling first class and staying in luxurious but tasteful accommodations? That there will be shopping involved and lots of excursions?" he asked cautiously and continued, "You also understand that as your head-over-heels-in-love fiancé I will be exercising my prerogative to spoil you outrageously in any way I choose?"
Bella put her hands on her face again and groaned. "Yes, yes I understand. I'm trying very hard not to think about it, though."
"Okay, who are you and what have you done with my fiancée?" Edward said half-teasingly. "Don't get me wrong, I am very pleasantly surprised at this change of heart. But are you really okay with this? What's changed?"
Bella blushed but didn't answer right away, and for once Edward was willing to wait patiently for her response.
"Well, while you were at your house, I started thinking about what you had said me. You told me that my heart and mind needed to agree that your family would never leave me again, and that I'm a Cullen; I belong to the Cullens and they belong to me," Bella said in a low voice. She continued, "You said you would prove it to me and the fact that you and your family would plan a trip like this and include me...well, it speaks volumes. It's like I said, my heart knows the truth, but it's taking my mind a little longer to catch up."
"And the whole spending money thing?" prompted Edward.
Bella scrunched her nose. "Okay, that part is a little more difficult." Edward laughed, highly amused.
"Don't laugh," she pouted playfully. Edward was captivated by her again.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart, please continue…" he solemnly replied, but his eyes were laughing.
"You're just going to have to be patient with me. I didn't have a lot of money growing up and I didn't need it to be happy. So there's a part of me that feels, well, unequal to you. You have money, I don't."
"Bella…" Edward started to say.
"No, wait, I'm not finished yet," she said. "It's like I keep saying, the mind and heart thing. I see how all of you view the money; it's a perk, but it doesn't define the Cullens. I know that even if the Cullens didn't have money, each and every one of you would still be happy and all your qualities would still be the same. Maybe that's what I feared most about the money. That it would change me and I wouldn't be me anymore."
"That would never happen, Bella. You are so like Carlisle; I've never know two people more defined by their integrity than the two of you." Edward replied. "You're right; money doesn't define who we are. It's the love we have for one another; the loyalty we feel towards each other, that's what defines this family. Even when we're faced with difficult choices, we still are there for each other in the end."
"I decided that if love and loyalty are the defining characteristics of this family, then why am I complaining when my fiancé wants to please me by buying me a little present, or when he wants to take me on a trip so that we can spend time together. I never realized how selfishly I was behaving. I wasn't letting you feel the joy of being able to give something to the one you love and for that I am truly sorry, Edward," said Bella.
"There is nothing to apologize for, sweetheart." Edward replied with another kiss. No other words were needed for a long time, the two communicating with their lips and hands their perfect understanding of each other.
After what seemed like hours Bella raised her head and looked Edward in the eye.
"So, three weeks in a foreign country with my fiancé, and his family of course. Are you going to tell me how you're going to break the news to my father?" Bella said with a mischievous grin on her face.
Edward shook his head back and forth. "Bella, have a little faith. It's time to call in the 'secret weapon.'"
A/N: I know some of you might be thinking that it's a little out of character for Bella to become so accepting of the Cullen money, but I didn't want Edward to have to spend a lot of time on the issue. Besides, Bella is always doing the opposite of what Edward expects…why not this issue as well? Plus, I wanted to get through the next couple of chapters and get our characters to London where the real fun will begin!