Chapter 6 - Birthday Surprise

Songs for Chapter 6: Big girls don't cry - Fergie _________________________________________________________________________________________

Emmett's POV

TakingBella to Port Angelous was a great idea. She was able to relax and just be herself. We watched a movie and spent a good chunk of time in the book store. She loved to read as much as Alice liked to shop. We headed home and the trip back was short and quiet. There was no need to fill ourselves with idle talk. I was so comfortable with her as I am assuming she was with me.

I heard the shuffling around in the living room when we pulled up. I was nervous, her last birthday party ending up with us leaving town. I hope this is a good thing to do. I am coping with my loss, but I am sure it is harder on her. Bella was smiling and happier than I had seen her in weeks.

I helped her out of the jeep and she grabbed my hand. It was our thing. Anywhere we went, we held hands. I figured it was what she did with her friends. I had noticed she did it with Jacob, too. I readied myself and opened the door. I motioned for her to go first.

"SUPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BELLA," they yelled as we came in.

Bells tensed and I could smell her salty tears.

Fuck!

I reached down and pulled her to my chest. "Baby girl, what's wrong?"

"I don't deserve you, any of you, this... I just...." she trailed off, crying.

My heart was breaking. I moved her over to the couch and sat her on my lap. I pulled her chin up to look in her eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't deserve this," she said, waving her hand around the room.

"Bella, why would you say that? We did this for you because we love you," Esme said.

I felt my anger for fuckhead start to take me over. How could they do this to her. She was so breakable but not just physically... he had broken her spirit.

"I know, but I...."

"Stop this, right now," I said, cutting her off. "You are worth it. I love you, Alice loves you, Jasper loves you, and Carlisle and Esme love you. Stop beating yourself up," I stated firmly. "I'm sorry, I will be good," Bella said, grinning.

"Alright, then. Let's get the show on the road," Alice said.

She went into the kitchen to get Bella's cake and gift. This time, there was no wrapping paper, just a little bag.

"Bella, this gift is from all of us. As a family, we decided what to get you, so no fussing," she said through her giggles.

We were all anxious for her reaction. This was not something any of us took lightly. Bella took the bag and took a deep breath. She pulled out the little black box and I was more excited than a five year old at Christmas. She slowly opened the box and gasped. Then the tears started, again.

"Oh, God! Is that...." She trailed off.

"Bella, sweetie, we just wanted you to know you are a part of this family. We all love you more than you know," Esme told her with unshed tears in her eyes. "Emmett told us he thought you'd be more comfortable with a bracelet. So we had it made, now you are officially a Cullen."

"I... I love it. Thank you all," she said, smiling and looking at each of our faces.

"Emmett, can you put it on for me?" she asked.

I put it on her left wrist; it was perfect, just like her. Bella jumped up and hugged everyone. Honestly, I had never seen her happier.

Bella's POV

I had more fun with Emmett than I had in a long time. He was easy to be with. He reminded me of Jake; carefree easy going and always there for me. They helped me heal. The movie was great and I found a couple of things at the bookstore that Emmett insisted he pay for.

We laughed and joked on the way back to the house. Emmett came around and helped me out of the jeep. This damn cast was seriously putting a damper on things, but I was managing. I took his hand in mine like I always did and he opened the front door for me. As I stepped inside I was bombarded with a loud greeting.

"SUPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BELLA."

I froze and the tears started. Emmett reached down and pulled me into his chest.

"Baby girl, what's wrong?" he whispered.

"I don't deserve you, any of you, this... I just...." I started crying harder.

I do not deserve this. All I did was put them in constant danger and they never showed me anything but love. Emmett led me to the couch and pulled me onto his lap. He pulled my chin up to look in his eyes.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"I don't deserve this," I said, waving my hand around the room. All this work was for someone who doesn't deserve it.

"Bella, why would you say that? We did this for you because we love you," Esme said.

"I know, but I...."

"Stop this, right now. You are worth it. I love you, Alice loves you, Jasper loves you, and Carlisle and Esme love you. Stop beating yourself up," Emmett stated firmly, still holding my chin.

I could feel everyone's love pour into me, thanks to Jasper. I just had to give into the warmth of it. Why fight it, I know I love each one of them?

"I'm sorry, I will be good," I said, grinning.

"Alright then. Let's get the show on the road," Alice said, walking into the kitchen. She came out with a small cake and a gift bag.

No wrapping paper... can't imagine why. I had to fight to hold in my laughter as that thought played through my head.

"Bella, this gift is from all of us. As a family we decided what to get you, so no fussing," Alice said, giggling.

I took the bag and took a deep breath. This could be a dangerous thing if Alice had anything to do with it. Maybe it was edible underwear. I internally laughed at myself. I pulled out the little black box, slowly opening it and then the tears started.

"Oh, God! Is that...." I trailed off.

My eyes had to be playing tricks on me. That can't be what I think it is. No way!

I was looking at a platinum charm bracelet with the Cullen crest in the middle. It had a 'B' hanging next to it. It was beyond beautiful, yet very dainty.

"Bella, sweetie, we just wanted you to know you are a part of this family. We all love you more than you know," Esme said. "Emmett told us you'd be more comfortable with a bracelet. So we had it made; now you are officially a Cullen."

How did he know me so well?

"I... I love it, thank you all," I said, smiling and looking at each of their faces. I lingered on Emmett's just a little longer than necessary.

"Emmett, can you put it on for me?" I asked.

There was no way I could do it with one hand. He put it on my left wrist, it was perfect. I jumped up once it was on and hugged everyone. Honestly, I had never been happier. Don't get me wrong, I love Charlie and Renee but this would be my family for eternity. That is if they still wanted me for forever.

I was pulled from my thoughts when Esme asked me to come in the kitchen and eat. I was starving, so I followed her. She had made me lasagna.

"Esme, you didn't have to do this," I said as I sat at the island.

"I know, dear, but I wanted to. I enjoy taking care of you. You are my daughter, it's my job," she said, smiling at me.

Alice came in and sat with me while I ate. We talked about my afternoon with Emmett. She was up to something, but I could't figure out what.

She is a sneaky one. I will have to pay more attention to her actions in the near future.

We went into the living room after I cleaned up my dishes and Emmett and Jasper had assumed their usual positions, playing Halo.

What would they do if it broke? Duh, Swan. Buy a new one.

"So, boys, who's winning?" I asked giggling. As if I didn't know. There was one thing Emmett never lost at... video games.

"I am, of course," he said, smirking.

"Jasper here doesn't stand a chance in hell of beating me," he stated proudly.

Alice and I giggled as Jasper growled when he, again, lost. I was starting to get sleepy after watching them play for a while. My phone rang and I pulled it from my pocket. I opened it with out looking at the caller ID.

"Hello."

"Hello, love."

Note to self... ALWAYS look at ID screen, that's why it has one!

"Edward," I said in a whisper, as my heart started to race.

Chapter Notes: Um, I know WTF? Why is he calling stay tuned to find out. If you love it/hate it, let me know hit the pretty green button :)