Disclaimer: STEPHENIE MEYER OWNS THE TWILIGHT SERIES
The Cullen Car Curse - Chapter Three
EPOV
My sweet wife had consented to drive home with me, since Emmett wanted to race ahead and tell the family about everyone getting to pick out a car for her. Bella held my hand as I drove out of Anchorage. I was a bit jealous that she had decided to let the entire family have input in her new car purchase. I wanted to surprise her with a new vehicle once the truck died or she decided she didn't want it anymore. Bella gave me a perceptive look.
"Edward, I know getting me a new car was something you wanted to do, but you'll still get your chance. I just thought it would be fun to see what everyone would pick out. Whether the car each person chose would reflect my personality or their own." She smiled softly at me. "I think we know who Emmett's choice reflected. Although, I did kind of like the H2, except for the fact I thought it would roll over on me if I took a corner too quickly."
"I just hope you realize what you're getting yourself into," I muttered darkly.
"I know, Alice is probably going to make me go to Europe, although that is something you would have done too,' Bella said knowingly. "Everyone will have their own idea, and I am looking forward to it."
I nodded. Bella was right. This would be a fun diversion from her transition. We drove the rest of the way home talking about Emmett's love of girl rockers and the coincidental name of the car salesman. When we pulled up to the house a little while later, the whole family was waiting on the porch.
"Who's up next?" I whispered to Bella as we walked up the stairs arm in arm.
"Jasper," Bella pointed at him and a huge grin broke out across his face.
JPOV
Bella was going to love my idea. We didn't have to go deal with sleazy salesmen to get her the perfect car. It was already here at our home; specially stored away. I couldn't believe Bella chose me to go next. The rest of the family was already feeling dejected. Alice especially. She always wanted to shop, even if was just for cars and not couture. I took her hand in mine and sent my excitement of being chosen to her. She smiled happily up at me, knowing how I wanted to help Bella. We had gotten much closer since her change, but I still felt guilt at times that I was the one who caused Edward to run away form her. Bella assured me it wasn't my fault and all was forgiven. I would definitely make up for it when I showed her my baby.
Edward was frantically beckoning to me. Damn mind reader! I knew he was going to tell me not to show Bella the car. I walked away from him and went inside to get my keys from their hiding place in my cowboy boots Alice never let me wear. I ran back outside and told Bella to stay right there on the porch.
"Where is he going?" I heard Bella ask Alice as I ran as fast as I could to my secret garage. To anyone else, it looked like a regular barn, but I had outfitted it with security features so no one could get to my baby. Retinal scans, finger print detection, voice recognition; I had it all. Speaking my password "Cooter" into the microphone, the doors swung open and the hydraulic lift brought my baby up from the underground storage. I slid in and revved the engine. It growled back at me, good as new. I took off through the woods back towards the house.
Meanwhile back at the homestead…
EPOV
Damn Jasper! Bella was not going to like his precious "baby", as he referred to the car. I did not want to hear moody Jasper in my head for weeks after this. I didn't even know why he was showing Bella the car. He didn't even drive it, much less let anyone else near it. I think he wants to show off. I could hear him tearing through the woods now.
"What the hell is that?" Bella asked me.
"That's Jasper." The rest of the family started laughing. They all knew what was coming. Poor Bella stood on the porch looking bewildered as she peered into the dense forest. The sound of a 426 Hemi screamed in the distance. Bella grabbed my arm.
"Whatever that is I don't want it," she whimpered.
"Oh, just humor him, Bella," Alice pleaded. "He's so proud of this car, and it will devastate him if you don't like it."
"Alice, what is it??" Bella questioned. Unfortunately at that moment all her questions were answered. Jasper burst through the trees in a flash of orange and jumped the small creek that ran the side of our property with the car, shouting 'YEEEE-HAWWW!!'. He honked the horn and we were all treated to the opening strains of "Dixie".
Bella's jaw dropped to the ground.
"No freaking way…"
She ran down the front steps as Jasper spun the car to a stop. He popped out of the window and looked expectantly at Bella.
"Jasper is that…" Bella couldn't even finish her sentence.
"The ORIGINAL General Lee, Bella!!" Jasper motioned for her to climb in. Bella slid over the hood of the car Luke Duke-style and high-fived Jasper as she slipped in through the passenger side window. It was my turn to gape as they drove off singing the "Dukes of Hazzard" theme song.
Just'a good ol' boys
Never meanin' no harm.
Beats all you never saw
Been in trouble with the law
Since the day they was born…
A/N: Did anyone guess it was the General Lee when Jasper said his password? I'd love to know if you did. Hope this doesn't offend anyone, but Jasper is a Southern boy, and any Southern boy would love to drive around in the General. (Perhaps not with the Confederate flag on top. I'd like to think even we Southerners are more evolved than that) Pictures are on my profile; don't forget to check them out. Please R&R!!