Chapter Twelve
"You recall me showing you the photo album earlier?" he asked as he led me over to our bed.
"Yes," I answered, confused to as where he was taking this conversation.
"Well, when I was downstairs going through pictures with Esme we came across some really old ones," he replied.
"Yeah, and?" I asked, becoming a bit impatient.
"While we were shuffling through some boxes I came across a photo of Carlisle and Esme that was taken during their wedding. It is surprisingly similar to the one Alice got of the two of us," he replied as he picked up the disregarded photo album and opened it. He stopped somewhere close to the middle where a very old black and white photo was loosely dividing the pages.
"Wow!" I exclaimed as I examined the photo. Esme and Carlisle were dancing closely to one another. He was wearing a black suit that was fitting for the times, I was assuming, and her gown was lovely. It was white and lacy and somewhat similar to mine. The two of them were staring deeply into each other's eyes and were pulled closely to one another. It was truly a magical moment caught between the two of them, forever captured of this flimsy piece of paper.
"It's amazing isn't it?" Edward asked after a few moments.
"Very," I answered, nodding my head in disbelief.
"Do you want to know why I swiped this?" he laughed.
"Esme doesn't know you have it?" I whispered in shock.
"No, but I have a good reason, I promise," he whispered back quickly.
"Why did you?" I asked.
"You know how Carlisle has the big mural of pictures from various times in his life?" Edward asked.
"Yes," I replied, remembering his collage of canvases.
"I thought if we could get this redone in canvas this would be a great addition to the wall," he replied.
"Edward! That's a great idea!" I exclaimed as I pulled him into a hug. I was constantly being amazed by him and what a truly wonderful 'heart' he really had.
"I thought you'd like it," he chuckled.
"I love it. But how are you going to do it?" I asked.
"I have my night class tomorrow and there is a place close by that does pictures on canvases."
"Really?" I asked. I found it hard to believe considering that, to me, it felt like we were in the middle of nowhere.
"Yes, really."
"Edward! They're going to love it!" I exclaimed before I kissed him on the cheek.
"I will be out later tomorrow than usual, will you be ok?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Alright, it shouldn't take long to do. It's done using a computer."
"I have an English paper I need to do anyway," I sighed, remembering the assignment.
"Everyone will be leaving in a couple of hours, how about we go hang out with them for a while," he suggested.
"Aren't they busy?" I asked, remembering that Jasper and Alice had gone hunting and Emmett and Rosalie were packing.
"They will be done soon."
"Sure, that sounds good to me."
"Emmett wants to play Guitar Hero," Edward chuckled.
"Is he forgetting that there is only one controller?" I asked.
"Well, Alice bought one the other day." I shouldn't be surprised that Alice had foreseen this.
"I've never actually played."
"It's not too hard."
"Well, bring on the Guitar Hero," I laughed.
"Jasper and Alice will be back in about five minutes. We can go ahead downstairs and set up," he said as he pulled me from the bed.
"Do you think I could get a game in, see how it works?" I asked as we walked out of the room.
"Yeah," he replied as we glided down the stairs and into the family room. He walked over to the entertainment center and opened the doors, revealing a Playstation, X -box, DVD player, as well as a surround sound system. This was obviously Emmett's domain. He took the guitar controller from a shelf and handed it to me while he turned on the TV and game system.
"What do I do?" I asked as I held the guitar.
"Push the green button, scroll down to quick play, and push the green button again."
"Ok," I said as a menu popped up, urging me to choose a difficulty level.
"Choose medium to start out," Edward said. Following his orders, I clicked the green button and a set list then appeared on screen.
"Choose a song," he said. Scrolling down the set list, I looked through the various tunes and couldn't decide on one to play. 'Monsters' by Matchbook Romance stuck out so I choose it.
"Monsters?" Edward laughed.
"Yep," I laughed. It was then that the song came on.
"When you see a note or combination of notes hold down the corresponding color and strum," Edward instructed.
"Ok," I replied as I watched for a note to show up on screen. Holding down the green button I watched as the note came near and then I strummed, hitting it.
"Good job," Edward laughed. I, however, wasn't paying any attention to him. I was busy hitting the notes and the different combinations of them.
"Hey Edward, Bella," Alice said as she entered the house, Jasper behind her.
"I see that they haven't told Emmett yet," Jasper laughed.
"Oh he knows, he can hear it, Rosalie is making him finish packing," Edward replied, laughing.
"Medium?" Alice laughed as she plopped down on the couch to watch me.
"Hey! It's my first time playing," I defended. I did have to admit that the game was remedial and that I didn't see the big deal. I had yet to miss a note, was this supposed to be difficult?
"Super human senses make it easy," Edward chuckled.
"I get next game!" Emmett exclaimed as he barreled down the stairs at an inhuman speed.
"I'll play you," Jasper said as he took a seat next to Alice.
"Alright, but be warned," Emmett chuckled. I finally finished the game with only missing one note and that was only because I was momentarily sidetracked by Emmett coming down the stairs.
"My turn!" Emmett exclaimed as he rushed over to me. Laughing, I handed him over the controller and took a seat on the couch. Edward took a seat beside me and pulled me into his lap. I could see this was going to be interesting.
"Here Jasper," Alice said as she brought him a controller. I hadn't even noticed her leaving the room. She then proceeded to put the wireless receiver into the Playstation and then took a seat on the couch next to Edward and me.
"Ready to lose Emmett?" Jasper laughed as they chose multi-player mode.
"In your dreams," Emmett laughed as he chose expert for the difficulty level.
"Don't worry Jazzy," Alice rooted for him.
"You can do it Emmett," Rosalie purred seductively as she came down the stairs.
"I refuse to lose," Emmett said as he chose 'Through the Fire and Flames' by Dragonforce.
"Watch and learn, muscle boy," Jasper laughed. It was then that the song started and I was baffled at how difficult it actually was. It was much faster and much more technical with the addition of the orange key and the note combinations. I could see how this could be challenging.
"What now?" Emmett taunted Jasper as he continued to play. Neither of them had missed a note yet.
"You'll get it soon," Jasper laughed.
"Whatever," Emmett said, his gaze still locked onto the screen.
"Think you could do that?" Edward whispered in my ear.
"I don't know," I replied.
"It's really not all that hard," he said.
"If it's not so hard then why don't you play against me?" Emmett chuckled, still playing against Jasper.
"I wouldn't want to embarrass you," Edward laughed.
"You're all talk."
"You're all muscle and no brain," Jasper chuckled.
"Hey!" Emmett hollered, offended. It was then he missed a note.
"Still confident?" Jasper laughed as he tilted the guitar slightly.
"What just happened?" I asked Edward, noticing all the keys on the screen had turned an electric blue.
"Jasper just used star power. It gives you a point multiplier boost and allows you to rack up more points."
"You just got lucky," Emmett huffed as he continued to play.
"That, Emmett, was not luck, it was skill," Jasper laughed.
"You'll miss one," Emmett muttered.
"Not likely," Jasper replied.
"How many times have you played?" I asked Edward.
"Only a couple."
"He's too big of a wimp. He's afraid I'll beat him," Emmett laughed.
"I am not afraid of anyone or anything," Edward growled.
"Calm down Edward," I giggled.
"I play winner," Edward said. Guys and their competitiveness, it was ridiculous.
"That'll be me," Jasper laughed as he continued to play, not missing a note.
"The game is not over yet!" Emmett exclaimed as he continued to play.
"But it's about to be," Jasper replied.
"Like I said before, you just got lucky!" Emmett huffed as the song came to an end.
"And like I told you, it was not luck," Jasper laughed.
"Yeah, yeah," Emmett pouted as he handed Edward the controller. I slid off his lap and he stood.
"May the best man win," Jasper said as Edward readied himself. Edward nodded and then turned his attention to the screen.
"Let's just do this song," Edward said as he clicked the repeat button.
"Fine with me," Jasper replied as he kept his gaze locked on the screen. Edward's attention, too, was on the TV.
"Girl's get next game!" Alice exclaimed as Edward and Jasper started to play one another.
"I wanted to play the winner," Emmett pouted.
"You've had your turn," Rosalie said sternly as she looked at him, giving him a look that dared he question her.
"Fine," he huffed.
"I want to play first!" Alice squealed.
"You can play against her if you want," I offered Rosalie. I wasn't really that competitive and didn't mind if I went first or not.
"That's ok, I'll let you go first," Rosalie replied, smiling.
"Ok," I replied, eyeing her suspiciously. It wasn't like her to be nice, not in this manner anyway.
"Use star power Jasper!" Emmett exclaimed as he watched the two of them battling it out. I had had been momentarily side tracked and I wondered what I missed.
"Emmett, I'm trying to concentrate," Jasper replied, keeping his eyes glued to the display.
"Damn Edward! You're really burning it up!" Emmett laughed as he watched Edward, who had recently used star power.
"Emmett!" Esme called, obviously hearing his cursing.
"Sorry Esme," he said, looking down like a reprimanded little kid.
"I really don't know if I can play like that," I said as I watched Jasper and Edward battle it out.
"Don't worry," Alice laughed.
"That's easy for you to say," I groaned.
"I've only played once before," Alice said.
"I've never actually played," Rosalie admitted.
"You saw me playing for the first time," I told them, still watching the boys.
"Jasper, seriously man, use star power!" Emmett exclaimed.
"I will when I'm ready."
"And when is that going to be? After Edward has thrashed you?" Jasper didn't grace Emmett with a reply. He simply rolled his eyes and continued to play. Every eye in the room was glued to the screen as we continued to watch the two of them play against one another. Jasper finally used his star power and came close to catching up to Edward. Both played flawlessly, but in the end Edward came out the winner.
"Good job," Jasper said as he turned to Edward.
"You too," Edward replied as he extended his hand. Jasper shook it quickly and let go.
"How gentlemanly," Emmett laughed.
"You could learn a few things from them, Emmett," Rosalie said, glaring at him. He became silent, almost cowering under her intense gaze.
"It's our turn Bella!" Alice squealed as she ran over to Jasper to grab his guitar.
"Here love," Edward said, handing me the controller. I really didn't know if I was going to be able to play on the higher levels.
"Bella, can we play a different song?" Alice asked as I turned to face the screen beside her.
"Yes, I'm tired of hearing this one," I replied.
"Good! I know just the song I want to play!" she exclaimed as she scrolled to new song and we waited for the set list to load. A soon as the set list appeared, she went back to the main set list and scrolled down quickly.
"'Miss Murder'?" I laughed as she selected it.
"You know you like it," she giggled as we waited for it to start. I laughed with her and the song came on. I hadn't been sure if I would be able to keep up with the notes, and I wouldn't have been able to as a human. But now, my mind was able to process the information a lot faster and I found myself keeping up the pace and completing the difficult notes.
"Bella, you've had to play before!" Emmett exclaimed while Alice and I played. I had not missed a note yet and was having quite a good time.
"Use star power Bella," Edward said after a few moments. Watching the boys play, I had learned that this could be achieved by tilting the guitar. Carefully, I tilted the guitar and watched as the notes turned an electric blue.
"Use it too Alice," Jasper replied. Alice's side of the TV turned the electric blue and we continued to play against one another. We managed to make it through the entire song without missing a note. In the end it came down to points and with Jasper's strategizing Alice won by two hundred points.
"Good game," I said as I turned to face Alice.
"You did great Bella!" Alice exclaimed.
"Yeah, yeah," I dismissed her as I took the controller to Rose. I then took my place back in Edward's lap to watch them play.
"Last game," Alice said as Rosalie took the controller.
"Aw, I wanted to play again," Emmett pouted.
"You can take my turn," Alice said as she held out her controller for Emmett.
"Thank you Alice!" Emmett exclaimed as he took the controller. Rosalie and he faced the screen.
"What do you want to play?" he asked her as they looked through the set list.
"The song you and Jasper played looked interesting," she replied.
"That's a difficult song, maybe something easier?" Emmett suggested.
"Are you saying that I couldn't play it?" Rosalie asked him, her eyes narrowing.
"No, not at all, if you want to play it we will play it," he said as he selected it.
"That's what I thought," she said. The song began and the two of them started to play. It was surprising at how well Rosalie was doing. She hadn't missed a single note and when her star power meter was full she would use it. Emmett, it was obvious, was completely shocked at how well she was playing.
"Wow Rose," Alice giggled, watching the two of them play.
"I didn't know that you've played before," Emmett said, continuing to play.
"I haven't," she replied, her eyes glued to the screen.
"Just wait a few minutes till we get to the solo," Emmett said.
"I am going to win," Rosalie said confidently. The clacking of the guitars could be heard throughout the house. It was funny watching the exchange between the two of them. As soon as the words escaped her lips, Emmett stiffened and directed his full attention to the screen. The room grew completely quiet and everyone was waiting to see the outcome.
I looked up at Edward to see a smirk on his face.
"What is it?" I whispered, trying not to draw any attention.
"Just wait and see," he whispered back, amusement clearly present in his tone. I looked over at Alice and Jasper to see them sporting amused grins as well. Feeling left out, I turned my attention back to Rosalie and Emmett. Rosalie had not missed a note, and because of some smart use of star power she had pulled ahead substantially. Emmett was playing with all his worth. Just as soon as star power was available he would use it.
The end of the song was in view, and Emmett had clearly lost. They ended the song, both having a flawless game.
"And I thought I couldn't play such a hard song?" Rosalie grinned as she turned to face Emmett. He was clearly agitated tat he had just lost. The guitar in his hands was groaning under the pressure that he was putting on it.
"You've had to play before," he said, turning his gaze on her.
"Are you calling me a liar?" she questioned him. It was at that moment that the guitar snapped in half.
"Damn it!" Emmett yelled as he looked down at the mangled guitar.
"Emmett!" Esme said as she came through the living room.
"Sorry," he replied.
"You broke my controller!" Alice exclaimed as she stood up.
"You can have mine," he sighed. He hadn't made it through a whole week and his guitar was broken, well, practically.
"You'd think you would learn," Rosalie laughed at him. He was in full out pout mode now. I heard Edward chuckle behind me.
"What is it?" I asked, looking at him.
"Jasper and I had a bet on how long it would be till he broke it," Edward laughed.
"Who won?" I asked laughing.
"I did," he chuckled.
"Here," Jasper groaned as he took out his wallet.
"No, no, it was worth the laugh," Edward chuckled.
"I'm glad you all find this funny!" Emmett yelled.
"Funny? It's hilarious," Alice giggled as Jasper returned his wallet to his pocket.
"I hate to interrupt you all, but I think you all should be heading out," Esme said.
"You're right," Alice said, becoming serious.
"Don't worry Emmett, I will make it up to you," Rosalie said seductively as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Emmett's pout turned into a smirk and he wrapped his arms her. I instantly became sad, they were about to leave.
"We need to pack our things down," Alice said as she stood up.
"Yeah, we have to too," Rosalie said, looking up at Emmett.
"I really hope you all have a good time," I sighed as I slid from Edward's lap and stood up. He stood up as well and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind.
"We will. Thanks so much!" Alice exclaimed as she ran over to us and hugged us.
"You're welcome," I laughed, hugging her back.
"Thanks Bella, Edward," Rosalie said, still glued to Emmett.
"You're welcome," Edward replied.
"We're going to go upstairs and pack our things down," Alice said as she pulled away.
"We are too," Rosalie said as her and Emmett started up the stairs. Jasper and Alice followed behind them, leaving Edward and I in the living room.
"Would you like to go hunting now, love?" Edward asked me as we stood alone in the living room. Esme had gone back to her bedroom.
"Yes," I replied. My throat was blazing now, and I needed to feed.
"Let's go," he said as he pulled me up the stairs to get ready. The house already felt empty and they hadn't even left yet. I wondered how I would get through the week with out Alice agitating me, Emmett's goofing around, and Jasper calming everything down. I would even miss Rosalie and hearing her tinker around in the garage. It was odd, but I felt like I wouldn't be seeing them for a long time, but they would only be gone for a couple weeks.
(A/N: I'm VERY sorry I took so long to update. Classes are really hectic right now and I have finals for the next two weeks. After that I'm home free..lol, so updates will come much sooner. I hope to get in another chapter before finals and I'm sorry for the wait. Thank you for being patient! I'd also like to say thanks to the reviewers and to my beta xedwardxloverx. So, what do you think? With everyone away what is going to happen? Will everyone have a good trip? Please review and let me know what you think. Also, I have a poll on my profile page. I'm curious as to how people feel about my stories, if you have time please take it. Thanks again!)