EPOV - Valentine's Day
The muted morning light was beginning to filter through the trees and reflect on the small pond in our garden outside the bedroom wall. Bella's body was wrapped around mine in the bed as we lay peacefully enjoying the solitude. I was anxious to surprise her as today was Valentine's Day. Jacob had picked up our gifts to her on the trip to Seattle. He was coming to take her to breakfast with Renesmee – leave it to him to figure some way to put food into the mix, even with two thirds of the group unwilling to eat it.
I knew Jacob would be here any minute, and I could hear Renesmee stirring in the next room. She was looking forward to surprising Bella. She had the gift stashed in her room. For a minute I questioned if Bella would willingly accept the sentiments behind what Jacob and I had planned. She was always surprising me and she probably always would. I leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose. She opened her eyes to look up at me.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Love," I murmured.
For a minute her eyes narrowed but she lifted to me and placed her lips softly upon mine. I pulled away quickly dropping back to the pillow. "You will not distract me."
She grinned mischievously flinging her body on top of mine straddling my hips.
"Are you sure?" she whispered as she arched her eyebrow.
"Bella," I croaked. "Jacob will be here any moment. He is coming to take you and Nessie out. Be nice."
She moved her hand to my chin holding me still as she lowered her lips. Just before touching me she opened her mouth and bit lightly into my bottom lip - at the same time opening her mind to me so I could see and feel everything. My muscles seized momentarily with the onslaught of twin desires.
Then paradise was ruined. I heard a throat clear outside the door, which provided enough distraction for me to break apart from her. I leaped backward off the bed to stand toward the closet door. Bella smiled her siren call, patting the bed beside her with invitation. I dashed into our closet, dressed, and retreated out through our door within seconds. As I shut the door behind me I heard her laughing.
"That wasn't fair Bella," I whispered, and the laughing increased. I looked up to see Jacob standing at the end of the hall.
"Scared?" he asked grinning.
"Inexplicably," I replied.
He began to snort saying, "You created a monster." He seemed to find even more humor with his play on words.
We moved to the tiny living room waiting on Bella. Jacob carefully ducked under several of the exposed beams to sit in a chair next to the wood burning stove. Nessie bounced impatiently in another. I heard the door open behind me, and saw Bella emerge dressed in a long sleeved blue shirt and jeans that fit her like a second skin. I hissed. Was she trying to kill me? She continued to grin and went around me to sit on the ottoman.
"Well Jake what are we doing today?" Bella asked.
Nessie broke in before Jacob could even respond. "Mama we are taking you on a breakfast picnic at La Push. So we can sit on your and Jacob's tree and watch the ocean. Then we are going to meet Grandfather Quil and Emily to hear the stories. Then…"
Jacob placed his hand over her mouth interrupting the happy childish prattle. "Don't be giving all our secrets away."
Jacob's hand was so big it was difficult to see much of Nessie's face, but she was shining. She was deliriously happy. I thanked the God above, not he should listen, that my and Bella's child sat here so happy. I also silently thanked Jacob and Sam for eliminating the boundary lines so my family could enjoy the day planned.
" Love," I took a deep breath and started. "Jacob and I have something we want to discuss." For a moment I saw something flash across her face.
"Don't worry we aren't going to revert to trying to kill each other - at least not today," Jacob joked.
I rolled my eyes and continued. "Jacob and I noticed you aren't wearing your bracelet anymore and wondered why?"
She looked between us and then down at her hands. The room was filled with silence for a few moments. Jacob started to say something but I quickly caught his eyes and shook my head. She took a deep breath and said, "After the fight with Victoria, I didn't want to wear it because I thought it might be symbolic of the competition. I didn't want to bring up bad memories."
She glanced up. We had been right.
Nessie jumped up moving toward Bella and sat on her lap. In her hands she held a wrapped box. With Bella you never knew how she was going to react about receiving gifts. She had been fairly gracious when my family gave us the home we were now sitting in, but Christmas had been an occasion overshadowed by fear and doubt - gifts had been the last thing on our minds. Jacob and I both held our breaths to see her reaction.
She kissed Nessie's head and slowly unwrapped the box. With the whimsical mood she had displayed this morning already, I half expected her to make some comment about cutting her finger. She reached inside to pull out her charm bracelet. For a second she looked perplexed until she noticed two new charms attached.
The first charm detailed in silver the side profile of a girl's face outlined in curls. The child's hands lay on her lap cupping a startling blue sapphire. The child's legs were curled under her body pixie like fashion. The second charm was simply the words "da niente" in elegant silver script.
Bella looked to me. Her eyes had begun to take on the golden cast of my misfit family.
I simply stated, "We are both a part of you …we will not tear you apart again."
I believe if my kind were capable of producing tears Bella's eyes would have filled. Jacob was looking at Bella with a big grin.
"Will you explain to me the meaning of the charms?" she whispered.
I motioned for Jacob to start.
"Nessie and I wanted to get you something that signified your importance in our lives. I know you aren't into jewelry, so I thought this might be the only opportunity I would have to get you something to signify your motherhood. The girl represents Nessie."
Nessie jumped in at that point, "…and the sapphire is our birthstone."
Jacob spoke in an exasperated voice. "Do you know all the torture I had to go through ordering this to be made. The jeweler Edward sent me to knows everything. I had to listen to all the details about this and that. But I found out something cool…..most gemstones have some folklore attached…beliefs that earlier generations held about the powers of stones. Do you know what the sapphire was believed to do?" he looked to both Bella and I.
We both shook our heads no.
"This is really neat… they believed the sapphire blocked evil spirits… it provided serenity to the holder. Can you believe it - kinda funny considering your gift?"
Bella smiled at this and reached around Nessie to give her a hug. She stood up walking over to Jacob and placed Renesmee on the arm of the chair. He stood and engulfed her in a hug towering over her a foot. She looked like a fragile porcelain doll compared to him - looks could be deceiving. Amazing … not one ounce of angst, jealousy, or urge to kill. Things had definitely changed. Jacob helped her latch the bracelet.
"So the words…they are yours?" she asked, as she turned around in Jacob's arms to look at me.
"Yes, but I have asked Jacob and Nessie if I can wait until my time alone with you to explain the significance."
Jacob mumbled, "and to finish off what was interrupted."
He cursed slightly as Bella backhanded him hitting him in the stomach. Hmmm…time alone with her was definitely appealing.
"The whole gang is going out tonight so we can give Carlisle and Esme some privacy at the house," I informed her. For a minute a secretive look passed over her face and I wondered if she had figured out my plans for the day.
I could see Nessie was getting impatient to leave. She reached up to Jacob and said, "Let's go."
"Actually Renesmee, we have presents for you and Jake," Bella stated.
I quickly went back to our room and came back with two small packages. Watching Jacob tear into the wrapping was almost as entertaining as watching Nessie. Bella had bought Nessie leather bound copies of Dante's Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso in Italian. Carlisle and I were working with her to learn the language. I applauded the choice of Italian but lamented the topic. Nessie and I were beginning to have long standing "discussions" on God, Heaven, and Hell. She was sure to use this as part of our discourse.
Jacob opened his box to find a copy of Hot VWs magazine.
Bella spoke, "Rose thinks you are crazy to keep your Rabbit …. not enough power. But if you are determined to fix it up at least she thought this would give you some ideas to make it, in her words, less embarrassing. We purchased you a 2 year subscription."
Also included in the box was a gift certificate to Wolfsburg West, a Volkswagen parts specialty shop. Jacob's smile threatened to split his face as he pulled the certificate from the holder, and then his face fell.
Quickly realizing the problem Bella hastily said, "It's from everyone Jake, it doesn't mean the same to them as you and I."
Rosalie and Emmett had figured out the cost to make Jacob's car "presentable", Esme had ordered the certificate. For a moment I thought Jacob would refuse the gift.
Bella stepped in again adding, "You might as well go ahead and take it otherwise Rose just might hijack the thing and do it herself. You may not be comfortable with how it turns out."
I jumped in. "Jacob, whether she will admit it…..Rose will now always feel in your debt. She probably will not do anything outright, so let her have her way. She can be as stubborn as Alice once she sets her mind to something."
Jacob mumbled under his breath but did slide the certificate in the magazine which he promptly rolled up in his hand.
"I guess what I got her will probably piss her off - in comparison to this," he said laughing.
I lost control of my laughter having read his thoughts. He looked over to Bella twirling his finger in circles at his temple.
"What exactly did you get her?" she asked.
He looked sheepishly toward the ground muttering, "A Parenting for Dummies book."
Bella was temporarily stunned speechless. She finally strangled out, "And you expect to still be standing after she is through with you? Want to die much, Jake?"
"She can try…" He snorted.
"Jacob, you didn't have to buy the family anything, I've been told for the most part the family buys each other gag gifts – and the cheaper the better – it's part of the challenge," Bella told him.
"Yeah Nessie told me. That's why all our stuff came from the Rez yard sale. We found Alice a Magic 8 ball, and Jasper a Custer's Last Stand Hat with fake blood on it. For Esme and the Doc, we finally decided on this huge wooden paddle with the words Attitude Adjuster on it….figured they may have wanted something like that over the years."
The little snot looked right at me when he said the last comment. We traded mutual antagonistic smirks.
"O..K..," Bella blew out with an incredulous look on her face.
"Don't worry Bells, I'll have Nessie with me and let her give the gifts. We have this all figured out." Jacob and Nessie traded a conspiring look.
"Oh and I forgot the best one. We found one of those dancing Daisy things for Emmett. It has sunglasses on and sings that annoying song Don't Worry Be Happy."
Flashback EPOV:
I walked to the closet to grab a blanket and the basket I desired. I had gone with Emmett to Port Angeles a week earlier. I talked him into stopping at a specialty shop and purchased an assortment of massage oils. Emmett had teased me unmercifully until he began to smell some of the fragrances available. Needless to say I had caught the whiffs of oil on Rosalie, but I had not been able to withhold my teasing comments when Emmett walked by smelling of daisies.
Our scuffle had broken one of Esme's lamps earning her wrath, but it had been worth it. Emmett had crucified me too long about my sexual nature. Jasper had even participated in the fun calling him Daisy behind his back, but within hearing distance. Rose added her touch by buying him a pair of "Daisy Duke" shorts. I didn't even want to know how she had found a pair close to his size or what happened to them.
Bella looked to my face probably wondering about the amusement she detected as I walked into the room. "I was just remembering Daisy," I stated as I placed the blanket on her and the basket in her lap.
She broke out into peals of laughter. "Edward, I've arranged for a bouquet of Gerber Daisies from us on Valentine's Day."
I chortled. "Are you serious, he will go nuts."
"I know," she responded darkly. "It will be hilarious and only partial payback for him. I think Alice found a shirt on line that has daisies with smiley faces in the center of the flower. She was trying to see if she could get one in extra large. He deserves it for giving us such heck."
End of Flashback
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Bella lost it with the last announcement. She fell into the chair that Jacob had occupied holding her stomach. Had she been human she would have found it necessary to wipe her face, because tears would have been pouring from the laughter coming out of her body. Jacob stared down at her as if she had gone mad. He looked to me twirling his finger again at his temple. Bella knocked him backwards from her blow.
"Ow! Geez Bella take it easy."
He reached behind the chair where Bella was still chuckling and pulled out a small package wrapped in newspaper. He handed it to Bella saying, "For you two later – just a little treat from me."
He was singing the National Anthem in his head so that I couldn't get a glance at his selection. I would pay Alice back for disseminating that particular strategy. He turned around and swatted Nessie lightly on the head with the magazine and said, "Let's go."
Mid Day in Seattle - Bella and Edward have driven Sue and Charlie to the airport after they surprised Bella with their wedding…..
I pulled into the airport's parking so we could walk Sue and Charlie to the security gates. Bella and I met at the back of the car as Sue and Charlie stood stretching. I noticed she had an expectant look on her face as I popped the trunk. As I looked into the trunk I was immediately exasperated with Alice. Just how much luggage did she think Charlie and Sue needed?
Then I realized half the bags were Bella's luggage and mine.
"Happy Valentine's Day," Bella snickered.
I looked to her as she continued. "You didn't even ask this morning if I had gotten you a gift."
"It might have been something to do with trying to get away from you before we embarrassed the pup," I answered, smirking.
Bella laughed.
I motioned for her to continue. "Go ahead, you know I don't know what you have planned. No wonder Alice was staying so distracted with Jasper this morning."
"I am taking you to Chicago. I want to see the house you grew up in. I want to see the life you had before your change. I want to learn about the boy who grew up into the man I love," she said, placing her hand on my chest across my dormant heart.
Bella must have seen something in my face, because before I could even begin to argue she stated, "What was it you said this morning? Let me see if I can remember. Oh yeah, something about afterwards we can go anywhere or do anything you would like. Holding you to it Cullen. Now let's get the luggage and get everyone to their respective gates."
Later that evening in Chicago….
Bella and I lay wrapped around each other in bed. I brought her hand out from my chest so the charms on her bracelet caught the light entering the bedroom from the living area. I could sense her eyes were drawn by the movement.
"Bella, da niente is a musical term. It roughly translates into 'from nothing' or 'out of nothing'. I feel it accurately describes what you have done for me. I have said this to you so many times before, but I still feel like I have not adequately been able to portray for you just how radically you have altered me. You have taken my existence and shaped it into a life, for lack of better words, out of nothing."
Bella raised on her elbow so she could look into my face. Releasing my hand she used her fingertips to run across my cheek in a caressing motion.
I continued. "I can't promise I will never be grumpy again. I can't promise I will never make mistakes. I can't even promise I will not want to kill Jacob again - I mean I can read his thoughts - and it is my daughter he imprinted on. At some time in the next six years she is going to reach maturity and he is going to see her as more than just a child. I will probably have to kill him at that point; it was bad enough when I could see what he wanted to do with you."
This earned me a hard slap to the stomach.
After grunting, I continued. "I will work every day to give you the kind of relationship I remember my biological parents sharing, the same passion Esme and Carlisle share. What I can promise is I will attempt every day to be the creature you see me to be. But when I screw up, which I will, I want you to look at the charm and remember it is from out of nothing that I am operating. This is all new for me. I want you to also remember that without you I would be nothing."
Bella softly nodded her head and leaned up to kiss my lips. In a moment of understanding she realized nothing else needed to be said. For a few minutes the silence surrounded us and allowed a sense of peace to invade the room. Bella stretched and slowly eased out of bed.
"Where are you going?" I groaned. I missed the warmth of her body pressed to mine.
"I just remembered that I promised Jake I would have you open his gift to us once we got here."
She went to her carry on luggage and rummaged around finding the package then returned to bed. A folded over piece of paper had been attached to the front of the package. Written across the front was "Bells and Bloodsucker." I rolled my eyes.
Bella giggled. "He loves to try and get under your skin."
I smirked saying, "I know…and I let him have his fun. It's the difference between being a man and a boy."
"HA! She bellowed out.
I tugged the note off handing the package to Bella, it read: "Found this at the yard sale and figured you two might need the help."
Bella ripped into the package. I saw that it was a book, but the dust cover was missing. Bella's eyes widened and she looked at me with a mixture of horror and amusement.
She turned the book so I could read the cover, Kama Sutra. I was torn between amusement and anger - amusement mostly winning. I reached to take the book from Bella to see if it was a joke, and as she passed it to me another piece of paper fell out of the front. I snatched it up before she could grab it.
Opening the note I read:
Bella since you didn't choose me, I figured I could at least get Edward some educational material. I love you enough that I hope you find some degree of satisfaction with him. Hopefully this will make up for his inexperience. P.S. By the way, Nessie wasn't with me when I picked this up – so tell Edward to breathe.
Bella reached for the note and I passed it off to her already designing revenge in my head.
In a horrified voice she whispered, "I'll get him for this."
I replied darkly, "OH NO Love that pleasure will be all mine."
She looked to my face and snickered. "Promise me I will be there when you inflict your punishment."
"I promise."
We alternated for a few minutes between laughing and cursing on both our parts.
"He got us you know," she admitted, finally.
"I'll only admit this to you Bella but he did," was my muttered reply.