A/N:
Hi everyone, sorry I haven't updated. My home is being refurbished so my computer is packed away in a box. I went away last week with my boyfriend on holiday which has also set me back. At the moment, I am posting from his laptop which he has kindly leant me for the night so that I can update. I'm not sure when the next post will be, hopefully it will be soon- if he lends me his laptop again.lol
Anyway, I haven't really had time to read through this properly and make sure there aren't any mistakes so it is probably terrible, but I thought I should post it quickly anyway. If there are any, I will come back and fix it after the house is all done and I have my own computer back again.lol
There are no lemons in this chapter and I'm sorry that it's short. I'm sure the final part of the story will get you all excited though.lol
The songs for this Chapter are: The Mixed Tape by Jack's Mannequin and The Man Who Can't Be Moved by The Script.
Cold fingertips running along a person's spine is a really nice way to wake up in the morning. Christopher teased my skin with his gentle touch as the sun shone through our window and my hangover made its self known. My head throbbed steadily and Leanne's encouraging voice sang happily in my mind; "Chug, chug, chug, chug."
Why did I drink so much? Sure it seemed like a good idea at the time...
Now was my time to suffer for my stupidity. Partials of the night before started drifting through the hazy alcoholic barrier which had formed in my mind.
Drinking.
Telling Leanne about Edward.
Drinking.
Dancing.
Drinking.
More drinking.
Dancing whilst drinking.
CHRISTOPHER.
The memory of him in the doorway of Leanne's apartment hit me like a blast of cold water. The water soon turned to ice however, when memories of my 'performance' flooded back.
Him- "You don't feel very hot."
Me- "I am in certain places."
Him- "Maybe you should have that cold shower we talked about before Bella."
Me- "Actually, I was hoping you could tell me more about your other suggestion."
Him- "I told you all that I could."
Me- "Then show me."
My body stiffened instantly as the words I had uttered came to the surface of my memory. How could I do that? I tried to seduce him; I was demanding and clumsy...and he had watched.
Oh God.
"Bella, I know you're awake." His soft voice sounded in my ear.
"No I'm not." I groaned, embarrassment more than exhaustion keeping me from opening my eyes.
"Well, your heartbeat has changed, your body has stiffened and you just answered me. How do you explain that?" I could hear the smile in his voice as he teased me and I desperately wanted to turn and see the beauty of it. There was only one thing stopping me; shame. I couldn't face him...ever again.
"I am talking in my sleep again." I murmured, praying for sleep to return and offer me an escape route.
His lips brushed against my earlobe. "I don't believe you."
"Are you calling me a liar?" I demanded. Keeping this discussion going was a necessity. It was definitely a preferable choice to another 'talk' we could have been having. I knew we'd be having it eventually though.
"Please open your eyes." He begged softly as he pulled my hair away from my face.
How can I say no to him?
With a huff, I turned to face him and peaked out through lowered lids. His smiling face greeted me. The smell of the ocean assaulted my nose; his signature scent which was obviously heightened by a recent shower.
"You're still damp." I muttered as I snuggled into his cold embrace.
His strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me more securely into his side. "Sorry, I needed a cold shower." He tried to suppress the laughter that accompanied his statement but the gentle shaking of the body beneath my head was a sign of his failure.
I groaned and his stone chest, hurting my hand in the process. I really should stop doing that.
"How did you find me last night?" I questioned; the only option was to change the subject.
"Alice called and explained the situation. Apparently Leanne was preparing to play strip poker where you would lose all of your clothes." The smile in his voice was suddenly gone. "I couldn't allow that."
Rubbing my sore forehead, I muttered my thanks. With this new piece of information, I decided that I could forgive Alice for withholding information in our previous conversation. No wonder she was laughing about the night I had ahead of me. I would definitely be giving her the silent treatment for a few days though.
"My head hurts." My muffled voice sounded pathetic.
Pressing his frozen fingers to my head, he promised that I'd feel better soon.
"This brings back memories of the last time. You'd think I'd have learnt then."
"I'm glad you didn't. You've never looked so tempting." I blushed crimson at his words; how could I look tempting?
"Was that before or after I fell on the bed and got tangled in my clothes." It was supposed to be a sarcastic, rhetorical question but of course, he had to answer.
"Definitely after." Peaking up at him, I noted the large grin on his face.
There is no way he's going to let me forget this.
Fresher's week passed quickly and soon I was immersed in essays. Leanne was a real shock to me. I should have guessed her intelligence by the fact that she was also at Harvard, yet I had only been introduced to the party girl. On the first day of lectures however, I was introduced to Leanne; the intellectual. On the first day of lectures when everyone else was too nervous to move, she delved into a debate with our tutor on the limitations of applying the Marxist theory to Elizabeth Gaskell's; Mary Barton. To say I was surprised is an understatement.
I successfully managed to divert Christopher from the morning post the week leading up to my birthday with requests for pancakes and other breakfast treats. Alice was correct in her estimation; my first birthday card arrived on Tuesday morning from Angela and Ben. My father had generously provided her with my new address which she later passed on to Mike and Jessica, their respective cards arriving on Thursday.
When confronting Charlie on this breach of privacy, his argument was; "I thought you'd be happy they remembered, kid."
I still had so much to teach him about my wishes. All of my cards were hidden in my book bag each day, a place Christopher never had a need to venture to.
The package from the Cullen's was a lot harder to hide however. At 9am on Friday morning, my phone beeped with a message.
ALICE- It will arrive 9.06am. Soz I got it wrong b4.
Christopher was out luckily under the pretence of needing to hunt. Really he was giving me peace to finish an assignment which was due in on Monday. This piece of good news meant that receiving it wasn't a problem, the size of the package however, was.
Opening the large white box which was wrapped in a blood red bow, I first noticed the large card that sat atop a bundle of wrapped gifts.
To our darling Bella,
We hope you are enjoying college life and are working hard. Although you aren't officially our daughter, we feel as though you are and we are so proud of you. We miss you greatly and we hope to see you soon.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Carlisle and Esme
Xxx
Tears of happiness and nostalgia filled my eyes as I read the noted from my family.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I was really good and only got you one outfit. You will look great in it, (I have perfect taste)! I miss my best friend but I am sure I'll see you soon
;-)
Alice x
As usual with Alice, the words were bold and cheerful.
Happy birthday Bella, how's Harvard? I wasn't sure what to get you but hopefully I chose correctly. Perhaps it will help with your classes?
Jasper
I couldn't help but wonder what he got me. Lifting the package that was marked as being from Jasper, I concluded it was a book of some sort.
How's my favourite human? Do you have wrinkles yet? HA HA
Anyways, Happy Birthday!
EMMETT
X
Scowling at Emmett's note I moved on to Rosalie's.
To bella- happy birthday.
R
Short but sweet...unlike Rosalie herself.
To Bella, I hope you have a very special birthday and that this year brings you the happiness you deserve.
Nikki
Xx
I took a deep breath before reading the final message. Without taking in the words, I marvelled at the beauty of his handwriting. It was masculine, strong and perfect; the embodiment of Edward.
To Bella, it's so strange being so far away from you. I tried to control Alice's spending and I think I managed to stop her from going over the top.
Edward.
That was it.
That's it? That's all I get?
He didn't even write happy birthday or place a kiss at the bottom of his message.
Trying to ignore the pang of hurt in my heart, I started un-wrapping my gifts.
I started with Carlisle and Esme's. Tearing the paper, the smiling faces of the Cullen family stared back at me in a solid silver photo frame. A grin lit my face as I compared this true to life image with the memory I had of them. Emmett seemed bigger in the photo if that was possible and everyone glowed with happiness. Everyone except Edward. He had his usual crooked smile on his face but his eyes were lifeless, much like they were before he left me after my eighteenth birthday.
I didn't want to hide this gift. Reaching over, I placed it on my bed side table, deciding to tell Christopher it was a gift and not mention it was actually a birthday present.
Emmett being the comical soul he is decided a beer cap was appropriate with a note saying; I heard about Leanne. Thought you might need this. Ha Ha
I was correct in assuming that Jasper had gotten me a book. It was a first edition book of poetry by Sylvia Plath. What made it even more special was that it was signed by her. He also had a note inside the book; I met her through a friend shortly before her death. I wasn't sure what to give you so I thought I'd pass something on to you that is special to me. I hope you like it.
Rosalie and Nikki joined up to get me a gift; it was a day at a spa for me and a friend. I doubt I'd ever use it.
Lifting the final gift from the box; a blank C.D, a folded letter tumbled to the floor.
Bella
It was in Edward's handwriting. Could this be my real birthday wish?
Placing the C.D in my sound system and pressing play, I relaxed instantly to the soft sounds of a piano. The soothing sounds filled the room as I moved back to my place on the bed. I started to shake as I unfolded the letter to read and listened to the beautiful music.
Dear Bella,
Please forgive me for the note I left in your card. There are so many things I wish to say and it didn't seem appropriate to say them there.
First, I want to tell you how much I miss you. Several times, I've found myself moving to my car with the intention of visiting you. I have to keep reminding myself that neither of us is still in Forks.
Secondly, I want to know if you are happy. I hope you are. I hope Christopher is caring for you as he should and I hope he loving you as you deserve. I'm ashamed that I didn't and I hope that you have found the happiness with him that you could no longer find with me.
I thought that a C.D of my new compositions would be appropriate as the last one I gave you seemed to be a 'hit'. All the songs are inspired by you, your kindness, our humour, intelligence and beauty.
I truly hope that you have a wonderful birthday and if you ever need me, please don't hesitate to call. I miss your voice.
Love always,
Edward
Xxxxx
I wiped the silent tears that had fallen from my eyes as I finished the letter. I threw everything under my bed quickly, in case Christopher returned unexpectedly until I could decide where to hide them. I laid back on my bed for a long while, going over the words in the letter and listening to the sounds of his music.
With a sigh, I reached for my phone and dialled the number I knew on instinct. It rang a few times as I held my breath, before his melodic voice met my ears.
"Hello?"
My heart bounced in my chest at the sound. It almost jumped out of it when I heard the door slam.
"Bella?" Edward's voice called through the phone to me as I snapped the silver communicator closed and plastered a happy grin on my face for Christopher as he bounced onto the bed and engulfed me in a hug
Edward's POV
I stared at the phone in confusion. Why had she hung up? I was about to press the send button to return her call when Alice darted in front of me, snatching my cell phone from my hand.
"I wouldn't do that." She announced. "Christopher came home, that's why she ended the call."
Disappointed flooded my system. Of course...Christopher.
A cheery smile filled Alice's small face as she bounced in front of me. "Don't look so sad. You'll see her soon!"
With that she placed my phone back in my hand and danced off to her room.
With a sigh, I turned back to the task at hand; packing for my trip to Boston.