Chapter 8: Oh, No He Di'int!
XOXOXOXO
Composing myself was a well trained habit. Numerous times at work I'd have to turn around, take a few deep, calming breaths, think rationally through my irrational haze, and go back to reality.
Doing so now shouldn't be such a problem, so why was it posing as one?
I was jittery, my fingers and legs shaking as though I was a diabetic who needed a serious heaping teaspoon of sugar… or two.
I was walking from my bedroom towards the kitchen, unsure of what exactly I was supposed to be doing. I only had two objectives, both located in the same room that I had just vacated. Why was I walking to the kitchen, the exact opposite place of where I was intended? Setting my now empty cup down on the counter, I took a deep breath and attempted to calm down. I placed my elbows on the surface, my head falling into my hands as I wearily scrubbed at my face.
Remember, Bella, take long breaths. Breathe through your eyelids. Okay, the eyelid thing was from my mom, she was always telling me to relax. Breathing through my eyelids would always make me stop and think, bringing my brain to a different focus.
How can one single male be the cause of so much… such… bedlam? There was no other word to describe what he did to me. My body shook, my mind raced, my heart thudded unevenly against my ribs. I had pure adrenaline coursing through my veins and I felt extremely on edge. It was unnerving.
Okay, bring yourself together now, Bella. No more dawdling around. Get Alice's gift, change your panties and get a move on.
Setting my resolve for the hundredth time that day, I squared my shoulders and journeyed through the apartment from the kitchen to my bedroom.
I'd left the present on the bed, sitting in a lime green bag with white tissue paper. I shifted my attention from the bed —mind out of the gutter, Bella!— to my dresser. I'd like the opportunity to sit down and not leave a wet spot on my dress. I seemed to have a slight problem with wetness whenever Edward was around. Hell, who could blame me? The man was the epitome of sex-appeal.
I changed my underwear quickly, afraid that if I took my time I'd fall victim to my own personal needs and never go back to the party.
I needed to write in my journal, vent some of my stress. Surely I had enough time to do that?
Making my decision quickly, I grabbed the pad from my nightstand and flopped down into a sitting position on the bed.
Utter confusion. My mind is a jumble of right versus wrong, moral against immoral, need battling want. I feel shameful, so horrible that the object of my desires, and what fiery desires they are, is so… unavailable to me. Another incident happened today, two actually. The proximity alone nearly sent me into a lustful persona I couldn't control. I wanted to throw myself onto him and never let go. He's such an angel, such a good soul. I saw him with other needful people; he's a volunteer at a hospital. My heart swells and my breath catches whenever I remember seeing him interact with those less fortunate. I've seen a different side of MD, and I'm afraid that I'll see more things to make me fall into… what was this? Intense attraction? Lust? Dare I even say it, love?
I looked up from my notebook, shock on my face.
Was I starting to fall in love with Edward Cullen?
I shook my head, trying to dispel the ridiculousness of falling into love with someone who I barely knew. I've only seen him a handful of times, there was no way I could be…
Could I?
I didn't know.
I had nothing to compare it to.
Jake and I… it was like I was looking at my brother, goofing off and knee-jerk reactions every time we were around each other. I had love for him, yes, but it wasn't romantic, it was platonic. It hurt to think that he did have those intense feelings for me and that I didn't… I couldn't return them.
Did he feel the same things for me that I felt for Edward?
Suddenly I was nauseous. Dropping my journal to the floor, I ran into the bathroom and had the dry heaves.
A moment of sickness turned out to relieve my anxiety, as I stood up I felt a thousand times better. I rinsed my mouth out with some water and took a good look at myself in the mirror.
Only an hour ago I had looked radiant, glowing with new possibilities. Now I looked like I'd been chewed up, spit out, rolled over with a tractor trailer and set on fire. On the good side, my dress looked fine.
I ran my fingers through my hair, attempting to tame the wild crow's nest that had accumulated without my permission. It was pointless, after a minute I gave up and headed back into my bedroom. Picking up the notebook, I placed it on the nightstand once more and grabbed Alice's gift.
I made my way back to the kitchen, grabbing my cup and key from the counter before promptly spinning on my heel and heading back to the front door. Leaning my ear against the door, I tried to make out if Edward was still out there on his cell phone. I didn't hear much, so I assumed that he'd gone back to the party.
I set the alarm and walked out the door, closing and locking it behind me. Turning to the side to put my key back under the mat, I noticed Edward leaning with his back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. He was waiting for me, again.
I hate assuming. Usually because I was always wrong. Like now.
"Sorry, I had to take that call. Bella, I-" he started. I couldn't hear any lies from him. I couldn't take the pain of rejection, even if I knew it was the right choice.
"Don't worry about it, Edward. Let's just go back to the party. I'm sure they're all wondering where you'd gone off to." I slipped the key under the mat and straightened up. Tears had formed in my eyes and I couldn't let him see me that way.
Never let anyone see you weak, they'll always take advantage of you.
Without glancing at him, I made my way to Alice's door, worrying my bottom lip.
He grabbed my arm, "Hey, Bella, what's wrong?" he sounded worried.
I couldn't look at him, so I closed my eyes softly. I tried to answer in my most normal voice, "I'm just tired. It's been a long day."
His grip tightened and I almost let out a sob. "You do know that you can talk to me if you need to, right Bella? I'll be here for you, always."
God, I wished I could believe his words, no matter how truthful they sounded.
I couldn't think of a reply. Seriously, how would, 'Thanks Edward, but since your fiancé hates my guts, I don't think you'll be available to me' have sounded? How about, 'Gee, Eddie thanks for the offer, but I'm seriously high on morals and can't be trusted to be alone in the same room with you'. Yeah, that one was a keeper.
I nodded my head once, quickly, and turned the knob to enter Alice's apartment.
Hastily, I made my way to the drink table to refresh my cup. It looked lonely being all empty and sad. To my surprise, everyone was exactly as I had left them. Rose and Emmett stood on one side of the table while Angela and Jasper flanked the other side.
I walked up to them and deposited my gift along with the others that had magically appeared in my departure.
My tears had been wiped away as soon as I had entered the apartment, the back of my hand smudged with black remnants of my make-up. I hoped that no one would notice my blotchy cheeks or red tipped nose. I could always try to play it off as allergies.
"I heard the girl was attacked on campus. She was supposedly on her way back to her dorm from the library or something. She got jumped from behind and doesn't remember anything," Angela stated with concern.
"Who are you talking about?" I asked.
"A few weeks ago some girl was ambushed at U-Dub. She was released earlier this week and no one still has any clue about who did it," Emmett answered.
"Wow, at least she's still alive, right? It sounds like it was pretty harsh, for her to be hospitalized for weeks instead of days. She's lucky," I said while pouring more punch into my glass.
"Yeah, but now everyone's worried about other attacks. As far as the police can tell, it was an unprovoked, one time occurrence. They've even asked us if we know of any gang activity in the area," Jessica spoke up as she and Mike walked up to the table. I moved towards Angela and Jasper to make room for them.
"Gang activity? I've lived here for two years and the gangs tend to keep the main city off their grids. It's the deserted areas of town they should be watching out for," I said before taking a drink.
"Well, all the same, little lady. I'd still like for both you and Alice to be extra careful 'round here."
"Us as well, Bella, please be careful." I was startled as Dr. Cullen and a middle aged woman came up and joined our conversation.
He was dressed nicely in a long sleeve button up shirt with white pants and shoes. His companion, a lovely woman who looked soft and feminine, held his arm at the elbow. She looked earthy with her auburn hair rolling gently down her shoulders and dark green eyes that immediately reminded me of Edward. Esme Cullen, Edward's mother, stood before us in a kind, motherly energy. Her dress was light orange, the color of sorbet, and landed at the bottom of her kneecaps. The top portion was a tank-top; the square neckline showcased her collarbones prominently.
"Dr. Cullen, what a surprise to see you. How are you?" I asked while trying not to choke on the latest sip of punch I'd taken.
He laughed a moment, "Outside of the hospital, you are more than welcome to call me Carlisle, Bella. Unless you want me to call you by your surname every time we talk?"
I blushed, the warmth taking up residence in my entire body. "Fine, Carlisle. How are you?"
"I am well, thank you for asking. This is my wife, Esme," he gestured as she held out her hand to me. I took it immediately, glad that at least someone at this party wasn't afraid of shaking hands. I was taken aback by the feel of her handshake. I assumed that her grasp would mirror Tanya's, cold and unwilling. She surprised me by grabbing my hand firm and strong, she was sure of herself, confident of her choices and decisions.
"It's a pleasure Bella, I've heard many great things about you," she said in a warm tone.
"Very nice to meet you, Esme."
Crap. It was the only safe thing I could come up with besides, 'So when's your next magazine spread coming out?'. Knowing my luck, everyone would mistake my comment to mean that I thought her a porn-model. There was always the standby, 'Gee Esme, you've raised a very handsome son. I dream about fucking him, isn't that neat-o?' And what was with this, 'I've heard many great things about you,' bologna? Alice must've told her all about me, there was no way that Edward would have.
"Hey, Auntie Esme! You're looking fabulous, girlfriend!" Emmett mocked as he took on a lisp and gay-waved at her.
She chuckled before replying, "Oh well, you know us girls gotta keep our men any way we can, right?"
We all laughed as Emmett gathered her into a giant hug and, after releasing her, pecked her on the cheek.
She went around the rest of the group, hugging or kissing each of them on the cheek in greeting.
"Great, now that the pleasantries are over, I have a request, Bella," Carlisle said as he turned to me.
No, Carlisle, I will not have hot animal sex with you while I think about your son no matter how many times you beg me. I snorted. Oh, wait, he's waiting for me to say something.
"Oh, um, okay?"
"I must admit that my voyage over here is not entirely social, Edward is concerned over a cut you've seemed to acquire and wishes me to look at it. He refuses to let me leave this area until I have done so. Would you mind showing it to me?" Carlisle smiled widely, raising his eyebrows and joking with me in the process of his confession.
Edward was concerned over the cut? It wasn't anything to be worried over. Sure it throbbed every once in a while, but as far as I could tell it wasn't still actively bleeding.
Seeing the pleading look in Carlisle's eyes, I agreed and we moved into the kitchen.
He slowly pulled the band-aid off that Edward had so sensuously placed on me. I was correct, it was no longer bleeding. It looked pretty mashed up though and before I could register another thought, Edward was standing behind me in the kitchen. Where the hell did he come from?
"So tell me what happened, Bella," Carlisle asked in his doctor voice.
"We, Edward and I, were standing here, finishing the food for Alice. I was cutting up some cheese into cubes and I guess I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and sliced myself." I conveniently left out the part where I was staring at Edward when my attention was diverted. No one else needed to know that.
Carlisle continued looking at my finger, pulling at the skin to check how far the knife had gone. "Well, you're considerably lucky. You managed to not knick any major blood vessels and the knife didn't get to far in to hit bone. You won't need any stitches, what you did earlier was just right."
I blushed, "Actually, Edward fixed me up. I can't stand the sight of blood."
"Good job then, Edward. I trust you can fix her up again since you know where everything already is." Carlisle washed his hands quickly and towel dried them off before heading back towards the party.
I stood leaning against the counter awkwardly. It wasn't that I didn't have anything to say to Edward, but I was afraid of saying too much. I worried my lip again to keep myself from spouting off some random fact about Pluto not being a planet any longer. Stupid scientists don't know how much it hurts to downgrade a regular planet to a dwarf planet. It's not like it couldn't hold its own with all of the other planets or anything.
Edward walked past me and into the kitchen. He pulled the antiseptic ointment and some band-aids out of his pocket. Why is he still carrying those things with him? He isn't the first aid police for the party, is he?
He must've seen the confusion written on my face. "I was holding onto some of them for you. You know, in case something else happened, I wanted to be prepared."
Oh, he's trying to take care of me.
Now I felt like a complete bitch for the way I was acting towards him.
His hands were fumbling with the band-aid, getting it ready to put on me when the time came. Consciously, for once, I moved my hand to his to still his movements. He stopped, looking up at my face with curious eyes.
I met his gaze dead on and told him truthfully, sincerely, "Thank you, Edward."
It was his turn to blush. "You're welcome, Bella." He flashed me a quick grin and continued, "Now sit still or else I may end up bandaging the wrong finger."
I snorted lightly, earning me my favorite grin from him in return. "Loser. Just finish mending me, my crowd awaits." I said regally, my nose turned up in the air.
He burst out laughing and I couldn't help but break character and giggle along with him.
"So why aren't you studying medicine like your dad did?" I asked as he spread the ointment over the cut. I winced at the slight sting. Funny, I don't remember it stinging the first time.
"I have different passions. For instance, I'm majoring in music at U-Dub. I love to create things, where my father fixes them. I've learned my fair share of basic first aid from volunteering since high school. But that's all I'm interested in, basic first aid."
I nodded my head, understanding perfectly where he was coming from.
"Why do you work at the mall? Wouldn't you rather be going to school or something?" he asked quietly. It was as if he was uncertain if he could ask me anything at all.
Sighing, I answered, "I work at the mall because it's the only place that would hire me when I was looking for work. I'm smart, don't get me wrong, but college just didn't seem to fit with me. For starters, I don't even know what I really like to do. I don't know if I want to work with people, or if I want to stay in a cubicle for the rest of my adult life. So you can see where I would like to keep my parents hard earned money and use it for something guaranteed. Why spend the cash if I wasn't sure what I would be doing with the degree?"
It was his turn to nod at my reasoning as he smoothed a band aid on my finger once again. "What do you like to do?"
"Uh, you want to narrow that down a little bit? I like to do a lot of things."
"I mean in your free time. What's the one thing you would always want to do when you were little? What do you do whenever you have a day off now?" He asked eagerly.
"I always swam when I was younger. But I can't just swim through my life. Now I write. I have this journal, well several really, that I started when I moved away from Charlie's, I mean, my dad's. It helps me cope with being alone."
"Well, I hate to break it to you, but you're not going to be alone any longer. Would you still write if you weren't compelled to do so?" His eyes were shining, as if he were onto some huge discovery.
I was getting confused with his line of questioning. "I'd feel lost without it, so yes."
"Then we have two things to work with. Swimming and writing." He flashed me a smile.
Huh. Swimming and writing. Writing about swimming. Writing about water.
There might be something to that.
Wait, did Edward just help me? Did he find a way around my mental block for changing careers? Had he aided me in finding a purpose for myself?
His smile was contagious; I couldn't help but answer it back with one of my own.
Angela poked her head in, "We're giving her the presents now, guys. Everyone's sitting in the living room. C'mon!"
Edward and I looked at each other, both laughing softly at Angela's exuberance. Quickly cleaning up the small mess of band aid strips and used paper towels, I grabbed my drink and followed Edward out into the living room. Someone had turned off the music, thankfully, so that we could hear Alice talking.
Alice was sitting on Jasper's lap, being handed my present.
"Bella, you seriously need to put a card or something on the presents you give away. That way we'll know who it's from!"
"How did you know it was from me then, if it didn't have a card?" I replied jokingly.
"I saw you walk in with it, duh!"
Everyone laughed; I curled an arm around my waist trying to contain my nervousness.
"Oh, it's perfect! These are going to be so cool, thank you!" She squealed excitedly as she pulled the package from the bag.
"Yeah, well, I saw the skull and crossbones and immediately thought of you. You're welcome." I blushed at confessing that I knew Alice and her tastes after only a few weeks of knowing her.
She continued opening gifts from everyone else; a new bed set from Carlisle and Esme, a fondue set from Emmett and Rosalie, a small boom-box radio from Tyler, a gift certificate to Starbucks from Eric, a front door sign of a frazzled looking Tinkerbell that read, 'Knock and you die, Bub' from Jessica and Mike, a small bottle of perfume from Lauren, a new alarm clock in the shape of a shopping bag from Angela and Ben, a wall design that read, 'Home is where the heart is. Find in that heart happiness and love for you shall never want without' from Jasper, and an apron with the Tasmanian Devil on it from Edward.
All in all, Alice got a pretty good haul. She invited everyone to stay for a while longer and I felt myself choosing to hang around. Sunset quickly descended on everyone, the lack of a burning ball of gas bringing a refreshing change from the humid daytime sun.
She immediately ran into the kitchen and filled her new present from me with water. "Bella, these are so cool! You have no idea how completely awesome they are," she said excitedly.
"I'm just glad you like it. That's all that matters to me," I replied.
Mostly everyone had gone back to dancing near the front door. I took the chance to occupy one of the empty seats. After standing for a while in those kitten heels, my feet were a little bit achy and needed a rest.
I watched everyone interact with each other. Carlisle and Esme always had constant contact with each other, whether it was as simple as his hand on her back or a lingering kiss on the cheek. It was endearing to see people act so in love with each other. Alice, Jasper and Edward were in the kitchen making slushies for everyone. Ben and Angela walked around freely, though one of them always had an eye-line of the other. Mike was talking with Tyler and Eric by the snack table, sneaking extra pieces of food whenever no one was paying attention. Jessica, Lauren, Rosalie and Emmett were huddled near the front door, trying to get more cold air into the apartment.
I was brought out of my musings when a frosty, strawberry slushie was thrust under my nose.
"I'll trade you this frozen, tasty treat for the warm liquid in your hand," Edward said in a taunting, sing-song voice.
I chuckled at his humor, giving him my old cup and taking the new glass from him.
"I'll be right back," he stated as he headed back into the kitchen. He appeared next to me on the loveseat a moment later with a hand filled with his own glass of slushie.
"I want to make a toast," he said suddenly.
"Er…okay. What are you going to toast to?" I asked curiously.
"To your twenty-first birthday, of course. You only turn twenty-one once, and it should be celebrated with copious amounts of alcohol, friends, and presents," Alice chirped from beside him.
Meddling pixie, when did she move next to Edward?
She was standing beside the arm of the loveseat where Edward was perched, holding her glass aloft. Everyone followed suit, albeit, I did so grudgingly.
"Happy birthday, Bella!" Everyone chorused. Multiple clinks could be heard around the room as each and every person toasted and took sips from their glasses.
My glass clinked with Edward's and we smiled at each other before taking our sips. I held his gaze as the first drop of the cool liquid hit my tongue.
Now, if I wasn't raised by a police chief of a father, I would have probably known what alcohol tasted like. As it was, I had been raised by an officer of the law and thus had never tasted a single drop of liquor before the day of my legal birthday.
Boy, had I wished I knew how strong the flavor could be. I probably would've reacted differently.
I almost choked on a single sip, the liquid burning my throat as I swallowed.
My eyes teared up, my cheeks turned red and I felt like I would cough up a lung. But I was stubborn and would not concede defeat, so I swallowed my mouthful slowly, carefully, and attempted to not chicken out in front of everyone.
To keep focused, I held fast to Edward's gaze. It was like he was daring me, yet coaching me, to finish it at the same time. My glass lowered slowly,
"Now, I hope everyone has designated drivers," Esme spoke up.
"Don't worry, Auntie. Only Bella's drink was spiked. We had to celebrate her birthday in some way," Emmett reassured her while my eyes bugged out. Of all the dirty tricks…
"We can make sure she gets home safely, Mom. She does live right across the hall you know," Edward added.
"Well, that does make me feel better," she said while smiling, then added, "Your father and I do have to be getting home though, dear. He's got an early shift at the hospital."
He nodded and stood up to usher them out the door. I stayed sitting on the loveseat and slowly drank from my cup. After the first initial burn, your taste buds get used to the sensation.
Alice joined me on the couch, taking Edward's vacated spot. "So how does it taste?"
"Eh, it's alright. The first taste is the clincher though," I answered slowly.
"Tequila. I figured your first taste of alcohol should be something party-centered. Who doesn't like a margarita?"
I giggled at her confession.
"And honestly, we've all got a little bit in our glasses. Well, you, Em, Rose, Jazz, Edward and I do at least. I don't mind if they all crash here, but the others… I know that they've got other plans tomorrow."
"So Emmett lied to Esme?"
"Technically a little white fib, an omission. He only said that your drink was spiked. Spiking suggests that you didn't know alcohol was in it. We knew ours were." She flashed me a grin and I couldn't help but actually smile along with her.
"You do know that deception is the highest form of betrayal, right?"
"Well, you can't blame us for aiming high then," she responded coyly as she brought her drink up to her lips.
I shook my head at her tenacity. She swallowed her sip quickly, opening her mouth to say something when Emmett approached us.
"Okay, girlies. It's time for Bella's presents."
I opened my mouth, "No, Emmett, I don't need-"
"No 'buts' missy. If you don't shut up about this 'no celebrating, no presents' thing I'll be forced to throw you into the pool with all of your clothes on."
"Em, what pool?"
"The pool at the University or even the aquatic therapy pool at the hospital. I am strong, Bella. You'd probably weigh a buck twenty soaking wet. I think I could manage taking you hostage," He said menacingly.
What was it with this family and taking me against my will? Alice had taken me to the hospital first, now Emmett was threatening to throw me into a pool. Even Edward had taken me against my will. I didn't want to have feelings for him, but he captivated me.
Damn.
I huffed, "Fine Emmett. But I want the record to show that I do not appreciate threats. Way not cool, dude."
I shook my head as people started gathering around me, Emmett walked off to get my gifts. I blushed and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, starting to feel uncomfortable with the crowd gathering around me.
Edward poked his head through the semi-circle, then, somehow sensed my discomfort; he pushed through and came to sit on the arm of the loveseat next to me. I smiled gratefully at him as he reached out a hand to rub my shoulder. Instantly my mounting anxiety vanished, his touch alone soothed me and calmed my being.
"Okay Emmy Bear, bring on the loot," I grumbled.
He returned with his arms full of bags, pushing his way past Eric into the semi-circle. Alice, still sitting next to me, looked up into Jasper's face, a sly smile on her lips. I closed my eyes and scrunched my nose up. Maybe if I didn't see the presents, they weren't really there.
Peeking open an eye, I concluded that my life sucked and that if I believed in something hard enough, it wouldn't happen. Fuck my life.
Emmett still stood before me, arms laden with fluffy looking containers. I didn't know everyone at the party, how the hell were there so many gifts?
"Well, pick one already!" He had the most adorable look on his face, a mixture of excitement and toughness.
I saw Eric snicker, which he tried to turn into a cough. Emmett turned and glared at him, silently daring him to say something. Eric turned slightly green and promptly looked away from Emmett, scurrying over to the other side of the group.
Chuckling, Emmett turned back to me, thrusting his arms in my direction. "Well, hurry up! My arms are starting to hurt," he whined.
Alice took my drink from me as Edward plucked one from the top and turned to me, the package dangling from his long fingers. Grabbing it slowly, I saw that it didn't have a tag.
"Hmm, I wonder who this one's from." I asked quizzically.
"Oh, that's from Jazz and me."
"You filthy hypocrite!" I yelled loudly.
She giggled at me, "Why?"
"Cause you yelled at me for not putting a card on your gift, and here is a gift, from you to me, that doesn't have a tag on it! Plus you already got me the belt!" I rambled.
My body was starting to feel loose, as if I'd disconnected all the joints in my body. Alice leaned her head against my shoulder, "Bella, it's your birthday. You're allowed to accept presents. In fact, it's strongly enforced. And technically, Jazz forgot to put a tag on it."
"Oh that's right; throw your boyfriend under the bus for you. I see how it is. Remind me to not be around you whenever you mess something up. I don't want to go to prison for your scrawny ass," I said sarcastically.
Everyone chuckled at our antics; I completely forgot that there was even a group of people waiting for me to open the gift. Oops.
I ripped off the tissue paper, eager to chew her out for giving me another pointless gift when I saw it.
"Oh, Alice."
Nestled at the bottom of the bag was a silver 8x10 mirrored picture frame, embossed on either sides was the word, 'friends'.
"Jasper helped pick it out too," she spoke up from beside me.
I turned to face the both of them, "Thank you. So, so much, thank you."
Jasper smirked and tipped his imaginary hat at me in response.
Alice bounced in her seat, "We just have to get a picture to put in there!"
I laughed, "Nah, the couple inside looks good enough to me."
She punched me on the shoulder. "Ouch, Alice! Invalid, here. You don't have to hurt the already broken," I yelped.
"We're taking a picture whether you like it or not. It's just a matter of when. Capiche?"
"Quiche? Where?" Mike whirled around, asking.
"Not quiche, you moron, capiche. Italian term for understanding? Got it?" Jessica elbowed him in the ribs.
A light chuckle ran through the room. "Yeah, there's no quiche," Mike answered as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and toed at the floor.
Edward picked another gift from the pile in Emmett's arms and handed it to me while Alice took the picture frame from my grasp.
It was a plain envelope attached to a light colored bag with white tissue paper sticking out of it. Inside the envelope was a gift card to Fox Hollow from Angela and Ben.
"Aw, thanks guys! I much prefer them to Starbucks, how'd you know?"
Angela grinned, "We didn't, but I figured since it was the only coffee place in the mall you might like it. I'm glad I was right. Go ahead and open the bag."
I took the bag in my hand, weighing it experimentally and making everyone laugh. Taking out the tissue paper and handing it to Alice, I tipped the bag into my palm and a little portable first aid kit fell into it. It was a round hiking water bottle filled with little rubbing alcohol squares, Batman band-aids, and a bottle of aspirin.
"It's for your car, that way you'll always have something to help save yourself with," Angela added.
"Holy preparedness, Batman! Ha ha, thanks Angela, Ben," I joked.
Alice took the gift card and bottle from me and gestured to Edward to hand me the next gift.
"That's from Em and me," Rose spoke up from Jasper's left.
I opened the envelope that had been taped to the top of a blue bag. Another gift card, only this time it was to their automotive shop. I looked at them curiously.
"We took a look at your truck the other day. Edward said something about it pulling to the left. We're offering to fix it for you, free of charge," Rose explained.
I chuckled, "Thanks guys, I'll be sure to get it over to you soon."
Then, becoming playful, I turned to Edward, "My truck pulls to the left? What's this bull-shit?"
"What? It does! An-and I just mentioned it in passing, so… it's not a big deal or anything," he floundered, holding his hands up in defense.
It was fun to watch him squirm, though I didn't feel like being mean to him. I grinned, "Yeah, I know it does. It's been that way ever since I got it."
Unfolding the opening of the package, I peeked inside and smelled deliciousness.
"Mmm, are these cookies?" I asked as my head barely rose from the bag.
"Chocolate chip to be precise. I heard you mention those the last time we were here and couldn't get them out of my mind," Emmett answered.
"Emmy Bear, I think I love you. Rose, you've got some serious competition," I said seriously. Emmett puffed out his chest and his whole face lit up in a proud smile at my statement.
"You know what; you can keep him whenever he farts. I relinquish my claim on him then," Rose agreed.
He turned back to her, "I do not fart, I fluffy. There's a difference."
"And what is that, number of syllables?" I offered.
He 'hmphed', pursed his lips and rolled his eyes while everyone chortled.
Turning back to Alice, I asked, "Can I have my drink? I'm a little parched."
I grabbed my glass out of her proffered hand and took a few pulls of the chilled liquid.
"Okay, what's next?" I asked Emmett. There was only one more package left, a deep red bag with black tissue paper sticking out of it.
"This one's from me," Edward said as Emmett handed him the bag.
He passed me the gift slowly, trying to keep eye contact. "I thought this appropriate after the way we met the first time," he stated as he passed me the bag. Alice took my drink from me once again to free up my hands.
I worried my lip and played with the top of the package apprehensively. "It's not going to jump out and bite me, is it?" I asked coyly.
Laughing, Edward answered, "No, Bella. It's not going to jump out and bite you, just open it already. There's nothing to be weary of."
The black tissue paper made the object inside stand out like a sore thumb.
I started laughing hysterically. "Edward, you didn't," I managed out between hiccups.
"I sure did, now show everyone before they assume I got you laughing gas."
I pulled the round, white objects out of the bag, and held them up for everyone to see.
My face blushed ten different shades of red as everyone looked around in confusion.
"You got her those sticky lights? The ones you can stick to the wall to see in the dark with? Why?" Lauren asked from Edward's right.
"Basically there was a-a moment where I needed some, ah, illumination and couldn't find it. I ended up at the hospital because of it an-and that was where we first met." I answered, trying my best to not to die of humiliation. Oh, if they only knew the real story.
I saw Edward smirk at me from the corner of my eye and smacked him in the chest on purpose. "You're a jerk face right now. You know that, right?" I dead-panned.
"Yeah, but at least it made you laugh. And face it, they'll come in handy. I wouldn't want the same thing to occur again," he acquiesced.
"Thanks, Edward," I said while looking down and blushing.
The crowd had dispersed, going back to mingling around the room.
Alice was beaming at me from her seat, both of our drinks in her hand. I took mine back from her and took a few more sips from it.
"Are you feeling the alcohol yet?" she asked conspiratorially.
I giggled, "I'm not sure, I feel pretty… oh what's the word? Loose? Oh no, that's not the word. That would be a bad, bad thing if I were loose. Light. There, that's the word. I feel pretty light and free."
She laughed at my choice of words. "Yes, sweetheart, you are feeling the liquor. I'm going to put all this trash in the recycle. Why don't you go ahead and walk around a little bit?"
I nodded at her while Edward shifted from his perch on the arm of the loveseat. Turning towards him, I tried my hardest to not look directly ahead at the crotch of his pants. If I was slightly inebriated, I could not be held accountable for my actions regarding him and his glory pole. My inner reasoning did inform me that I would be asked a hell of a lot of questions about it in the morning, though. I focused instead on the hand that was stretched out in front of me, offering to help me up from my seat.
Taking it gratefully, I was pulled up quickly. My balance being as fucked up as it is, I wobbled on my feet slightly in front of Edward.
Note to self: Next time you consume alcohol do not wear any kind of heeled shoe. That is all. Okaythanksbye.
Edward's other hand came around to hold me steady around the waist, while our clasped hands rested on his chest near his unsteadily beating heart.
Hmm, we've met before Mr. Sex Hair.
I grinned sinfully at him, eyeing him up like the piece of ass that I so desperately needed to have.
"Hello, good sir," I said lowly.
"Bella, you're tipsy," was his chuckling reply.
That's not all I am…
"Why yes, I do believe I am. What are you going to do about it?" I purred seductively.
Purred seductively? Oh, Bella's a naughty, naughty girl when she drinks apparently. Heh, heh, and she likes it!
He gazed into my eyes, searching each one thoroughly before dropping down to my lips. I licked them in anticipation.
"Bella, there you are!" Jake called as he came in to Alice's apartment from the landing of my own.
Edward released my waist, swinging around to stand by my side as Jake continued on his path to me.
"Jake, what- oof!" I'd been cut short as Jake's massive arms wrapped around my frame, knocking the wind out of me and lifting me up off the ground. My hand slipped from Edward's as I tried to hold on for dear life.
"Happy birthday, baby!" he said before setting me back down on the ground and crashing his lips to my own.
XOXOXOXO
A/N: Thanks to Ellie and Amelia for being fantastic betas. Also, thanks to my mom for all of her support.
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