I was quite surprised that only two people caught onto this: Alice's 'mission' was never discussed! Did you wonder what she was doing while Edward and Jasper went 'Commando Barney' on Rosalie's car? Well, I won't tell you yet. But remember this: they trashed Rose's car. That's it so far. But don't cha think Emmett got off a bit easy? His wife mad at him for like 10 minuets. Whoopee, big deal. But he is the one who started that torture Edward fiasco in the car. And the EAJ (Edward, Alice, Jasper) trio will NOT forget that. Bwah-ha-ha! Oh yeah… I do own Twilight and New Moon! Well, a copy of them anyway… Two of New Moon, really! –hugs the special edition- I'm naming it Special Ed! –laughs at own joke- Read Cullenary Education: Forks Sex Ed. Seriously! Then The Birds and the Bees. Then The Birds and the Bees: Emmett Style! All hilarious! Back to my writing…
EPOV:
Rosalie blaring threats followed me all the way to Bella's. I knew I may have initiated a prank war of sorts with Emmett, but I put it out of my mind. After all, things wouldn't really kick in until he found Alice's little donation in out plot against him. However, that was neither here nor there right now. Bella was all that mattered at this moment.
As I had assumed, Bella was still sleeping when I pulled onto her street. Deciding it was better to not give Charlie and Renee a heart attack, I parked the Volvo a good eight houses down from theirs. In the time it took for a human to blink, I was out of my car and on her windowsill.
Thankfully, her father had not yet considered locking Bella's window. For a chief of police, I pondered as I crept into her room, he really doesn't take certain things into account. But I was indebted to him, all the same. If he had chose to lock her window there was no doubt I could break it open in a flash. However, that would lead to the evident questions as to why the lock was shattered. That was something to avoid.
In one stride, I was beside Bella's bed. I held my breath as I stared down on the delicate angel. Her face, so soft and warm, was slightly flushed. A ring of brown hair tumbled over her face as she shifted ever so slightly in her sleep. I swept it back on the pillow, so I could admire her beauty a bit longer. Her wall clock blinked 5:27.
Chief Swan's snoring stopped suddenly. He woke up with a groan, rolling off of his bed per usual. Also in his daily routine, he tripped over something, landing none too gracefully on his face. I stifled a quick laugh as I dove into Bella's closet. Charlie internally cursed everything: the floor for being so hard and out to get him, his alarm clock for not going off, and his 'two-left feet'.
Every morning seems the same with the damned carpet. He went through his daily bathroom rituals as quickly as possible, predictably stumbling in his haste. Hmm. Should I make breakfast for Renee? Nah, she can find her way around the kitchen and probably won't wake up till later. She was always a late sleeper. A flood of memories streamed to me via Charlie's mind: a young Bella poking her mother while she snored on; Renee with bed head, rushing to make a hurried meal in the early afternoon; a youthful Charlie pecking her a kiss on the cheek as he hurried on the door, obviously late as well.
This poor man had issues letting on, I assessed as he bolted out the door after catching sight of his watch. That forced him out of dwelling on the past. Once I was positive he was gone, I snuggled under Bella's covers, her body curved into mine.
She shivered at my touch, but a smile stole across her face. It was almost 6:15. Bella needed to wake up. "Bella. Bella, it's time for your last week of school." My voice was low but I knew she would hear it. She once let it slip that this was her favorite was to wake up: me, right beside her and calling her name softly. Her eyes closed tighter, but shot open at my quite chuckle.
"Edward!" She squeaked. Her voice was not loud, still groggy from sleep, but I raised a finger over my smile. "Now, now, did someone forget that their mother is still asleep? Don't want to wake her." She giggled and nodded. I sat up in her bed to allow her to get ready for school. She grabbed her bag of toiletries and clothes to make her way to the bathroom.
While she showered, I hopped out the window, pulling my car into the driveway. I then gathered her school things in her backpack and made her a bowl of cereal.
A few seconds later, Bella was dressed and hurrying down the hazardous stairs. I said hazardous because she could never seem to travel down them with falling on her face. Well, almost falling, as I caught her before that happened. This time, she tripped on the bottom step. How she managed that, even I couldn't comprehend.
"Oh Bella." I shook my head as I carried her to her seat; I wasn't going to risk another near death experience so early in the morning. "So are your parents expecting me after school?" The suspense was killing me; Alice wouldn't give me any details. She could be annoying sometimes.
Bella swallowed a mouthful before nodding. "Yeah. Renee is still livid for the most part." She scooped a last bunch of the mush as she carried the bowl to the sink. "You should have heard her last night. All hell broke loose." She gave me a warning look as she slung her backpack over her shoulder. "Don't take anything she says seriously, Edward. Renee is on the warpath right now. And you are her prime target."
The idea of a frail human woman being out to get me was hilarious. I bent over Bella, pressing her against the doorframe as we were leaving. My icy lips eagerly found her full, warms ones. The kiss was short, but passionate. I smirked as she pulled away, once again breathless. "I think I'll take my chances."
0- o O o -0
We finally made it to school, with time to spare. Alice was waiting at our usual bench, a large smile plastered on her face. Hi Edward! She silently greeted me as Bella and I approached.
"Alice." Bella jumped on the table next to my sister. "Anything new on the Emmett front?"
She shook her head, but looked hopeful. "Nothing." Yet. Emmett was in a fury when you ditched! "Naturally, to save our own butts, we pinned most of the blame on you." But not to worry; he just wants revenge.
Somehow I thought that a very good reason to worry. Emmett never knew when to quit. I sighed. Bella looked from me to Alice in confusion. "Should I even ask?"
"Retaliation, my dear." I offered.
Her face was still unsure, but then her eyes lit up. "Oh! For the car ride." Her angelic face twisted into an evil grin as Alice filled her in on our prank. The girls were laughing even harder when our plan for Emmett came to light. It was only a matter of time before he noticed. Unfortunately, that would fuel his thirst for revenge tenfold, but we'd worry about that later. "Okay, I want in."
Alice gave my fiancée a high five. "Welcome to the team, Bella!"
We spilt up for class then. Bella and I took our seats in the back of the room. Thanks to Senior Exemptions, we had free periods most of the day. We mostly sat together talking about inconsequential things.
At lunch, Newton was watching Bella intently. This was not nearly as annoying as his thoughts, however.
Just walk over and talk to her. Who knows if I'll ever see her once she's off at some college? But if I could just convince her to hand around a while longer… Then maybe she's see she would be better off with me.
Bella was deep in conversation with Alice trying to discourage her plans for a shopping spree tomorrow. I held her hand tightly; bring it to my lips to kiss the back of her hand. As I hoped, Newton's happy little fantasies of running of with my Bella disappeared before his eyes.
God, does Cullen ever leave her alone? He's like a frickin' watchdog, following her everywhere! Mike glared at me, not even bothering to entertain Jessica anymore. I returned his dark stare with a cheeky wave.
Sheesh Edward, Alice rolled her eyes as Newton drifted into yet another daydream starring my soon-to-be wife. It's getting pretty darn annoying having visions of Mike storming over here to flirt with Bella. And even more predictable are your responses. I saw a vision of myself pounding Newton to a bloody pulp. I snickered.
Edward, just do something already! Her eyes glazed out as a new vision focused in her mind. I didn't even catch a glance before Alice stored it away in her mind. A determined smile came over her face. Or perhaps things would be better if I did this myself.
I raised an eyebrow as she bounded out of her seat to stand in front of our table. Alice cleared her throat. Suddenly every eye was on the miniature vampire. Bella watched her carefully, trying to guess what she was up to. I was just was curious.
Huh? What does that cute Cullen girl want?
Is she making an announcement?
Look at her, taking everyone's attention. What a spoiled brat.
Urgh. Just look how all the guys stare at her!
It's time to begin the show. That was from little Alice herself. She seemed to be thoroughly enjoying having every eye on her; this must be big. "Everyone, I have something I'd like to tell you. It seems the poor lovebirds are too shy to tell everyone this themselves." She gestured at Bella and I, causing several eyes to sway towards us.
Oh no, she wouldn't… My own thoughts went from curiosity to incredulousness. Alice winked at Bella.
"My dear brother and my best friend Bella have made an important decision recently." Alice paused again, for dramatic affect. "Edward Cullen and Bella Swan… are getting married!"
A minuet of shocked quiet. Then the buzzing really began, some verbal, some inward.
"Bella is marrying Edward!" Jessica's voice was seething with envy. How sickening! What could he see in plain jane Bella Swan!?
Lauren shook her hair angrily. "I bet he just got her pregnant." Yeah, that would explain it! I bet when she gets fat he'll dump her. That thought seemed to comfort her as she compared herself to a Bella gone to seed.
Katie snickered, but was still white in the face. "Yeah, that sounds like Miss Isabella. Stupid stuck up little -" Lucky girl! How is that fair! She's here for two years, all the boys fall for her, and now the hottest of them all asked her to marry him?
"Oh my!" Angela Webber instantly smiled. "I'm so happy for you two!" I know they'll both be happy. I've always said they were the perfect couple. I was glad to see at least one of the girls was honestly happy for us.
Mike Newton, I was happy to report, was the farthest thing from. M-married? There go all my plans. Right up in smoke! "D-don't you think you're rushing things?" Come on! Cut a guy a break!
I turned to look down at the only person whose opinion really mattered. Her face was red (of course), but she looked extremely happy. Bella leaned her head against my shoulder, our fingers still locked, as she answered Newton. "I've never be happier in my life."
I kissed her cheek. "That makes two of us."
A/N: I just had to leave this one on a lovey-dovey note. Ha! Take that vile Mike Newton.