I just have to say that I hate WIRTER'S BLOCK!!! Sorry for the delay on this chapter. The ending just WOULD NOT FLOW!!!!!! I think I actually would have pulled my own hair out if it had not been for PicaNick! You're PM saved me, I laughed for ten straight minutes. I HOP on Cox indeed! LMAO!
If I owned it Edward would be a nudist! Did you see the yummy pics of Rob SHIRTLESS from Italy?
Bella was already asleep when I arrived Monday night. She had left a space for me so I laid down beside her until I felt she may become uncomfortable then I moved to my usual perch by the window. I woke her with a kiss and made me way home.
I quickly changed to so that I could hurry back to my love. Esme was pacing at the bottom of the stairs when I emerged from my room.
It's nothing personal. He probably doesn't even realize it. Just talk to him. He'll understand.
"Is everything alright?" I asked putting my hand on her shoulder.
"Of course, why wouldn't it be?" She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. I raised an eyebrow questioning her.
"Fine, I was just sitting here thinking about how all of your siblings and Carlisle have all met your Bella and I have yet to even speak to her. I know that it is irrational but I am beginning to think that you are somewhat ashamed of me." She whispered in a rush while looking off in to the distance.
"Oh Esme" I laughed, "If I was ashamed to have Bella meet anyone in this family it was Emmett and she speaks to him every day. The only reason that you haven't met Bella is that you
weren't here when she came over. I promise you that you and Carlisle are the first people I would want her to know. What would you say if I told you that I'd bring her around tomorrow
afternoon so that you can get to know her?" Her lips curled up into a radiant smile as she hugged me tightly.
Not gonna happen bro. Emmett mental voice called from upstairs.
"Why not?" I asked curiously.
"The pixie is calling for bright sunshine in the greater Forks area for Wednesday and most of Thursday. Cloud cover will begin to move into the area Thursday evening and there is a 100% chance of rain on Friday" he said in a mock newscaster voice.
I shook me head chucking at his antics. Esme looked crestfallen.
"Oh well, I guess that I will just have to bring her over today then." I smile.
"Really? That would be wonderful." Esme was vibrating with excitement.
After school so that gives me seven hours to get the house in shape and make her an after school snack. I wonder if she likes chocolate chip cookies. Oh who am I kidding all girls like chocolate. So I need to go the market. I shut her thoughts off after that. She was in full on 'mom mode.'
Speaking with Esme had made me late to Bella's house and she was standing on her front steps looking from one side to the other apparently looking for me. She spotted the car and ran down the steps and hopped into the car before I had a chance to get out.
"In hurry, love?" I chided.
"I couldn't wait to see you." She ducked her head blushing as she admitted "I thought you weren't coming."
'I will always be here." I immediately felt guilty because I was going to have to tell her that I wouldn't be coming over for the next two days. I was going to have to stay away at night as well since she knew when I was there.
"Bella?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry. That statement wasn't exactly the truth. My father has some sort of obligation that he has to go out of town to fulfill and we are all going with him. We are leaving in the morning and won't be home until very late Thursday night." I looked at her warily.
"Friday?" she looked hopeful.
"Yes, I will be standing at your door bright and early Friday morning." She smiled brightly at me as I parked the car.
Mt morning flew by and found that the only times that I could concentrate at all were when Bella was with me between classes and then all I could concentrate on was her. By lunch I was so lost in my thoughts of Bella that I didn't even hear Alice yelling at me across the table. She had to throw a bread roll at me to get me attention.
I looked up at her as the bread made contact with my chest.
"Yes?" I chuckled realizing that I had totally lost myself.
"Where were you just now? You looked like you were floating off in space."
I was just asking you if you had talked to Bella about coming to the house this afternoon.
"I haven't had the chance to ask yet"
"Ask who what?" Bella inquired.
"Alice was just asking me a question in her thoughts. She wanted to know if I had asked you over to the house this afternoon." I shrugged.
"Do you do that often and that would be fine." she looked curiously between Alice and I.
"Always, and you never get used to it. You always feel like your missing something." Em groaned. Jasper and Rose nodded in agreement.
"That's because you are besides you're all just jealous." Alice said before sticking tongue out at them.
Bella giggled at her and everyone else followed.
"Do you really want to come over today? Esme would love to meet you and I have a song that I'd like to play for you." I nuzzled her hair.
"Of course I'd love to come over, but do you think that Esme will like me?" she looked up at me worried but before I could respond Rose was on her feet.
"Oh I'm sure she will, Bella. I mean who doesn't just love Edward's sweet little human girl." she ground out through clench teeth and stomped off.
Don't expect me to be there, Edward. I am tired of watching you play house with your little play mate.
I suppressed the growl that was growing in my chest. Now wasn't the time to deal with her.
"I'm sorry Bella. I don't know what's wrong with her. I'll see you guys later." Emmett went after her.
Sorry bro. She was out of line. I will talk to her.
Bella looked distressed but tried to hide it behind a smile.
I drove Bella to her house after school so that she could leave her father a note to let him know where she was and when she'd be home and so that she could change clothes so that
she would look nice to meet my mother. She ignored my protests that she looked heavenly in anything that she wore. While she was upstairs changing I took a moment to look around
her tiny living room. There were photographs hanging along the longest solid wall. Bella was front and center of each of them. Most of them were her school pictures throughout the years
but some of them were of a younger Bella. One in particular caught my eye because the location was somewhere that I was familiar with. Bella who couldn't have been more than 6 or 7
stood grinning with her little arms wrapped around the shoulders of a man in a wheelchair who looked almost as familiar to me as the location. I would recognize the beauty of First Beach
in La Push anywhere. I had only been there once. It was to secure a peace treaty with a man that looked much like the one in the picture. I looked closer at the picture trying to remember how many years in had been since I had seen Ephraim Black, trying to decipher if this man was his grandson or great grandson.
"That's Charlie's best friend Billy Black. He lives up in La Push." she offered. I nodded thanking her for confirming my earlier presumptions.
I turned to look at her and had to force myself not to pounce. She was wearing the most lovely blue sweater and black slacks. The pants hugged her hips. The sweater enhanced her fair coloring and showed off her curves without being to immodest. She was truly a vixen.
True to her word Rosalie wasn't at home when Bella and I arrived. I wasn't surprised but was stilled a little upset that Emmett was gone as well. I banished this feeling opting instead to
cling to the thoughts of the members of my family that were at home. Alice and Jasper were assembling a puzzle on the dining room table while Esme was pulling a batch of cookies from the oven.
"They will be here in two minutes and four seconds," Alice chirped bouncing in her seat.
Jasper was concentrating on calming her and maintaining his control.
Esme was beside herself with joy. She was trying to imagine what Bella looked like based on the descriptions given her by Carlisle and Alice. Her thoughts were a jumble of dark hair and brown eyes. Sadly none of he eyes she imagined had the depth of my Bella's.
I stopped the car in front of the house not wanting to risk running into Rosalie when I retrieved it later to take Bella home. Bella's heart sped up and she seemed nervous.
"Don't worry love, Esme already adores you and Alice seems very excited for you to be here." I tried to sooth her.
I squeezed her hand in reassurance as she still looked mildly anxious.
I held Bella's hand as I led her into the kitchen. Alice jumped out of her seat and ran at full speed to envelope Bella in a hug that someone of her size shouldn't be capable of.
"Wow," Bella breathed "you're as fast as Edward."
"Not quite but what she lacks in speed she makes up for in enthusiasm," Jasper chuckled and everyone joined in.
"Bella this is Esme, my mom, Esme this is my Bella."
"It's very nice to meet you Mrs. Cullen. Thank you for having me over. Your home is lovely." Bella smiled her best smile at Esme. I noticed that she was much calmer than she was in the truck and figured that Jasper was helping her with that.
Oh Edward, she is beautiful.
"Please call me Esme, dear and you are welcome in our home at any time. Would you like a cookie? "
"Yes, please. They smell wonderful," Bella nibbled on a cookie smiling the whole time she ate it. "They are as delicious as they smell."
"Don't give her too many compliments Bella they will go to her head." Carlisle joked as he came from the garage.
Attractive and well mannered, she is perfect for Edward. No wonder Rosalie is so jealous.
I looked over at Esme when she thought this. Was Rosalie jealous of Bella? I would definitely be looking into that theory.
"It's nice to see you again Bella outside of the ER that is." Carlisle teased her.
"Good afternoon Dr. Cullen. It good to see you again too." Bella blushed.
I spent the next two hours watching Bella interact with most of my family and found myself smiling and laughing more in that time period than had in the last two decades combined.
About seven o'clock Bella said that she needed to get home so that she could make sure that Charlie had eaten. She hugged Alice and Esme goodbye Jasper offered her a small wave so that he could keep a safe distance from her and Carlisle patted her on the shoulder as we went out the door. Bella was fitting into the family quite nicely.
I just hope that Rose comes around soon.
I dropped Bella off at home with the promise to be back at nine. I wanted to spend some time with her before she went to sleep since I wouldn't see her until Friday. Friday, the day that she would confront me about what I am. I wished that it would never come but I longed for it to already be over. I couldn't reconcile my warring desires.
Rosalie and Emmett were home when I got back. Alice was telling Emmett about Bella's visit and Rosalie was quietly sulking on the loveseat. I went over and sat beside her.
"Can we talk?" I asked her quietly.
She shook her head.
Tomorrow, please. When we go hunting, so that we aren't overheard.
"Rose," Em warned.
"No, it's okay Em maybe later. I want to go for a quick run before I go to Bella's anyway. I will see you all in the morning." I looked pointedly at Rose hoping that understood that what she was asking.
Thanks for understanding Edward. Rose and Em's thought called out to me as I left the house.
Bella was gathering her things to take a shower when I entered her window. She kissed me on the cheek and headed for the bathroom. I occupied myself by looking through the titles of
her books and cds. I was half way though her music collection when I heard her small yelp of pain and smelled the most delicious smell that I have ever been in contact with.
My whole body reacted and I was out her door and in the hallway before I had registered that I had moved. My conscious mind began to battle with my animalistic instincts. I stopped
breathing. I was grappling with myself for control of my body. I couldn't force myself to retreat but I had the presence of mind not to allow myself to take another step forward either. All
of my muscles were locked in place. I would not allow the monster in me to take over. He would not have Bella. I needed help. I had to get out of here but I couldn't do it. I felt my body
begin to shake with the need to taste her. I had stopped breathing but the monster had already caught the scent. His prey was injured and bleeding. The water turned off and I knew
that any moment now Bella would emerge from the bathroom and the monster would win and take her. A sob wracked my body as the handle began to turn. Three things seemed to
happen simultaneously: the bathroom door opened, Alice appeared in front of me and a large pair of arms encircled me so tightly that I was lifted off the ground.
Its okay Edward, I promise.
I've got you bro. We are going to take care of both of you.
I nodded sadly at both Alice and Emmet's thoughts. Thankful that they got here in time.
"Alice, Emmett? What are you guys doing here?" Bella whispered.
"We came to see you silly." Alice giggled at her.
Bella looked confused but smiled at my sister anyway.
"Put Edward down Emmett" Bella quietly demanded.
I shook my head I wasn't sure that I was in control.
"What's wrong?" Bella asked coming closer to look more closely at me.
"You were bleeding, Bella. Edward has a hard time dealing with it." Alice shrugged as Bella looked questioningly at her. Alice took her hand and led her in to her room. Emmett followed carrying me.
Everything will be fine Edward. Please don't beat yourself up over this. Bella will understand after Friday and I still see you two together. See what I see. Alice showed me picture after picture of
Bella and I holding hands, kissing, dancing under the stars, Bella smiling as she clung to my back as I ran.
The images helped to easy my mind and I felt calm enough to take an experimental breath. The burn was there but it was less extreme. The blood wasn't flowing anymore and an antibiotic ointment mingled with the smell of the drying blood and I wasn't as tempted.
"I'm okay now Em. Thank you, I owe you so much." I said too low for Bella to hear.
No problem Ed. I know that you'd do the same for me if the roles were reversed besides if you kill her I can't make her blush.
I flashed him a small smile. He stayed close to me just in case as I moved closer to Bella.
"Love, I am going to go with Emmett. I need some fresh air. I will call you tomorrow and I will see you Friday. I am so sorry. I wish I was stronger. I love you." I leaned down to press my lips to the top of her head but stopped short when she gasped.
"Oh my god Edward. Your eyes!" her eyes widened and she looked concerned.
"What about them?" I asked in mock innocence. I knew that the most be pitch black from the thirst.
"They are as black as they were the first time I saw you in biology. Are you sure that you are okay?" she asked reaching up to run her fingers across the dark circles under my eyes.
"I'm sorry love, so sorry about then and now. I am, to use your word, fine. I really do need to go. I love you. Be safe." I kissed her lightly on the lips and hopped out of the window with Emmett right behind me.
"I love you too." Bella called just as I hit the ground.
I am staying here for a while. Go hunt. Bella needs some girl time. I will see you at home.
"So Bella, how good a kisser is my brother?" Alice giggled as Bella groaned.
Damn I bet she's a tomato right now. I should have stayed.
I punched him in the shoulder and took of into the night to hunt thanking god for my family once again.
I pray that this sounds okay. Let me know, please I have been struggling through this ending since Thursday! Bella's POV is up next chapter. Please review. Thanks.