Whew! These chapters are longer than the ones I usually write!
I need something to do.
I've been sitting alone, by myself in this house, for three weeks. The phone rings, but I don't bother to answer. Alice comes by every so often with Jasper, but I usually refuse to come out of our room. But today was different. I was lonelier than ever before, and I needed someone, even if I couldn't have the one I needed most.
"Bella? Can we come in today? Or can you come out?" Alice rapped on our bedroom door, expecting me to refuse. But I stood up and pulled the door open. Alice and Jasper stood there, looking stunned that I had even opened the door. "Oh, baby." Alice cried, staring me up and down. "You look terrible."
"Thanks, Alice." I muttered, my voice raspy. I pulled Edwards grey robe tighter around me and sighed. "I guess we could go downstairs." I said grudgingly. Jasper gripped my elbow as we went down the stairs.
"How are you doing?" He asked, his eyes mournful.
"Not so great. I said shortly as we reached the kitchen. Alice was picking through the meager contents of the fridge in dismay. "But better than before." I sat down at the bar and laid my head down on the cool granite. Jasper started to massage my tense neck and Alice set a carton of ice cream in front of me.
"Eat." She ordered, shoving a spoon in my hand. "You look like you've lost ten pounds since I last saw you. When was the last time you had an actual meal?"
"I dunno. A couple of days ago I had Chinese." I said dully. "And the delivery guy gave me extra fortune cookies."
"Score." Alice muttered, producing a sponge from under the sink and started to scrub at the countertop. "Bella, hasn't the maid been here?" She asked, wrinkling her nose at the grim in the microwave.
"No, I gave her some time off." I said, shoving a spoonful of ice cream into my mouth. Alice and Jasper exchanged a look and Alice walked around the bar and put her arm around me.
"How do you feel about going out today?" She asked hopefully. "Get your mind off things?" I could think of a million excuses, but I decided against them. Alice had been amazing this past month, I could give her this. And she had lost Edward too, not just me.
"Fine. Just let me get showered and dressed." I sighed, stumbling upstairs.
After a hot shower and clean clothes, I felt better. Running a brush through my curls, I dashed down the stairs. "I'm ready." I said flatly, rejoining Alice and Jasper in the kitchen.
"Great." Alice said cheerfully. "We thought we'd go on the yacht today, the weather is absolutely perfect." My heart sunk a little and I turned my face away from Alice, not wanting her to see the tears that pooled in my eyes. The last time I had been on the yacht was when Edward and I had told his parents about our engagement. Alice roughly took my chin in her hand and forced me to face her. "Bella, you need this. You need to let go."
She was right. I could mourn, but I shouldn't be shutting everyone out like this.
"OK. I'm sorry." I muttered, picking up my purse.
"Don't be sorry, Bella." Jasper said calmly. "Just try and have some fun and forget about things."
Yeah, right. Like I could ever forget about Edward.
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Flashback- We're Engaged:
"So is this ok? Do I look like the future Mrs. Edward Cullen?" I asked, posing in my blue sundress at the foot of the stairs.
"Definitely." He grinned, kissing me fiercely. "I'm tempted to take you upstairs and keep you to myself for the rest of the night." I lost my breath at those words.
"Edward, I want-" I breathed, running my hands through his hair.
"Bella." Edward said seriously. "I'll have to forgo my temptations, because this is important. We're telling my parents." He studied me for a moment before guiding me out the door and to the car. "Are you seriously nervous?" Edward laughed as we got in the car. "My parents love you. They will be ecstatic to have you as a part of our family. Officially, that is. My mother has considered you her daughter for years now."
"It's a big deal, Edward." I snapped. "Of course I'm nervous." I knew how harsh my voice was, but I didn't bother to soften it. Edward held up his hands guiltily and leaned away from me for a moment. "And it doesn't matter how your parents feel about me, it's how they feel about us getting married that matters. Why can't you realize that?"
"I don't want to fight." He said in a low voice. "I want tonight to be perfect." I was silent for a moment, waiting until I was calm again.
"I know." I said softly. "And I'm sorry, I'm just worried about what they'll think." Edward smiled and pulled me closer to his side.
"Love, I think they already know." He said quietly, reaching under the seat and placing a weathered magazine on my lap. "I'm sorry, I should have shown you this earlier. It just came out this morning, I have no idea how the story got out so fast."
I groaned at the headline.
"Edward Cullen Engaged?" And below it was a picture of Edward and I at Taco Bell after the fundraiser. We were still dressed up; Edward in his tux and me in my formal gown. And my hand rested on the table, foolishly flashing my engagement ring.
"Read the story." Edward said softly. "Page 64."
"Is Edward Cullen, everyone's favorite movie star, marrying girlfriend of three years Isabella Swan? The pair left a fundraiser early last night, and Miss Swan's ring finger was bare. But a mere hour later, the couple were seen having a casual dinner at a local Taco Bell, and Miss Swan was flashing some serious bling on her ring finger. The diamond in question is from Tiffany's, a fourteen carat, cushion cut engagement ring (according to Tiffany's consultant). Edward and Bella have been dating for a little over three years, and Bella is already close with his family members and they have been living together for almost two years. "Edward is completely devoted to Bella. He's never felt this way about anyone before, and he's been considering marriage for a few months now." A source says-"
I stopped reading and looked up at Edward; raising my eyebrows.
"Your parents have seen this?" I asked, dropping the magazine on his lap. He nodded. "And my mom… I have to tell her before she sees this." I was in a complete panic now, flipping my phone open and starting to dial my mother's number.
"Bella, love, calm down." He said, gently taking my phone away. "We can tell your mother in person, alright?" I took a deep breath and gently touched my engagement ring.
"Alright. Let me call her though; I'll ask her if we can come over tonight." Edward dropped the phone back in my palm and sighed.
"And your dad?" He asked quietly, knowing this was a touchy subject for me.
"We can tell him later." I mumbled, dialing my mother's phone number. Straight to voicemail. I put on a cheery voice to leave my message.
"Hey, mom, it's Bella. Edward and I wondered if we could come over tonight for a bit. So, uh, call me back as soon as you get home." I hung up and Edward laughed.
"You handled that well. See, there was no reason to be nervous."
"Yeah, but we haven't actually told her the news yet, silly." I pointed out; looking out the window. We were nearing the dock. Edward reached for my hand and brought it to his mouth, gently kissing my palm and then my engagement ring.
"It's going to be fine, Bella. Everyone is going to be happy for us." He promised as the car came to stop at the dock. I could see the yacht in the distance. "Breathe." Edward reminded me before kissing me passionately.
"That's hard to do when you dazzle me." I said once I regained my breath.
"I dazzle you?" Edward teased as we walked to the dock.
"Frequently." I rolled my eyes and smacked his arm.
"I'll keep that in mind." He said jauntily, taking my elbow as I climbed onto the yacht.
"You're so full of yourself." I giggled.
"Hey kids!" Esme had spotted us and immediately pulled both of us into a hug. "Is it true?" She asked excitedly, grabbing for my left hand. "Alice!" She called, a huge grin on her face. "Carlisle!" They both appeared and I couldn't contain the grin on my face. Edward wrapped his arm around my waist; smiling hugely as well.
"Holy shit!" Alice squealed when she saw my ring finger. She and Esme began squealing together and Alice threw her arms around both Edward and I. "Tell me everything." She ordered, pulling us to the couch. "When did it happen?"
"Last night." I said happily.
"So the magazine was right for a change." Alice mused, a smile on her lips. "Interesting." She took my hand again and examined my ring. "Damn, Edward. How many carats is this?" I shifted uncomfortably and Carlisle laughed.
"14." Edward said simply, taking the drink Carlisle offered him. I declined mine.
"It's beautiful." Esme said happily, patting my hand. "Bella, we're so happy to have you in our family. You've made Edward so happy." I blushed and Edward kissed my temple.
"Can I plan your wedding?" Alice asked eagerly. "I have the most romantic location in mind."
"Whoa, Alice." Edward interjected. "Take it easy; we haven't even set a date yet." Alice pouted and Carlisle put his arm around his daughter's shoulders.
"Welcome to the family, Bella." He said cheerfully, and I got up to hug him. Carlisle was such a comforting person, and extremely easy to get along with. "We're happy to have you."
"Thank you." I said, and hugged Alice and Esme again.
Everything in my life was working out beautifully.
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Aw. Now, I need your guys' help. Bella is (eventually) going to start dating someone, but who should it be? Emmet, Jacob, or someone else entirely? Please review with some feedback and your opinion.
Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie