Hey, people. I hope you enjoyed BD because I sure as hell did! Woohoo! If you haven't gotten yet it is soooooooooo worth the wait! Anyways, here's the next chapt and I hope you enjoy this one.
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Disclaimer:"Hey, guys. I know you all enjoyed BD. Reader4Lyfe did. She screamed at some parts. She says that some parts were twisted and that she wasn't expecting ANYTHING like that. She loves it and I'm proud. She owns nothing, remember that." S.M.
Chapter 13
EPOV
I left Bella this morning, even though I really didn't want to, to go see Carlisle and Esme. I thought about the way Bella had met them and it wasn't in the best of situations. After all she's been through she deserved to have a little fun with a real family. She deserves a family, one that would love her to no end and take care of her whenever she needed it.
When she told me what happened to her last night, I couldn't help be angry, sad and happy all at the same time. I was angry at Charlie for hurting such a beautiful angel. I was sad because she was sad. I hated seeing her breakdown and fall apart because of her past. Her pain was my pain. I was happy because she was okay. She was safe from him and from that bastard Mike Newton.
I was happy because she seemed happy, at least whenever she was around me. She seemed happy when she was around all of us.
I knew I must've looked terrifying in that room last night. I probably scared her, which is why she thought I was going to lash out on her. I could never, would never lash out on her. How could I? She's the most wonderful person I've ever met. I would never take advantage of her or hurt her. I wouldn't forgive myself if I ever did.
She asked me why I didn't yell at her or throw her out or take advantage of her and the truth was that I couldn't. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't have been able to do it. Bella is perfect and beautiful in any and every way possible and impossible. I'd take her whether or not she had one eye or webbed feet.
I drove home, to the big white house just outside of Phoenix. It took me about half hour to get there since it wasn't in the city limits. I pulled into the garage that was filled with Carlisle's Mercedes, Jasper's motorcycle and my Vanquish for special occasions.
I text messaged Alice, telling her of my plans before I walked into the house.
"Mom, Dad?" I called as I stepped into the house.
"In the kitchen," I heard Esme call.
I made my way to the kitchen passing the huge dining room. Esme was cooking breakfast on the stove and Carlisle was sitting on a stool at the island counter in the center of the kitchen reading the paper.
"Good morning, Edward." Esme smiled at me before turning back to the eggs and bacon on the stove.
"Good morning, Edward. To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" Carlisle asked.
I smiled at him as I took a seat next to him at the island counter. Esme finished the eggs and bacon, then. She took out three plates from the cupboard above the counter and placed one in front of Carlisle, an empty seat and me.
"No thanks, Mom. I already ate with Bella."
She smiled at me and put the plate back in the cabinet. She reached into the oven and pulled out a plate of her famous pancakes. She placed three on each of their plates, along with some eggs and two strips of bacon. The extras were already on the table. Carlisle had his coffee and she had her cup of orange juice. They dug in.
I spoke while they ate.
"Well, I wasn't planning on bringing Bella over until Thanksgiving, but I think that's too late. I want her to meet you guys properly instead of in such dire situations. She's been through a lot lately and I think she should enjoy some good company."
"What did you have in mind?" Esme asked.
"Well, I know that you're leaving on an interior designing convention tomorrow afternoon, right?" She nodded. "And, dad, you have to work tomorrow, since you took off today?" He nodded as well. "Well, what about dinner?"
"That'd be nice," Esme said as she finished off her breakfast.
"We can get everyone together and they can come over tonight. It doesn't have to be really big like a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner just something for the family. We haven't gotten together in almost two months." Carlisle nodded in agreement.
"We can do that." He turned to Esme then. "Esme, why don't you and Edward do the shopping and I'll straighten up the house."
The house didn't need much straightening because it was just the two of them living here now. But Carlisle liked things clean and . . . spiffy, if you will.
"Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate it and I know Bella will to." He gave me his loving smile.
"Mom," she was cleaning the dishes.
"Let me just get this done and then we can leave." Carlisle stood and went over to her.
"It's okay Esme. You go on ahead. I'll finish this up." She smiled at him and they kissed gingerly on the lips.
"Let me change and I'll be right down," she said. I nodded as she left the kitchen.
"So, how is Bella?" Carlisle asked as he finished up the dishes in the sink.
"She's doing well. She saw the gashes on her thighs last night after her shower and she passed out. I wrapped her up with the bandages and gave her the meds."
"She didn't hit her head or anything, did she?" He slipped into doctor mode for a minute.
"No. I checked."
"Good." He finished up the dishes and began to dry them off.
"She . . . " I trailed off not sure whether or not I should tell him about what happened to Bella, even though she told me not to. I sighed. I was torn between wanting to keep her safe and cared for and obeying her wishes.
"Go on." Carlisle urged.
I sighed again and ran my good hand through my hair.
"Bella told me what happened to her."
Carlisle's head whipped around in my direction. His eyes were wide.
"Well?" He urged again.
"She told me not to tell you. She just wants you all to be safe. Maybe this dinner will help her feel more comfortable around you and Mom."
"Maybe, it will. Do you think her parents know about the bruises?" I looked down at the marble table.
I didn't say anything for a long minute. Carlisle sighed and put the plate he was drying down. He walked over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"It has something to do with her parents, doesn't it?" I nodded, but kept my attention on the marble. I heard him sigh behind me. "When she's ready, she will say something."
I chuckled. "That's what mom said when we were in the hospital."
"Everything will be alright, Edward. Don't worry about it." Carlisle gave my shoulder a squeeze right before Esme walked in.
"Okay, Edward. I'm ready when you are." She stuffed some papers and her wallet in a small black purse and looked up at me.
"Thanks, Dad. I'll see you later." We smile at each other. He then walked over to Esme and planted a soft kiss on her lips. We made our way to the garage after Carlisle shouted a 'Be safe.'
"So, where to first," I asked her as I started my Volvo. She said we'd go to the supermarket first then to some other stores for some things that she could only get at that particular store.
At the supermarket, I grabbed a cart and pushed it up and down the aisles as I followed Esme; every once and a while she would ask my opinion on something.
I text Bella, but she never replied. I was alarmed at first, but then seeing as how I knew she didn't really want to go anywhere and the fact that she really couldn't, at least not without any help, I just figured she was sleeping again.
It was close to two in the afternoon by the time we got back to the house. We went to about five stores and the trunk of my car was just about full. Carlisle helped me bring everything into the house.
Esme had decided to make a huge dinner even though there wasn't an occasion for it. She just wanted to cook. I did too. It was always fun cooking with her. I helped her put a few things away.
She kicked Carlisle out of the kitchen, saying things about ruining her focus and sneaking tastes of the food. I helped her start a few things, but it was nearing three and I knew I had to get back to school. I asked her if she'd be okay while I was gone and she just about kicked me out of the house.
I found Bella on the couch in the living room curled up under the same blanket we woke up under this morning. The Jumper menu was playing on the T.V. screen. I saw The Illusionist DVD case sitting on the table.
I smiled. I didn't know she liked that movie. It was a gushy twisted romance that you had watch two or three times to actually understand what really happened. (A/N: I really do have that movie and had to watch it a few times before understanding what really happened. It's a pretty good movie. You should buy it and watch it.)
I picked up the soda can and the chips from the table and threw them away. Just as I was about to change the movie and sit down there was a knock at the door.
"Hey, big brother," Alice chirped as she wrapped her slender arms around my waist. I kissed her forehead.
"Hello, Alice, Jasper," I acknowledged him as he walked in behind her. We smacked fists.
"Where's Bella?" Alice asked a little too loudly.
"Shh. She's sleeping on the couch."
Alice snickered. "Cuddle buddies." I frowned at her and she laughed.
"C'mon, Alice, Bella needs her rest," Jasper said. He wrapped his arms around her small frame from behind and she quieted. It always amazed me how he could calm Hyper-Pixie Alice down so easily.
"Here's Bella's homework and such." Alice handed me a tan bag that I hadn't noticed when she came in.
"And here's yours." Jasper removed his hands from The Pixie's waist and took the backpack off his back and handed it to me.
"Thanks, guys. Where are Rose and Emmet?" I asked. I thought they would've wanted to see Bella.
"Rose had to take a test for some advanced program and Emmett got in trouble." Jasper snickered this time. I rolled my eyes.
Alice rushed into a quick story on how Emmett planted a Whoopi-cushion in one of his teacher's chairs and then put laxative in the teacher's coffee. I doubled over in laughter by the time she finished. He was caught because he signed his name on the Whoopi-cushion.
Alice and Jasper left soon after the story was done. I changed the movie to The Island. Dinner with the family was set to start at eight, so if Bella didn't wake up by seven I'd have to wake her so we wouldn't be late.
I made a sandwich and grabbed a soda since I hadn't eaten since this morning. I ate quickly and sat down on the couch near Bella's head. I moved towards her head and lifted it up slowly, so it would rest on my lap. Bella didn't stir, so that was good. I leaned back against the couch. I paid more attention to watching her sleep then the movie.
She didn't talk, which was a surprise to me. Her brows would furrow sometimes and she would sigh, but she didn't talk.
It felt like an eternity with me just sitting there staring at her. I really couldn't help it. I ran my fingers through her soft, strawberry scented brown hair.
Bella stirred after I did it a few times. She hummed and opened her eyes slowly. When they met mine, she smiled.
"Hi," she said.
"Hello," I said.
I pushed her hair from her face and let my fingers fly across her cheek to make her blush and sure enough she did. I chuckled, loving when she did that.
"You've been sleeping a long time. I was surprised when you weren't talking." I'm sure my eyes held the amusement that was going through my head. Bella blushed harder.
I helped her sit up, but I didn't like the space between us so I pulled her into my lap and kept the blanket around her.
"How are you feeling?" I needed to make sure she was okay. If she wasn't, I might have to cancel the dinner plans tonight.
"I'm fine," she said.
"Are you sure?" I took her face into my hands and looked at her intently, examining her face.
"Yes, Edward." I stared at her to see if she was lying, but she wasn't, so I proceeded to tell her to get dressed.
"It's almost 7:00—," she cut me off.
"Damn! I forgot Alice was supposed to come."
"It's okay. She gave me your backpack with your homework in it earlier. Jasper gave me mine."
She looked scared for minute, like I'd seen something I wasn't supposed to.
"Oh," was all she said and looked down at her lap. I thought about asking her why she looked scared, but I didn't want to ruin tonight or upset her.
"You need to go get dressed." My eyes were shining with excitement about tonight.
"Why?" She looked at me. I decided to give her part of the surprise.
"We're going to dinner." I thought about her face when she'd see the house. I inwardly smiled.
"Why do we have to go out to have dinner? Why can't we just stay in and order something and watch a movie?" Bella was whining, but I think she knew that and didn't care. She was cute when she acted like a baby, too.
I knew she would argue about going out anywhere, so I did the one thing that could make her do anything I asked; I kissed her.
It wasn't like any kiss I'd given her in the past. This one was hard, forceful. I traced her bottom lip with my tongue then forced her mouth open. She gasped and I was able to explore her mouth
more as she opened it wider. I knew I was being rough, but I didn't care. I was devouring her mouth, claimed it as mine.
My hands gripped her waist. The blanket was keeping my hands from feeling her soft, warm skin, so I moved them under the blanket and under her tank top. The feel of her skin was intoxicating. It was more warm and soft than anything I've ever felt. I loved her skin. I loved everything about her.
Bella's arms moved up to wrap around my neck, pulling me closer to her. She grabbed fistfuls of my hair. I loved when she did that, too.
But we had somewhere we needed to be and at this rate, I probably wouldn't be able to stop. I only did it so she'd get dressed. She pushed my face toward hers more and I chuckled against her lips.
I pulled back and she whimpered. I was hysterically laughing in my head.
"Get dressed, love. Just wear something formal." I wanted her to look nice, but be comfortable at the same time.
She groaned as I helped her up and into my room where her bag of clothes were. She took some clothes and went to the bathroom. I threw on a white button down shirt and some jeans. I pulled a dark blue blazer from somewhere in the back of my closet.
I went to the living room and turned off the T.V. and the DVD player.
A minute later, Bella wobbled into the living room. She wore jeans and a blue flannel shirt, simple, but cute. Cute?
"I know. It's boring, but it's all I have here." I shook my head at her callousness.
"Silly, Bella. You look beautiful." I kissed her forehead.
She grabbed her jacket from the loveseat and I gave her the crutch as we made our way to the car.
Once we were in the car, she decided to ask where we were going for dinner. I smiled my crooked smile at her and told her it was a surprise. She huffed and crossed her arms across her chest.
I pulled her hand from her side and brought it to my lips. I kissed the part that wasn't covered by bandages.
"Are we there yet?"
"Yes almost." I pulled into the driveway. I reached the garage and I heard Bella's breath caught.
"Your garage is huge!" She gasped.
"Yes." Emmett's Jeep and Rosalie's BMW were parked further into the garage. I pulled in between Alice's Porsche and Carlisle's Mercedes.
"Where are we?"
"My parents' house," I couldn't wipe the huge grin off my face as I saw Bella's mouth drop.
"You brought me to your parents' house!" I helped her out of the car.
"You've already met them, Bella."
"Yes, but…" I gave her crutch as we walked to the front door.
"Bella, everyone is excited about this dinner. Just enjoy yourself."
She sighed. I saw her look up at the house admiring the color of it in the moonlight. As we walked through the front, she sucked in a breath.
"Wow." She breathed.
"Do you like it?" I asked.
"Do I? This is the most amazing house I've ever seen, let alone been in." I chuckled.
"Yes, it is a nice house."
"What's that smell?"
"That's dinner." I helped her into the dining room where everyone was.
"Hey, guys!" Emmett boomed.
Bella laughed.
"Hello everyone," I said.
"Bella," Alice and Rosalie shouted at the same time. They each carried a container of food in from the kitchen.
"Hey, guys. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages," Bella said.
They rushed over and both hugged her at the same time.
"Hello, Bella," Jasper said from a chair across from Carlisle. After the girls let her go, she smiled at him and said hello.
I smiled at Carlisle and Emmett, who ruffled my hair.
"Is dinner ready, yet?" I asked. Rose sat down next to Emmett, who sat across from Bella and me, as we sat down. Jasper and Alice sat across from Carlisle and an empty seat that was reserved for Esme.
The table was covered in food. There were greens, macaroni and cheese, baked chicken, bread, rice, and candied yams. Talk about a family dinner! Esme loves to do her thing in the kitchen.
"Look at the food!" Bella gushed. Gushed? "I haven't seen this much food since I made that Thanksgiving dinner last year." I chuckled.
Esme came in a moment later and handed everyone a plate.
"Edward, Bella! You're finally here! Now we can eat."
"Finally," Emmett said. We all laughed.
We prayed over the food and dug in.
I'll be updating soon. I promise. Like I said up north if I didn't mention you and you helped me out, I'm sorry.
The highest review count is 29. If you guys beat that I'll get Edward to do my disclaimer and ...maybe I can get him to PERSONALLY reply to your reviews. AND I'll reply with a sentence from the next chapter to each reviewer...but the reviewer that breaks the count will get a paragraph! I mention the tiebreaker when I post the next chapter.
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Reader4Lyfe, peace!