Stephenie Meyer is the Queen bee of all twilight characters…not me…:(
Copper-bottomed—'Genuine – something that can be relied on.'
Bella POV.
"Shhhh leave them alone! Bella needs more sleep"
"Okay…okay…no more pictures…but they look so cute!"
"Do you know where my left sock went?"
"Shhh…we'll' get you another pair, let's just get out…"
The whispered voices ceased with a click to the bedroom door, but they had already woken me. I thought back to last night and remembered being so helpless and weak. I suddenly sat up, as far away from the body that I felt slumberous beside me. My breathing came in short, sharp gasps due to panic as I slowly turned my head to look at the person who lay beside me. I thanked God that it was Edward and not some randomer that I had just imagined.
"Bella?" He opened his eyes and looked to me with a concerned look on his face. "What's wrong?" he asked me softly as he began to slowly sit up.
"I…I…last night…" I sobbed into my hands as I hazily remembered snippets of the night. Two strong arms quickly wrapped around my wracked body, pulling me to his side as I cried half in horror at having my drink spiked and half in relief that Edward had been there to protect me.
"Its okay now…you're safe…" he whispered as he ran his hands up and down my arm reassuringly.
"But anything could have happened" I gushed out before a new wave of violent sobbing washed over me. I could feel Edward slowly pulling me even closer to him; I gave in and let him pull me against him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his shoulder while he rubbed my back with one hand and stroked my hair with the other.
"Bella…" Edward began in a soft tone, obviously expecting me to look at him. I just buried my face in further into his shoulder, soaking his shirt even more with my tears. "Bella…I would never let anything happen to you." He spoke softly before I felt his lips brush against my hair.
I realised that his words were true, I trusted him. He could have easily slung me over his shoulder and taken me somewhere, but he didn't, he cared for me enough to carry me all the way up here and stay with me the whole night. "Thank you" I whispered in an uneven voice as I ran out of tears.
"Please…don't thank me Bella…I helped you because I wanted to." He spoke sincerely. I gave my head a small nod, not wanting to smack his jaw with my head. I hugged my arms around his neck a little tighter, which he returned with tightening his arm around my waist. I reached forward to plant a lingering kiss on the side of his neck. I felt his arm at my waist tighten even more, until I lay my head back on his shoulder, his arm then loosened considerably.
"Do you want to sleep some more?" he yawned as I closed my eyes. I nodded my head and snuggled up closer to his warmth and strength that made me feel safe. I felt exhausted after my bout of crying.
The bright sun streaming through the sliding glass door directly in my line of vision told me that it was nearing the afternoon. The sun was high in the sky, surrounded by a bright blue backdrop.
My right arm felt completely dead. I tried to wiggle my fingers, but I couldn't feel a thing. It was pressed between the bed and Edwards neck and had probably been there for some time from how well rested I felt now compared to earlier after my embarrassing outbreak of crying.
I slowly lifted my head from Edwards shoulder and eased my left arm from him. I noticed that my hand had been cupping his neck. I touched a small part of his neck beside where my hand had been previously and realised that it wasn't nearly as warm.
I stilled for a few seconds to work out how I was going to get a dead arm from under Edward's neck and not wake him up. After some deliberation, I began. I leant over Edward and then slowly began to lift his neck up a little with my right hand to make room for my other arm to slide out.
He chose that moment to wake up. When I was half on top of him, with my face inches from his and a hand grabbing at the back of his neck. "Hi" I smiled awkwardly.
"Hi" he smiled right back, making my train of thought jump off its tracks for a few seconds. His crooked smile never ceased to amaze me, and his eyes! Even now when they should look sleepy, they glistened.
"I…erm…dead arm…" I explained very inarticulately.
"Right" his smile faltered for a few seconds along with the gleam in his eyes. I wondered if I just caught disappointment in his face. I leant away from him as he lifted his head slightly and tugged my arm from beneath him.
I sat up beside him, cradling my nub arm while he stretched out on the bed. I then realised that I was still in my dress from last night. The one that Tanya had lent me. "Damn…" I muttered as I got up from the bed.
"Bella…what is it?" Edward asked in concern as he got up on the other side of the bed.
"I need to go and change out of this dress…" I explained. I caught the sound of laughter in one of the other rooms and realised that they were probably watching a DVD or cartoons in the living room.
"I think Tanya's in there…" Edward whispered as he continued to listen intently.
"I should get this off…" I muttered as I realised that it thankfully wasn't too crinkled.
"Come with me, you can get changed here, I'll get you something to wear." He told me as he walked to me with his hand held out. I grasped it and thanked him as he led me to the closet.
"Wow pretty tidy for three guys…" I praised as I noted the neatly folded clothes and shoes lined up smartly.
"We try…" he smiled back at me as he led me to what I presumed was his clothes.
"Pick anything you want." He told me as he waved his arms around his array of clothes.
I instantly picked up a black hoodie that looked comfy and gray sweats before he beckoned me back out. I went to change in the bathroom, leaving Edward staring out the glass door at the sky and the sea.
I locked the bathroom door behind me and quickly pulled off my dress. I quickly changed into Edward's clothes and then stood there for a few minutes like a lunatic, breathing in the smell of his hoodie. I smiled at the familiar, comforting smell of Edward.
A quick glance in the mirror told me that my hair was unworkable, but given the circumstances, I didn't really think that I needed to worry about that for a change.
"Thanks Edward." I said as I stepped out, with my dress over my arm. I caught an amused looking smile on his face as he looked me up and down. "What?" I asked as his smile broadened.
"Just as I guessed…" he began, shaking his head. "I knew that hoodie would look good on you." He finished as he stepped forward and held my hand. He gave the back of my hand a quick peck before he pulled me to the living room.
The room was impressive; it looked like a mini cinema. The curtains were all closed, making the room unnaturally dark. The only light came from the TV, basking over a line of five bodies who were all stretched out on their backs watching, 'Dogma'.
"Bella, how are you? The guys here told me about last night…" Tanya asked me with genuine worry in her voice as she got up from the floor and came over to hug me. I hugged her back, reassuring her that I was fine now and that Edward had looked after me the whole time.
"Good boy Eddie" Tanya smiled as she hugged him. I laughed as he protested her calling him Eddie.
"Tanya, I've got my dress for you…sorry…it's a bit crumpled…" I muttered as she took it from me.
"Bella! Who cares about a dress! As long as you're alright." She finished with a squeeze to my hand before she informed us that she had to go and see to some arrangements, and advised that we get packing finished ready for our week ashore.
"Nice clothes Bella…" Alice commented with a smile before she turned back to snuggle up to Jasper.
"Thanks" I replied, tugging the sweats up a bit before I let Edward lead me to the sofa which had been pushed back to allow the rest of them to stretch out.
"Do you want something to eat?" he asked me as I sat down. He stood beside the sofa, ready to get me something.
"There's some food over there" Rosalie informed us as she pointed to a few scattered plates and trays on the table.
"I'll get you something." Edward whispered in my ear before he crept over to the table.
He returned a few minutes later with two plates and two knives and forks. I took the plates from him so he could sit down and get comfy. He grabbed one of the plates once he was settled and began to eat while we watched the film.
I ate my food slowly, between laughing and talking. Seconds after I'd finished, Edward immediately took my plate and deposited both mine and his on the table with the rest.
Once he sat himself back down beside me, I snuggled up to his side and whispered, "You're giving me breakfast and dinner today?"
His arms loosened around my waist as he pulled back to look at my face. "Breakfast and dinner? Bella, we don't have to go tonight if you don't feel up to it…" he whispered back as he rubbed a hand on my shoulder reassuringly.
"Edward…we are going to dinner." I told him assuredly as I rested my head back down on his shoulder.
"Yes boss…" he chuckled before he hissed me lightly on the forehead.
"Bella, don't panic, your packing will be finished by the time you get back!" Alice reassured me as I slowly headed towards the door.
"Are you sure guys? I can do it when I get back, its no big deal…" I muttered as Rosalie began to pull me out of the bedroom.
"Go, have fun." Rosalie ordered me in a bored tone as we reached the door. She wrenched it open and gave me a shove forward. I stumbled into Edwards arms, wrapping my arms around his neck for support while he wrapped his arms around my waist. "Take care of her!" Rosalie called as she made shooing actions with her hands before shutting the door in our shocked faces.
"Well…that was…different." Edward commented politely as he loosened his grip on me. I regained my balance and dropped my arms from his neck.
I stood mouth agape for a few seconds as I took in the sight of him. He wore smart black trousers and shoes and a black and white vertically striped shirt which's sleeves were rolled up, showing off his muscular forearms.
"You look incredible…" Edward voiced the very thought that was running through my mind. I abruptly shut my gaping mouth and looked to his smiling face.
"I was just about to say the same thing…" I told him as I clasped my right hand into his left. I smoothed my dress down a little, feeling extremely excited for our date. I wore a simple strapless black dress that came to just below my knees.
"So where are we going?" I asked him as the elevator ascended.
"It's a surprise" he told me with a squeeze to my hand.
"I don't like surprises…" I pouted childishly, adding a fake huff just for effect.
His laughter reverberated around the elevator, causing me to laugh along with him. "Just trust me Bella…" he said as the elevator door opened and our laughter subsided.
"I do…" I sighed as I let him lead me along the deck. I realised that I'd never been on this part of the ship before; it was the highest level where people could usually come up and look at the stars.
I followed Edward silently as he pulled me behind him. My eyes darted around the small deck. I noticed that the telescopes had been moved to the side nearest to the elevator, while on the other end, sat a small table.
My hand flew to my mouth as my eyes drank in the view. There, in front of us, was a table for two with a blood red table cloth, shining silver cutlery, two wine glasses, two tall candles and the flower arrangement that we had made together the morning before right in the middle.
"Edward…" I whispered in shock as I lowered my hand from my mouth. "How did you…?" I began; shaking my head in confusion at how all this was accomplished.
"I have to admit, once Tanya found out about or date, she demanded that she organise it all, but I gave her the basic idea of what I wanted." He told me as he let go of my hand and pulled out my chair. I sat down muttering a quick thank you as he pushed in my chair.
"Was having dinner up here your idea, or Tanya's?" I asked, for some reason curious to know the answer.
"This was my idea." He told me with a pleased smile. "Tanya obviously sorted out our meal, the wine, the beautiful table…" he waved his arm indicating that there were too many things to mention.
"My ears are burning…" Tanya's voice came from a small room beside the lift that I hadn't noticed before. I turned to see her walking towards us, carrying a bottle of wine and a pleased smile on her face.
"Tanya…thank you." I gushed as she reached the table.
"It was no problem, I love arranging these sort of things." She smiled at me as she poured Edward and me a glass of white wine each.
"Ready for your starters?" she asked. We both nodded before she scuttled off toward the little room beyond.
I looked to Edward who was outright staring at me. Amazingly, I didn't feel embarrassed under his intense gaze. I brushed my fingers over the flower arrangement as I asked him, "Your idea, or Tanya's?"
He took his eyes off of me to look to the flowers. A small smile graced his lips as he stated, "Mine."
"I had fun making this." I told him as Tanya returned with our starters.
Once we'd thanked her and she'd walked away, Edward spoke. "I had fun making that too…except for Miss Lacey…" I laughed as he faked a shudder.
"She can't be that bad…" I speculated as I sipped my wine.
"Bella, I used to come out of that class feeling violated!" he told me with a look of horror on his face, and humour in his eyes.
"Maybe you're too good looking for your own good?" I asked with a smirk while he responded with a chuckle and a shake of his head.
By the time we'd reached my chocolate fondant and Edwards baked Alaska, we had talked about everything and nothing. Edward told me what it was like, growing up in Alaska, mucking around with Emmett and Jasper, I'd told him about living with my mom in Phoenix and then I got sidetracked talking about my clumsiness.
Just as I was going to talk about Charlie, Tanya came over and declared that part two of our date would be ready in a few minutes. I caught Edward as he gave Tanya a nod of his head and a broad smile.
"What's part two of our date?" I asked, intrigued.
"Surprise, and it was my idea." He answered, before he stood up. Somehow he managed to get around to my side before I had even begun to move out of my seat. He pulled back my chair in a gentlemanly gesture like they did in the old films.
He took hold of my hand once I was stood. A sudden feeling of needing to be closer to him washed over me, so I dropped his hand and managed to slip my arms around his waist before he got the chance to get offended. He draped an arm over my bare shoulder as he lead me a short distance away to the rail where we could look over the sun, sea and the nearby islands.
After a few moments of silence Edward suddenly dropped his arm from my shoulder and pulled me from his grasp, "I'll be back in a few seconds" he told me before he ran back to the table behind us. He returned swiftly, with a soft brown blanket which he fanned out before him, before draping it around my shoulders.
"Thank you" I whispered as he pulled me to him, tugging at the corners of the blanket that he still held onto. I wrapped my arms around his waist while his arms wrapped around my shoulders, keeping me close to him.
His breath tickled me as he leant his head down and whispered in my ear, "Bella, stop thanking me…" I realised that is sounded like half a command and half a plea.
"Whatever you say Green Eyes." I responded as I looked up to him. His eyes bore down on mine, grabbing my full attention. The green orbs seemed to sparkle, yet grow darker as we stared at each other. My heart thrummed loudly in my chest, I wondered if Edward could hear it.
My heart began to beat even faster as his eyes seemed to search my face between darting to look at my lips. As he began to slowly lower his head, I gripped onto his waist a little tighter, knowing that I'd probably faint or loose all use of my legs.
"Come on then!!" Tanya's voice called as Edward almost finished closing the gap between us.
I didn't hide my huff of disappointment or frustration at I dropped my arms from around Edward and went to pull away from him. His arms held me tightly to him, keeping me caged within his arms. I waited patiently for him to say or do something while I began to grow embarrassed at my huffing.
"You shouldn't frown you know…" his velvety voice broke through our silence as he moved one arm away from my waist to smooth his hand over my furrowed brow. Before I got the chance to respond, his hand move to cup the side of my face and he swooped his head down to press his lips to mine.
My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck and sunk into his hair, pulling him closer to me. I smiled against his lips as I felt his arm around my waist pull me closer to him as well. Our lips moved in perfect harmony, making my head spin along with the sensation of his hand on my face, gently lowering, trailing down my neck to my shoulder.
Inevitably, we both broke apart, gasping for air. I clung to him in the fear that my legs had turned to jelly and I'd fall. I rested my head on his shoulder, and he soon did the same, kissing me softly on the side of my neck occasionally.
"Edward, I'm off now, you guys have fun!" Tanya's voice drifted away as I heard the sound of an elevator moving.
"Ready for part two?" Edward murmured against my skin before planting another kiss on my neck.
I pulled back from him and kissed him quickly on the lips before nodding, "Go ahead, and surprise me."
He let out a small laugh as he pulled the blanket around my shoulders more securely and then led me across the deck, past the table that we sat at for dinner. A small distance away, between the table and the elevator lay some sort of square on the ground which hadn't been there before, covered in blankets and cushions.
"That looks…comfy…" I commented as we drew up to it.
"I thought we could watch the stars for a while" Edward told me as he kicked off his shoes and dove under the blankets.
I followed suit and went around to the other side where Edward had already pulled the thick, top blanket back for me. I lay down and instantly scooted over to Edward, needing to be close to him.
I sighed in contentment as he grabbed hold of my hand beneath the covers and began to trail lazy circles on the back of it with his thumb.
"Do you know any constellations?" I asked him after a few comfortable moments of silence.
"Nope, I wish I did though…" he answered, turning his head to look at me.
I gave him a smile before I pulled my hand free from his and snuggled up to him, resting my head on his chest and twining our legs together. "I don't want this night to end" I admitted to him after a long silence of just listening to each others breathing and me following Edward's steady heartbeat under my hand.
"It's going to have to I'm afraid…" I frowned at that fact, but beamed at his next words, "But there will be more…another two weeks worth…" he finished by brushing a kiss to the top of my head.
An hour later, and us both having fallen asleep for a few minutes, we both agreed to head back to our rooms. "Leave it…Tanya's orders" Edward told me as I went to tidy up the makeshift bed. I slipped on my shoes and grabbed hold of his outstretched hand as we reached the elevator.
"I can't even remember when I had such a great night" I told him as we walked down the corridor to our rooms.
"Same here" Edward returned with a squeeze to my hand.
I sighed in disappointment as we reached our doors, but Edward soon turned that disappointment to happiness. "Are you exited about the week on land, on a nice tropical beach where I can teach you to swim?" he asked me as he pulled me to him securely.
"Yes I am" I grinned back at him as he smiled down at me. I brushed back his soft, unruly hair from his eyes before he lowered his head and pressed his lips to mine once again. This kiss was slow, tender and heartfelt, but still managed to leave me short for breath once we broke away.
"Goodnight" Edward murmured against my lips before he pulled from me and entered his suite. I did the same after watching him go and was immediately bombarded by questions by Alice and Rosalie.
I held up my hands, not responding to their questions. "Bedroom, bed, snacks now!" I ordered as I led the way. Once we were all sat down, I demanded, "You eat and I'll talk." I grinned wildly as I told them about our whole night, kisses and all.
What a date! Wish I was Bella….(humph)
Review please!! I've got their week on land to start now, sand, sea and…..shopping!!! Plus, another few chapters of my other story write!