Today is going to be a very long and exhausting day. I wasn't expecting to see Edward last night therefore I didn't get much sleep. Not to mention I slept on Edward's couch, which is nice and all, but it tends to get a little crammed when you have someone lying with you. I wouldn't dare ever mention this to Edward. He would be concerned for my sleeping habits and leave me to sleep alone. I had all these thoughts racing through my head and my eyes aren't even open yet. Like I said this is going to be a long day. I felt soft kisses on my forehead, Edward's usual. I fluttered my eyes open and saw pure topaz.
"Morning" He said
"Morning" I responded quietly trying not to open my mouth too wide for the fear of morning breath.
"Alice wants to see you."
Oh great that's all I need. Once I get Edward back with me we have to separate for something like wedding plans.
"Come on Bella." Edward had to practically lift me out of bed.
"Uhm Edward, what am I going to do about clothes?"
"I had Alice pick you up some."
"Toothbrush?"
Edward approached me and wrapped me in a strong hug. "On top of the sink Bella."
"Are they actually my clothes?"
"Well I don't know, do those look familiar?" he pointed to a neatly stacked pile clothes.
"Yes, those are mine, thank god. Sometimes I think Alice forgets that I have to go out in public."
"She's just concerned for your public image." Edward gave me a teasing half smile as he released his iron grip.
I went to grab the clothes and noticed that my bra and underwear were neatly placed on top causing me to turn bright red. There they were in plain sight. Edward grabbed the stack of clothes and walked towards me. I abruptly took them away from him.
"Not a chance. I can dress myself occasionally" I pressed the stack against my chest assuring that my undergarments were hidden.
Walking into the Cullen's bathroom was like nothing else. It felt like a miniaturized ballroom. There was a small chandelier falling from the ceiling. The marble double sink was like nothing I have ever seen. Even the hand soaps were too pretty to consider using. Just like Edward had assured me, there was my toothbrush sitting on top of a neat stack of hand towels. Edward's button down was wrinkled and hanging off of my body. I liked the way it looked on me, his scent surrounded me all night. I washed my face, brushed my teeth and got dressed. Alice had picked out clothes that were appropriate for the weather jeans, a light sweater, an under tank top and my rain coat. As I walked out of the door I tripped on the bathroom rug and my face was plastered into Edward's chest. He grabbed me by the waist and supported my weight.
"Come on Bella." He chuckled and grabbed my hand, racing me down the stairs toward the door. On my way I caught a glimpse of Alice.
"Alice! I didn't know you were here. I didn't see you last night." I lied.
"Ah yes, last night, you showed up earlier then I expected. I'm sorry I missed you."
Of course she knew I was coming to see Edward. She probably left to give us some privacy, taking everyone else with her. Edward still had a hold of my hand, he started to play with my fingers. I took it as a hint that Edward wanted to leave.
"Well Alice we have to get going I'll see you later." I was then being pulled towards the door again. Alice glared at Edward and then back at me.
"Don't worry Bella, when Edward leaves for a hunt we'll have plenty of time to discuss wedding plans." Alice's lips spread into a wide grin, her eyes triumphant.
Before I could respond I heard the door shut and I was turned around only to be locked into a kiss. Edward reached up and grabbed my face from both sides. He started out slow and inched his way deeper my mouth, never crossing the line to where he could hurt me, even though I desperately wanted to surpass that line. I gradually glided my hands down his chest. I could feel his sculpted muscles through his shirt. He felt wonderful, I wanted more. Before I could get any further Edward released my lips, he knows me too well.
"Now we can really start our morning." A smile approached his lips. Edward believes that the day doesn't officially start until he has a moment alone with me, and kisses are exchanged.
"I need to talk to you." My tone came out more ruthless than I would have liked it to be.
"I was going to tell you about my hunting trip, but Alice…she's still upset that you chose me once again over wedding plans."
"Will you stop pretending that you know what I am thinking."
"So the pout on your face has nothing to do with my departure to hunt?"
I ignored him and continued with my plea. "How can you leave so close to the wedding. I can't do this by myself. You're the only one that keeps me sane during this."
"Bella love, to make our wedding the best that it can be I need to take this time away. I don't want my mind to focus on anything but this" his hands were placed gently on the sides of my face. "Is it wrong to want to focus on what I love about you." he pulled back the hair from my neck and lightly kissed under my ear. "And my thirst for your blood is not one of them."
My disappointment was clearly visible. "Charlie will be back soon"
"Bella, there is always time when I am driving." He said exposing his teeth in a wide smile.
Even with frustration racking my body I could never get tired of leaving his fairytale mansion, watching the trees pass by so fast was exhilarating. Everything surrounding Edward, including Edward…was beautiful. I watched as the speedometer exceeded 70mph. I have given up on trying to make him drive slower. His excuse is that slow is not good enough for me, but really he does it to satisfy the vampire within him.
Before the conversation could go any further the Volvo came to a stop. He parked in Charlie's usual spot in the driveway, this is how I knew that he was not planning to stay long. Edward got out and sped to the passenger side to open the door for me, my pout still evident. I was not going to enjoy his departure. I reluctantly got out and leaned against the shiny silver paint. Edward leaned over me supporting himself by his forearm. He stroked my face and bent his head down to meet my lips. We shared a long and tender kiss. My fingers tugged at the bottom of his navy t-shirt, slightly pulling him to me. When he detached himself from me he pulled me close and kissed my hair. Edward walked me to the door, hand in hand. When we reached the door I reluctantly pulled my hand away from his fingers. I turned to walk into the empty house until I heard Edward's voice.
"Bella?" I turned to meet his gaze.
"Do me a favor." He said with raised eyebrows.
I nodded my head assuring him that I would fulfill his favor
"Stay out of trouble. I can get done a lot faster if I don't have to worry about you."
I answered with a smile. Edward stood with an apologetic stare before he got into the Volvo and sped out of the driveway. When I entered the empty house I didn't know what to do with myself. Without realizing it I walked up the stairs to the bathroom. My shoulders still had a teensy ache I drew a bath thinking that the scorching water would soothe them. After the last piece of clothing came off I looked at myself in the mirror, I was dull. This is the person that Edward sees. This is the body that Edward will see on our wedding night. The drawback of trying before I am changed is that Edward will see me, all of me before I am his equal. I have thought about that moment many times, just thinking about it now gets my heart beating faster.
"Only a few more days." I told my reflection as I slid off my engagement ring and placed it on my folded towel. Before I could reach my foot into the bath water the door swiftly opened leaving me completely exposed to whoever was about to enter.
"Oh my god!" Charlie stood frozen for a millisecond before shielding his eyes and slamming the door cringing at the site of his eighteen year old daughter naked. I reached for my towel a second too late. "Bella I'm truly sorry, I didn't think you were home! Your truck wasn't out front." I cursed myself for letting Edward drive me home, my truck was still at his house.
"Charlie!" I shouted through the bathroom door that kept a barrier between us. I touched my hand to my forehead, I was burning, my skin flushed with heaps of blood. "I'm sorry Bella, I thought you would be at the Cullen's"
"It's fine!" the truth is I am not the least bit fine with my father seeing me buck naked. Wait, my ring it was on the towel, where did it go? I dropped to the floor to look beside the sink, reaching my hand out to find it hidden behind the toilet.
"Oh that's just great." This is how I show my respects to Elizabeth Masen. This wedding has me so nervous and has only increased my clumsiness to outrageous heights, I needed a distraction for when Edward was away. I drained the tub deciding to skip the bath. Edward told me to stay out of trouble and with my luck I would drown in my own bath water. I didn't want to go downstairs. Charlie would be there with no words. Instead of letting this incident drag out for a week I will go downstairs and act as if nothing happened. I tried to slowly walk down the stairs, avoiding them to creak, as I reached the last step the weight of my foot betrayed me and caused Charlie to turn around to look at me. His face flushed a shade of pink, Charlie is not one to blush.
"Oh hey Bells." Charlie hesitated before speaking.
"Hey dad, I don't feel much like cooking, do you want to go out to dinner?" With Edward being away I thought this would be a good time to spend with Charlie. The wedding was a couple of days away and once I am changed, all that I know now will be gone forever.
"The Lodge?" Charlie asked hopefully. I laughed at his suggestion, once again we would be eating at Charlie's favorite restaurant.
"Sure dad."
"This is a good idea Bells, a chance for us to catch up."
"Yeah it's nice."
"Is Edward coming with us?"
I laughed "No dad. I can do some things on my own you know."
The restaurant was just as busy as graduation night. I can't imagine what for. The whole town of Forks could probably dine together with room to spare. We had to wait for a table to be available. Charlie and I have never had much to talk about, having Edward in my life probably will make conversing with Charlie even harder, my life basically consists of Edward. Once we were able to sit down, being alone with Charlie became even more difficult and more awkward.
"So Bella how are things going lately?" I just looked up at him while sipping my coke. "Sorry, I just haven't had an opportunity to ask, you're always with Edward."
"Yeah dad I'm sorry that I have been out of the house a lot."
"I understand, you're spending it with your fiancé…" he put a tone into his words, like I cherished the word fiancé.
"That's not fair dad."
"I didn't mean it like that Bella. Listen, I know what Edward means to you, and after what Edward said that night-" I was waiting for Charlie to belittle Edward. "-I know that he truly loves you."
My eyes brightened when Charlie spoke those words.
"Thanks dad, that means a lot to me, and to Edward too I am sure."
"You're welcome Bells." There was a pause between subjects. Charlie couldn't stay on an emotional topic for too long.
"But I still have this feeling like I am going to lose you." A smile crept to my face.
"Dad I am getting married, in a way you are letting the reigns loose on me. It's okay to feel this way, but just know that I am going to be happy as long as I am with Edward." Charlie stared at my face for a long moment, as if he were trying to memorize my features so he would not forget them. It was too quiet now; therefore I was glad when the waitress set the check on the edge of the table, while asking if we wanted dessert.
On the drive home Charlie asked questions about the wedding and if I was happy with what Alice has done. Charlie always liked to know what was going on with Alice. I told him about my dress and how I wasn't allowed to know about the honeymoon location. The conversation was going well until we stopped and a stop light and the headlights shined on one of Jacob's missing posters. Charlie was still pretty shaken up about Jacob, as am I.
"Don't worry Bells, we'll find him." Charlie reassured me.
A/N: Okay! I took down the original chapter and replaced it with this one, I didn't like the direction that the other one was going in, but this one is here to stay. Tell me how I am doing.