Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. I own the plot.
My beta deserves a big sloppy kiss for her help with this chapter, because it is a beast and she never complains. Dazzled eyes22 I owe you.
Thanks to those of you who commented or added me to your alerts.
This chapter will help you understand a certain blond if you have read Prima Nocte.
A/N
So like I warned you, this is the last chapter, only followed by an Epi at some point. So I hope you enjoy this.
oooooOOOOooooo
Chapter 31
Perfect day. What describes the perfect day? Is it a day where everything is easy and untroubled or is it a day where we all learn the truth about what life really has to offer? I believe it is the latter and that the perfect day is a day where all cards are laid on the table and honesty is the most important thing.
The last thing that I remembered from before I fell asleep was Edward smiling softly as he gently washed me. The cloth had been warm against my slightly swollen privates. I wasn't hurt in any way, but I can't say that I didn't feel the consequences of taking Edward's body into mine repeatedly. Sure, women stretched to accommodate a man, but having been at it for hours would leave its mark. However, I lingered around the feeling of being absolutely content.
Edward's breathing was shallow and even. I ran my hands through his hair, threading the strands between my fingers. His head felt slightly heavy, as it lay on my naked chest. His arm was over my waist and his legs curled into mine as he was completely snuggled into my form.
His breathing changed and I could feel the smile on his face against the breast that he was resting on. He moved his hand from my waist and held up a hand with three fingers raised.
I knew what that meant.
"You're pretty proud of yourself, aren't you?" I teased.
He snickered. "Yup. I don't think that's happened to me, since I was like sixteen years old and found a new relationship with my right hand."
This time, it was me who giggled. "I am so happy to know that you find me as hot as your right hand." I started stroking his hair again. "Though, you do have very pretty hands."
"Yeah, well hands tend to have a mind of their own." Lazily, he put his palm down over my free breast. He was silent while he touched me and sculptured his fingers around the mound. God, I loved his hands. He laughed gently. "Pregnancy really does become you," he said quietly.
I huffed. "Don't worry. This newly acquired rack will deflate when this is all over." I was hardly unaware that it looked like I'd had a boob job, even Alice had pointed that out. "So enjoy it while you can."
He tilted his head up, while he squeezed my breast playfully. "This wasn't what I was referring to, though I don't have any complaints. I just enjoy having you all to myself and being able to watch your body change. It's fascinating."
"Trust me. It's more fascinating to watch than it is to feel it."
He frowned. "Are you feeling sick again?" His voice was filled with concern.
"Actually, no. I still feel fine. I was talking about later when I can't see my feet or I need a crane to turn over in bed. In addition, there's the swollen feet and fingers, three trips to the bathroom every night and the fact that this fat suit is pretty hard to take off."
Edward lifted his head and kissed his way along my collar bone. "I'm glad that you feel fine." He ran his nose along my jaw. "From my point of view, I can't wait to tie your shoelaces because your beautiful belly gets in the way." He placed a featherlight kiss just below my ear. "I'll make a note to wake up every night to help you turn over and arrange your pillows, so you can sleep well. I'll also rub your fingers and toes every time that you need it." The tip of his tongue slowly moved up the column of my throat and then he started placing small kisses. "I can't do much about the bathroom, but every time you delude yourself into thinking that you're fat, I'll remind you that you're simply excruciatingly beautiful. How's that for a deal?" he finished and hovered above me.
I couldn't help, but squirm against his body. My fingers were still locked in his hair. "All these promises make me kind of…" I trailed off when another wave of heat seared my cheeks.
"Kind of what?" Edward asked with a very bemused expression on his face.
"Horny," I whispered trying to hold back my mortification at my admission. His lips softly covered mine, while tantalizingly caressing mine while his tongue coaxed my lips apart. I groaned as he let me feel the head of erection prodding suggestively at me.
"Is that so?" Edward mused as he tilted his head to the other side and lavished another kiss on me from a different angle.
"Uh huh," I managed before I kissed him back. "You want to aim for four?"
"Uh, huh," he echoed into my mouth.
Taking him in again, I was surely reminded that I was teetering on the verge of overuse, but the thought was quickly forgotten when Edward started to move. He was thrusting gently as he watched me closely. My eyes rolled back into my head, as I was engulfed by all of this sensation.
My mind unfortunately wasn't so muddled that I couldn't hear Elizabeth starting to call 'Mommy' from the other room. After I ignored her for less than a minute, she changed tactics and called 'Daddy' instead. It was like she knew that he couldn't ignore her calls.
Edward smiled, while leaning down to suck in my bottom lip. "Let's save the rest for later."
I grumbled when Edward pulled out and left me feeling void. What a shame. I curled my legs up and rolled to my side looking out the doors at the ocean. I took a deep breath. This was heaven.
Edward quickly used the bathroom, before putting on some shorts and going in to pick up Elizabeth.
"Hey, sweetie. Did you sleep well? Did you have nice dreams?" His voice was animated coming from the other room. I listened closely, as I could hear him changing her diaper and getting her ready.
"Bella, honey, I was thinking that maybe we could go over to the other side and have breakfast with Alice and Jasper?"
Talk about a change of subject, from making love to seeing people that I loved. I smiled. This day was already far too good to be true.
"Sure. I'll get ready," I answered back and untangled myself from the sheets.
Elizabeth was on Edward's shoulder and dropping crumbs into his hair from the crackers that she was munching on. I had shoved them in her hand to hold her until breakfast at the Twongs could be served.
Today was less hot than the others, but that didn't mean the temperature was anywhere below the nineties. Below my feet, the sand was already burning when we cleared the jungle. It was only around nine in the morning. Jeez.
"Go ahead. I'll catch up," I said, as I changed course for Alice and Jasper's bungalow. Edward nodded and set down Elizabeth, who ran straight for the ocean.
I knocked, while watching Edward trying to hold a combative child away from the water. Elizabeth was adamant that now was the perfect time of a swim. I laughed gently.
"Yeah," someone called from inside. It sounded kind of muddled. Had I paid attention, I would have known that I shouldn't have walked in, but nevertheless, I did.
I opened the door smiling and feeling a little overwhelmed yet totally giddy with all these happy emotions rushing through me.
I froze.
I saw them, but they definitely did not see me… at first.
"Shit, Bella! Fuck! Get out!" I was pretty sure that it was Alice that spotted me because it was definitely her screeching at me. It was hard to tell with all that exposed skin on the bed.
"Oh, gosh. I'm so sorry," I barely managed to wheeze. I rushed out of their place as fast I possibly could, while losing my one flip-flop along the way. I swear that I was born with two left feet.
My heart thundered when I finally managed to close the door behind me. A dual scream of laughter sounded from inside.
"I'm so, so sorry," I called loudly through the door. I was horrified that I had blindly walked in on them. I had heard their soft noises at home more times than I could count, but witnessing it in the flesh, so to speak, wasn't anything that I ever expected. Jesus, all those soft, slender female limbs and breasts, as well as Alice's hair fanned over Jasper's thighs. Oh, dear. The image of Jasper's hands clutched around fistfuls of dark tresses, before she wildly started grasping for the sheets, was burned into my retinas.
Oh. My. God!
I ran to catch up with Edward, feeling flustered to say the least. I was at the verge of laughing hysterically, but I was oddly too stunned to figure how to get the sound out.
Edward frowned when he saw me. "What the hell happened to your shoe?"
I glanced down, now noticing the burning sensation of the sand. "It was a casualty."
"What?" He frowned.
"Nothing." I threw a quick glance behind me, knowing neither one of them would be following me just yet.
"Anyway. Aren't they coming?" Edward's eyes followed my line of sight and glanced toward Alice and Jasper's bungalow.
"One of them is," I muttered before I could stop myself. I screwed my eyes shut under Edward's befuddled scrutiny. He blinked at me. I bit down on my lip, while scrunching my face up. Edward laughed loudly.
"You just walked in on them, didn't you?"
"And then some," I whined.
Edward laced his arm over my shoulder. "Well, look at it the other way around. If they wanted to treat us to breakfast, they would have walked in on us. However, you are awfully cute when you blush like that."
"I may look cute, but I definitely feel mortified. I can't believe that I just did that."
It took me about fifteen minutes before I was even calm enough to even consider ordering breakfast. Elizabeth was already chewing on a pancake that the old toothless woman had whipped up for her along with some fruit.
I just decided on some yogurt, fruit and toast, when my appetite suddenly vanished. The sound of my flip-flop being dropped beside our table sounded like a hammer meeting concrete. I couldn't even look up. I couldn't bear it.
Suddenly, the sound of cutlery clinking against the plates of guests across the room became overwhelming loud. I barely managed a quick glance at Alice and Jasper as they sat down across the table looking anywhere, but at me. My face felt like it was burning when I blushed to my scalp.
"Hooookay," Edward drawled, while barely containing his amusement. "Come on, sweetie, I think Mom and your aunties might need a moment." He picked up Elizabeth and blew a giant raspberry on her tummy before they padded towards the kitchen. She was all giddy, while wiggling in his arms.
I pulled myself together and mustered up the courage to look at the woman who had been my best friend for ten years. I owed her that much.
Alice's face was as crimson as mine when our eyes met. I could see her swallow thickly. Jasper was picking at her napkin and tearing it to pieces.
It was Alice that had the balls to speak up, though not before she cleared her throat about four times. "Can we just agree that we're all beyond embarrassed and pretend that this little accident never happened?"
My breath trembled. "Absolutely, but I am so, so, so sorry." A hideous silence followed, so I just had to fill it. I couldn't bear the clacking of the knives and forks in the room anymore. "What accident?" I joked lamely.
Jasper started snickering uncontrollably, before she burst into a hysterical fit of laugher. It was a contagious sound and slowly Alice surrendered to her own giggles. My face split in two and tears started rolling from my eyes. I was basking in the relief that they, at least, could laugh it off. If they could, then so could I.
I dabbed my napkin under my eyes to control the waterworks. Edward must have sensed that now it was safe to return, as he touched me on the shoulder and sat down. He had ordered an abundance of food, more than enough for everyone.
When I was finished eating, I sloped back into my chair feeling full and content. Elizabeth had lost her patience and had found Mrs. Twong out at the reception area, so now Mrs. Twong was chatting her up in Thai.
The accident was shoved to the back of my mind and I was firmly determined to keep it there. "So when is Emmett arriving today?" I asked.
"Last time I spoke to him, he just said today, but didn't give a specific time," Jasper answered.
"Who do you think he is bringing?" I asked.
Alice snorted. "Probably a high-end escort, now that he is making money."
"Oh, sweetie. I don't think my brother wants or needs to pay for female company," Jasper countered, while placing a hand on her thigh. Oh, no!
"He could just bring a friend," I suggested, studiously ignoring images that wanted to pop around in my head.
"How about we make a bet?" Edward requested, while casting a glance around the table and noting the curious stare from all of us. He pushed his plate aside and leaned his elbows on the table. "I say that we bet on who he's bringing."
Jasper took the bait. Then again, she was the most competitive one of us. "What's the stake?
"I say a BBQ at our place tonight. Loser cooks."
"Awesome," Alice beamed. "I change my statement. I think that he is bringing some blond floozy from college. Someone that he hasn't had his wicked way with yet..." She held up a finger. "…And I stress yet."
"Very well. Jasper?" Edward prompted.
"He's my brother, so I should know, but I'm just clueless. A family member, perhaps?" She shrugged.
"That is a bit vague, but accepted. Bella?" Edward moved on, looking at me.
"Well, I'm going to side with Alice a bit, but I will say a college buddy." I took a sip of my tea. "What's your guess?"
"Well, based on my gut feeling, I say it's a girlfriend." Edward leaned back in his chair, while looking quite pleased with himself.
"Please," Alice snorted. "He does girls, but he doesn't befriend them."
I narrowed my eyes at Edward. "Do you know something that the rest of us don't?"
"I know nothing," he refused. "Though, you ladies better hope that I win because all I can manage is oatmeal and frying up some eggs."
I chuckled. "Yeah, and you burned the oatmeal."
"Yep, like I said, you better hope that I win." He paused. "Any of you have any plans for today?"
"I was planning to go for a run in about an hour," Jasper filled in.
Edward's eyes rested on me for a moment, before he looked back at Jasper. "Feel free to say no, but would you mind if I join you? I have been far too lazy for far too long now." Lazy? I must have missed that while I slept because he never really sat around and did nothing.
I waited for the tension to emanate from Jasper, but it didn't happen. "Actually no, boyfriend, but you better keep up because I don't wait for others when I run."
"You're on," Edward agreed.
Alice and I settled on the beach with Elizabeth in the warm morning sun, while Edward and Jasper headed for their run. Lounging in the gentle waves, while letting the water lap over our bodies was quite the antidote to the heat. It wasn't like the water was chilly enough to actually cool us down, but it still took the top of the burning sun. Elizabeth dug her shovel into the sand and slapped a puddle of mud on my belly. I was half way covered in sand.
"I was so surprised that Jasper accepted going running with Edward so easily. What a change in her. She didn't even flinch," I said. Elizabeth slapped another blob of sand on me.
"She never seizes to amaze me. She has come leaps and bounds over the last few weeks. That's my girl," Alice drawled and decided to help Elizabeth in dousing me with sand shifting it through her fingers, letting it drip on me. She was sitting cross legged with her huge sunglasses hanging off the tip her of her nose. "You seem to be feeling a lot better with the pregnancy."
"I am. I woke up yesterday and it was just gone. I don't know what happened, but I feel like I was just released from jail or something."
"That's nice," she acquiesced. Alice ran her tongue over her teeth. "Uhm, do we need to talk about what happened this morning?" she asked carefully. Immediately images of them naked popped up in my head. That would take some time to forget… if ever.
"No we don't. I'm really sorry that happened. I wasn't paying attention and it was stupid of me."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Bella. It was an honest accident."
Honest mistake, my ass. It was just my life. I was born a klutz and would always be a klutz. My face felt like it was burning, but I chose not to comment. "Is Jasper okay with what happened?"
"Yeah, she's fine. She joked that she was surprised that it hadn't happened earlier."
"Well, if it's any consolation, I hear you all the time at home." I laughed nervously. "Though, it is a little like what Edward told me. If you had decided to treat us to breakfast, you would have walked in on us."
Alice smiled hugely behind her ridiculously large sunglasses. "So you have had sex with him four times now?" she teased.
"Make that about seven," I murmured, while feeling my blush intensify. How was that even possible?
"Wow, you have been busy." She nodded with a smirk.
"One could say that." I sat up and let the watery sand slide down my body. I washed it off in the gentle waves, but Elizabeth decided to get to work on my back instead. Alice seemed lost in thought for a moment.
"Sand, Mommy." She bent down, while digging up a small handful of sand and slapped it against my head and behind my ear.
"That's right. It's sand and it belongs on the beach not in Mommy's hair."
"Sand, Mommy," Elizabeth said again and smacked her shovel against my shoulder blade.
"Aw, Sweetie. That hurts. Don't hit Mommy with the shovel."
Elizabeth's jaw dropped, her eyes glassed over and she started to whine. She stuck her sand covered hand in her mouth suckling her fingers. That was bound to be a bit crunchy.
I grabbed her and settled her on my lap. "It's okay, sweetie. You like digging holes?" I asked, trying to distract her from her crying. It worked and she immediately held her head up with pride. "It's such a pretty shovel. Can you put some sand on Auntie Alice?" She scurried off my lap, while falling over onto Alice's legs. Alice caught her before Elizabeth plunged under the water. Alice's face was serious.
"Well, I was thinking about something, Bella. With another baby on the way, Edward and everything else that is happening between you two… The apartment isn't really big enough for all of us anymore."
My smile vanished. Ignorance really was bliss sometimes. I had refused to deal with this that problem for a few weeks now. "I know. I mean, Edward and I haven't talked about anything yet, but you're right. However, I can't imagine not living with Jasper and you anymore. I don't know if I'm ready to move on from that part of my life. You're both so important to me. I can't imagine not seeing you every day or having dinner with you."
Alice took my hand. "It's the same for us, Bella. We don't particularly want to give up Elizabeth or you. Besides, we really like Edward. He's a good guy and wonderful father. Though, I think we all need to grow up at some point."
"I know you're right. It's like watching a hurricane coming your way. You just know it's going to tear homes apart, no matter how much you don't want it to. You're right and there is no way that we can fit four adults and two kids into a two bedroom apartment." I paused. "I'll talk to Edward about finding our own place. We need to face reality. We are like an instant family. I guess that you can keep the place and have more space for yourselves when we move out."
Alice looked down somberly. "That's really very nice of you, Bella. I just don't know if that is plausible. Jasper is out of a job and who knows if what she starts up will be a success. I hope it will be, but we also need to plan with our eyes open and we might not be able to manage the rent. I think that we will need to find a smaller place when you move out. Perhaps, it was smarter if you kept the place and Jasper and I moved out."
"Are you sure, Alice? I would hate to see you go. However, I'm going to go with my gut and say that Edward is probably going to want something bigger than what we have now." I paused. "It suddenly feels like everything is coming to an end."
"Seriously Bella, is your glass half empty? It's not an ending, it's a beginning. You're having another baby." Alice patted my stomach very gently. "You have the man of your dreams eating from the palm of your hand. Your business is going doing great. Elizabeth is thriving." Alice beamed at her. "Aren't you, baby?" Alice cooed at her.
Elizabeth looked up confused with water running down her face. Then she squealed delighted and thrashed, splashing water everywhere. We couldn't help, but laugh at her antics.
"You like that, sweetie?" I cooed and splashed water back at her.
"I didn't mean to sound like I was complaining because I am so happy that it's hard to fit it in to my body sometimes. This is a new beginning for us all."
"It really is, honey," Alice agreed softly.
I jumped, when suddenly Edward fell to his knees beside me. "Jesus, mother of all things…" He tipped over, lading in the lapping waves. "Holy fucking Christ." Sweat was pouring from his face and down his torso. He was heaving for air, like he was being choked and was gagging.
I stared stunned at his collapsed form on the beach, as he was getting his shoes and shorts soaked.
"What the hell happened?" I asked. Before he could find the breath to answer, Jasper sat down beside us. Sure, she was breathing hard and sweating intensely, but she looked to be fine.
"Hey, gorgeous." She leaned over and kissed Alice's cheek. "Hey, baby cheeks." She trilled at Elizabeth patting her hair. She tilted a bottle of water to her mouth and washed most of it down. I stared at her for some kind of explanation. "I told him that I don't wait for anybody," she said smugly, while eyeing me.
"Fuck, did she run me into the ground. Literally!" Edward managed to choke out between pants.
"You should drink lots of water or you'll dehydrate," Jasper said.
Edward didn't answer just held his hand up into the air where Jasper placed a bottle. "I think that I'm going to die."
"I told you just to stop," Jasper shrugged.
"I'm not a quitter," Edward countered and sat up. Water and sand was dripping from his hair. Thirstily, he gulped the entire bottle of water, before falling backwards again and still fighting to get his breathing under control. His skin was completely flushed.
"Clearly, but I bet that you'll be paying for that tomorrow."
Edward lifted his head from the sand. "How much?"
"What?" Jasper narrowed her eyes at him.
"How much will you bet?" Edward cocked his brow.
"Oh jeez," Jasper spat. "You're worse than Emmett."
Edward laughed, putting his head back down. He reached out hooking his arm around Elizabeth's waist, pulling her to him. "Better get you out of the sun, little one." He nuzzled her neck. He peered over at me. "Has she had lunch?"
"Not yet."
He sprinkled a few kisses below her ear. "Let's go home, sweetie. Time to eat and then you can have a nap with Daddy." He widened his eyes at her at her. "Yeah, you like that. Napping with daddy. I'll tell you a secret. Daddy likes that too."
He leaned over and kissed me when I started to get up. "Stay, have some girl time. Emmett will probably be here soon."
He hefted Elizabeth under his arm, which made her squeal with delight as he trotted towards our side of the lagoon.
Emmett didn't make an appearance, but only sent a text to Jasper that they'd been delayed. Jasper changed back into her capris and long sleeved shirt after her run. I lounged around in the shade with Jasper and played cards for a few hours, while Alice worked.
I watched out for huge spiders and other creepy things, as I slipped through the spurge of jungle going back to our place. I spotted Edward from afar, sitting on the large tanning bed and shrouded by the shade of the canopy. He was moving his hand deliberately over the sketching pad resting against his raised knees.
The sand swallowed the sounds of my footsteps, as I stepped up behind my beautiful man. "Is Elizabeth still sleeping?" I asked.
Immediately, Edward threw his hand over the sketch and fumbled with the spine of the sketchpad to cover it up.
"Bella," he almost choked out. He cleared his throat and it looked like he actually flushed a bit… or perhaps, it was just the heat.
I was puzzled with his almost frantic gaze at me. "Are you hiding something?" I glanced at the sketch work that he nonchalantly cast aside.
"Uh… of course not." He wrapped one hand around my waist and pulled my face down to him. "Yeah, she's still sleeping," he said before he kissed me.
I glanced at his watch. "Long nap," I stated and bit my lip when he pulled back from the kiss. "What were you just sketching?"
"Nothing," he answered instantly and cleared his throat uncomfortably. Whatever it was it certainly wasn't nothing.
"Edward Cullen, are you blushing?" He looked so cute and bashful. "Will you show me?" I asked, while feeling confused about his need for secrecy. He drew a deep breath and shook his head, looking adorably shy. Wow, Edward Cullen being all timid. That was a first. He looked delectable with those stunning green eyes seeming so bashful. "Edward, are you ashamed?" I teased and leaned down kissing him this time.
"Yeah," he nuzzled into my neck. "How are you feeling?"
"Are you trying to distract me?"
"Is it working?" He pulled his head back, while peering at me.
"Absolutely not. I'm more curious than ever."
"Fine." he sighed, reached over and let his elegant fingers search through a few pages of doodles and a lot of whatnots. "I was drawing you," he mumbled and held up the pad to me, but he averted his face from me shamefully.
I had very little time to ponder when I saw the sketch. My eyes widened shocked. "Edward, you pervert." I laughed.
"I know, baby." He fiddled with a few locks of my hair that were sticking to the side of my throat. I studied the sketch. He had drawn me many times I had learned, but certainly never like this. Never in this compromised position. I was naked, chest arching upward, legs spread wide, eyes closed and lips parted. It was all there from my face distorted with pleasure to my peaked breasts and the splay of hairs at the junction of my thighs. I was sure that he had elaborated and corrected flaws on my body because there was no way in hell that I could look that sensual in real life.
"Good thing the artist has full constitution of his work," I mumbled feeling the blush rise and color my cheeks.
"What do you mean?" Confusion crept into his eyes.
I held up the sketch and pointed to this new version of me. "We both know that I do not look like this." I snickered.
"You don't think this is how you look? I told you before that I draw what I see and this," he tapped his finger at the sketch, "is exactly what I saw last night when we made love. This is what you looked like when you were gasping my name." He smirked at me before tilting me backwards on the bed and clambered over me. I twined my fingers into his hair, gripping hard.
"You're delusional."
"So are you." He growled theatrically under his breath. "You have an awesome body that I am going to have a hard time staying away from." Long elegant fingers slowly started to pull at one of the strings tied at my neck. He pulled the fabric of my bikini top down from my breasts. His hand raked over the swell of flesh, then began rolling my nipple. I groaned, but tried to stay alert. I was already delirious and my head fogged with desire. He crawled down my body and kissed my stomach. "Can I make you look like you do in that sketch again?" He started skimming his fingers over the hem of my shorts, teasingly drawing his hands under the fabric. Heat started to gather down below.
"Yes," I purred.
There wasn't much more foreplay, but that erotic sketch and Edward leisurely dragging my shorts and panties off. "We'll have to be quick, baby. Elizabeth will wake soon."
"A quickie works for me." I arched my back and spread my legs. I didn't know where it came from, but I suddenly felt sexy as hell. Perhaps, it was all coming from how Edward was looking at me, being spread out for him again. My desire for him and him wanting me, made me feel empowered and worthy. He quickly got rid of his clothes and sank deliciously slow into me. The sensation was exquisite. It wasn't quick as Edward said, but slow and filled with love. This really was making love as he slowly pulled back and entered by body all over again.
As I lay lazily and naked, I watch Edward as he pulled a washcloth from the outside cabinet and drenched it under the showerhead. He came back to the bed looking down at me with soft and sated eyes. He leaned down skating his lips over mine, as he slowly and gently washed me.
"Why do you do that?" I managed to prop to my elbows.
"Do what?" He dropped the washcloth next to the tanning bed.
"Clean up your own mess, not that I mind."
His answering smile was stunning. "Learned by example, I guess."
My brows shot up in utter confusion. "What does that mean?"
He lay down beside me and slowly dragged his hand up my hip. He stretched his arm out and placed his head on it to make himself comfortable. "There's kind of a story behind it, if you want to hear it." I nodded, while rolling on my side and facing him. I nodded and immediately he continued with his story. "It was a shortly before I turned eighteen and just before my family died," Edward started quietly. "Tanya was having a sleepover with Elizabeth to cheer her up because she was feeling really sick. Elizabeth fell asleep just after dinner and Tanya snuck into my room. We had been dating for a while, but my parents didn't know. I think they knew that we sort of had a fling going, but not that we were already dating. Only Elizabeth knew that. I was really shy back then, but that night, I finally got the courage to… uh, move forward. I was nervous as hell because I was in love with her back then and didn't have a clue what I was doing. It was all so exciting and new. So that night was the evening that my dad decided to barge into my room without knocking. He wanted to borrow some of my music. So there we were, being teenagers kissing and… well, my dad was staring right at us. It was humiliating to say the least.
"Breakfast the next day was utterly quiet. I couldn't even look at my dad. Tanya had gone home before then. I could tell by my mom's looks that he had told her what happened. In the afternoon, he called me out to the garage and pulled out two beers and said that we were going to have a talk. It wasn't like he hadn't talked to me about sex before, but then it had been more general like always remember a condom and so on. He asked me about Tanya and what was going on. I told him the truth that we had been going out for a while and that I thought I was in love with her. I remember he smiled at that. My dad was always kind of romantic, I guess. He loved my mom. I mean, he seriously adored her and doted on her constantly. She was the love of his life and he never made her doubt it.
"He then asked if we were having sex or if I had had sex in general and I could only say no to that. I remember the whole thing was making me feel really uncomfortable, but he was asking me like a man, so I chose to take it and answer like a man. I respected him like that. We, or mainly he, had a long talk about treating a woman with the utmost respect, both in and out of the bedroom. When the talk was over, I was a bit overwhelmed by it, perhaps a bit mortified to be honest, but I understood what he was saying. It was not long after my eighteenth birthday that they died. That day in the garage just became like a lighthouse in the darkness to me. That conversation more than anything became a way of life to me. I wanted more than anything to show my father respect for who he was and what he taught me." Edward shrugged, "I guess that's why I do it. Clean up my own mess. To show respect, I guess."
"Thank you for telling me that," I said quietly. Edward smiled meekly, but said nothing. His eyes were dejected. "What are you thinking about?"
"You. I wish that they could have met you… my family," he murmured. His hand on my belly was large and warm.
Tears brimmed in my eyes. "I would have loved to have met them, Edward. Perhaps, I kind of feel like I have through you."
He hugged me hard almost desperately. "You are everything to me. Please don't ever leave me."
"Never," I whispered into the base of his throat. "I'm always here for you."
He pulled back slightly, while looking utterly overwhelmed, as moisture made his eyes glass over. His lips parted like he wanted to say something, but he hesitated for a brief moment. He pulled in a shallow breath. "Marry me?"
My mouth fell open, and my brain malfunctioned.
He raked his teeth over his bottom lip. "Marry me?" He looked so insecure and vulnerable.
I didn't know what to say. I was too stunned to figure out how to get my answer out of my brain. I was gobsmacked, but in a good way. This was perhaps one of the most beautiful moments of my life. We had just made love and were basking in the post coital glow. We were naked, almost like we were innocent to the world. There was nothing, but honesty between us.
"Yes." I swallowed thickly, while my heart thundered in my chest. "More than anything. I want to marry you."
Burrowing his face in the hollow slope of my neck, Edward took a deep breath. His arms were tight around my body and I was clinging to him for dear life. "Thank you. I love you so much."
A few tears escaped the corners of my eye, the ones on my left soaking into Edward's hair.
"Anybody home?" A voice boomed from not too far away.
Shit.
Edward pulled back, while gazing at me. My world felt like it had just tilted on its axis. "We'll get back to this later… you ready to see Emmett?"
I wiped my tears, grinning like a goofy moron. I was getting married. Edward wanted to marry me. "Yeah, I'm fine." I wasn't sure if I was lying, but I was going to seize the day.
Edward quickly assessed the situation and reached down gathering my scattered clothes. In a blink of an eye, his magical question was pushed to the background.
Lying down, I quickly wrestled into my panties, shorts and top. I tried to pat my hair down, but remembered that I could just blame the humidity for my just fucked look. Edward only needed to fling on his shorts then he was decent again. He flipped the cover over the naughty sketch and picked up the washcloth… there, all nice and presentable again.
I sat up, hoping like hell that I was able to be inconspicuous about it. Emmett bounced up the stairs and my head was whirling with all that happened today and it was only early in the afternoon. The sex and the marriage proposal… Wait, did he just propose to me? I blanched. I think he just did. And I accepted.
"Hey, Bells." Emmett ripped me off the tanning bed and locked me into a bear hug. "Fuck, it's good to see you."
"You too, Emmett," I mumbled with my face squashed to his bare chest. He held me out at arm's length, while his gaze drifting south. "Well, hello?"
I gritted my teeth knowing that he was checking out my chest. "Don't you dare!" I practically snarled. The hormonal monster inside of me was tapping her foot and feeling quite insulted. He just ignored me, while chuckling. It suddenly dawned on me that I don't think that I ever saw Emmett without his shirt on. Yes, he was a mountain of a guy, but seriously muscular. He was just so… bulky.
"Nice digs that you got here, pretty boy," Emmett hollered over my head, while glancing around.
"Thank you, Emmett. It's good to have you here." Edward inconspicuously dumped the washcloth in the trashcan. "You want a beer?"
"Sure." He looked circumspect, when he chose a seat. "I think that I'll take the couch. I hope that I didn't interrupt anything," he said snidely. Oh no! For once in my life, my face drained of color instead of blushing. I just wished that I could be as nonchalant as Edward when he just shrugged and headed into the house.
"You saw, didn't you?" I squeaked.
"Not you, only Edward's pale and naked ass." Emmett laughed.
"Emmett. Please don't... say anything."
"Come on, Bells. I can have tact. I'm just glad to see that you're having some fun." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Shit! That didn't come out right. It's good to see that you're enjoying… crap that doesn't sound right either. Oh, fuck off! No matter what I say it just going to sound fucking wrong, but you know what I mean, Bella, right?"
"Yeah, I know. Thanks, Emmett." I paused. "Where's your guest?"
"Napping. Where's my favorite redhead?"
"Napping." I chuckled.
Emmett sighed. "Listen, I need to talk to Edward."
"Talk to me about what?" Edward came back outside, while holding two beers and a club soda for me. Emmett took one of the bottles and twisted the lid. He took a big swig of it.
"Uhm. I haven't really been honest lately. I feel like shit about that, but here's the deal." He paused, while running his hand over his forehead. This was what I loved about Emmett - beating around the bush wasn't his style in any shape or form. Something golden got caught in the sun. I sat up, ramrod straight.
"What the hell is that on your hand, Em?" I practically spat.
"Oh shit," he muttered, taking his hand down and staring at the gold band for a second. What? He was wearing a freaking wedding ring? I felt like someone suddenly pulled the rug from under me for probably the third time today. "I was getting to that. Uhm… yeah, I don't think there is any way to ease into this. So I'm just…" he peered over at us anxiously and exhaled heavily. "I got married six weeks ago. That's why I haven't been around. It's the reason for a lot of shit." He looked down and then looked seriously at Edward. "It's Rose," he said solemnly.
Edward started choking on something.
My brain just shifted to default setting somewhere between… wait, what? He got married? It made no sense. Rose. I didn't know anyone named… Rose. Rose… Rosalie. Rosalie 'swimsuit edition' Hale. Edward's ex!
I blanched.
Emmett married Edward's ex?
I cast a glance at Edward. He was gaping totally stupefied.
"Say something… one of you… please," Emmett muttered, while flicking his fingers at the bottle.
Edward closed his mouth, but it fell open again mere seconds later.
I tried to reboot my brain. It didn't work.
"Jesus, no one died. I know it's a shock, but it's not like I said I moved the Great Wall of China." He leaned back on the sofa, while taking a long thirsty draw of his beer. "I'm just going to give you two a moment. It seems like you need it."
"How the hell did you marry Rose?" Edward scoffed when finally one of us managed to say something. Emmett smirked.
"It's pretty simple really."
Edward groaned. "I know the mechanics of it. How did you manage to marry her so fast? I mean, have you even thought this through? You can't just marry someone on a whim? Besides, did you even know her six weeks ago?"
Emmett frowned. "Okay, first of all you're starting to sound like my dad… please stop! Second of all, I know what I want. I saw what I wanted, so I went for it… all guns blazing."
"I'd say," Edward said under his breath.
I chewed my lip for a bit, wondering about his somewhat euphoric expression. "Are you happy Emmett?"
Slowly, he lowered the bottle from his mouth and stared at me. "Yeah, I'm all over the fucking moon," he answered earnestly.
"Then I'm happy for you. I'm really honestly happy for you," I offered.
"Thank you, Bella." Emmett's dimples popped out when he smiled.
"So I guess that she's the guest that you brought?" I prompted. He nodded vigorously and took the swig of his beer that he was aiming for earlier. I glanced at Edward mischievously. "I guess that means you were closest to figuring out whom he was bringing."
Edward smiled smugly, clearly relieved that he was off the hook from cooking or something else.
"Fill in the blanks, please," Emmett pressed.
"We bet on who you were bringing. The loser or losers cook tonight. We're having a BBQ," Edward said and then shook his head like he'd seen a mirage.
"What did you all say?" Emmett asked very intrigued.
"Well, Alice opted for a high-end escort or, I think, she used the word 'a floozy that you hadn't slept with yet'. Jasper said a family member. Edward went with a girlfriend and I said a college buddy."
"I just bet the Pixie would say that." Emmett's brows shot up. "Well, now that I'm here, it's only totally fair that I get to make the call about who wins. I say Jasper and Edward were right, and that Alice and you are firing up the grill."
"How so?"
"Well, Rose is a family member now and she's also sort of a girlfriend. However, she is definitely not a college buddy, or someone that I haven't banged yet." He smiled snidely.
I cringed. "Emmett!" I didn't need mental images of other people's sexcapades today. I'd had my fair share already. Unbidden images of legs and hair once more came to mind.
"Sorry." He laughed. "No pun intended."
"None taken," Edward murmured, while somewhat distracted. Oh, bring up Rosalie's past sexual encounters, why don't you? I shook my head trying to rid of self of the uncomfortable topic. How inappropriate. "You just married her… I mean just like that?"
"Are you going to ask that question all day?" Emmett snickered.
"Pretty much, yeah." Edward frowned. He looked completely dumbstruck for a moment, before he leaned over me with his 'I got a whopping big secret' smile plastered on his face. "Can I tell him?" Edward asked. His eyes were elated and radiating joy.
"Be my guest." I grinned like a fool.
I could feel Emmett's eyes boring at me. Edward swiftly took him out of his misery. "Speaking of marriage, Bella has recently agreed to marry me."
Beer went flying across the table, as Emmett spat it out. Edward was merciless and took no prisoners when he continued. "Now that we're all being so honest and just in case Jasper and Alice unintentionally jabber, there is something else that you should know." Edward paused and leaned over kissing my neck. Emmett's gaze didn't falter. "Bella's pregnant again."
Emmett smirked, casting a fleeting glance at my boobs. "So that's the reason."
Haughtily, I crossed my arms over my chest.
Then, Emmett suddenly dropped his beer and the bottle slowly rolled on the floor. His face fell. "Congratulations?" It sounded like he tested the word, but his eyes were strangely sad. It was unlike Emmett. "On both accounts."
"Thank you," I answered stiffly. This wasn't how I expected Emmett to react at all. I captured a strange exchange of looks between the boys. "What?"
Emmett suddenly looked tense and ignored me. "I need to be the one to tell her, Edward."
Edward's smile was indulgent. "Of course. I was going to tell her personally, before it gets out. She deserves to know."
"Yeah. She's going to be pretty pissed… and upset," Emmett said somberly.
"I know."
I held up my hands, halting their conversation. "What are we talking about?" Hello, why was everyone suddenly raining on my parade? I didn't understand a word of what was going on.
"Rose," they answered at the same time.
Emmett continued. "It's complicated, Bells, and personal, but whatever Rose says later on, she doesn't do it to be cruel. Just remember that."
"I haven't got a clue what you're prattling on about."
"I know and I would love to explain, but it's not just about me anymore, Bells. So for once in my life, I'm going to muzzle myself."
"Well, that's a first." I giggled, though my head was swimming from all the revelations. I needed a vacation from this vacation soon. Jeez.
My break was going upstairs to pick up Elizabeth, who had woken up from her nap. As I was finishing up something for her to eat, Emmet and Edward had built a bonfire not very far from the house and Alice and Jasper had arrived.
Elizabeth was huddled in with Emmett and was bouncing around on his lap. The timber was quietly crackling, while I sat back and watched it all. Edward wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I leaned into his embrace. My heart felt too big for my chest right now. How many new and overwhelming emotions could you fill into one heart, before it literally exploded? Was I really ready to marry him? It was a no brainer… Yes, without a doubt I was. We just needed to line up our ducks in a row and get the details of our lives sorted out.
"A penny for your thoughts?" Edward asked quietly.
"I was just thinking about us getting married."
"And…?" he prompted. His eyes were slightly wary, perhaps even prepared for a rebuke it seemed.
"I was thinking that we have a lot to figure out. Our life is quite a mess, Edward. Do you realize that?"
His brows shot up. "Not really. What's the problem?"
"Well, do you want the list?" I tried to joke.
"You have a list?" He asked incredulously.
"I do. A long one." I paused. "Where are we going to live? Are we going to move in together? Did you really mean it when you proposed it seemed like a spur of the moment thing? Are we ready to get married? What about Rose and Emmett? Does the press still think you and her are together? What are we going to do about the media? Are you going to tell the press about our next baby?" I paused, waiting for more questions to bubble up in my head.
"Wow, that was an impressive list. Let's take it from the top. Living arrangements. I actually took the liberty of starting the search for a condo in New York for us because we need it and realty is a solid investment. So yes, if I can have it my way, we are moving in together.
"Where the media is concerned, Jenks has been monitoring the situation and this morning, we decided to send out a press release, where I address some of the rumors floating around. At the moment, and I am sorry to say this because I know that you will hate it, you are mentioned in just about every gossip magazine. You are a novelty and somewhat of a mystery woman. Just promise me that you won't pay any attention to anything that you see or read. However, to control the situation the best I can, I am confirming that Rosalie and I broke up and that seems more than apt now that Emmett and Rose are, well, married. I am also officially confirming that I am Elizabeth's father. Lastly, I am asking for them to show respect to you as the mother of my child, but I am not going to comment on our relationship."
"Why not?" I asked almost feeling insulted. Was he embarrassed of me? Instantly, Edward proved just how much of a mind reader he was.
"It's not because I am in anyway ashamed, but if I deny it, they will hunt you down to get a glimpse of us together and I don't think that will go away anytime soon. If I confirm, they will still hunt you down to get a photo or anything that they can get their hands on. So for now, I am leaving that subject alone. I know that you need to get used to my world and I'll do my best to protect you as much as I can. You are so very important to me."
"I'll be tough."
"I know that you're tough, but the paparazzi can still be a terrifying obstacle as you saw the day that we left New York." He paused and his green gaze blazed at me. "As for my proposal, you remember the first time that I was at your place after I found out about Elizabeth?" I pushed back the cringe that was coming. How stupid I had been. I nodded. "Remember how I said that I would give the world to the Bella that I met on this exact beach? Well, sitting here with you, you are exactly that woman. I knew back then that I wanted a future with you and I know it more now than ever that I want to marry you."
"So I don't need to pinch myself awake?" His answering kiss was brief and oh so sweet. "I guess not. I love you beyond words, Edward Cullen, and I will be honored to be your wife."
His shy smile was positively breathtaking. "So you'll be Mrs. Cullen, huh?"
My eyes watered. "Yes."
He raked his hands through his hair. "Wow," he breathed, while peering warmly at me. He put his arms out and just as I was about to slip into his embrace, he tilted me down on the sand and peppered my face with playful kisses.
A loud peeling screech ripped along the beach. I peered up over Edward's shoulder to see a person with a cascade of blond hair come barreling towards us, just clearing the fringe of the jungle.
Oh dear, what now? I wasn't sure that I could deal with anything else today.
"Emmett," she yelled again, while coming at us full sprint. Slowly, he sat Elizabeth down beside him and stood up. His face was suddenly drawn with anticipation. "You son of a bitch, Emmett." Leaping like a graceful feral creature, she knocked right into Emmett taking him down with her. Impressive.
What was more impressive was that she was the epitome of beauty - graceful, curvaceous, elegant and absolutely stunning. I literally had to peel my eyes from her perfection as she lay over Emmett gasping for air. His large hands weaved into her hair, making her head seem so small and fragile.
"I know, Emmett," she gasped, sucking in another breath. "I fucking know, baby." The goddess panted. I was still struck in the absurdity of it all. Rosalie Hale literally came out of nowhere and I somehow knew she would be part of our lives. Well, she had married Emmett. Her eyes were positively glowing when she stared down at him. "Negative," she mouthed before her face split into a dazzling grin.
Jeez, even her teeth were perfect.
"Hell yeah, precious!" Emmett hollered. "That's what I've been saying all along. Why doesn't your stubborn ass ever listen to me? I told you it would be fucking negative."
"Jesus, Emmett," she sighed with relief and placed her forehead against his chest. He kissed her hair and hugged her closer, basically wrapping his big arms around her body twice.
"I love you, baby." It was so odd to see him be so affectionate with her. I'd never even seen a potential date, let alone seen him handling anyone besides a family member with actual love.
"I can't believe that it was fucking negative." She lifted her head. Seemingly, it was lost on her that there were other people present. She didn't acknowledge anyone, but Emmett.
"I told you… over and over again."
Alice snickered. "What? You were afraid that she was knocked up, too, bad ass?"
Rosalie's smile stiffened and she glanced over at Alice. Then her blue gaze moved to Jasper. It seemed like it took forever, but slowly that ice cold blue stare landed on me and stayed. Her eyes bored at me like she could etch my skin off my bones. I literally cowered from her intense glare. I didn't even know her.
Edward sighed loudly, so did Emmett.
"Too," Rose mouthed. Slowly, she crawled off Emmett, while keeping me visually pinned. Boy, did she intimidate me. Her lips flattened into a hard line. "You have got to be fucking kidding me, Edward," she seethed without taking her eyes off me. My skin prickled.
"Rose," Edward seemed at a loss for words… so did we all.
"Precious…" Emmett murmured softly, while putting his arm over her shoulder. Finally, her gaze shifted to Edward, blazing through him. "Hey, baby, eyes here." Emmett grasped her chin pulling her face to his. "Let's take a walk."
She nodded, suddenly looking so complacent.
I watched stupefied as they headed off down the beach.
Did a wrecking ball just hit us?
I looked over at Edward waiting for some kind of explanation because it all seemed to go right over my head. "I'll explain later, but I need to talk to Rose first, okay?"
"It's fine, but I would prefer someone to fill me in," I muttered.
"Later, I promise."
Jasper cleared her throat looking just as clueless as I felt. "That was quite an entrance," she murmured. "She was so nice when we met her back at our place." Jasper looked at Alice. I sympathized with Jasper because her brother had fallen in love and gotten married without her having an inkling of an idea.
Alice took Jasper hand and kissed the back of her palm. "Since the first time that I met her in L.A., I've known that she was quite a powerful woman. There's no doubt about that."
"By the way, it seems that we're cooking, Alice," I said, aiming for anything that would kill that uncomfortable feeling. Alice accepted that we started considering what we were cooking while Edward took Elizabeth for a swim. I need a moment to digest Rose and her intimidating entrance.
The mushrooms were bobbing up and down in the water filled sink. Alice picked one up and cut the dirty bit off the end and dumped it into the bowl. Mr. Twong had been so kind to bring over everything that we needed for the BBQ. We both looked out the kitchen window and saw Emmett coming back alone. He sat down next to Jasper, who was just out on the porch resting in the shade with a book of mine.
"Hey sis," he said, while sounding unusually gentle.
"Hi there, knucklehead," Jasper answered softly, while smiling. "Where's Rosalie?"
"She'll be back shortly. She just needed a moment alone to absorb a few things." Emmett sat down on the sofa next to Jasper.
"She did seem kind of upset. Is she okay?" Jasper asked, expressing her concern. She placed the book in her lap.
"Yeah," Emmett answered, as he looked at his bare feet. "Some things aren't easy for her, but she really tough."
"She must be to put up with you. I can't believe that stunt you pulled with her. Getting married on a dare. No wonder dad basically keeled over." She snickered.
"You know me. I can't resist a challenge." He cocked a brow at her. "You must be sweating like a damn pig in those clothes." Beside me, Alice stiffened and narrowed her eyes at Emmett. The small knife in her hand was ready to be cast aside.
"It's fine," Jasper said and suddenly averted her eyes away from Emmett. This wasn't the brave girl from this morning. She suddenly looked frail and uncomfortable again.
"Seriously, it's like a hundred degrees out here." Emmett made a point by dragging a hand across his forehead. "Why the hell don't you wear what Bella and Alice wears?"
I glanced down myself. The most comfortable things to wear in this heat were a bikini top and a pair of cotton shorts. Alice was practically identical to me, except for her miniskirt instead of shorts. We were barely clothed.
"Oh no, he doesn't," Alice grumbled and threw the small knife into the water. I clasped my hand over her arm when she was about to jog out to interfere between Emmett and Jasper.
"Give him a chance." I glanced at Jasper, who was biting away at her cheek and looking down at the long sleeved t-shirt and her thin yoga pants pushed up to her knees. Anyone would be frying in those clothes.
"I can't," Jasper answered quietly and looked nervously at her brother.
"Why not? It's not like you have eight legs. You used to love the beach and the sun when we were kids. Dad could never drag your ass home on summer nights."
"It's not the same anymore, Emmett."
"Sure it is. Well aside from the fact you're grown up and may require a top now." He grinned.
"No, it's not, Emmett," Jasper bit back. "I have… scars," she mouthed. Alice was tense as a bomb set to explode beside me.
"Again… you didn't give a shit about that when we were kids. You were kind of proud of those."
"Yeah well, back then I didn't look like I'd had too many dates with fillet knife," Jasper muttered and curled her hands into the sleeves of her shirt. She started fidgeting and looked anxious. Oh no.
"Oh, that," he mouthed. "I'm sure that it's not that bad." Emmett looked down at his sister compassionately.
"It's bad. I just can't."
"Okay, let me ask you another way then. Whose opinion matters the most to you?"
Jasper frowned, not truly understanding by the look on her face. "Alice. You know that."
"Yeah, but Alice gets to see your scars, right?" Emmett asked cocking a brow. Jasper nodded after a moment. "So what does she say about them?" I bit my lip, almost regretting giving Emmett the chance. He better not blow this.
"Nothing." Jasper smiled. "She says that I'm beautiful." Beside me, Alice relaxed a bit as she smiled.
"See. So if that is Alice's opinion, shouldn't that and what you think be all that matters? Look sis, you shouldn't be sitting here frying in your own fat and feeling uncomfortable because you worry about what people will think. If anyone else has shit to say about what you look like, they will have to deal with me."
"Emmett," Jasper groaned. "You're such a Neanderthal."
"I'm serious. You're with family. No one will say anything."
"I don't want to make people uncomfortable."
"Is that what it's mostly about? Making people uncomfortable?" Emmett asked and Jasper nodded. "Well, you are the only one who's uncomfortable because you are burning up in those clothes. Look, everyone has scars. Yours just happens to be on the outside. Now you know Bella won't say shit because she loves you and knows what you've been through. Edward is just too polite and quite frankly he's not going to care. If you're worried about Rose, then don't." Emmett's eyes were wide and earnest. That was a pretty nice speech and he was right. No one would bat a lash at her.
"How can I not feel insecure around her? She's like perfect," Jasper countered.
"No, she's not. She's got a lot of scars too, but hers just happen to be on the inside. It's not really any different. Anyway, you know what Rose said the first time that I showed her your picture?" Emmett paused and Jasper shrugged. "She said that you were pretty hot, so I say that defense about her being perfect is pretty thin."
"Emmett, are you making that story up as you go?"
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"Nope."
"Then there you have it. Rose thinks you're hot…"
"It's true. I did say that," the blond goddess acquiesced when she suddenly emerged up on the porch. She flicked her hair over her shoulder, plopping down on Emmett's lap unceremoniously.
"See," Emmett gloated, while grasping his large hands around her waist. "So now please stop me from sounding like such a pussy and let me see how bad it is."
"It might make you nauseous." Jasper tried to joke and failed miserably. Her gaze flitted to Rose nervously. Emmett still looked as serious as a heart attack. Rosalie's face was simply curious, but friendly. Hmmm, perhaps she wasn't so bad after all.
"It might not," Emmett countered immediately and shrugged. Jasper slowly stood and pulled the yoga pants down her one thigh, revealing an overload of pale horizontal scars littered over her leg down to her knee. Looking at her face, she was practically biting a hole into her cheek. Emmett was quiet for a while and then raised his eyes to hers. "That's it?"
Jasper suddenly laughed loudly, while feeling relieved. She then pulled her pants up again. "No, but they all look like that."
"Now, you know how neither of us can turn down a dare," he winked at her mischievously, while lacing his fingers into Rosalie's. "I dare you to put on some lighter clothes and play a game of beach volley with Edward, Rose and me.
Jasper groaned, but a smile curled at her lips. "Fine, if it will get you off my back."
Alice and I finished preparing for dinner while Emmett and Edward rigged up a makeshift beach volleyball court. Elizabeth had once more escaped to her sandcastles under the porch. Jasper did take the dare and borrowed one of my bikinis and a pair of shorts. Holding her head high, she marched right out on the sand. Next thing you know, she was egging Emmett on by saying that he would be begging to forfeit the game at some point.
I think that I was perhaps as proud of her as Alice. What a comeback to life. That strong, confidant woman that she really was always was just beneath the surface. She had simply been lost for a while, but she was never gone.
From the perspective of the general human species', sure Jasper had scars running down her stomach, back, thighs and upper arms, but to be honest, she looked good, really good. Her frame was slender, but athletic and strong. I couldn't help, but be a little jealous of her stomach. She had a hint of a washboard. I never had that, nor would I ever after having two kids. Jasper and Alice must have been lying out in the sun at some point because Jasper was getting a very nice tan. Staring at her from a distance, the scars were actually the least noticeable part of her. She was goofing around with Edward and laughing at Emmett's antics. As they got the game going, she wasn't that frail girl anymore it wasn't who she was at all. No, she was the girl that could go toe to toe with the guys, by being faster, cunning and astoundingly precise hitting the ball. Emmett could attest to that, while biting the sand more than once.
Edward and Jasper kicked Rose and Emmett's asses.
Alice squealed in delight and threw her arms around Jasper after the game. "You are too awesome for words. Let's go swimming, baby." That was the last we saw of them, besides their heads bobbing up and down, kissing and hugging far out in the water. I completely avoided looking because I had more visual of those two than I ever needed.
Later in the early evening, Emmett being the man that he was insisted that he was the one who was going to tame the grill. Typical!
Edward fished two beers out of the fridge, kissed my temple headed out to the porch and sat down next to Rose. I was busing myself with marinating the meat, basically in order to avoid going out on the porch. Tension had been running between them since she arrived and she still hadn't even spoken to me. Rose hadn't bothered talking to Elizabeth either. Her hating me I could tolerate, but I wouldn't stand by if she was cold around Elizabeth. She didn't deserve that. I would be lying if I said her frosty glower didn't put a damper on my mood today. However, Emmett was clearly head over heels with her, so I didn't say anything.
"You know that I really want to hate you, Edward," she said, while taking the beer that Edward offered.
I wasn't sure that I wanted to hear this. I definitely knew eavesdropping was pretty much a low point, but how could I not? The kitchen was turning out to be a bit of a hot spot.
"I know," he consented. "Go ahead and hate me, but don't take it out on Bella. She doesn't deserve it."
"I can say that I'll try, but I can't promise anything. You know me." She shrugged and her eyes were cold. "So, she really is pregnant?"
"Yes. It was hardly planned, but I'm pretty stoked about it." He sighed, while staring down running his fingers over the rim of the bottle.
Rose blinked rapidly. "You know that hurts even more. You don't even have to try and still it lands so easily in you palm. It seems so unfair."
So, Elizabeth was the problem. I secretly fumed.
"Life is never really fair. It twists and turns and it will only be as good as you make it. You managed to spellbind Emmett, a, what I've been told, notorious womanizer and got him to marry you. I'd say that speaks for something. Only you could do that Rose."
"Yeah, he is really good to me." She leaned back, while gazing at Edward.
"And good for you," Edward prompted. "I think that it's safe to say that officially we have broken up now too?"
"Yeah." She snickered.
"Thanks for the rec, by the way?"
"What rec?"
"The score. Embry told me it was you who recommended me. Congratulations on getting the part."
She smiled meekly. "Thanks." Her face turned positively somber. "I really don't want to be so mad at you, but I don't know how not to be. You know how much I want what you have, and now you have it again and so fast."
I really tried to keep up, but they were talking in riddles. Perhaps, that was a sign that I shouldn't be listening in on their conversation.
"I understand how that looks to you. Rosalie, you never did tell me why you can't have kids," Edward asked cautiously.
Then the dime dropped. That was the crux of her animosity. I stared down over my belly. I had what she didn't and by the looks of it, never could. I had another baby growing inside of me.
"I only ever told Emmett that," she mouthed. "But roughly said, I had my ovaries removed when I was a teenager and then I developed cervical cancer from the HPV virus when I was only eighteen years old. I had my uterus destroyed by radiation as a course of treatment, so I would say my chances are pretty much slim to none of ever having kids." The tone of her voice was so dejected and it looked like tears pooled in her eyes when she gazed earnestly up at Edward. "I want kids, a whole football team of kids, but that's never ever going to happen."
"I'm so sorry, Rose." Edward placed his arm around her shoulder and hugged her. "Thank you for being honest." He paused. "I wish that you would have told me sooner, but it makes it easier to understand you, especially now."
Both lifted their gazed and I was caught staring right at them absorbed in their private conversation. My heart started pounding from her arctic glare.
"Enjoying the fucking show, Bella?" Rosalie spat coldly. Edward sighed.
"I'm so sorry," I wheezed, not really knowing if I was sorry for eavesdropping or sorry for her condition overall.
"Whatever, I don't need your goddamn sympathy."
"Rosalie, you promised to try," Edward reminded her.
She looked down, but I knew better than to expect any kind of apology from her and mine would fall on deaf ears. I bit my lip and continued with the food, hoping my heart rate would slow down before I passed out.
"Daddy, look." Elizabeth emerged from under the house having something dangling from her chubby little hand. All covered in sand and her hair matted from the salty ocean water, she walked over and held it out to Edward.
Oh, for craps sake! The words 'they hardly ever come into the house' rang in my head. Yeah, right!
"You caught a spider, sweetie."
She beamed.
Rosalie suddenly slipped off the couch and sat on her knees in front of Elizabeth. "Be careful with it, honey. You don't want to hurt it." Her voice was suddenly so warm and motherly. Oh, please do hurt it or at least, get it away from the house! "Can you hold out you hand like this?" she asked.
Elizabeth mirrored opening her little palm. "Like this." Rosalie slowly helped her guided the crawly spindly legs down on her palm where it was larger than Elizabeth's hand. I started to feel a bit faint. Rosalie, however, showed no aversion to it whatsoever.
Edward gaped.
"Let's put it back where it belongs?" Rosalie suggested and Elizabeth's face lit up like a Christmas light, absorbing every word that fell from her mouth. She was already taken with the blond goddess. Well, if Elizabeth liked her, I could shove my own irrational fear and resentment aside.
"Who knew that you were such an animal rights' activist?" Edward teased, suddenly finding his equilibrium.
Rosalie narrowed her eyes at him as she was about to get up.
"Jesus fucking Christ, get that fucking thing away from her," Emmett spat, while jumping to the porch, but looking about ready to bolt back to the grill. He held up the spatula ready to defend himself.
"Oh, come on bad boy. Don't tell me you're afraid of a little spider? Men!" She rolled her eyes starting to take Elizabeth, who was now cupping the spider in her hands, towards the jungle.
It was just a short interaction between the two of them, but it was pretty clear that she would be an amazing mom and that Rosalie Hale as a person would probably never really be my friend. There would always be this between us. I didn't mean that we couldn't try though.
"You okay?" Edward asked.
"Yeah, I'm just remembering what Emmett said about Rosalie. That she doesn't really mean what she says, though you could have fooled me."
"I think that we just need to give her some time. Just promise me that you won't walk on eggshells around her. Just say what you mean because I promise you that you will get the exact same from her. Most of her animosity is smoke and mirrors. Don't let her ruin anything or think that we don't deserve to be happy with everything that we have. "
"Okay. Time. Let's not think about it anymore today. Let's have something to eat and enjoy the rest of the night." With Edward's encouragement, I felt better. I wouldn't let her dull my shine.
Darkness fell as we ate and talked. My head was swimming with emotions, that were all battling to find a place inside of me. I was slightly overwhelmed, but in a good way. It was beguiling to feel so happy and content with how my life was shaped. I couldn't imagine anything better because for me, there was nothing better.
I was back where my life really started again after I lost my first love. I was back where I found a new way to live again and I had Edward to share that happiness with. For now, I couldn't ask for anything else.
After dinner, Emmett and Rose stayed at the house with Elizabeth. Jasper and Alice had gone back to their own bungalow to be alone. Once in a while, Rose offered me a tiny smile, but her million-dollar grin was always for Emmett. They had a weird chemistry, but as I was learning, it was a pretty hands-on kind of chemistry. Their kissing wasn't delicate pecks on the cheeks, but big wet smooches. Looking at her through one of my best friends eyes, I could see why Emmett was heads over heels with her. That was what mattered to me.
Edward and I walked to the small and intimate beach between the massive limestone cliffs. We lay on the sand watching the stars twinkling so far above our heads. The sand had started to cool and the eternal lapping of the waves was like white noise. "I know today had so many ups and downs, but to me, it has been pretty close to perfect," I murmured.
Edward laced his fingers into mine. His hand was so warm and loving. "To me, it was perfect. Everyone knows about the baby and you agreed to marry me. I don't think life gets any better than this."
"I don't think that it does." I paused, succumbing to gazing at the stars for a long moment. I turned my head back to his, while taking in that he was watching me intently. "I love you… forever, Edward."
"That's a long time, but hardly long enough. I love you too, Bella," he whispered and turned his head to gaze back up at the stars the same way I was. Everything in life was within grasp.
oooooOOOOooooo
Well, that's it and that's all folks. I hope you liked it and I will be back with the Epilogue at some point.
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