Let Love Lie
Chapter 9 – Staying With Edward
BPOV
It's been a week since Rose and I had our fight. We have been avoiding each other at school and haven't spoken once. I haven't talked to Emmett either. I've had nightmares almost every night, some nights leading to panic attacks.
It's been killing me not talking to Rose. I had been friends with Rose nearly my whole life. She was my sidekick, my partner in crime. Nothing could break us apart. So what made this fight so different? Granted, we've never actually had a real fight; we tended to bicker more than anything.
I heard my name being called and my shoulder being shaken. I shot up in bed gasping for air while cold sweat dripped down my forehead. Damn it, another nightmare. I turned to look at Edward and he was looking at me with a worried expression. He took in the tears that were streaming down my face and pulled me to him. I wrapped my arms around him and buried my head in his neck. He rubbed his fingers along my back.
This is the first time Edward has ever witnessed one of my nightmares. I hated that he was seeing me like this.
"You're fine," he whispered soothingly. "I've got you." I held him tighter for a few minutes. I pulled back and wiped my eyes.
"You okay?" he asked. I nodded then shook my head.
"No, I'm not. My best friend isn't talking to me. I just bought a one hundred fifty dollar dress and I'm not talking to either of the people getting married."
"Baby, sometimes you have to be the bigger person." I sighed and rested my head against his shoulder. He leaned forward and kissed my shoulder as he continued rubbing my back.
"I'm going to talk to Rose today," I concluded. I lifted my head and looked at the clock. It was eight thirty in the morning. "I'll head over there around noon."
"Okay," he said as he let me go and pulled away. "I woke up to head to the hospital and you were having a nightmare so I woke you up. But, Baby, I'm sorry, I really have to go," he said with a pleading look.
"It's fine," I smiled as I put a hand up to his cheek. "I'm going to get some stuff around the house done."
"Bye," he pecked my lips.
"Bye," I whispered back. He got up and gathered his belongings before winking at me and leaving. I sighed before getting up and heading into the shower. I let the warm water run over my body. I lathered shampoo into my hair before conditioning it. I shaved my legs and underarms before washing my body.
I heard things falling coming from my bedroom and I turned the shower off.
"Edward?" I called. Did he forget something? "Babe, is that you?" I called. I got out and wrapped a towel around my body. My hand immediately flew to my mouth and my heartbeat increased dramatically. My whole room was trashed. The bed was overturned, my lamp was shattered, and everything was thrown around the room. I picked up my picture of Edward and me on Christmas off the ground and found Edward's face was torn out.
"Oh my god," I said shakily. I felt a panic attack forming and I took as deep of breathes as I could. I stumbled over to my phone and dialed Dad's number with trembling fingers. I pressed the phone to my ear as I looked around my room. I walked over to my closet and found all of my clothes torn and destroyed. The ringing went on for what felt like hours.
"Bells? Why are you calling so early?" he answered.
"I-I," I cried.
"Honey, what's wrong?" he asked worried.
"J-James," I stammered.
"I'll be right there," he said before hanging up. I walked into the bathroom in a daze and pulled on my clothes with trembling hands. There was a knock downstairs and I flew down the stairs before flinging the door open. Dad stood there in his uniform.
"What's going on?"
"He was here," I cried. Dad pushed past me into the house.
"Where?"
"My room." He growled before heading up to my room with me right behind him.
"Holy shit," he breathed. I sniffled and mumbled an agreement. "Come on, let's get you out of here," he said before putting his arm around me and led me downstairs and to his cruiser. "Rose's?" I looked at him and sighed. "Hey, I know you two are fighting but I think a little push will help you two make up. Lord knows you both are too stubborn to work this out yourselves."
I was about to protest but I knew it was true so I agreed to go there.
The ride over was silent, Dad seething about my mess of a room. Dad dropped me off and I kissed his cheek before walking up to the door. I looked back at Dad's retreating car before hesitantly knocking. After a moment Rose answered the door. She arched an eyebrow at me.
"Hi," I said awkwardly.
"Hi," she replied.
"We need to talk." She opened the door farther to let me in. We walked into the living room and sat down.
"Look Rose," I said at the same time she said, "Bella". We looked at each other and laughed nervously.
"Go ahead," I smiled.
"I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it. I was just frustrated and stressed. This wedding is so stressful. I know that's no excuse for what I said but I'm hoping it helps," she said with a pleading look.
"I'm sorry for what I said too. I shouldn't have been that harsh and I would take it back if I could. And you had every right to be angry with me for being late to practice, it just kind of upset me that you dragged it out."
"I know, Bella. I was upset about you being late but I don't know what came over me the rest of the day. I guess my bad mood just kept snowballing until I couldn't control myself. I should have never taken my built up anger out on you."
"Are we still best friends?"
"Yes," she nodded. I got up off the couch and went over to her. She got up and hugged me.
"God, I'm so sorry," she apologized again.
"Me too," I mumbled. "Can I still be in your wedding?"
"That shouldn't even be a question," she giggled, letting me know that I was, indeed, still in the wedding. "Bring Edward along too." I nodded and let her go. "And Bells?"
"Yeah?"
"Edward really is a great guy. I didn't mean any of the things I said about him. James was just one guy, not all guys you date are going to be like him." My room was brought back to mind with the mention of James. I sat down again and ran my hands though my hair, a nervous habit I picked up from Edward.
"What's wrong?" Rose asked as she sat next to me and rubbed my back.
"James was in my house today. He was in my room while I was in the shower."
"What?" she gasped.
"He totally destroyed my room. Everything is thrown around. He ruined a picture from Christmas." She covered her mouth with her hand.
"Stay here tonight, please. I don't want you staying back there. Not until Dad finds this asshole."
"Thanks," I smiled. "I have to call Edward and fill him in if that's okay."
"Yeah, go right ahead," Rose nodded encouragingly. "I'll go call Emmett and have him come home."
"No, don't do that. We'll tell him when he gets home."
"Okay." She nodded. I excused myself and went outside to call Edward.
"Hey, Baby, miss me already?" he chuckled.
"More than you know," I said and let out a shaky laugh.
"You okay?"
"Physically? Yes. Emotionally? I'm not too sure at the moment."
"What do you mean?"
"James broke into my house while I was in the shower. He destroyed my room and ruined the picture of you and me on Christmas."
"What? Are you okay?" he asked again.
"I'm fine, just a little shaken up. I'm going to be staying at Rose's for tonight. I'm going to try and figure out what to do."
"Can I stop by after work to see you?" he asked anxiously.
"I'm sure that's fine. Call when you're done and I'll give you directions."
"Okay," he sighed, sounding slightly relieved.
"I need to get back to Rose."
"Are you two okay?"
"Yeah, we're better."
"Good. I'll see you later."
"Bye," I smiled. I love you, I added in my head. I pressed the red phone icon before pressing the sleep key and putting it back in my pocket. I walked back inside where Rose was at her kitchen table going through wedding preparations.
"What did Edward say?"
"He wants to see me after he's done working. He's anxious."
"He cares about you," she said.
"Yeah," I smiled. "What're you working on?"
"I'm trying to figure out details for the engagement party next weekend. I'm on a time crunch and I need to order the cake and stuff soon if I'm going to be able to have it done in time."
"Let me do the baking," I offered before I could think twice about it.
"You'd do that for me?" she asked as she tore her eyes from the papers to look at me.
"Yeah, sure. I mean I know exactly what you want seeing as we have been planning this our entire lives."
"Bella, thank you! This means so much to me! And you're an amazing baker so I trust you completely," she smiled before hugging me. I smiled and hugged her back.
We went over details for the engagement party, which was being held at my parents' house. I am in charge of baking; Mom is in charge of decorating and getting the food. Although, Mom is going to be getting help decorating to help take some of the load off her shoulders. Rose and I fell into easy conversation just like we used to and there was no tension between us. It was as if the fight had never happened.
"What do you want for dinner?" Rose asked. I looked at the clock and it was already five.
"I don't care; whatever Emmett wants." Rose picked up the house phone and called Emmett.
"Hey, Monkeyman," she smiled. "What do you want for dinner?" she paused while he talked. "Okay, I'll order it and you can pick it up on your way home." He started talking again. "Love you too." She pressed the end button before looking up the number for the local pizza shop in their takeout menu and dialing it. She held the menu up, silently asking if it was okay, and I nodded before mouthing "pepperoni".
Rose ordered two pizzas, one with pepperoni and one with pineapple, putting it under Emmett's name, and hung up. She came and sat down next to me.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out. Dad's name flashed on my screen. I pressed the green telephone icon before putting it up to my ear.
"Hey, Dad," I answered.
"Bells, I don't want you staying at your house for the next few days. It's considered a crime scene and I don't need you tampering with evidence."
"Okay, that's fine. I can fit into Rose's clothes so I'll borrow some of hers for the next few days."
"Bells, I'm sorry this is happening to you."
"It's my own fault for keeping him around for so long," I mumbled unhappily.
"Don't let me hear you say that again," he replied sternly. "This isn't your fault." He sighed before changing back to the previous part of our conversation, "I'm having guys looking for him twenty-four-seven. We're going to catch him if it's the last thing I do."
"He'll turn up sometime. He can't hide forever, Dad."
"I know, and when he does I'll be there waiting for him."
"Thanks."
"Are you and Rose better?"
"Yeah," I smiled, "we are".
"I let Jasper know what's going on."
"Thanks, I've been meaning to call him."
"No problem. Okay, I'll let you two get back to doing whatever it is you girls do."
"Okay," I giggled. "Bye Daddy, I love you."
"I love you too, Bells," he said sheepishly. I ended the call and placed my phone on the table.
"What'd Dad say?"
"My house is now considered a crime scene," I sighed.
"You can stay here as long as you need to."
"Thanks," I smiled.
Emmett came into the house with the two pizza boxes in his hand, announcing loudly that he was home.
"Oh, hey Bells," he smiled as he came into the kitchen.
"Hey," I smiled.
"Bella may be staying with us for a few days."
"Why?" he asked. "Not that I mind, it's just a surprise," he quickly added.
"James broke into my house today," I said for what felt like the millionth time.
"He what?" Emmett seethed.
"He totally destroyed my bedroom. Dad doesn't want me staying there; he says it's considered a crime scene."
"They better catch this bastard quick," he spat. I nodded.
"I don't want to talk about this, if you don't mind," I said as I got up and took the pizza boxes from Emmett. He nodded. I set the boxes on the table while Emmett grabbed plates and Rose grabbed drinks. We sat and silently ate pizza.
My phone buzzed as we were finishing up. Edward's picture came up on the screen. I pressed the green phone icon before walking out of the kitchen, putting the phone up to my ear.
"Hi," I said as I walked outside.
"Can I see you?"
"Yeah. From my house you go south and it's the third street on the left, sixth house on the right."
"Okay, I'll be there soon." I hung up before going inside and grabbing one of Rose's extra coats and going back outside to wait for him.
After about five minutes I saw the familiar silver Volvo pull onto the street and park in front of the house. I quickly walked to meet him as he got out of the car. He met me and pulled me into his arms, squeezing me to him.
"Tighter," I mumbled into his shoulder. He squeezed me tighter and I sighed.
"God, I hate being away from you, especially when something like this happens," he murmured into my hair.
"I know, I feel the same way," I replied. Edward brought his hands up to my cheeks and kissed me softly.
"Come on, let's get you inside. It's cold out here," he said before dropping his hands. I unwrapped my arms from his neck and he took one hand in his. We walked into the house and Emmett and Rose greeted Edward warmly.
"Edward, I'm sure Bella told you about our fight," Rose frowned.
"She didn't tell me everything that was said, just that you two had a fight," he explained.
"I feel I have some apologizing to do. Some of the things I said weren't only hurtful to Bella, but also hurtful to you. I didn't mean the things I said and if I could I would take them back."
"You're forgiven, Rose. We all say things we don't mean sometimes," Edward smiled. Rose went over and hugged him, thanking him.
"Would you like some pizza?" Emmett asked Edward.
"Sure, that sounds great," he grinned. We walked into the kitchen and Edward helped himself to a slice of pizza.
"How was work?" I asked as I sat next to him. I rested my hand on his knee and he twined his fingers with mine.
"Boring," he shrugged. "I didn't have to many appointments today. It was pretty much just paperwork."
"Fun," I said sarcastically.
"So, Bells, how long are you staying?" Emmett asked.
"Until my room isn't considered a crime scene anymore, I guess," I pursed my lips.
"You're welcome at my place too, if you'd like," Edward offered after he swallowed his last bite. I smiled warmly at him. I laid my head on his shoulder and he turned to kiss my hair.
"I just hope that I can get back in my house to bake for next weekend," I sighed.
"Bake?" Edward questioned.
"Bella offered to bake for our engagement party. You're welcome to come, too. You'll be getting an invitation to the wedding, also."
"That's kind, Rose," he smiled. I loved that Rose was making an effort to include Edward. It was a subtle way of letting me know that she approved and also confirmed that she was telling the truth when she said she didn't mean what she said. "I'll do my best to be there."
EPOV
I saw a man sneak out of Bella's window from my usual spot in the forest. Anger coursed through my body and I knew in an instant who it was. He slid down the tree before making a run for it down the street. I got up from my spot and grabbed my radio from my waist. I contacted the station to let them know I found James and I was trailing him. My cell started buzzing seconds later. Chief.
"Cullen," I answered.
"Where are you?" he demanded.
"I'm headed to the cruiser to follow James, why?"
"Bella just called me, Cullen," he said angrily. "He's been in her Goddamn room!"
"I saw," I growled. "I was probably at the station getting the cruiser when he broke in. I just got to my usual spot when I saw him leaving."
"I'm headed over to Bella's now. Keep tailing him. Corner him if you can." I got into the cruiser and started the engine in time to see James hop over a fence and run into the forest, out of sight.
"Dammit, I lost him," I growled as I pounded my palm on the steering wheel. Chief growled angrily before hanging up. Why is this bastard so hard to catch?
BPOV
Rose, Emmett, Edward and I sat in the living room watching a movie that I paid no attention to. My mind kept reeling with the possibilities of James breaking into Rose's house. I knew my time was running out. It was only a matter of time before James actually came face-to-face with me. I could tell he was growing impatient of sneaking around and becoming more angered as my relationship with Edward progressed.
"Rose?" I asked after a few minutes. My voice didn't sound normal. It sounded choked.
"Yeah?" Rose asked as she looked over. I looked at her from the spot I'd been staring at.
"James has been here before, right?" The sound of his name leaving my lips made my heart beat faster. I could feel the beginning of a panic attack. I could tell Edward sensed it too because he began rubbing my back.
"Yeah, when you two first started dating, why?"
"So he knows where you live," I concluded. My hands started to feel like they were being poked with needles and were slowly becoming numb.
"Hon, what are you getting at?" Rose asked confused. I felt a sweat break out on my forehead.
"Calm down," Edward whispered in my ear. "Breath," he instructed. I drew in a shaky breath before answering Rose.
"This is the first place I would go and he knows it. I-I can't stay here, Rose," I said and sat up with Edward's help. "H-he knows that I could be here a-and," I stammered but stopped, feeling like I couldn't breath. It was as if my air supply had been cut off. Edward sat up and rubbed my back, whispering encouragements to keep taking deep breaths in my ear.
"Bella, did you take your medication today?" Emmett asked as he sat up and came over to us. I couldn't find my voice or gather enough air to respond. My eyesight was becoming unfocused and I felt nauseous.
"Bella, you're safe. No one's going to hurt you," Edward whispered in my ear. "Match my breathing." I tried focusing on his breathing but I couldn't focus on anything for more than a few seconds.
"Bella, sweetie, look at me," Rose said as she knelt in front of Bella. "You're okay. Focus on Edward's breathing." Rose looked at me. "Put her hand on your stomach so she can feel your breathing." I felt Edward grab my hand and place it against his stomach as he exaggerated his breathing.
"Hey, yeah, it's me," Emmett said from somewhere in the distance. "Do you know if Bella took her medication this morning?" he must have been on the phone with someone.
I closed my eyes and tried to focus on nothing but Edward's breathing. After a few painstakingly slow minutes I felt my breathing become normal. The tingling in my hands began to go away and I had control over my fingers again. I opened my eyes and met Rose's concerned ones.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly. I nodded, my cheeks flushing in embarrassment. I pulled my hand from Edward's and covered my face, placing my elbows on my knees. I felt Edward's hands rub my arms and I dropped my hands from my face.
"Maybe Bella should stay at your place," Rose said to Edward. She waited for the okay from Edward before looking back at me. "Do you want to stay at Edward's?" I looked at her for a moment before nodding twice.
"I need something to wear tomorrow," I said quietly. Rose squeezed my knee before getting up. Emmett left with her. I turned in Edward's arms and looked at his concerned expression. I leaned in and kissed him softly before resting my forehead against his cheek. He wrapped his arms around me and held me to him.
"Are you sure it's okay to stay at your place?" I sniffled.
"I'm positive. I want you to feel safe and I really don't want to leave you."
"Thank you. Not just for welcoming me into your home but for staying when any other guy would have run a long time ago."
"I'm not running anytime soon," he assured me. "You're stuck with me." I giggled softly and sniffled again.
"Good," I smiled.
Rose and Emmett came back into the room and I stood up and took the bag Rose packed from her before setting it on the ground. I wrapped my arms around her thanked her. She hugged me back tight before letting go. I went over and hugged Emmett.
"You okay?" he whispered in my ear. I sighed and nodded. When he let me go I picked up the back and held my hand out to Edward. He took it and I helped pull him up.
"I'll see you tomorrow," I smiled at Rose. Edward and I walked out to his Volvo and he opened the passenger door for me. He got in his side and we drove to his house.
When we got there he pulled into his garage before getting out and walking around to open my door for me. He held his hand out for me and helped me out of the car before grabbing the bag Rose packed and leading me into his house.
"Make yourself at home," he smiled before kissing my cheek. I smiled in return before setting my bag down. I had never taken the time to just look at Edward's home. I had always been in his room or living room but never had the chance to actually take a look around.
His home was set up much like mine; the front door led to a walkway, which led to the living room. About halfway down the walkway on the right was the entrance to the kitchen.
"Bella, sweetie, what are you doing?" Edward chuckled when he saw I was just looking around.
"I've never had the chance to actually look around your house," I smiled as my cheeks grew warm.
"Well, I suppose you're in need of a tour guide," he grinned and held his hand out to me. I took it and he led me upstairs. He stopped at the first door on the left. "You obviously know that this is my room," he said as he gestured to the opened door.
His room had simple gray walls, with the one to my left a darker gray than the rest. The left wall had a door that led into his bathroom. The wall on my right had a huge window that peered out to a large clearing. On the far side of the room was a walk-in closet. His queen sized bed, and sinfully comfy bed, was next to it.
Edward led me to the next room, which was down the hall a few steps and on the right.
"This is Riley's room," he said as he opened the door.
"You have a room for Riley?"
"Yeah, well, Riley stays over a lot because Alice sometimes has to make sudden trips to Seattle, or even one time she went to Arizona, to show some of her clothing ideas to interested designers. I decided to make him a room so he can feel at home here."
"That's so sweet," I smiled before taking a look around the room. The walls were light blue with a border going around the top that had baseballs, footballs and basketballs. There was a single bed with a dark blue comforter along with wall. A small window was covered by drapes that matched the comforter. The closet was on the far right side of the room.
"And for the last room," he led me to the end of the hall and through a door on the left. This room was much like Edward's but the walls were a deep brownish gold and the bed had a larger frame. "The guest room."
"This is nice," I noted, smiling.
"Please don't tell me you'd rather sleep here than my room," he chuckled.
"And if I do?" I asked in an overly innocent voice and grabbed fistfuls of his shirt, pressing my body up against him.
"I may have to show you why my room is better," he whispered huskily, bending down to kiss my neck.
"I don't know, Cullen," I giggled. "That bed in there looks pretty comfy."
"You'll be happy to know then," he said between kisses he placed along my neck, trailing to my ear. "That's the same bed as the one in my room."
"Really," I moaned and rolled my head back. He hummed against my earlobe before taking it in his mouth, nibbling lightly.
This was why I loved Edward. No matter how deep of a funk I am in he always finds a way to bring me out. He always makes me feel cared for and safe just by being with me. He would never dare lay a hand on me in any way other than lovingly. He's in this as much as I am.
Edward pulled back and rested his forehead against mine.
"What's going on in that head of yours, sweetheart?" he asked with a slight smile. I couldn't tell him, could I? The guy is supposed to say those three words first. It's too soon anyways, right?
"You," I replied vaguely. He smiled, seemingly satisfied, and placed a chaste kiss on my lips.
"Good," he whispered huskily. "You're always on my mind. Do you know how hard it is to concentrate at work?" he chuckled.
"You kind of have to concentrate while you're working, Dr. Cullen," I giggled. He swallowed before smiling, but there was something in his eyes that I didn't recognize and couldn't figure out what.
"Come on," he said as he stepped away and took my hand. "Let's go get ready for bed." I smiled and he led me to his room before going downstairs and getting my bag. He set it on the bed and I opened it and didn't find any pajamas.
"Rose forgot to pack me pajamas. Could I borrow something to wear?" I asked. Edward threw a pair of boxers and a white tank at me. I picked up the boxers before quirking an eyebrow at him.
"My sweats will be too big for you," he chuckled in response. I smiled and shook my head before pulling my shirt over my head and replacing it with the tank. I shimmied out of my jeans and replaced them with the boxers. I felt Edward's eyes on my back so I put on a little show of taking my bra off under the shirt before turning and throwing it at him.
"Alright, that's it," he said before tackling me and throwing me on the bed. I squealed with laughter as he joined me, lying on top of me. "You're much too sexy for your own good," he mumbled as he devoured my neck. I moaned and wrapped my arms around his neck. He kissed his way up my jaw and to my lips where they lingered, moving in sync with mine. When he pulled away he rolled off of me and laid on his side facing me.
"I may just have to wear your clothes more often," I giggled. He chuckled and ran his hand through my hair.
"You won't be able to leave my room if you do," he said huskily.
"I could get used to that," I shrugged. He smiled before kissing me again.
XOXO
It was now Friday and I still couldn't get into my house. I was able to go in once, escorted by my father of course, to get the necessities. Edward took me shopping on Monday to get clothes and he wouldn't let me buy anything. He spent nearly four hundred dollars on clothes for me and didn't even flinch at the price like I did.
"Bella, my final answer is no," Dad said exasperated through the phone.
"What if Edward is with me? Dad, I really need to get this baking done," I begged. I was trying to get him to let me use my kitchen.
"Find somewhere else to bake because you're not stepping foot in that house."
"Fine," I pouted. "I'll talk to you later. Love you."
"Love you too, Bella. I'm only keeping you from the house for your own safety."
"I know. Bye."
"Bye," he said before hanging up. I tossed my phone into my purse before pulling on my coat and grabbing my bag. I walked out of my classroom, locking it, before going out to the parking lot where Edward was waiting for me, as he has for the past week. I got in the car and smiled before kissing him.
"Hey," he smiled.
"Hi," I sighed.
"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked as he pulled out of his parking space.
"I need to get this baking done and my dad won't let me in my house."
"I agree with him, Bells," he said, looking for oncoming traffic before pulling out onto the main roads. "I don't want you to go back there until your dad confirms it's safe and that every lock is changed and they have enough evidence to convict James of stalking and breaking and entering." I sighed, knowing he was right.
"You can bake at my house," he added.
"Do you have the supplies to bake?" I questioned doubtingly.
"No, but we can go to the store and get it."
"You just bought me hundreds of dollars worth of clothes. Why buy ingredients when I have it at my house?"
"Bella, please, money's not a problem for me," he shrugged.
"Yeah, and where did you get all this money?" I arched an eyebrow.
"My grandparents are rich and I get hefty amounts from them," he shrugged. "They literally just mail me checks for large amounts whenever they find fit." I gave in and we drove to the store to pick up the supplies.
XOXO
"Edward, get out of the kitchen!" I laughed. He kept swiping cookie dough or brownie batter.
"Alright, I'll stop," he chuckled. "Do you need any help?"
"No, everything has to be precise," I said as I piped frosting onto some cupcakes that I baked about an hour ago. "Rose has been planning this since we were children. I know exactly what she wants and how she wants it."
Once I finished piping the base frosting I picked up a piping bag filled with red frosting to pipe flower pedals. Once I finished the pedals I filled the middle with yellow frosting.
After a few more hours of baking and decorating I was finally finished. There were cupcakes, cookies and brownies covering every surface of the kitchen. I plopped down into a chair and sighed, wiping my hand over my face.
Edward came into the house with Chinese carryout.
"Taking a break?" he chuckled.
"Why? Does this not look like it's enough? Should I make more?" I asked frantically as I looked around, counting everything. I have five-dozen cupcakes, four-dozen brownies, and three-dozen cookies of four different kinds.
"There's more than enough, sweetheart," he chuckled and kissed my cheek.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Completely. Now, come eat," he said as he pulled me up and led me into the living room. He handed me a carryout box and a pair of chopsticks. I thanked him before digging in.
XOXO
"Edward, can you zip me up?" I called from the bathroom. Edward came in dressed in slacks and a green button up shirt. He kissed my bare neck as he zipped up my dress. I turned to look in the mirror and gave him a thankful smile. My dress was emerald, like Edward's dress shirt, and string halter strapped. The fabric covered my breasts but didn't meet until my upper stomach. The material travelled form-fittingly down my body to about two inches above my knee.
I had my hair pulled to the side in a knotted bun with a few strands framing my face. My make-up was light and natural.
"You look beautiful," he kissed under my ear.
"Thanks," I smiled. "You clean up well yourself," I smirked. He chuckled before leaning in to kiss me. When he pulled away he crinkled his nose and smacked his lips.
"Lipstick?" he groaned.
"Problem?" I smirked.
"I don't want my lips colored," he said as he wiped his lips on a towel. I giggled as he made sure there was none left on his lips in the mirror.
"Are you ready?" I asked as I walked out to get my heels.
"Yeah," he said as he came out of the bathroom. "I was waiting on you," he smirked sarcastically. I smiled as I slipped my shoes on. I walked over to the bed and grabbed my handbag before we walked out to his Volvo that was stocked with all the baked goods from yesterday.
We drove to a hall that Rose rented and brought all the treats inside.
"Bella!" Rose called in relief. "I can't thank you enough!" she said as she took in the treats.
"It's not big deal. Sorry if we're a few treats short. Edward couldn't keep his hands away from the dough and batter," I said as I arched an eyebrow at Edward cockily. Rose giggled and told us she would have done the same.
I set up the treats on different decorative plates and stashed the rest under the table.
People began coming in and I towed Edward around, introducing him to several people.
"Bella!" my little cousin, Seth, called as he came up to me.
"Seth," I grinned and hugged him. "You got so tall! How old are you now?" I asked when I pulled away from him. He was now a few inches taller than me.
"Eighteen," he chuckled.
"Damn, you're making me feel so old! I used to babysit you!" I giggled and blush covered his tanned face. He looked down at his feet and his shaggy brown hair covered his eyes. "Seth, this is my boyfriend, Edward. Edward, this is my cousin, Seth." Seth looked up and smiled before holding his hand out to Edward. Edward shook it with a returning smile.
"Nice to meet you," Edward said.
"Ditto," Seth smiled.
"Where's Leah?" I asked. Leah is Seth's twenty-five sister. She and I never really got along, but we tolerated each other. She was on La Push High's varsity cheer squad and, unlike me, was the stereotypical cheerleader. You know, head stuck in the clouds, popular, thought the world revolved around her. She didn't understand how I could like football more than cheerleading, but whatever.
"Probably sucking face with her new boyfriend," Seth rolled his eyes.
"New boyfriend? What happened to Sam?" I asked.
"Don't bring that up to her if you want to live," Seth's eyes widened. I quirked an eyebrow at him. "He cheated on her with her best friend."
"Ouch," I scrunched my nose. "Who's the new guy?"
"Jacob Black," he said and my heart skipped a beat.
"Jacob Black as in my friend Jacob Black?" I asked.
"I wouldn't say he calls you a friend," Seth mumbled.
"Great," I groaned.
"Yeah, but I'm going to go find her. She should be in here. Catch you guys later?"
"Yeah, bye," I said as he walked off.
"I'm confused," Edward stated. I smiled slightly and looked back at him.
"About?"
"Jacob Black."
"He's been my friend since we were toddlers. His dad and my dad go fishing all the time. We tried dating my sophomore year but decided it would be best if we stayed friends. That is, until James wouldn't let me see him anymore," I pursed my lips.
I introduced Edward to my Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Phil before introducing him to Seth's parents, Uncle Harry and Aunt Sue.
We went outside so I could have a smoke. Being with my family puts me on edge. They pretty much all know about what happened between James and I, which makes me uncomfortable. It's like they have ammunition on me.
"Bella!" Leah's high-pitched voice rang from behind me. I cringed slightly before plastering a smile on my face and turning to be face-to-face with Leah and Jacob.
Leah's straight hair was a blackish brown and went down a few inches past her shoulder. She had similar tan skin to her brother's. Jake also had tan skin. His hair was shaggy and black.
"Leah," I smiled. "Jake."
"Bella," he half-smiled.
"Who's this?" Leah asked as she looked at Edward.
"Leah, Jake, this is my boyfriend, Edward. Edward, this is Leah and her boyfriend, Jake."
"Jacob," he corrected as he shook Edward's hand.
"Glad to see you ditched the dead beat," Leah smiled.
"Yeah," I muttered awkwardly.
"Get tired of him hitting you?" Jake asked. I felt Edward tense at my side and I held his hand.
"Funny," I muttered sarcastically. "I actually thought you would be mature."
"What would have been mature was for you to tell James to beat it when he told you not to hang out with me anymore. But you stuck around and let him beat you."
"It wasn't that simple, Jacob."
"Why wasn't it? You could have just called it quits and moved out."
"He was threatening my life!" I said in a raised voice. Jake set his jaw but didn't say anything.
"I wouldn't have let him hurt you."
"You stood by while she was knowingly being beat?" Edward fumed. "At least her family didn't know about it, so they have an excuse."
"Edward, don't," I whispered.
"No Bella, let him talk. He seems to think that he knows the situation better than I do. Yeah, I knew she was being beat. But I knew if I hurt him I would hurt her."
"You could have told someone," Edward growled.
"Bella told me she was handling it," Jake said with as much anger. I looked at Leah and she was glaring at me. I drew one more drag from my cig before flicking it into the slushy grass.
"It was nice talking to you both," I said sarcastically before squeezing Edward's hand and pulling him with me. "Oh, and Leah," I said as I stopped and turned to look over my shoulder. "Sorry about you and Sam," I smirked before continuing walking.
I was seeing red. How dare Jake talk to Edward like that. He didn't even know Edward for crying out loud!
"Calm down," Edward whispered in my ear.
"It's just so frustrating," I mumbled.
"I know, but just enjoy Rose's party. You have to make a speech later, remember?" he chuckled.
"Oh goody," I muttered sarcastically. Edward grabbed champagne off a tray nearby and handed on to me. Edward and I mingled with different people without incident until it was time for me to make my speech. I grabbed a glass of champagne and went up onto a small stage where a microphone was located.
"Excuse me," I said into it. The chatter died down as everyone looked at me. "Hi, as most of you know, I'm Bella Swan, proud maid of honor and best friend of Rosalie Hale. And I'm also Emmett's sister," I added afterwards, causing a few people to laugh. "So normally people normally gush about how perfect the couple is for each other and how great they are, but that's not what I'm going to do. No, because anyone who knows Rose and Emmett can see that they are each other's rocks and know that they were meant to be. I'm going to show you how perfect they are for each other." I picked up a remote that was on the table next to me and turned on a projector. A video was displayed on the wall. "I've taken the liberty of stealing videos from Rose and my parents to put together this short mash-up of the years Rose and Emmett have spent together." I pressed play and the video started.
"Bella! Turn that off!" Rose whined in the video.
"I'm capturing the before and after shots of you before prom!" I argued. The video cut to Emmett who was in his room playing Call of Duty with Jake. They were both dressed in tuxedos.
"Hey, Belly-boo!" Emmett said without taking his eyes off of the TV. The video then cut to Emmett and Rosalie in Rose's room. The video was taken from the hallway without them knowing.
"No, Emmett," Rose said adamantly.
"Just once, please!" Emmett pleaded.
"I'm not playing Guess Who with you!" a few people chuckled in the audience. The video showed a few more clips before some pictures and then it ended.
"To Emmett and Rosalie," I said as I raised my glass. Everyone echoed me.
Hey everyone!
Sooo sorry for the wait! I have been so busy! But, thank you for reading and sticking with me over this wait!
I have come to a decision about the ending...I will make it only one story with an HEA.
Reviewers get teasers!
Lots of love,
Nikki