Chapter 16

As I started to return to the family room, I found Edward playing video games. "Hi Bella," he said. "Are you having fun? How was your Corona?"

"Alright."

"I just don't really see what is so great about it. Pepsi and Coke taste better to me."

Then he set down the controller and whispered in my ear, "Your royal highness, that is what you shall have." He took my hand and we headed out back to the coolers. Sam and Jacob were on grill duty and Edward said, "Sam, where are the coolers of soda?"

"The red one on the side." Edward then pulled out a Pepsi for me.

I took it from him and said, "Thank you."

"Sam and Jake, thanks for doing this, but how soon until we eat?"

"Soon, we had to wait a little longer to put the food on."

"Sorry," I said.

Jake said, "We don't blame you. We blame the three Neanderthals you are living with."

Emmett came around the corner and said, "I'm innocent, for once."

"Bella, the food is done. Here's one of the plates with burgers and hot dogs on them. You are the guest of honor, so please go make yourself a plate."

I did and Edward followed right after me. Once both our plates were full, he took my plate and set it down on the picnic table and pulled out my chair for me. I said, "Thank you."

When the girls came out, one of them had a tray of red drinks, I asked, "What is that?"

"Strawberry margaritas. They are sweet and taste a lot better than beer. Would you like to try one?"

I looked at Edward not knowing what I was getting into. Jasper then was sitting down next to me and said, "Bella, go ahead. They taste good and yes, they are sweet." He reached on the tray and took one for me.

I took a sip cautiously and said, "Oh yes, much better. 100% better than beer." So I sat back and watched everyone around me, they were a big family and I enjoyed their company as I ate. They knew so much about each other. I loved hearing them talk about their lives.

Emily finally said, "Bella, it's obvious you are under the protection of all of these guys; but can you tell us anything about yourself?"

"I love the water, I ran a river run tour on Hell's River in Oregon and then I went to Alaska and worked on their rivers up there."

"Have you been to the ocean down here yet? It's much warmer and nicer than up there."

"No, not yet."

"Well, we might all have to go before it cools off too much," Angela said. "I have no doubt you'll make a lot of guys head's turn in whatever bathing suit you have on."

Then my hand tightened up on the arm rest. Edward was rubbing it and Jasper was trying to send a wave of calm at me. Carlisle finally said, "I don't think that'll be happening on this trip."

Emily said, "Sorry about that Bella; we understand there are some things you're not allowed to do."

"Can she go shopping, Carlisle?" Emily asked.

"Yes, but one of these three have to go with her at all times!"

"Movies?" Esme asked.

"Sorry, ladies. She is under 24 hour security guard coverage. Maybe at one of your homes and the guys can play in a different room and you can hang out in another one."

So I remembered Edward telling me that Jake and Angela were newlyweds, so I asked, "How long have you two been married?"

"Six months," and then Jake kissed Angela.

We went inside; and when Emily started to clean up, I dug in and helped. Emily tried to push me away, but I wouldn't let her this time. "I want to help; I like feeling useful."

Once the dishes were cleaned up and put away, everyone else was playing video games. I just sat and watched. Emmett said, "Come on, Bella. It's your turn."

"No thanks. I'll just watch."

"Come on, Bella," Jasper said. "All Americans young and old alike have to learn how to play video games."

"I can't. I don't know how."

"Good another American experience for you," Emmett agreed.

Edward said, "I'll show you."

He pulled me up then put the remote in my hands; he wrapped his arms around me to hold the controller. Then he showed me what I had to do to make the Mario Cart go. Eventually, I just dropped the controller turned in Edward's arms, hugged his neck and said, "I'm done. Give me real water and rafts and I'd be fine. Edward, do you mind if we go today has been a rather long day for me?"

"Of course, Emmett and Jasper say goodnight and we'll meet you outside at the car."

Bella said, "Thank you all; tonight has been fun."

"You're welcome. We'll have to have a girls' day at someone's house. Maybe you can convince one of the boys to go shopping with us one day, too."

"We'll see. Good night all."

We went outside and headed for Edward's car. Emmett and Jasper came running up behind us; Emmett pulled me into him and said, "Did you have fun, Bella?"

"It was amazing how friendly they were to me; they all understood when I couldn't answer questions."

Edward opened my door and I started to slide into the back seat. Jasper then said, "Bella, please sit up front."

"But I am the smallest and easily fit in the back seat."

"You're also dating our buddy and we want the two of you to sit by each other."

So Emmett and Jasper climbed into the back, Edward held my hand as I slid down into the front seat.

Emmett said as we drove away, "So how can the two of us help teach you about love between two people dating?"

"What?" Edward said. "She isn't dating you two, just me."

"We know that; but we can help teach her, too. We can give you both cues and tell you what we like from ladies. Bella, can ask us questions if she wants?"

"Okay, I'll allow that much."

"Now, I've a question for you guys."

"What?"

"Have any of you guys or your dates set your security system off by accident?"

They all started chuckling. "Okay, who did it?" I asked.

Edward said, "We all have."

Jasper said, "But Emmett does it a lot when he is. Ouch!" Emmett must have punched Jasper in the back seat.

"Come on, Emmett tell me. I want to know," I said.

"No way, it isn't something I should be telling a lady."

"Too bad," I asked. "Edward will tell me?"

"Then let him," Emmett said.

"Well, when Emmett has been out drinking with a lady and gets rather amorous with her, they make it back here. He forgets to turn off the alarm and then he his pressing a half naked woman against the front door and the alarm goes off. Jasper and I come out in boxers with guns drawn and Emmett is trying to disarm the alarm and his date is freaking out trying to pull herself together."

I am giggling but Jasper says, "Wait, it gets funnier. Once a girl slapped Emmett and said, 'You didn't tell me you were bi' and left. Another girl hit on Edward and I. The last straw came when one girl told Edward and I to go wait in our rooms and she could take care of us when she was done with Emmett. After that Emmett never brought another date back to our house." I was laughing so hard by the end I couldn't catch my breath. By the time we got to the house, I went running in to go to the bathroom. When I came out of the bathroom, I saw my three favorite godfathers standing there.

"Thank you guys; I had fun tonight. I'm sorry I misunderstood Edward's response, tried to escape and made you pull your guns on me. I promise I'll not make you ever come after me again with a gun."

"Thank you, Bella." Emmett and Jasper said. I hugged them both and said, "Good night."

Edward then gently took my hand and led me to my bedroom. I leaned against my closed door; Edward brushed my hair behind my ear and said, "We'll have to pretend this is your front door for saying good night by."

"Okay."

"Lesson two, Bella, I had a nice time and I'll see you tomorrow." He leaned down took my hand and pulled it up to my lips and said, "Good night, Beautiful and I do mean beautiful."

"Good night, Edward. I had a good time, too. Did I do that right?"

"Yes, now good night, Bella."

"Good night, Edward. I have one favor to ask."

"What Bella?"

"Will you guys take me to a super Wal-Mart and a Costco that you all have talked about tomorrow?"

"I think we can handle that. Good night, Bella."

"Good night, Edward," and I slipped into my room.

A/N happy sunday. Enjoy the update. DOn't forget to hit the reply button below and let me know what you think of the story. Should i do an outtake of this story specially for Christmas day? let me know and i guarantee an early lemon since this story is slowly building towards lemons. Once again hit the reply button and let me know.