Chapter 17

Saturday was so much fun; we were gone for over five hours. I walked every aisle of both stores and we did buy some things. I was just in awe of what American stores had. Edward for the most part stayed right with me since someone had to stay close to me the whole time. When we got home, I crashed on one of the sofas and said, "Thanks, guys that was so much fun."

"You haven't been in a store like that since you have been in the US?"

"No, I have always hid out in small towns so I went into mom and pop stores."

When I got up Sunday, I made it down to the gym and found Jasper there on the treadmill. I grabbed a towel and headed for the treadmill and muttered, "It's more fun to run outside," as I plugged in my headphones. Suddenly before I got my treadmill going, Jasper had my arm and said, "Pardon the pun Bella, but your wish is my command."

He wrote a quick note and left it on Emmett's treadmill –catch us if you can.

We went out the front door and turned the alarm off and on and he started slowly.

"Jasper, what is the note?"

"A game we use to play when we first started with the CIA. We used it to build our endurance. One of us would start off running first and the other two had to find him. If we couldn't do it in five miles, we had to run a bonus five miles."

"Really."

"Yep."

"Cool. Let's win. I just might make Emmett carry me for the second five."

I probably took two steps for every one of Jasper's, but I kept pace with him. We slowed down once and he said, "Damn Bella, you can even run."

"Thanks, Jasper, but don't let us get caught."

We kept pushing it and when we were about three blocks from the house, Jasper heard sounds behind us and he said, "It's them Bella, run we only have three blocks to go."

We took off and just as Edward was touching my side I collapsed in the front yard onto Jasper who out beat me by about twenty feet.

Once I caught my breath, I smiled at Edward and said, "I'll see you two after five more miles boys."

"Shit," Emmett said

"Emmett, do you want to carry me for the next five miles?"

Edward offered me a hand and pulled me up. "What's wrong? Why couldn't you catch me?" I asked.

"Because you are too beautiful, Bella."

"See you later, boys," and I walked into the house for a shower.

"Thanks, Jasper that was fun."

"You're welcome and I'm so glad you beat Edward."

EPOV

"Come on man, let's get this over with," I said.

"Hold on man; we need to start with a walk first," Emmett complained.

"No problem, so do I."

"Damn, your girlfriend is so damn sexy in those running shorts with the way her ass jiggles. Does she even know that she does that?"

"I know that was too much of a distraction. The next time we play this game, Bella, you, and me are going to get Jasper so he can see the affect of her ass running."

"Can you imagine running towards her or if her shorts were any shorter?"

I punched Emmett for that one. "Keep your eyes on her beautiful face, man."

"I'll try man. Alright, let's kick it and get this done with."

Forty-five minutes later, we came back. My beautiful Bella was sitting in the living room drinking orange juice and asked, "How was the run?"

"Fine beautiful. I'll see you later."

"Yes, you will."

I started on breakfast and hollered for everyone to come and eat. The four of us sat down to eggs, bacon and toast. "Thank you, Bella," Emmett said. "That was very nice of you."

"You're welcome. It's the least I could do after making you run an extra five miles."

"That's okay, Bella, we lost fair and square. But Bella and Jasper, there'll be a rematch."

I got up and walked away and said, "We'll see."

I went back to my room and did some laundry. My phone rang around noon and it was Esme.

"Hi, Esme."

"Hi, Bella."

"What's up?"

"Movies."

"Really, what are we going to see?"

"Oh something, my husband wants to see."

"Good, I'm sure at least Edward will go plus I needed to talk to Carlisle about something anyway."

"Cool, how about what we in America call a double date? If you don't mind hanging out with two older people and Edward's boss, that is."

"Sounds fun, but let me ask. And I'll call you back?"

"Okay."

I found Edward listening to music and reading a magazine, leaned around to hug him and get his attention. He smiled and pulled out an ear bud and said, "Hello, Beautiful."

"Hi, did I do that right?"

"Yes, you did and I'm going to do this." He quickly pulled me over the couch into his lap and said, "Thanks for the hug. Now what can I do for you?"

"Esme called and suggested a double date with her and Carlisle at the movies and then dinner. Before I forget, she said, 'Carlisle picked the movie.' But why is that so important that Carlisle picked the movie over Esme."

Edward chuckled and said, "Of course, we can go on a double date with them. Go call Esme, come back, sit in my lap some more and I'll teach you another lesson about couples."

"Okay, Edward, thank you."

I went and called Esme saying, "We're on."

"Good, we'll pick you guys up at 3:30 okay?"

"Sounds good. We'll see you then."

So I went out to Edward, he reached out and pulled me into his arms until I was sitting in his lap again. "Bella, what is your favorite movie?"

"Dirty Dancing."

"Why?"

"It's romantic."

"Mine is Rocky."

"I see."

"Do you?"

"Kind of."

"Come on," and we stood up. We went up to their movie collection. "Okay. How many of these had you seen until you showed up here?"

"Maybe five or six."

"We have seen all of these at least once. Now," and we went to my room. "Bella, may I come into your room?"

"Of course, Edward."

We went over to my TV and DVD player, and Edward picked up my new collection that was building.

"Romantic, Romantic, Drama," Edward said as he picked all of mine up.

"Alright, I get it now. So by me telling you that Carlisle picked the movie, you knew you wouldn't have to see a girlie movie."

"Almost, Bella, the only problem is we actually call them chick flicks."

"Edward, what is wrong with chick flicks?"

"Nothing, come along, Beautiful," and we went out to the sofa; Edward pulled me into his lap again.

"Chick flicks are okay once in awhile for us, but we like action, adventure and fighting, too."

"Well, I can agree with that. So are you saying we can take turns picking the movies we see? Which is what it sounds like Esme and Carlisle do?"

"That would be a fair compromise."

"Good."

Emmett came in then and said, "What is a fair compromise?"

"Taking turns picking the movie on dates."

"Chick flicks are terrible, unless your date is sitting in your lap."

"Bella, please don't listen to Emmett."

"I won't. Carlisle and Esme are going to pick us up at 3:30, Edward, okay?"

"Okay."

I put my laundry away and wrote in my journal for a little while. I slipped into a pair of skinny jeans with knee socks underneath of them, little ballet slippers, and simple blue peasant top. I fluffed my hair and fixed my makeup. I grabbed a purse and headed down the hallway to wait for Esme and Carlisle. Jasper and Emmett were playing video games. I asked, "You guys don't mind do you? When Esme said a double date, I didn't think you should go."

"No, Bella. It's okay. We're going to a club tonight looking for babes while you guys are out."

"Have fun. I guess we'll see you in the morning. Emmett, please don't set off the alarm with a lady tonight." I walked up to Jasper and asked, "Is this safe for you two?"

"Sure Emmett is harmless for the most part. He just likes to dance with the girls and have a good time. I promise I won't let him bring any girls home."

"Come on, Bella. My bed is getting awful lonely unless you want to join me,"

I then heard foot steps down the hallway I turned and looked at Edward. I walked up to him and leaned in and said, "You look so good."

"You look like I could cuddle with you forever. Emmett, Bella won't be in your bed tonight and no other ladies will be visiting your bed either with Bella in the house." I smiled and the door bell rang; I left Edward and ran for the door.

I opened it and smiled at Esme and Carlisle. "Hi guys."

"Hi Bella, you look so beautiful, are you guys ready to go?" Esme asked.

"Yes," and I turned to Jasper and Emmett and said, "Have fun." I grabbed my purse and followed Esme and Carlisle out. Edward was soon next to me as we walked to Carlisle's Mercedes.

Edward and I slid into the backseat. As Carlisle drove away, he asked, "Bella, Esme said you wanted to talk to me about something. But before you do, Edward, I hate to be pain in the ass boss; but why did you let Bella answer the door. That could be the opportunity someone is looking for."

"Sorry, Carlisle. That is my fault, I knew it should be you so I just ran up and opened the door. I'll hold back from now on."

"Alright, Bella, I'll accept that; but we want to keep you safe and we're just trying to follow some protocol with you. Now what did you want to ask me?"

"Is there any way I can get my hands on my own credit card and cash and then I can payback whoever it is that pays the bills once I am back in my country. I'm tired of spending everyone else's money. I also want to repay the all money the unit is spending on me for returning to my country."

"Bella, that's not what we do."

"Carlisle, please I'll do it anyway."

"I know you will, but this is our job."

"It's not your job to buy me food or my clothes. Plus am I not correct we have holidays coming."

"Bella, we'll get you a credit card of your own, but I can tell you the CIA office won't send you a bill."

"Alright, I'll accept that. I'll be sending the CIA a donation next year."

The other two just chuckled and said, "We don't doubt it."

I said, "So what movie are we seeing?"

"Avatar."

"I have seen the ads for that; it looks cool."

"Good."

"Carlisle, do you and Esme take turns picking out movies to see?"

"Yes, we do."

"So Esme, what movie would you have picked?"

"Princess and the Frog."

"Oh I see," as I giggled into Edward's side.

Carlisle said, "Quit giggling, Edward or when the girls want to get together, I'll tell them to take Bella out and you'll be her guard."

I turned, looked at Edward and asked, "Cat got your tongue."

"Yep," he said.

Soon we headed into the movie's snack counter, Edward asked, "Would you like something to eat or drink?"

"Yes, but what do you get at the movies?"

"You have never been to the movies, Bella?" Esme asked.

"No Esme. Let's just say I had my own private screening room and daddy would get me whatever movies I wanted to see."

Edward said, "There is no alcohol here. So Coke and popcorn, how does that sound?"

"Yummy."

So two sodas and a large popcorn and to our seats we went. Carlisle sat on one side of me and Edward sat on my other side. Esme told me to turn my phone to vibrate so no one could hear it ring in the theater. When the movie started, Edward and I shared the popcorn and enjoyed the movie. The action was cool. I looked over at Edward and said, "That's what it looks like under some of my ocean in my area."

Edward put his arm around me and pulled me in close. He whispered, "This is also something that happens when people date, is it okay?"

"Yes, I like it," and for the remainder of the movie I laid my head against Edward's chest and shoulder and enjoyed the movie and Edward's touch.

After the movie, Esme asked, "How about Mexican?"

"Sounds good. I have fallen in love with Mexican food."

Once we sat down and were handed menus, I asked, "What is the drink on the picture menu?"

"It's a coconut margarita. It's like the strawberry one from the BBQ," Esme said.

"That's what I want."

"What about food?" Edward asked.

"Fajita taco salad with chicken."

We sat and enjoyed chips and salsa. There was a small dance floor off by the bar. A band started up and Edward said to Carlisle, "This isn't a club. What do you think?"

"Go ahead."

"Bella, would you like to dance?"

"Yes, please, what are they doing?"

"The Salsa."

"I don't know how to dance like that."

"That's okay. I'll teach you."

So out to the dance floor, we went. Edward did teach me how to Salsa. Edward was an incredible dancer.

"Half way through the song Esme and Carlisle joined us. A couple songs later, I asked, "Edward, is that our dinner?"

"Yes, come on," and I tugged on Esme's sleeve. "Edward, this is incredible," I said as I started eating my salad.

"You're the incredible one," he leaned in and hugged me.

Esme said, "Do you know how cute you two are together?"

"Ugh," Edward said and went back to eating.

Carlisle said, "Esme, I don't think Edward really wanted to hear that."

"But they do, and at the BBQ on Friday night, they looked sexy together."

"What the freak?" said Edward to Esme.

"Edward, she's your girlfriend. First, she looks so sexy on Friday night; but today, she looks even younger and cuter so you look so cute together."

Soon we finished up, we headed back to our house. As they dropped us off, Edward and I walked hand and hand up to the front door. "Your other godfathers are still out, what do you want to do?"

"Didn't you teach me with lesson two about how to tell my date goodnight?" I leaned in and said, "Edward, I had fun and I like double dates, too!" Then I kissed his cheek.

"You're welcome," and he kissed me. Then we went into the house after disarming the alarm. I went and grabbed a water bottle and sat out on the back patio. Edward grabbed a bottle of water and turned on the stereo. We just laid there talking on two loungers.

A/N Happy Holidays All. I will post again on Sunday. Please review.

A really great early Christmas present for me would be for all of you to hit the beautiful review button below and leave me some story reviews.