Edward played tour guide for the next two days, showing me around the city. The entire city seemed alive with color and I was enchanted by all new things I saw and learned. Edward, of course, was very knowledgeable about local customs and practices and he described everything to me in his beautiful voice. My favorite place was the open air market. There were so many things to see and smell and hear there that my senses were overwhelmed. I loved seeing all the exotic animals on display. Especially the monkeys-I had laughed in delight at their antics and Edward had smiled down at me indulgently.
I bought a few things to take home to Charlie. I wanted to make sure he knew that I had really come here, even if he was in the dark about the actual reason. That evening Edward took me around the city, showing me some of the native celebrations. I felt much more secure with Edward by my side and was able to enjoy nighttime in the city so much more because he was with me. Sharing all these moments with Edward made me so happy; I never wanted this time to end. He sang me to sleep every night and I was sad when Friday morning came.
"Are you okay?" Edward asked. I had been quiet since we had gotten on the plane, trying to store away all my memories of this very happy time. He noticed my preoccupation.
I smiled up into his beautiful face, cataloging that memory as well. "Yes, it's just kind of sad, leaving Rio. It felt like we were in our own little bubble and now I have to share you with everyone else. But I am glad that I got to make so many new memories with you." I kissed him on the cheek and smiled up into the melted gold of his eyes.
"I was thinking the same thing. Like we were the only two people in the world." He rested his cheek against my hair and we were quiet for a long time.
I fell asleep somewhere on the flight and Edward woke me up just before we landed in Juneau. He rented a big black car that looked like it would be very fast and we made our way to Denali.
I stared out the windows on the way, though we were driving so fast I couldn't really see anything. I was lost in my own thoughts anyway. I didn't know what kind of reception I was in for with the rest of Edward's family. They had been caused a lot of pain and problems since I had entered his life, especially lately; would they blame me for what had happened on my birthday? What about Jasper? Would he avoid me even more than he did before? I hoped he wouldn't.
"What are you thinking?" Edward asked after we had driven for a while.
"Just thinking about seeing your family again." And them seeing me.
"Why does that worry you?" I realized that I was twisting my hands together in my lap.
"Do they blame me? You know, for everything that happened? If it hadn't been for my birthday none of this would have happen-." I didn't get to finish my sentence before Edward had wrenched the car over to the shoulder of the highway and screeched to a stop. He flung the car in gear before taking my face in his hands. His eyes burned down into mine with startling intensity.
"Don't ever, ever blame yourself for what happened Bella! Do you hear me?" He sounded almost angry. I nodded, though he still held my face.
"You did absolutely nothing wrong. If there is anyone to blame in all of this, it is me." I opened my mouth to tell him that I was part of it too but he stopped me before I could speak.
"Shhh! Listen to me. I am the one who caused all this pain-for you, for me, for my family-by leaving in the first place. I wanted so badly to keep you safe, for you to be happy that it blinded me to how much it would hurt the both of us." He shook his head sadly.
"What happened on your birthday was an accident and I blew everything out of proportion. I thought I was doing the right thing and there was nothing in the world that would have been able to change my mind. But don't ever take this on yourself, okay?" I nodded again. He kissed me softly and then pulled me into his embrace.
"I will never be able to apologize enough for what I put you through and I will never stop trying to make it up to you."
I didn't want him to be saddled by his guilt. He deserved to be happy, not wallowing in self-reproach.
"Just having you with me now is enough." I said softly. He shook is head in denial of my statement and kissed me on my forehead.
He let me go and pulled the car back onto to road. He reached over and took my hand in his. Feeling his cold, hard hand in mine was reassuring. I could face anything in the world as long as Edward was by my side.
A few hours later we pulled up in front of a house I assumed was the home of the Denali clan. It looked like it had just fallen out of a picture postcard. It was a log cabin, two stories, complete with a large front porch and a stone chimney. It was delightful. It was nestled back into the woods a little and there were a few large trees giving shade over the entire front yard. There were thick trees behind the house and it seemed like the whole place was enchanted. I half expected gnomes and fairies to come out and play.
We got a pixie instead.
Alice came bounding out of the house before Edward had even cut the engine. She launched herself at Edward the moment he got out of the car. I walked around the front of the car to join them.
"Edward! I'm so glad to see you! It has been too long since I saw you last. You look so much better, happier."
He grinned and hugged her tightly. "I'm glad to see you again too, you little pixie."
Alice turned to me and captured me in a hug.
"Bella! I am so glad you did this. And you are wearing the clothes I bought you too!"
She sounded ecstatic. I scowled at her. I wore the pale pink dress she had packed for me. It had little cap sleeves and eyelet lace around the sweetheart neckline. It had seemed more appropriate than all the tropical sundresses she had packed. I wore my favorite white Ked sneakers with it. I wasn't about to put on the ridiculous sandals she had bought.
"You really didn't give me much choice, did you Alice? Since you stole all my clothes? It was wear these or nothing at all."
"I had to Bella," Alice said. "Everything you packed was so boring. I knew you would want to look dazzling when you saw Edward again." I was exasperated but I had to admit to myself that she was right. Seeing the glow in Edward's eyes when I had worn those blue pajamas had made her theft worth it, almost.
"Let's go inside," Edward said.
Alice led the way up the stairs and into the house. I could feel the tension in Edward as we walked inside. It was a large room and I was surprised to see that the whole back wall was glass, just like at the Cullen's home in Forks. Esme must have helped with the design of this home too.
The room was decorated in warm creams, caramels and chocolate browns. The walls were natural log and the entire feel was rustic without being hokey. The room we were in looked like the living room; there were several large couches and arm chairs. A huge natural stone fireplace took up the left wall and to my right there was a large staircase. Emmett and Rosalie were standing next to it. I was surprised; I had not expected to see them here.
Jasper was standing, leaning against a wall beside them. He looked uncomfortable and that made me sad. I did not want things to be awkward with Jasper. He looked at Edward and then seemed to relax a little. Alice went to stand by him and she put her arm around his shoulders. Carlisle and Esme were standing next to one of the couches and it was Esme who came forward first.
"Edward! It is so good to see you again, son." She hugged him and it looked like she might be crying, if that were possible.
"I'm glad to see you again too, Mom." Edward grinned. Esme gasped and smiled. Then she turned to me.
"Bella, thank you so, so much for what you have done. It means so much to all of us to have Edward back with us and it is all because of you." She kissed me softly on the forehead and pulled me into her embrace. I blushed at her welcome but I was happy to see her again too.
"I'm glad to see you again too, Esme. I've missed you." She hugged me tighter in response.
Carlisle walked up to Edward and hugged him. Then he turned and hugged me as well.
"Thank you for giving us back our family, daughter." I felt tears form in my eyes at his words.
"Thanks Carlisle. It's good to see you again."
All the worry that I had felt at seeing Edward's family again dissipated in the face of their delighted reactions. Edward squeezed my hand and I looked up at him and smiled. He smiled my favorite crooked smile at me and I felt Esme's joy as she stood beside me.
"About time you showed up again Edward," Emmett's voice boomed across the room. "You too, Bella." He winked at me and I had to giggle. Everything was so easy and carefree with Emmett.
I saw Rosalie smile at me. She didn't come forward but she didn't look angry. It was enough.
I saw Alice gently nudge Jasper and he approached us warily. It seemed like everyone in the room went still, waiting for our reaction. Jasper stood in front of Edward and looked at him cautiously. Edward held out his arms and took Jasper into a bear hug. Neither spoke but I felt the tension ease and Emmett's laugh echoed around the room. Jasper looked up at Edward questioningly and I saw Edward nod.
Jasper turned to me and the room went still again.
He looked nervous and I smiled up at him. He took one of my hands in his cold one.
"Bella, I am so very sorry for what happened on your birthday. I swear to you that I will never ever hurt you. Can you ever forgive me for what happened?" He looked worried about my answer.
I reached out with my other hand and held his in both of mine.
"I forgave you the moment it happened, Jasper. I know that you would never harm me. Please don't give it another thought." I impulsively reached up and hugged him. He froze for a moment then hugged me back.
"Welcome back to the family, little sister." Jasper said. It was the first time he had ever acknowledged me that way and I felt tears of happiness in my eyes. I grinned up at him.
I felt all the tension in the room dissipate. I guessed that they must have been as worried about my reaction to Jasper as I had been about all of theirs.
I noticed for the first time that there were other people in the room besides Edward's family. There were five of them, all standing off to the left, watching the little family reunion. Edward introduced them.
"Bella, this is Tanya, Irina, Kate, Carmen and Eleazar. They are our other family."
They were all mind-blowingly beautiful. I nodded at them in welcome and they all came forward to introduce themselves one at a time. I wondered what they thought of me. I felt like a dandelion in a bouquet of roses.
One of the women, a gorgeous silvery blonde came forward first.
"I'm Irina and this is Kate," she motioned to another beautiful blonde woman who was standing next to her. "It is very nice to meet you at last." They smiled warmly at me. I could find nothing to say in the face of such staggering beauty so I just smiled and nodded in acknowledgement.
The dark haired couple introduced themselves next. "And I am Carmen and this is Eleazar. It is a pleasure to meet you. We have heard much about you from Carlisle and the rest of the family." They were a striking couple, with an olive tone to their pale skin. I felt myself blush hotly at their words. I was not sure what the Cullen's might have said about me, especially Emmett. They looked at me, seemingly perplexed by my reaction.
The last one to approach was a stunningly beautiful strawberry blonde. She looked at me questioningly and I felt Edward stiffen at my side. She looked him with a sheepish look and I decided I didn't want to know whatever it was that she had been thinking.
"I am Tanya," she said. "We are glad that you are here, you have made Edward very happy again."
"It is very nice to meet all of you as well." I looked around me in wonder. There were so many breathtakingly beautiful people around me, men and women, that I felt rather insignificant. Only knowing how much Edward loved and wanted me gave me any feeling of peace when surrounded by such magnificence. I looked up at him now and I knew he could read the uncertainty in my eyes. I wasn't sure where to progress from here. Edward stepped in and came to my rescue.
"Let's all sit down and talk," he suggested.
Edward took my hand and led me to one of the large, comfortable couches. He sat down to my left and Esme sat on his other side. She reached behind him and rested her hand on my shoulder. Jasper sat on my right and I was surprised and pleased when he took my right hand in his. I had been hoping to have a better relationship with him and it seemed like we were headed in that direction. Alice sat on the arm of couch next to Jasper and everyone else dispersed to the other furniture. For a moment I thought about how surreal it was to be the only human sitting with twelve vampires. Weird.
"So what are your plans now Edward?" Carlisle asked when we were all seated.
"Well, Bella has to be back for the beginning of the school year in three weeks. I plan on going back to finish out our senior year in Forks." I leaned against Edward's shoulder and reached for his hand. I had so much to look forward to now when my life had been so empty such a short time ago.
Edward turned and grinned at Jasper then raised my hand to his lips. I saw him look over at Emmett and roll his eyes.
"That is excellent, son. I will call the hospital and let them know that I want to come back. I don't think it will be a problem." Carlisle said.
Rosalie spoke for the first time. "I doubt it. You are the best thing that ever happened to that dinky little town. If they didn't welcome you back with open arms I would have some serious doubts about their mental capacity." Everyone laughed.
"I'm curious, Bella. How were you able to find Edward in a city as big as Rio?" Esme asked.
I felt my cheeks turn red when everyone turned to look at me curiously.
"It was just luck, really. I had a picture but I don't speak Portuguese so getting people to understand what I wanted them to was kind of hard." Emmett laughed and I could not help smiling at him.
"I hope you didn't get too lost, little sister," he teased.
"Well, a couple of times," I said, blushing again.
Emmett was having a hard time staying in his chair, he was laughing so hard and I couldn't help joining in with everyone else when they laughed too. It was funny, now.
I calmed down a little before continuing. "I was lucky to find a woman who spoke English and who remembered seeing Edward. She told me where I was likely to find him and I waited for him. Then he showed up. That's all, really."
I was not going to tell them every single detail of the reunion between Edward and me. Rio was somewhere I would hold in my heart and it was no one else's business but ours.
I was surprised to hear Tanya speak. She had been quiet, watching Edward and I carefully. Her tone was almost too sweet.
"Bella, I'm curious, what caused you to go find Edward in the first place? We have all heard the story of what happened between you and Edward and I am surprised that you would do something like that after the way you were treated. It couldn't have been easy to go after him when he rejected you like that."
I stiffened at the reminder of what had happened between Edward and me in the forest. I could not believe that a perfect stranger would bring up something that was so devastating and also none of her business. My cheeks were burning in anger and mortification. I did not like the idea of others knowing our past problems. Beside me I heard Edward growl softly in Tanya's direction. I felt Esme's hand on my shoulder stiffen and Jasper's grip on my right hand tightened.
Carlisle spoke. "Tanya, there is no reason to get into that. What's done is done and Bella's reasons are her own. We are just so happy to have both of them back with us." I could hear a touch of anger in his tone that surprised me. Carlisle was always so cool and collected. "Let's focus on the family being whole again and forget the rest."
Alice decided to break the silence that followed Carlisle's words.
"So, Bella, do you want to go shopping with me when we get back to Forks? You are going to need all kinds of new stuff to start the school year."
I groaned. Shopping with Alice was akin to shaving my legs with a rusty butter knife.
"I have plenty of clothes, Alice." I sighed. "Or at least I did until you stole them all."
Everyone cast startled looks in Alice's direction and laughed. She was unabashed.
"You stole her clothes?" Rosalie asked, shaking with laughter.
"Well, everything she packed was so unstylish and boring. I knew she would want to knock Edward's socks off when he saw her again. And it obviously worked because here he is." My cheeks reddened as I remembered Edward's reaction to those silky blue pajamas. I felt him shake his head and laugh next to me. Glad my wardrobe was so amusing.
"Thanks a lot, Alice. Good to know how boring my clothes are. What did you do with them anyway, after you snuck them out of my suitcase?"
I didn't like the expression on her face. She looked chagrined and I had the sneaking suspicion that I would not like what she was going to tell me. It was confirmed when Edward laughed and then quickly smothered his amusement with his hand. His other hand squeezed mine in encouragement. This was going to be bad, I knew it.
"Well, really Bella, everything you had was so two years ago, and I knew that you could look so amazing in some of the newer fashions. I will help you pick out plenty of new stuff and you will never miss the old ones."
"Miss them? Alice, what did you DO?" My voice rose on the last word. Emmett was gasping for air, laughing.
"Well…I kind of…well… gave them to charity." She cringed when she said it.
"WHAT? ALICE! HOW COULD YOU?" I was screaming now but I didn't care. Edward was whispering something in my ear but my blood was pounding so hard I couldn't hear it. I felt wave after wave of calm hit me and knew Jasper was trying to calm me down. It had very little effect. I felt myself shaking in anger and my fists were balled up tightly. One of them anyway. I had a death grip on Edward's hand.
"I will buy you brand new ones, Bella, I promise." Alice exclaimed. "You will never miss your old ones, really." Her voice was pleading and I knew that I had to calm down. I was livid but I knew that being angry wasn't going to help me deal with Alice. I felt Jasper hit me with another wave of calm and it helped a lot more this time. I felt the angry tears in my eyes and I could not quite find the ability to speak yet.
"You should not have done that, Alice. Bella has a right to wear whatever she feels comfortable in. Giving away all her clothes was inexcusable." Esme said reproachfully.
Alice hung her head but I could still see the excitement in her eyes. She was itching to play Dress Up Bella. Edward rubbed his hand on my back soothingly and I looked up at him. I was trying to stay calm but I told him with my eyes that Alice would have hell to pay for this. He seemed to understand.
"So…Did you enjoy Rio, Bella?" Carlisle asked. Poor Carlisle. He was always trying to play peacemaker.
I had to take a deep breath before I could reply. "Actually I did, once I found Edward that is." I smiled up at him. "He gave me a tour of the city and there was just so much." I could hear the enthusiasm in my voice. "We went to an open air market and there were so many things to see. There was even a monkey I thought about bringing home to you Emmett; you two seemed so similar I thought the two of you might get along." I couldn't help grinning at Emmett as I teased him. He laughed loudly then he was suddenly standing before me. Before I could even blink he lifted me up under my arms and was swinging me around in a circle.
"Good to have you back with us, little bit," he said, his laughter booming. I couldn't help laughing too. I had really missed Emmett.
"Put her down and stop being such a jackass Emmett, if you can that is." Rosalie was standing next to us and I saw with relief that she was smiling a little. I was not Rosalie's favorite person.
Emmett lowered me to the floor and turned like a cobra strike and picked Rosalie up. He twirled her around too. She was laughing softly.
"Put me down you big ox! Sheesh, if I didn't know better I would think you were twelve years old." I could tell she was amused despite her words.
I sat down next to Edward again and took his hand in mine. Jasper reached over and took my hand again and when I looked at him both he and Alice were watching Emmett play, big grins on their face. Carlisle came over to stand by Esme and she stood up and wrapped her arms around him. They both looked so happy and content. I could tell they were enjoying the carefree atmosphere that Emmett had created.
I felt Edward brush a kiss against my forehead and I looked up at him and smiled.
Everyone sat back down again and to my utter mortification my stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly. Twelve heads turned in my direction. I felt my face burn so hot I thought I might burst into flames.
"Sorry," Edward said. "I keep forgetting to make sure you eat." I looked up at him, embarrassed beyond words. Esme came to my rescue.
"Come on, Bella. We have plenty of food in the kitchen." She stood and reached for my hand and I took it, relieved.
I followed Esme into the spacious kitchen. The appliances were a little outdated but that was to be expected in a kitchen where no one cooked. It was bright with a big window that overlooked the backyard. There was a table off to the side with six chairs around it. I shook my head. Vampires and their props. Esme went to the refrigerator and opened it.
"What would you like?" she asked.
I laughed. "What do you have? I guess more importantly, why is there food here at all?"
Esme smiled at me. "We knew you were coming of course, thanks to Alice. But they keep human food here anyway. Tanya and her sisters often have human guests." I flinched a little when she said Tanya's name. I hadn't forgotten her words from before. Esme noticed and smiled softly.
"Don't let her bother you. She has always had a soft spot for Edward, though he has never given her the least bit of encouragement. She is a little jealous that you have managed to steal his heart." I rolled my eyes at the thought of Tanya being jealous of a mere human.
I looked in the refrigerator and saw plenty of stuff for a fruit salad. I looked in the cabinets until I found a bowl then pulled open the drawers until I found a small knife. I turned to Esme.
"Would you mind terribly cutting up the pineapple for me? With my luck I'm likely to slip and cut a main artery." Esme's laughter echoed around the room.
After the fruit was prepared I sat in one of the chairs at the dining room table. Esme sat across from me and smiled affectionately. I could see how happy she was to have her family back together again.
"It is so good to see you again, Esme. I've missed you. You're like my mom away from my mom, if you know what I mean."
She reached across the table and squeezed my free hand gently. "I've missed you too. I think of you as my daughter and I am glad you are back with us. My family is complete now and it is all because of you." I blushed and shook my head.
"Bella, you don't know what it has been like around here. Emmett wouldn't laugh and Rosalie was more upset than she let most of us know. Jasper spent most of his time alone because there was so much sadness coming from everyone. Alice even spent less time shopping." My eyes widened at that and she nodded her head.
"Edward doesn't understand how much at the heart of this family he is. When we first came here, you know, after, it was so hard on him. He could tell how much his anguish at leaving you was hurting us. We couldn't do anything to make him feel better; our sympathy only seemed to make it worse. Soon he just left, gone for weeks at a time. When he would come back we were so happy to see him and so distressed at how much he was suffering. Finally he stopped coming back at all. He would call us, let us know he was ok, but we could tell how much he was hurting."
There were tears in my eyes. Edward had suffered so much. His leaving had hurt me too but hearing that he had been so distraught upset me even more. He had been trying to do the right thing by me. I had suffered but I could not be too angry at him for wanting me to be happy and safe.
"Esme, I'm so sorry. Sorry that you and Edward and the rest of the family had to suffer so much. Do you ever think that you all would have been better off if I had never come into Edward's life? All I have done is bring suffering on all of you." I grimaced at the thought of their misery.
"Bella, no." Esme squeezed my hand firmly. "Bella, you have no idea how much brightness you have brought to our lives by your mere presence." I looked at her skeptically. "I mean it, Bella." Her voice was firm.
"Before you, Edward merely existed. He traveled though his life, doing what was expected of him, but not really living it. He would have moments of happiness, of joy, excitement, but really he just wandered. Then, after he met you and fell in love with you, Bella, it was like suddenly the sun emanated from him. And he brought all that light to the whole family. He was so happy the rest of us were infected by it too. Like a virus." I smiled at the thought of viral happiness. Esme continued.
"I have never seen him so happy as when he was with you. I heard him laugh more often than I could ever remember. He even started playing the piano again, something he hadn't done in almost a decade. That was you, Bella. You caused those changes in him. He saw in you the things we have all come to see. Your kind and generous nature. How selfless and good you are, what a beautiful soul you have. And we love you for the same reasons." She sighed when I shook my head in denial.
"You don't see how special you really are, do you? Bella, from the first moment, you accepted us for what we are and loved us for who we are. That is such a rare thing, in a human or a vampire. You have such a huge capacity for love and we are so glad to have you with us, in our family."
I sat there, stunned. I had no idea that they thought that way.
"But Esme, you are all so wonderful how can anyone help but to love you?"
She laughed. "That's exactly what I mean Bella. Not everyone can love so completely, with such acceptance. You are truly special."
"Thank you, Esme."
"Thank you, Bella. I know it must have taken a lot of courage to go track Edward down, more than I can fathom. I will be forever thankful for your strength; I don't know many people who could be that strong."
"I'm not that strong, Esme. I was terrified the whole time, worried I was making a huge fool of myself. I had no idea what he would do, what he would say. I was ready to come back home. What was I doing? Chasing someone who had rejected me; I felt pathetic. It hurt me so much when he left me. I didn't know his real reasons. I thought I was unloved and un-loveable. I mean really, Edward is so amazing and I have always felt so insignificant next to him. When he told me that he didn't want me, that I wasn't good for him, it wasn't so hard to believe. How could I ever be good enough for an angel?" I laughed without humor.
"Bella, my dear sweet Bella. Please don't ever feel that way. You are the best thing that has ever happened to him. You complete him in a way I thought he never would be able to be. You are not insignificant. You fill up the holes in his soul and he does the same for you. You belong together; you were made for each other." Esme always said the right things. There were tears in my eyes again. I brushed them aside.
"Well, now that I know the reason he left I feel better. Angry but better. And there is no way I am ever going to let him get away from me again. Next time he might go to Siberia or something. If you think my Portuguese is bad you should hear my Russian." We both laughed. I got up and rinsed my bowl in the sink. Esme followed and when I turned around she enveloped me in a hug. It felt so good to have her hold me, soothing away all my pain and helping me see that everything would be alright. We stood that way for a long time.
Sometimes you just need a hug.
I drifted over to the large window that overlooked the back yard. Esme followed me and wrapped her arm around my waist. I wrapped my arm around hers and we stood there, both content and both lost in our own thoughts. That is how Edward found us when he came in. I turned without letting go of Esme and smiled at him. I always felt a kind of relief when he was with me again.
I held out my free hand and he took it. He came to stand on my free side and wrapped his arm around me. I could feel him take Esme's hand in his behind me. I looked up at him. He was looking out the window but looked down at me when he felt my gaze.
"Jasper and Emmett want me to go hunting with them. Do you mind?" he asked, looking a little anxious. I was not certain why he would be anxious but I didn't want him to suffer. His eyes were already turning black with thirst. He was probably worrying about leaving me alone. Some things never change. That thought made me smile.
"Of course not, don't be silly. I'm not the only one around here who needs to eat." I laughed. Our eating habits were quite different.
"You need to take care of yourself. Go. It has been too long since you have spent time with them. I'll be here when you get back." I smiled up at him.
He kissed me on the forehead and nodded. Then I felt his cool breath on my neck as he whispered in my ear. "Look after my heart; I'm leaving it here with you." He squeezed my waist softly and was gone.
I looked over at Esme and she was smiling so hard her face might crack. I blushed when I realized that she must have heard Edward.
"Come on, dear. Let me show you your room."
We went outside to the car and retrieved the bags. Well, Esme retrieved the bags, picking up my large one and Edward's two smaller ones in one hand. I was shocked for a moment then I had to laugh to myself. Vampire. Esme was so small it was hard to grasp that she was just as strong as Edward or Jasper.
We went back inside and up the stairs. We made our way down the hall and into one of the rooms on the left side of the hallway. It was not an overly large room but it had an attached bathroom and two large windows that offered a lovely view of the forest. It had been decorated in several soft shades of blue. Esme put both Edward's and my bags next to the closet door and I realized that we were sharing a bedroom. I felt my face burn hotly.
Esme noticed and smiled gently. "With so many of us here there aren't any other empty rooms. You and Edward can share this one. It would seem strange to put you in separate rooms anyway."
I nodded without meeting her eyes and she left the room.
I sat down on the bed to calm myself down. This really wasn't anything to be embarrassed about. It wasn't like Edward and I were doing anything anyway. He set very strict limits on our physical relationship. He was worried about losing control and hurting me. And he had spent every night for almost four months in my room anyway. It just felt kind of weird having it sanctioned by his family. Well, there was nothing to be done about it now. I rummaged in my luggage for my toiletry bag and put it in the bathroom.
Then I went to find Alice.
I walked down the hall, calling her name and she poked her pixie head out of one of the rooms. "Are you looking for me Bella?"
"You bet I am. We need to talk."
"Come in then." She motioned for me to come into her room. I noticed when I entered that her room was the mirror image of mine, though without the bathroom. It must be the room that she used frequently because it was done in all pink shades. It was like standing inside a bottle of Pepto-Bismol. She sat cross-legged on the bed and I stood in front of her with my hands on my hips. I just glared at her for a moment.
"Alright Bella, just say what you want to say." She sighed.
"Alice how could you have given away all my clothes? I liked my clothes! That's why I wore them. I am not here for you to play Bella Barbie with you know." I was working myself into a temper. "I hate shopping!" I saw her cringe when I said it. "You had absolutely no right to do that. Some of the things I packed were my favorites. And I don't have the money to be able just to go out and buy all new clothes." She opened her mouth and I cut her off.
"Didn't you think that Charlie would be a little suspicious if I came home from doing charity work in a foreign country with a whole new wardrobe? I know you think he doesn't notice those kinds of things but you're wrong. Seeing Edward and I back together is going to send him into a fit as it is; this won't help. I know you meant well but really Alice, you are making my life a whole lot more difficult than it has to be." I finished my rant and took a few deep breaths to calm myself.
Alice got up off the bed and put her arms around me. I kept my arms at my sides.
"Bella, I am really sorry that you are so upset. I really didn't want that. And don't worry about Charlie, we will tell him they lost your luggage and you had to get new stuff. And I promise that shopping with me with be easy. You won't have to worry about anything. Just please Bella, please, please, please let me do this for you. You won't regret it I promise."
"I seriously doubt that Alice." I said resignedly. I knew when I was beaten; I could never stand up to Alice's pleading for long; I didn't have much choice anyway. If I didn't I would be wearing tropical sundresses this winter; I had almost no other clothes. I sighed and put my arms around her. She hugged me back for a moment then grabbed my hand and led me to the bed. We sat down next to each other and she turned to face me. Her pale perfect face was excited and her eyes were dancing.
"Now, tell me, did Edward like what you wore?" She asked. I rolled my eyes.
Rosalie knocked on the door a while later. Alice was making me describe in detail what I had worn when I had found Edward and his reaction. I was grateful for the interruption. Alice's enthusiasm could be very tiring.
Rosalie came in and sat on the bed with us. Her breathtakingly beautiful face was calm, without the usual angry look she usually gave me.
"So what are you two doing?" she asked.
"Alice is making me tell her, in minute detail, everything I wore in Rio."
Rosalie laughed softy at the disgruntled look on my face.
"It is a good thing I came to save you then."
"But I haven't heard everything yet, Rose." Alice whined.
"Alice, you know she doesn't want to tell you every single solitary thing she wore. You already know what her options were. You were the one that bought them all."
I scowled at the reminder. "That reminds me, Alice. We need to set some ground rules about this whole shopping thing."
"What kind of rules?" Alice asked warily.
"Okay, we both know that I don't have much choice except to let you pay for new clothes for me." She owed me new stuff for getting rid of my old clothes.
"But, you are not going to go overboard." I held up my hand when she would have spoken.
"You can buy me what I need and a few extras but I am not going to let you fill up my closet to the rafters like yours is." Alice pouted.
"That face is not working this time, girlie. Second I get ultimate veto power over everything you pick out." Alice crossed her arms over her chest and scowled at me.
"If you accept those rules then I will make you a promise in return."
Alice perked up a little. "What kind of promise?"
"I promise that I will be open-minded about the stuff you pick out and I will try my best not to whine or argue too much. Deal?" I held out my hand to shake on it.
Alice hesitated for a moment, then shook my hand, grinning.
What had I gotten myself into? I thought.
We sat for a while longer. Alice and Rosalie were discussing the best places to shop for my new wardrobe. I was only half listening. I couldn't wait to see Edward again. I laughed inwardly. He had only been gone a few hours and I already missed him. I had it bad.
Rosalie called my name to get my attention.
"Bella, did you hear me?"
"Sorry, Rosalie, my mind was somewhere else."
She shook her head and laughed. "I'll bet on where it was." She grinned slyly at me.
"I can hear them coming back to the house. Emmett always crashes through the trees like a bulldozer. Let's go down and meet them."
We all got up and walked down the stairs.
I heard Carlisle laughing as we made our way downstairs. As soon as the living room came into view I could see why. It was all I could do not to burst out laughing myself.
Edward, Jasper and Emmett stood together, looking like they had just survived a tornado.
Jasper's shirt was dirty and torn, almost one whole sleeve was torn off. His pants were not much better. Emmett had a huge gash in the front of his shirt and there was a stick in his hair. And Edward looked more disheveled than I had ever seen him. His shirt had several dirt stains and the left knee of his jeans was ripped. He had several grass stains on them. And in his glorious bronze hair, there were several leaves sticking out. He looked so adorable, like a wood nymph. A sexy wood nymph.
"Emmett is that the shirt I gave you?" Rose sounded angry.
"Um, I'm not sure, maybe." Emmett sounded a little afraid. Rosalie turned her back on him but I could see the slight smile on her face as she stalked back up the stairs. Poor Emmett, he was in for it.
"Aww, Rose! We were just having fun!" He called, following her up the stairs.
Edward and Jasper were laughing so hard they were holding onto each other for support.
"You look terrible, Jazz! It's not going to be easy to get that shirt clean. Come on, let's get you changed." Alice sounded annoyed but her eyes were sparkling. I could bet she was thinking about buying him a new one. When Jasper groaned and followed her upstairs I was pretty sure I was right.
I walked over to Edward and grinned at him. It was so go good to see him happy and relaxed. He grinned back at me.
"You look great to me." I couldn't resist giving him a quick kiss on the lips.
"It makes me happy to see you play with your brothers again. I brought your bag up to the room. Come on." I held out my hand and he took it.
I led him upstairs and opened the door to the room Esme had given us. I turned and saw Edward looking at my luggage with a surprised look on his face. Did he think I had asked Esme to put us together? I blushed at the thought.
"Esme put us in here together. She said that there wasn't another empty room and that we should share." I could not look at him as I said it; I was too embarrassed.
Edward came forward and took my chin in his fingers. He tilted my head up and kissed me.
"I don't mind and neither should you. It is exactly the arrangement that I would have asked for if I had thought about it. You know how much I like listening to you talk in your sleep. I've missed that." He winked at me and I rolled my eyes. How he could sit for hours on end and watch me sleep still mystified me.
"Besides, would you rather get caught sneaking into my room to sleep next to me?" I blushed at the thought of being caught in the hall outside Edward's room. Emmett would never let me live that one down if it happened.
"Me neither, so this is the best way. Don't worry about what everyone else thinks. In here we are the only two people in the world, okay?"
I liked that. Just me and Edward. That is all I would ever need.
Edward decided to take a shower and I waited in the room for him to be done. I was staring out the window, watching a squirrel play when I heard the bathroom door open. I turned and the breath was knocked out of me.
Edward was wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, nothing special but the jeans fit him just right and the shirt emphasized the muscles in his chest and arms. His still damp hair was a glorious mess as usual, a darker bronze thanks to the water. He was absolutely gorgeous.
He caught me ogling him. He raised his eyebrow and smirked at me. I blushed, glad he could not read the lustful thoughts in my mind and giggled. He would not grin then. I reached for his hand and he intertwined his fingers with mine.
"Come on," I said. "I think everyone else went downstairs."
Before I could take more than a step he pulled me to a stop. I turned to look at him, wondering what he was doing.
"One thing, before we go downstairs." He pulled me close and his melted gold eyes were looking into mine intensely. I was surprised for a minute but then I read his intent. I looked at his perfect full lips and smiled. My tongue touched my lip and he bent down and kissed me.
I could kiss Edward forever. His lips were cool and hard but so gentle on mine. I wrapped my arms around his waist and dug my fingers into his shirt. I loved touching him. He threaded his fingers into my hair and tilted my mouth into his kiss. His lips became for forceful, more passionate and I loved it. My breathing was becoming more erratic and I could feel my fingers opening and closing, clutching his shirt. I felt his cool tongue trace my bottom lip and my mouth parted slightly, a soft moan escaping. One hand released my head and slipped around my waist, pulling me closer to his marble hard body. I could feel the passion building in me and I shivered at the force of it. I wanted to be closer to him, feel his skin against mine.
But I could feel Edward gentling the kiss, his grip on my hair and my waist become looser. Soon his lips were barely brushing mine, though they still felt electric. I had my eyes closed when he finally pulled away and opened them slowly. His eyes were glowing with passion, sparkling like new cut topaz.
He rested his forehead against mine and his breath was as ragged as mine. I felt powerful for a moment, gratified I could spark such a response.
"Hmm," He said huskily "remind me to thank Esme for putting us in here together."
I felt myself go pink. "Me too." I kissed him then pulled away so I could look into his eyes.
"Though, that would have been worth getting caught sneaking into your room for." I grinned at the expression of shock on his face and pulled him out of the room.