Honestly? I'm so for taking so long. My excuses? I have none. Writer's block, maybe. I don't know what it is.. I just couldn't write. I've lost the oomph I once had for this story. I don't believe in my work on this anymore. If this was anyone else's story, I wouldn't like it. Or would I? Who knows. I don't like this chapter at all. It has all I need in it.. yet, I don't like it. I know it's short and almost like a filler, though it's not. So, i'm sorry. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting so long. But I'm going on vacation next week for almost a month. I leave on the Sunday, so I'll post another chapter before then.
BPOV:
"Wakey, wakey birthday girl!" said the person bouncing up and down on my bed.
"Alice," I groaned, burying my face into the pillow, "what do you want?"
"Silly, Bella. It's your birthday. Now wake up! I want to take you to birthday breakfast!"
"Ugh," I groaned, sitting up. "How did you even get in here?"
"Edward gave me his key. Of course, he's getting it back by the end of the day. But since he's been hogging you since you moved in and out of his place – he figured it would be nice for us to have some girl time before tonight."
"And what is tonight?" I groaned, already knowing the answer.
"Just a small get together with our friends. Don't worry, Bella. It's nothing big. Now, I'll let you get dressed. I'll be out in the kitchen when you're ready." she said, hopping off my bed and closing the door behind her.
I had moved out of Edward's place less than a week ago. Knowing that I couldn't impose any longer, I started looking for my own apartment. Edward helped, of course. He wanted to make sure for himself that the neighbourhood, the neighbours and the pay were all decent. We eventually found a two-apartment block. A nice old man lived on the top and I used the apartment on the bottom. It was decent sized, had a nice garden and it was just very home-like for me. It was a fifteen minute bus-ride from Edward's apartment, so he was still near.
I picked out my clothes silently, hoping today would be just like yesterday and the day before: uneventful. I picked out a pair of jeans and a dark sweater and went out to the kitchen to meet Alice.
We got some coffee at a nearby shop and sat down on a couple of swings in a park.
"So, how have you been, Alice?" I asked, letting my feet trudge the pebbles underneath my feet.
"Okay. You know, the usual. Jasper's so great; I even met his parents a few weeks ago. He's so amazing. I love him so much, Bella." she answered dreamily.
"You love him? Don't you think that's a bit soon, Alice?"
"Time has no meaning when it comes to love, Bella. You either feel it or you don't. Either way, if you love someone.. you just know it. Don't you feel that way with Edward?"
"What?" I choked on the hot coffee. "What do you mean with Edward? You mean, love him?"
She nodded. "You do love him, don't you?"
"I.. I don't know. I like him.. so much. There isn't a time I don't want to be around him. All I want to do is make him happy. He's told me things about his past, but I want to know more. I want to know everything about him. All his experiences, his memories; good and bad. He's probably the most important person in my life right now." I said honestly, tracing the cup with my finger.
"Well," Alice smiled, "if that's not love, then I don't know what is."
We sat in silence for a few moments, gliding past each other on the swings. Then she finally stood up, holding out her hand to me.
"Come on, let's get a birthday treat. You're going to have cake tonight, but I think we can sneak in a small portion of cheesecake before then." she said, helping me off my swing as I tossed my empty cup into the bin.
----
I spent the rest of the day with Edward at his place. We watched chick flick movies, ate ice cream and cuddled.
We just got off the bus and started walking to my place where our friends had arranged to meet us there.
"You know, I hope you're planning on getting the key back from Alice." I said, pushing Edward's chair. He liked when I did that; he said it was almost peaceful.
"Don't worry, I plan on doing just that," he laughed at me and I smiled in return. "I know how Alice can be and I'm sure you don't want her jumping on your bed every morning that you two arrange something together. I just thought it might be a little easier for you."
"Oh, it is. And thank you for that. I'd just hate it if she never gave you your key back and you were too shy to get it back." I said, teasing him in a baby voice before I kissed his cheek.
"You really think I'm shy?" he asked, smirking.
"Oh, I know you're shy. You can be shy at certain situations, even when you don't realize it."
"Well, soon you'll see that I'm not as shy as you think." he said suggestively.
I didn't think anything of it, so I just kept walking as we reached the apartment.
It was dark as we stepped inside, so I figured they were in the living room.
"Alice? Rose?" I called out.
They didn't answer, so I just walked ahead with Edward behind me. I opened the door to the living room and Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett immediately jumped up and yelled 'surprise!'
There was a birthday banner hanging up across the room. Snacks and drinks on the table. Emmett even had a little party hat on his head.
"You guys didn't have to do this for me. Really, it isn't necessary!" As they all hugged me equally.
"Bella, don't be such a spoilsport. You're a part of this family now, whether you like it or not," he said, placing a hat on top of my head.
"Well, thanks. I appreciate it. Even though you really didn't have to."
"Bella, just accept it," Edward chuckled, placing his hand in mine. "This is as much for me as it is for you. Our joined birthday party, remember?"
"Fine." I sighed in defeat. There was no use fighting it.
"Here, Bella! Open this present first! It's from me and Jasper." Alice smiled, handing me a present.
"Okay," I sighed, tearing the paper apart. It was a rectangular box and inside was a beautiful vintage blue silk gown that I was eyeing at the store when Alice and I went shopping a few weeks ago.
"Alice, you really didn't have to get me this." I gasped, holding the dress against my body. "Really, thank you. But you really shouldn't have!"
"Bella, stop. You wanted it, so you got it. Plus, it'll look fabulous on you when you come to our engagement party."
"I guess.. wait, what? You guys got engaged? Oh my god, Alice! That's so amazing!" I practically squealed, hugging Alice tight to me while everybody else cheered a round of "congratulations!"
"Thanks guys," Alice smiled, "I know it's quick but.."
"It's just you, Alice. You guys are perfect for each other. I hope you guys will be very happy together," I smiled.
"Thanks, Bella. Now, stop getting away from opening your presents. You have more!"
Alice handed me a present from Rosalie and Emmett. Which, I was kind of shocked to get anything from them. I really wasn't expecting it. But they got me brand new editions of the Jane Austen and Emily Bronte novels that I own. Edward had mentioned to them that the ones I own were getting a little too worn out, apparently.
Edward had got me a silver heart necklace with a red ruby in the middle. It was beautiful, and I allowed him to put it on me himself. He seemed pleased that I liked it, which I did. It was the most beautiful piece of jewellrey anybody had ever gotten me. I probably will never take it off.
I thought that was all that he had gotten me, but I was proven wrong when we stepped outside.
"So, there's something else I got for you." he said, with a cube shaped box in his hand.
"Edward, you get me enough! You really didn't have to get me anything." I pleaded.
"I know that. But I was going through my things that my late Grandmother had given me and I saw this and I just knew that you had to have it. I know.. well, I hope this will please you. I really want you to have it."
"Edward, no. You really do-"
"Bella. Please. I really want you to have this. My Grandmother and I were very close, at times I think she was the only person that understood me.. until you. If she were still alive, I dare say that you two would have gotten along very well. And I know she would want you to have this." he said, offering the box to me.
I sighed, taking the box in my own hands and lifted the lid. And what I saw immediately brought tears to my eyes. It was a Russian set doll. Like the one that was smashed to pieces when those thiefs broke into my house.
"Edward.." I said, a tear dripping down my face. "Thank you, so so much."
I immediately swept him in a hug, squeezing him tightly. He rubbed my back affectionately, offering me comfort. I love him.
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