Chapter 1 – Happy Birthday Bella
I yawned loudly and slowly when I woke, earning a chuckle from somewhere in the room. My eyes snapped open when I heard the beautiful sound, searching for his face. I breathed a sigh of relief just as I did every morning, when I got my fill of Edwards face. He flashed to my side in an instant and leaned down to kiss me on the forehead.
"Happy birthday. I will be back after you have finished breakfast- as Charlie is still here, waiting to give you your presents." He smirked when my face twisted into a grimace. He knew I hated to receive presents and so did Charlie for that matter! He disappeared through my window before I could even start to grumble. I stood slowly the euphoric mood I always had in Edward's presence had vanished with him and now I had time to contemplate the torture that lay ahead today.
After showering and dressing in a boring black jeans and a white hoodie (to Alice's disappointment I'm sure) I tiptoed quietly down the stairs hoping to dodge Charlie and sneak out the door. I reached the bottom stair and the unmistakeable smell of burning food hit me strongly. Well there goes my sneaking out plan, I suppose I better check Charlie hasn't set himself on fire. I walked into the kitchen where, of course, the smell was strongest. Charlie was standing against the kitchen counter with his back to me. He turned slowly to face me with a sheepish smile.
"Morning Bells" He said nonchalantly. I raised one eyebrow.
The words came out in a rush. "Well er, it's your birthday and you always work so hard with the cooking so I was trying to make you chocolate chip waffles. But then well…" He held up a plate of waffle and charcoal coloured goo, some of it was still on fire. His fearful expression sent me over the edge and I started laughing so hard I had to clutch the counter for support. After I had caught my breath, Charlie decided to ruin my giggly mood. "I got a package from Renee this morning."
"Great." Heavy on the sarcasm.
"Don't be difficult Bella, your mum worked hard to think of something to get you. You know I'm no good at stuff like this. It's from the two of us and Phil too of course."
I un-wrapped the offending pink parcel he had pulled out from behind his back to find a black leather photo album and a shiny blue camera.
"Dad! This is way too much, I-" A sharp rap on the door made me stop mid sentence.
"Edward." I said his name like a curse under my breath. Before storming to the door and throwing it open. I had an angry remark to make about using his vampire skills to cheat, but I forgot it the second my boring chocolate eyes met his molten gold ones.
"Bye dad." I called offhandedly walking out the door without taking my eyes from Edwards's lean form.
"Edward it's my birthday, I want you to kiss me."
I was leaning against his shiny silver Volvo waiting for the bell to ring. We were early because Edward dragged me away from the house to save Charlie from my anger. I had been trying to work up enough courage to tell him what I wanted for my birthday all morning and right now staring into his mesmerising eyes, I had just blurted it out. I of course wanted much more from Edward, but mentioning that would get me nothing but glares all day.
I watched now as his eyebrows set in an angry line and he pressed his lips together in a hard line.
I swear sometimes he was lying to me about not being able to get in my head. He always seemed to know what was running through my mind.
"You know that's not possible Bella. Especially in Forks high parking lot, be reasonable." The inevitable blush creped across my cheeks and I turned my head down to study my feet.
"That's not what I asked." He sighed loudly and then pulled my chin up so my lips could meet his for a chaste kiss. He turned his head away immediately. "My siblings have arrived." Now it was my turn to be grumpy, Aliceoverthetopness-as I liked to call it- was inevitable today.
"Bella, Bella, Bella Happy birthday" sang the pixie in question as she approached. I saw Edward give her a warning glare from the corner of my eye and Alice stopped bouncing in response but kept her alarmingly wide smile.
"So what time are you coming round tonight Bella?" I didn't hesitate to answer.
"Sorry Alice I can't,-"
"Earlier in the evening, but she'll be there after dinner." Edward spoke over me.
Alice skipped off to Jasper without another word and I assumed Edward had warned her not to push me any further without me noticing.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk for me in the future." I snapped and then stalked off to English without another word.
I walked methodically away from 4th period calculus fiddling with the strap of my bag and studiously ignoring what Jessica was saying beside me. Instead I was thinking how to apologise to Edward for my petulancy throughout the day. "Bella" I looked up surprised at hearing someone speak directly to me. Oh right Jess had stopped babbling about her favourite new song and skipped off to where Lauren was standing a few feet ahead of us and it was Angela's soft blue eyes I met, when I looked up.
"Are you feeling okay, you're looking a little…"
"Oh sorry Ang, I just-" but what could I tell my human best friend about how I was feeling today? How could I explain to Angela that the idea of turning eighteen filled me with dread instead of the normal excitement associated with coming of age? I took the easy option out.
"Calculus was awful today, I couldn't concentrate and I've had so much on my mind lately." It wasn't a lie I defended to myself, remembering the awful blush that stained my cheeks when Mr Vaner called on me and I failed to answer any questions correctly. Her smile was knowing.
"Okay, if that's all you're worried about." I left her at her locker but then turned back when I heard my name again.
"Oh and Bella, I'm sure you'll be forgiven for giving him the silent treatment today." Angela called, smirking at my grimace.
He was leaning casually against my locker when I approached watching me with guarded eyes. I kept my eyes trained on the floor as I mirrored his stance, leaning on my neighbour's locker and taking a deep breath. I silently cursed the way my heartbeat sped up when his ice cold fingers threaded through mine and he pulled me closer.
"I'm sorry." I said before he had a chance to convince me I had done nothing wrong.
"No Bella you're not, you have nothing to be sorry for. I am sorry for being a jerk; it was very inconsiderate of me to decide what's best for you." He pulled my chin up then and slouched down further against my locker so his eyes were level with mine.
"I just want you to enjoy your day and have the chance to enjoy it with you." I gave in with a sigh; "I'll come round straight after school but have to head home before six; I want dinner to be on the table for Charlie when he gets home from work. He spent allot of money on my present." He knew it was the best deal he would get. "Come on; let's get some food in you."
I sat in the passenger seat of my truck glaring at Edward whenever his eyes left the road- too often for my liking- knowing how petulant I was acting but not caring enough to stop. "I should of got you a new car for your birthday Bella, this truck is so slow and look at the decrepit radio In this thing."
"If you don't like it, drive your own car. Sorry one of your own cars." I retorted as we pulled into the huge Cullen driveway.
"That's right Darlin. Treat 'em mean keep 'em keen."
The voice that wasn't Edward's startled me. I looked up and found my bad mood quickly disappearing thanks to Jasper who was leaning in to the cab through Edward's window winking at me.
"The Mrs. sent me out here. Apparently I'm to defuse the situation and bribe you happy bunnies into the party with my magical powers."
His stupid grin made me laugh and jump out of the cab.
"Okay, let's get this shit over with."
"Language timothy!" I heard Emmett yell from inside the house.
"Oh, I thought Emmett and Rosalie were having another honeymoon?" I stated turning back to Edward questioningly.
He shrugged as we approached the front door smiling sweetly at me, probably happy that I had lost the attitude.
I loved that I could bring that perfect crooked smile to his face, I loved that I made him happy. I wasn't good enough for Edward and maybe someday he would realise that but right now we were both happy. I heard a cough from behind me and realised that I had stopped dead on the way up the stairs just staring at Edward. I reached up slowly to wind my arms around his neck and pull my self closer but realising my intentions he leaned back slightly away from my embrace. I burst out laughing at the scared expression on his face, shaking my head incredulously at his actions.
I was still giggling quietly when I turned around to see the whole Cullen family standing at the door watching us amusedly.
"Oh hey! Sorry for that peeps, I mean I practically jumped little Eddie here. The poor boy." I said rolling my eyes.
20 minutes later I was sat on Alice's bed plastered in make up and having my hair curled.
"Why Alice, why?" I cried dramatically.
"This is my present to you Bella, you said I wasn't to spend any money so I'm giving you a makeover! This is supposed to be fun, silly. Oh, and also because I had a vision, and trust me the alternative is much worse." I mulled over her last comment for a moment but decided to let it go.
I had opened my other presents whilst Alice was doing my make up to distract myself from the torture. The other Cullen family members had shoved gifts at me the moment I had walked through the door. I was actually kind of thankful that Alice had had every intention to monopolise me because I wasn't particularly gracious about receiving presents and didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
I had ended up with; a car radio for the truck and about 50 CD's to play in it. No joke. But my favourite present of all a set of classic books including works by the Bronte Sisters and Jane Austen from Carlisle and Esme.
I hung out with Alice for about another half an hour before wandering down stairs to thank the rest of the family for the gifts before I had to leave. Of course I didn't have to leave and I did have fun at the Cullen's but there's only so much I can take of their crazy circus charade so about 5.40 I made my excuses and headed out to the truck. Edward followed as I was expecting him to and we said our goodbyes quietly even though both of us knew we could have no privacy near the Cullen household. Edward kissed me sweetly for a moment before helping me into the cab and -not for the first time- I drove away disappointed and wanting more.