Author notes: I'm sorry this is late a week or so late! I had school and I decided I needed to write different stories and I've just neglected this one, at least I know how this fic is going to end. But here's a chapter for you. Hope you like it!
Chapter Twenty-Three
Bella held her temporary license in her hand as she squealed with joy. She had just passed her drivers test. Carlisle grinned and hugged her. "Can I drive home? Please?"
"Well… I don't know." He said looking at his baby, his Mercedes. "I suppose so. But no speeding." Bella squealed again and went to the car as Carlisle tossed her the keys, she caught them and jumped in the drivers seat, adjusting the seat and mirror before starting the car. She heard the purr of the Mercedes and squealed. Carlisle was glad that Jasper wasn't here. He's seen his son hyper from Bella's excitability and it was a scary thing.
She drove home carefully, not going one inch over the speed limit. She was thinking about her birthday. It's the first year since she was a child that she was excited. Alice managed to talk her into a party and Bella agreed. So all her friends from school were invited over for a weekend party, tonight was just family. Tonight, she'll receive her presents from her family.
It was true, she did try to snoop. She searched the house high and low Sunday, searching for her presents while home alone. She found nothing and when Alice came home, she laughed at Bella and kindly informed her that her presents are not in the house. Bella had pouted. It was very uncharacteristic of her to be snooping in the first place.
"I'm just excited." Bella whined to her sister after being caught and Alice took her to play Barbie Bella.
"Presents, cake, and hopefully not a jinxed Edward." She said giddily and pulled up the drive. Carlisle laughed as he remembered the birthday in which Edward was jinxed. The boy played fair when it came to the game. Of course, on Bella's 5th birthday he could've talked when Carlisle talked to him silently but Edward would always wait for someone to say his name out loud. The boy was a good lad.
"This is the first time in years you're excited. Does it have to do with the fact you got your license?" Carlisle asked. Bella mused on that for a second and shook her head.
"Nope! Just happy today." She said as she parked the car. "Ha! I got your car home safe and sound."
Her father just laughed, "So you did." he replied and the two got out. Bella skipped inside and tossed Carlisle the keys and then tripped on the stairs. Edward caught her quickly.
"My hero." Bella giggled and Edward looked at Carlisle with a raised brow.
She's very happy today. Carlisle told him mentally. Edward smiled and walked Bella inside and She ran to Esme and hugged her, showing her the temp. license.
Bella stared at the mountain of presents before her. She begged her family not to go all out, but like every year, they didn't listen. She was trying to decide which one to open first when Carlisle held out a small box and smiled. He had been waiting for this day for a year now.
Bella smiled and opened the present and looked at the bracelet. She noticed the charm on it and looked at it. It was the Cullen family crest. She looked at Carlisle with tears in her eyes and hugged her father tightly. "I love it, daddy." she whispered and he hugged her back, kissing the top of her head. She pulled back and held it to him and held out her wrist. He grinned and put the bracelet on and she looked at it smiling. She'd keep it on forever.
Bella went back to the stack of presents and opened them one by one, biggest to smallest. There was a small box left and she opened it. Inside was a key to a Honda Accord coupe. She squealed and hugged everyone. It was a tame car, tamer than any of the cars they had. Just perfect for Bella.
Bella stared lovingly at her car. It was Black with dark tinted windows. She went over and stroked her baby lovingly and explored the outside. She noticed the license plate said "Isabella-C" and she sighed as if she was in heaven.
"I absolutely love her." She sighed.
"Rosalie picked it out." Alice said. "She insisted on it." Bella ran to her tall, blonde sister and hugged her tightly.
"Oh, it's perfect!" She said.
"I'm glad you love it." Rosalie whispered and kissed her little sister's forehead. "Can't wait to work on it and make it better." She grinned and Bella shook her head.
"Only when it needs to be worked on." Bella made her promise and Rosalie sighed and nodded. "If I think of something I want done, I'll let you do it." She reassured her and Rosalie grinned again. "Can I test drive it?"
"Sure." Esme said. "But someone has to go with you." Edward offered and slide in the passenger seat and put on his seatbelt. His girlfriend didn't need a ticket should she get pulled over for someone not wearing a seatbelt. Bella took off down the driveway laughing and whooping.
"Can she be anymore hyper?" Jasper said, coming down from the high Bella gave him with her excitement. His family just laughed and they went inside to pick up the wrapping paper.
Edward grinned as Bella drove down the freeway about five miles over the limit singing along to the radio, even though it was country and he detested country music, but Bella enjoyed some songs and he figured that he could suffer.
"Bella?" He said, turning down the radio. "I have another gift to give to you, but you have to wait until the weekend." He took her hand and kissed it. "It's not done."
Bella smiled, "I can't wait." She told him. "This has been the best birthday ever and no one jinxed you."
"Yet." They said together.
"Jinx" Bella said laughing. Edward scowled.
To Be Continued…
Some notes: Yay! Now review. Oh and don't forget to check out the snippets "Operation Bella" and "Bella's Hamster".