Chapter Nineteen: Defeat

I fell asleep in Edward's arms but when I woke up, he was gone. I put the corset outfit back on and slipped my robe on over it. I noticed that it was twilight now so I went out to the porch to see if he was there. I found him sitting on the couch outside, watching the sun set. He hadn't looked up at me yet even though I knew that he knew I was there. I stood there for a minute waiting for him to acknowledge my presence. When he didn't, I walked over to sit next to him.

"Hi, honey." I whispered as I wrapped my arms around his waist. He put his arms around me and pulled me to him so he could kiss me. Well, he wasn't mad at me for what I did earlier.

" Hello, my love. I thought you were sleeping." Edward said after he moved away to look at me.

"This is the first time in a while I've had the chance to watch the sun set. It's beautiful." I said offhandedly as I gazed at the horizon.

"It can't be compared to you. Especially not while you are wearing that." He gestured to the corset. "You are so beautiful. I love you"

" I love you, too. I will always love you. Its why I'm here with you alone." I dropped the major hint. I wanted us to be alone.

He sighed and said, "Bella, I've been thinking. I know that you don't want them here but I think it is a good idea to have the entire family here during the change."

"Why? We don't need them here." I whined at him. He looked at me for a minute before pulling me closer to him, probably to hide his face from me.

"I don't want to take a chance and do something wrong. I need Carlisle to supervise and think of how much it will mean to them. They all want to see you as soon as you are changed. They miss us. Please, just think about it." Edward begged me.

I had never given much thought to my family wanting to be here. Of course they would want to see me. Emmett and Jasper would want to test my new strength. Alice would be waiting to pounce on me for details of the honeymoon. Carlisle and Esme will be thrilled to see their new daughter again. Even Rosalie would be moderately happy to see me. I almost wanted them all to come see us.

Then something occurred to me: Alice had not mentioned the family coming, just her and Jasper.

"Tell me the truth, Edward. Alice saw something, didn't she?" I twisted out of his hold on me to look at him. His jaw was clenched, muscles strained. He turned to me and sighed.

"Yes, she did. She saw you waking up after three days alone. I must have left to hunt, not knowing when you would wake up. You panicked."

"How did you get that information?" I didn't think he would be able to read Alice's thoughts from this distance or over the phone. I asked this to keep my mind off of what Alice saw me do, exactly. It must have been bad.

" After you fell asleep, I called Alice again. I know Alice too well not to notice when she is doing something in order to prevent a vision. I won't let that vision happen. It will be very useful to have the entire family here." He stared at me, pleading for me to see reason.

"Ok, I can see the reason behind Alice and Carlisle's presence here. But I can't see a real purpose for the others." I said slowly.

"There is no way Jasper would let Alice come here without him. He wants to protect her, just in case. Esme is uncomfortable with the idea as well. No one is comfortable being separated from his or her mate. Emmett and Rosalie won't want to stay home either, if the rest of us will be here." Edward explained.

I couldn't fight this logic. There was also a part of me that wanted them all here. It would be fun to hunt as a family. They would have things to show me and teach me. My attempts at seduction were for nothing. I was defeated.

"Fine, I'm sure you already told them they could come anyway. I demand two weeks alone with you before they come, though." I told him in an exasperated tone. I wasn't happy but I wasn't angry either. I wasn't going to let this ruin our honeymoon.

"Thank you, Love. I fully agree with you demand. I want more time alone with you. I love you, Bella." He whispered before pulling my face to his and kissed me passionately. I moved so I was sitting in his lap my legs and arms around his body. My skin was suddenly hot and feverish. I pressed every inch of my skin I could to his. He seemed to notice my feverish state and ran his cool hands over my body. His need for me was just as acute as my need for him. He grabbed me and ran at vampire speed back to the bedroom.