Chapter 18
'We are so happy that Emmet found Rose, we honestly always thought Edward would be the first to settle,' Esme explained to me. We got along well, she was like an older more calm version of Alice. I nodded. I wondered where Edward was, he hadn't been around for all the speeches. Carlisle came over to Esme and myself and handed us each a drink.
'I find Jacob very charming Bella, you are very suitable for each other,' he commented. I smiled and thanked him.
'Do you guys know where Edward was today?' I asked. Esme looked to the ground and Carlisle cleared his throat uncomfortably.
'Unfortunately he and Tanya separated, he felt it best not to disturb the festive with his upset mood,' he answered clearly. My mouth dropped.
'But they were so...'
'No Bella. Edward wasn't happy and neither was Tanya. See she is a part of a family that we have known for many years, they grew up together. Tanya's family are very conservative, there was a lot of pressure when they got together to get married and have children. Neither Edward or Tanya wanted that but to make things easier they got engaged. Don't get me wrong, they love each other very much, just not the way you should when you are betrothed,' Esme smiled up at Carlisle.
'We wanted Edward to have the best and he convinced us that he truly did want to marry Tanya but last night, when he visited her he found her in bed with another man they both truly realised they were only doing it to please the parentals. They broke it off. Edward needs time to mull things over. He will return when he is ready to face the three loving couples he lives with,' Carlisle finished. I was gobsmacked. They weren't really in love?
'Well I hope Edward finds his way okay, im sure he will find someone as dazzling as himself,' I responded. Esme looked at me and Carlisle put his hand on my shoulder.
'Dazzling?' he asked with a smirk on his face. I blushed deep crimson.
'Oh i see Jacob, excuse me,' I quickly moved away from Carlisle and Esme and hurried forward into Jacobs arms.
'Hello Petal,' he said kissing me on the head. He and Jasper continued on talking while i watched Esme and Carlisle from a distance. They were so beautiful together. They were like a dance. They moved in rhythm to each other. I often saw Carlisle steel glances at Esme like he would have when they first met. Esme was always looking at Carlisle with the upmost love for him. Just like Alice and Jasper and now Rosalie and Emmet. I looked up at Jacob knowing that i loved him, but was my love enough, was he who i was truly meant to be with, would we one day be looked upon the way young couples look upon Carlisle and Esme. Would we be the beautiful dance that they were? I sighed and snuggled closer to Jacob. For that is the mystery of love, that of the unknown.
****
It had been a week since the engagement celebrations and Alice was in full wedding planner swing. Jasper and I were again studying for exams as was everyone else. Jacob was always busy at work so time together was limited. Edward had returned looking a little worse for wear but he appeared happy. He had a glint in his eye that made me believe he was truly glad to be rid of Tanya. Jasper and I had taken over the dining table while Emmet had full control of the games room, his books spread all over the pool table. Rosalie had confined herself in her room, as had Edward. Exams were an extremely tense time and we often found ourselves snapping and getting angry at each other. It was the day before our first exam and Jasper and I were quizzing each other and writing each others notes out when Emmet threw a book at the back of Jaspers head. I gasped and Jasper angrily threw it back.
'SHUT TH HELL UP THEN YOU TWO!' Emmet angrily yelled.
'What do you have to worry about, your acing everything!' Jasper sniped back.
'Yeah, because I'm not listening to you idiots quoting philosophers! It's distracting, have some consideration!' He angrily answered back throwing a balled up piece of paper.
'Maybe it'll do you some good, you must be sick of Simpsons quotes by now!' Jasper retaliated.
'Don't degrade me like that!' Emmet said now standing and walking over.
'You're right, it'd be sesame street quotes!' Jasper said now also standing.
'Are you calling me dumb?' Emmet asked now standing only an inch away from Jasper.
'You could say i was suggesting that,' Jasper said pushing Emmet away.
'Hey! You two, take you testosterone elsewhere, I'm trying to study!' Rosalie had walked out of her room and stood in the hallway.
'Rosalie it's not worth interfering, they'll get over it soon enough,' I said not looking up from my text.
'Don't tell me what to do Bella, it's getting kinda old!' She sniped.
'What?' I said now lifting my eyes to look at her. She, as per usual, looked great. Her hair and make-up was done and she was wearing jeans, high heels and a stylish Chanel jacket over a simple singlet. 'Jesus Rosalie, I thought you said they were interrupting your study not your fashion show!'
It got pretty low from then on, soon Edward joined in. We were all yelling when Alice entered the room her face blank. We all stopped and looked at her. She didn't look sad or upset, just lost.
'Alice?' Jasper asked stepping forward a little.
'They just found another body, its Jessica Stanley,' She answered. None of us were particularly close to Jessica but it was still a shock.
'They are saying that it was that attacker, the last place she was seen was at the engagement party,' She said now making eye contact with all of us. Emmet's mouth was open and he had pulled Rosalie protectively in for a hug. Jasper had walked forward and grabbed Alice's hand.
'Okay, from now on absolutely no-one leaves without a guardian, under no circumstances. If you're alone at a pub, club or shopping call one of us and we will come and get you!' Jasper ordered the room not removing his eyes from Alice's. The boys agreed, Rosalie nodded and i hummed an agreeing tone.
'Until this psycho is off the streets its best if we all stay in groups and avoid staying out past dark,' Emmet added. Again we all agreed. We solemnly went back to our study's and not another fight broke out.
****
2 weeks later
Exams had finished but moral wasn't up. Two more bodies had been found since Jessica's, both students at Dartmouth. Memorials had gone up all over the school for each of the victims and patrols from campus police were increased. Police had reported that each girl had been by themselves when they were attacked. Alice had ceased all shopping trips and Jacob and my dates were always now kept at either of our houses. It was dull and boring but safe.
It was Saturday night and I was at Jacobs. Quil and Embry also joined us. We decided to order pizza. When the pizza came Quil answered the door and payed accordingly. Jacob and I sat near each other when Embry started talking about a girl he was dating called Chloe.
'She is mighty fine and the best part is I know that if i married her she would stay at home with our kids,' he said fondly. I choked on my pizza. Jacob patted me on the back and they all looked at me.
'Is that what you look for in a girl?' i asked eyeing Embry. He nodded. As did Quil. I laughed.
'I could never do that,' I said. Jacob cleared his throat and I looked at him.
'You wouldn't be a housewife?' he asked seriously. Still assuming he was joking I laughed.
'I couldn't think of anything worse. I don't want my life to revolve around getting married, popping out a few kids and then my biggest achievement is when Johnny gets a soccer trophy,' I answered taking another bite of pizza.
'Do you even want kids?' he asked. I turned to face him. Quil and Embry made an excuse to leave the room.
'Its not high on my list of things to do, no. If I did have kids though, I wouldn't put my life on hold. I like the idea of having a career,' I said truthfully. He shook his head.
'Bella, that's what women do. They make a career for themselves in three or so years, they get married and they have kids,' he commented. I stood up and threw my half eaten piece of pizza on the ground.
'Would you stop being a mechanic to raise them?' I asked feeling my anger get hold of me. He laughed.
'No, that's because I'm the man,' he said simply. 'I bring the money home and you cook dinner,'
'I will never be a housewife Jacob Black, not in a million years! I don't even think i want to get married!' I commented.
'Never get married! What's wrong with marriage? Is this cos your Mom walked out on your Dad?' He asked and i threw him a dirty look.
'No, I just don't think it's the be all and end all. I wouldn't die unhappy because i wasn't married!' I sniped.
'Then why are we together if you don't see it going anywhere?' He asked.
'Jacob i see it going somewhere, I just hope that you aren't assuming that I would degrade myself to being a housewife!' I was raising my voice and so was he.
'I kind of do!' he screeched back. 'That's what women DO!'
'NOT THIS WOMAN!' i yelled and grabbed my bag. I stormed out the front door slamming it as I went. I pulled out my phone and tried to call Emmet to pick me up. His phone rang out. I then tried Jasper's number.
You've reached Jasper Hale's number, i can't take your call right now leave you-
Alice....
You know what to do! Her message tone answered.
Rosalie...rang out. Last resort Edward...He also rang out, I let out an angry moan and began walking. I was perfectly safe. Or so i thought. I walked for ten minutes when out of the shadows a hand grabbed me and pulled me in.
'I've been waiting a long time for you Bella!'
*****
Dum dum daaaaaaaaaa.....its so cliffy....lol im not sure i like it. Its a tad predictable i think but itll be interesting to see what you have to say.
Read and Review my lovelies!