DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creation of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Bella and Edward are interrupted by a phone call.
Important Call (Small Lemon)
I groaned as my cell phone cheerily rang out in the small room. "We have to answer. They didn't even try your phone."
"Alice probably saw it wouldn't do any good," Edward replied, as he pulled away from me.
I groaned again, rolling over and snatching the phone out of my pants pocket. "Morning, Alice."
"Bella, sorry to interrupt, but it's important," Alice said.
"I know, sis. What's up?" I asked.
"The Denali Coven has arrived and Carlisle wants Edward and you to come home," Alice replied.
I sat up in the bed, crossing my legs under me. "Really? Why are they visiting out of the blue like this?"
"There was a miscommunication," Alice said. "They thought Edward's party was today instead of yesterday."
"Did you invite them?" I asked. "I don't remember us talking about that."
"It seems Esme mentioned it and that's how the dates got mixed up," Alice explained. "Esme has commandeered Emmett's basement for their sleeping quarters. Seems they want to stick around for a week or so to catch up with everyone. So! Get yourselves showered and changed, and get home."
"Changed?" I asked.
"Tell Edward to have someone bring the car around. I couldn't see for sure, but I had a feeling he might whisk you away. There's a bag in the trunk with clothes for each of you," Alice replied.
"Thanks, Alice," I said.
"It's what I do," Alice chuckled. I could just imagine her shrugging her little shoulders when she said that. "You have two hours to get home before Carlisle starts calling for you. That should leave you plenty of time for a nice long shower."
"You are the best, Alice," I told her. "Don't ever let anyone tell you different!"
"Bye, Bella!" Alice giggled, as she hung up the phone.
I closed my phone and looked over at my husband. Seeing his gloriously naked body was not helping me to keep my thoughts in order. I grabbed his shirt from the floor and tossed it over his waist. He lifted an eyebrow at me, a smug smile on his face.
"I need to tell you what Alice said and I can't remember if I'm distracted by you," I told him.
Edward chuckled and pulled me over to him. "I already heard what she had to say."
"Good! So get dressed and go get the bag out of the car. Then we can take a shower."
"A nice long shower."
"You really did hear everything she said," I laughed.
"Yes," he replied, nuzzling my neck. "I'll be right back. Do not start that shower without me, Mrs. Cullen."
"Whatever you say, Mr. Cullen."
He gave me a quick kiss and then dressed himself. I called down to the lobby so the car would be waiting for him. I made my way into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the water heat up.
I walked over to the window and looked out across the lake. The water sparkled from the sun's rays. It was beautiful. I looked down to see a few people walking along the shoreline. I wished it was cloudy and that we didn't have to leave. Then Edward could take me for a walk down there. Our belated honeymoon on the boat was the first time I had really seen myself in the sunlight. I sparkled the same way he did, but I still found him to be more beautiful than me.
I was too wrapped up in my thoughts to notice he had returned. I was suddenly spun around and his lips were crashing into mine. He lifted me up into his arms and brought me into the shower. I gasped when the hot water struck my cold skin, instantly warming every spot the water cascaded down. He held tightly to me as we remained directly under the shower head. Our hair was wet and sticking to us in seconds.
His eyes roamed across me as he watched the water travel over my skin. He held out his index finger and traced a drop of water from my shoulder, down my side, over my hip and past my thigh. I couldn't stop myself from closing my eyes and shivering at his touch. When I opened my eyes, his topaz ones were staring back at me. His desire flickered there, like a small candle flame, leaving me breathless at the sight of him.
I put my hands on his cheeks and kissed him as hard as I could. He returned it with just as much eagerness. He took a few steps back so that his shoulders were braced against the tile wall. He lifted me up then lowered me, until I felt all of him inside of me.
Even though I knew I couldn't blush anymore, it still felt like my face was red with trapped heat from my desire for him. We were as fervent in our kisses as we were in our joining and it wasn't long before our cries were echoing off the tile walls of the shower.
We were quiet the rest of the morning as we took turns washing and then drying each other. Edward dressed me and then himself. He kissed my forehead and took my hand as he led me out of the room.
The car was once again waiting for us when we got to the lobby. I went toward the passenger side of the car, but Edward stopped me. He smiled and shook his head. He led me around the car and opened the driver's side door, waving me into the seat. I hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. He gently removed my arms from his neck and nodded toward the car. I climbed in and he closed the door. I adjusted the seat while he got in on the passenger side.
We drove home in silence, completely content with each other. Edward played with my hand and wrist the whole way home, tracing random patterns onto my skin. His smile never left his face as he watched me drive. I was nearly as bad as him with the speeding nowadays and with this particular car, it seemed a sin to do anything less than a hundred. We made it home with a half hour to spare.
There was a large black Cadillac Escalade in the driveway. It looked very similar to the one Carlisle had rented for us on our trip to New York. I figured it must belong to Tanya and the others. I waited patiently for the garage door to open then carefully drove Edward's car inside. I sighed happily once it was safely parked. I turned off the ignition and pulled out the key, handing it to my wonderful husband. It always thrilled me to refer to Edward as my husband, mine forever.
He took the key with one hand and pulled me into a kiss with the other. I could tell he was thanking me once again. I smiled against his lips and felt him do the same. We got out of the car and as I made my way out of the garage, Edward swept me up into his arms. He pressed his face against my neck and held tightly to me. I hugged him with all of my strength, letting him know I was feeling exactly the same way about him.
Our quiet moment was interrupted by Emmett. "Didn't you two get enough of each other last night?"
Edward sighed against me and I ran a hand through his hair. "Just ignore him," I whispered to him.
"That's not why I sighed."
"Then why did you?"
"I have to share you now."
"Who says?"
"Alice is thinking it. She wants all of the women to go shopping together."
"I'm not going. I don't want to shop today."
"She'll guilt you."
"Not today! I'll pull the birthday card."
We let go of each other and I hit the button to close the garage. We made our way into the house. Everyone was sitting in the living room and chatting. Someone had brought the kitchen chairs in for extra seating.
Edward leaned against the far wall and pulled me down onto his lap. He played with my hair while I played with his fingers and wedding band. We sat in silence for over an hour before anyone noticed us.
"Edward, I hear your new car is remarkable," Eleazar said.
Edward was lost in his own thoughts as he twirled my hair around his long fingers.
I tapped his leg and pointed toward our guest. "Eleazar wants to know how you like the car," I told him.
Edward smiled and looked at Eleazar. "I don't know that I'll ever drive the Volvo again."
"You wouldn't want to drive your new car everyday," I told him. "Think of all the miles you'll put on it."
"Rosalie will keep the engine up for me. Won't you, Rose?" Edward asked.
"I can't wait to get my hands on that engine!" Rose replied.
"We'll take a look tomorrow after school," Edward said.
"Can I tag along?" I asked, turning to see Edward's face better.
"If you want to. It might be boring," Edward shrugged.
"I want to learn what you guys do to the vehicles," I told him.
Edward kissed the tip of my nose. "Then we'll teach you."
"Just pay attention and stay out of the way, Picky," Emmett said. "That's the way I do it. You learn a lot and Rose doesn't smack you."
"Not that you have many left with Alice around, but try to find some old clothes to wear in the garage," Rose told me. "If nothing else, just snag one of Edward's t-shirts."
"I'll just do that anyway," I replied. "It'll be easier than scouring the house for hidden clothing."
"I let you keep a few things," Alice interrupted. "You still have those ratty jeans you call your favorites."
"And you had better never touch them," I warned my fashion conscious sister.
"Just what will you do if I touch them?" Alice goaded.
"I'll have Edward help me disassemble your Porsche," I said, forcing my tone to be serious.
"That's just cruel, Bella Cullen," Alice laughed.
"You taught her that," Edward chuckled. "You have no one to blame but yourself."
"You know you like her devious side, Edward," Alice said with a wink.
"I like all her sides, Alice," Edward replied, kissing my ear.
I laughed and snuggled further into his arms.
"You two are simply adorable," Carmen said, as she watched Edward and me.
"Still the happy couple?" Irina smirked.
"What else would they be?" Rose snapped.
I was more than a little confused about that reaction! My sister and I would certainly be chatting later. Rose was normally very happy to have the Denali coven around.
Kate tried to ease the tension. "Esme did a wonderful job with your room, Bella. I'm usually not a big fan of blue, but I like that shade."
"It's Edward's favorite," I replied with a big, cheesy grin.
"So what's your favorite color then," Kate asked.
"It changes," Edward chuckled. "Today should be topaz, correct?"
I titled my head back and looked up at Edward. Our noses brushed together. "Yep. Topaz it is."
"You two are so cute and mushy!" Kate chuckled.
"Live with them for a while. It'll get old quick," Rose said, as she winked at us.
"It's wonderful to see our Edward so relaxed and happy. That scowl he used to wear never did suit him," Tanya remarked.
I was still a little apprehensive of her, but I knew in my heart Edward had no interest in Tanya. So I politely smiled and nodded.
"Edward rarely scowls," Alice said, as she pranced over and sat next to us. "Unless we are torturing him in some way."
"Thank you for adding that on and making it an honest statement," Edward remarked, pushing on Alice's shoulder.
"How do you torture Edward?" Kate asked, as she took a spot next to Alice.
I giggled as I realized Edward and I had gone from being unobserved, to being the main attraction. Edward growled low in his chest, making me laugh a little louder.
"Just what are you finding so funny, Mrs. Cullen?" Edward whispered into my ear. I could hear the smile in his voice.
"Nothing at all," I chuckled, pulling his arms tighter around me.
"We usually just steal Bella away for the day. That's really all it takes," Alice joked.
"Or we threaten the piano and his cars," Rose added.
"But it's usually in retaliation for something he's helped the boys do against us," Alice continued.
"Do you often pit boys against girls?" Irina asked.
"It's all for fun," I replied. "We like to pull pranks on each other."
"That's got to be hard to do with Edward and Alice's gifts," Kate remarked.
"Alice and Edward are usually bribed by the other members of their teams," Esme chuckled. "Those two always win even if their team loses. I think it's one of the reasons they get along so well."
"Don't give away all their secrets, mom!" I groaned, winking at her.
"Mom?" Kate giggled.
"What else would I call her?" I shrugged. "She's my mother and Carlisle's my father."
"What about your human parents?" Tanya questioned.
Edward saved me from having to answer. "Bella has considered Carlisle and Esme to be her parents since before the wedding."
"And we have considered her to be our daughter even longer than that," Esme said proudly.
"When Edward came to us after meeting you, we knew you were something very special," Tonya said as she held my gaze. "Few things over the decades have ever caused such a strong reaction in him. I attempted to assure him that he was much stronger than he thought himself. But as you know, our Edward tends to be a bit stubborn."
"Only a bit," I giggled, as Edward playfully growled at me.
"You don't have much room to talk," Edward said, poking me in the side.
I giggled and squirmed against him. I reached out and took his hand, holding it tightly against me.
"I've got another one of those you know," he laughed.
"You just behave yourself, Mr. Cullen," I chuckled.
"Edward, be nice to my sister," Alice warned with a wicked grin. She hopped up and pulled Kate up. "We'll be back in a few hours."
"Isn't Bella coming?" Kate asked, as she looked at me.
"Nope! She's not going to be swayed today. But don't worry. We'll get her to go shopping with us later in the week," Alice replied.
"Thank you, Alice," I said, giving her a bright smile.
"You're lucky it's your birthday," Alice chuckled.
I waved goodbye to her and all the other women. Edward moved us over to the sofa so we could watch TV with the guys.
"How'd you get out of shopping, Picky?" Emmett asked.
"It's my birthday, Em! Alice took pity on me," I replied. I whispered just for Edward, "And now I don't have to leave your arms."
"This has been the best birthday I've ever had, Bella. Thank you," Edward whispered back.
"This is only the beginning, Edward," I told him.
He kissed my head and hugged me tighter. I took that as him agreeing with me. One way or another, we would stay together and have a real forever.
