DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creation of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Bella and Alice get the family to celebrate Halloween.
Halloween
"Alice, I have one word for you," I said, with a huge grin.
I dramatically paused, forcing Alice to start bouncing around more than normal. I had purposefully kept my decision about Halloween from her.
"Bella!" she screamed, gripping my hands tightly. "Tell me before I explode!"
I sighed with a deep frown, casting my eyes downward. I very slowly lifted my face to reveal my very wicked grin. "Sock Hop," I said in the softest whisper I could manage.
"What?" Alice asked, leaning in further.
I chuckled at her impatience. "Sock…Hop!"
"Bella!" she squealed, wrapping her arms tightly around me. "I love you!"
"Can we get everything in time?" I asked. "I'm sorry it took me so long to decide."
"We've got two weeks. You tell me what you're thinking and I'll make it happen."
"I want Rose to be surprised, too, so don't let her know."
"I can do that!"
"Should we include Carlisle and Esme?"
"Yes! They will love it!"
ONE WEEK LATER:
"Why do you keep running off to Alice's room?" Edward asked.
"No reason." I prayed he would let it drop. "Just girl stuff. In fact! I have to go ask her something right now!"
I ran out of the room before I could get dazzled into giving up my secrets. Alice met me at the door of her room, dragging me inside.
"That was really close! He was so going to dazzle it out of you!" Alice said, leaning against the door.
"While I'm sure I would have enjoyed it right then, I prefer to keep our secret." I tossed myself onto the floor and started pulling boxes out from under Alice's bed.
She folded herself next to me, lifting off the tops to reveal our treasures. "This was such a great idea, Bella."
"Thanks, Alice. I'm really pleased that you've liked everything so far!"
"I've taught you well, my student!"
I laughed as I pulled out my favorite article. It was for Edward and I knew he would look dashing in it! Even my thoughts were turning toward the 1950's after all of the research Alice and I had done. We wanted to put on a very authentic Sock Hop for the family.
"He's going to look great in that. You're going to have a tough time keeping your hands to yourself."
"Don't I always!" I said, rolling my eyes. "The man is too handsome for his own good." I shook my head to clear out my thoughts. "What are we still waiting for?"
"Emmett's shoes, my glasses, and Jasper's suit. Rose's skirt came in yesterday."
"Let me see!" I squealed.
Alice smirked at me. "It used to be that I was the only one squealing and bouncing around here."
"So you've got company! Now, make with the skirt!"
Alice laughed as she opened another box and pulled out the skirt for Rosalie's outfit.
I ran a hand across it, admiring the material. "It's so her! She'll love it! When are we announcing our plans?"
"The night before. I see them liking the idea, but being nervous about the costumes."
"Will you have us wear them all day?"
"No," Alice sighed. "Even with your help, they won't agree to it."
"Maybe next year, once they see that we picked out great costumes."
THE NIGHT BEFORE:
"Can everyone come down to the living room?" I asked, in a normal tone of voice. I knew they would all hear me.
Within seconds, my family was assembled in the living room. Emmett and Rose were snuggled on the loveseat. Carlisle and Esme were standing near them. Alice was bouncing on the sofa next to Jasper. Edward was standing at my side, curiosity burning in his golden eyes.
"Wow! You guys respond fast! Well, this is my first time calling a meeting…It's kind of cool," I said.
"Bella…today!" Rose said, waving her hand for me to hurry up.
"Right! I called this meeting to announce that we will all be celebrating Halloween tomorrow night."
"Bella," Edward groaned.
"Not having it!" Jasper huffed, crossing his arms.
"Let's hear the theme before we refuse," Alice said, winking at me.
"Thank you, Alice," I said, nodding toward her.
"Stop pretending you aren't involved, you sneaky little pixie," Rose said, throwing a pillow at Alice.
"Okay!" Alice chirped, jumping up next to me. "We have chosen a wonderful theme with wonderful costumes! Tell them, Bella!"
"We are having a Sock Hop tomorrow night!" I said, my excitement bursting forth in a wide grin.
"That doesn't sound too bad," Rose shrugged.
"It could be really fun," Emmet grinned, rubbing his hands together. "Do I get a black leather jacket and gel for my hair?"
"Costumes will be revealed tomorrow night when it's time to dress," Alice announced.
"I promise that you will all like your costumes, and the music Alice and I have planned," I told my family. "Please celebrate Halloween with me!"
"Well that 'please' took away the last of my resistance," Jasper chuckled.
"We can't wait!" Esme said, smiling up at Carlisle.
I turned to my husband. "That leaves you."
"Promise me that Alice and you have not picked out anything embarrassing for us," Edward said, taking my hands into his.
I stared right into his golden eyes, letting him see the honesty in my own eyes. "I promise you."
He grinned and kissed my forehead. "Then I'd be happy to celebrate Halloween with you."
"Yes!" Alice cried, raising her fist into the air.
HALLOWEEN:
"Girls dress in my room! Boys in Edward's room!" Alice announced, as she marched down the hallway. "I've laid out and labeled everything!"
I jumped up from Edward's lap on the loveseat. "It's finally time! Are you excited?"
"I think your excitement has infected us all," he laughed.
I gave him a big hug and then ran after my sister. She was bouncing around in the middle of her room when I walked in. She pulled me into her arms and made me jump with her.
"Oh, God!" Rose laughed, as she saw us. "It's going to be a long night for Jasper!"
"You'll be joining in when you see your costume!" Alice chirped.
"I have faith in you, Alice," Rose said, sitting on the bed.
"Not me!" Alice sang. "I only helped research and put the music together. Bella picked out all of the costumes."
"Please don't make me a nun!" Rose begged.
"Why would I dress you as a nun?" I laughed.
"Catholic schools were popular in the '50's," Rose shrugged.
"Rose, no one will mistake you for a nun," I assured her.
"Are we ready to change?" Esme asked, as she closed the door behind her.
"Yeah!" Alice cried, clapping her hands.
I ran into Alice's bathroom and grabbed the first costume from the back of the door. I walked back out with it.
"Mom, I hope you like it. I thought it would be fun to have dad and you dress up as June and Ward Cleaver."
I held out the collared Khaki wrap dress, with red and yellow flowers, and a belt around the waist. Alice had paired it with light brown sandals.
"What do you think?" I asked, biting my lower lip.
"Bella, it's perfect!" Esme said, pulling me into a hug. "I can't wait to see what Ward is wearing!" she chuckled.
"So far so good," Rose chuckled.
I smiled at her before running back into the bathroom. I grabbed the hangers for her costume and slid her shoes over my wrist. I walked out with them in front of me so Rose could see them right away.
"Bella!" Rose cried, jumping up from the bed.
Rose's costume was a ¾ sleeve black silk shirt that would end just below her bra line. The skirt was red vinyl with a black skull and cross bones in the lower right corner. Her shoes were bright red spiked heels. She was going to look like a car hop from that era, but a much sexier version of one.
"Does this pass inspection?" I asked with a smirk.
"It'll do," Rose grinned, taking the items from me.
"We'll change in the bathroom to make our costumes a surprise," Alice chirped, pulling me into the bathroom.
Alice had a pink sweater with a matching pink poodle skirt. There was a little black poodle at the bottom right corner. The shirt of her costume was black silk. We'd found her a pair of pink Keds, with pink socks that had fuzz balls on the heel. The outfit was completed by a pair of pink cat's eye glasses.
My costume was pretty nifty. I chuckled as I used another '50's term in my head. My skirt was a dark pink with records and musical notes adorning it. My shirt was an off-the-shoulder black silk top. I had a pair of black Mary Jane shoes with socks to match the pink of my skirt. Alice put my hair up in a high ponytail and wrapped it with a pink scarf.
Alice flung open the door and we skipped out into the room to show off our outfits.
"What do you think?" Alice asked, waving her hand at us.
"Girls!" Esme cried. "You look like you just stepped out of that era! The boys are going be so thrilled to see all of you."
"Wow, Rose! It looks even better on you!" I said, admiring her costume.
"Thank you, Bella! I really like it!" Rose replied.
"Esme, you are the most beautiful June Cleaver ever," Alice said, giving our mother a hug.
"Shall we go find Ward and the boys?" I giggled.
"Sounds like a wonderful idea," Esme chuckled.
The four of us left the room and headed into the living room. The boys had moved away the furniture so we could have room for dancing. They were all standing near the television.
Emmett was in a gray bowling shirt with a picture of a bear holding a bowling ball. Black slacks and white and black wing tip shoes completed his costume. He had found gel somewhere and had made his curls stick up more than usual. Rose rolled her eyes at him with a goofy grin on her face. The rest of us just chuckled.
I had decided to dress Jasper up as a famous person. He wore a white button-up shirt under an olive green tweed suit. Thick black glasses sat precariously on his slender nose. I had turned my big brother into Buddy Holly for the night. Alice squeezed my arm and smiled at her husband.
Carlisle was the quintessential Ward Cleaver. He was dressed in black slacks with a white dress shirt and a maroon sweater. Alice had found a pair of black penny loafers to complete the look. Esme was beaming with pride as she looked at her husband, our father.
And then there was my Edward. So many adjectives ran through my mind as I stared at my husband. He wore grey slacks with a black t-shirt. He had black penny loafers, the same as Carlisle's. But the part of his costume that I loved the best was the white, high school letter sweater. There was a large red 'C' in the bottom right corner. His name was in script over the left breast. And on his right arm was the number '05, for the year we met. He really did look dashing.
Emmett was the first to notice us. He grabbed the shoulders of his shirt and pulled them out. "How do I look, Rosie?"
Rose stepped out from behind me and Emmett's jaw dropped. We giggled at his reaction.
"Forget how I look," Emmett muttered, as he rushed to Rose's side. "You look so hot, Rose! Damn!"
Carlisle walked over and bowed to Esme. "I'm Ward. I've heard a rumor that you're my June."
"Why, yes, Mr. Cleaver!" Esme said, holding out her hand. "I happened to have heard the same rumor."
"Then it must be true," Carlisle replied, kissing the back of her hand.
Alice and I hugged each other, giggling. This was going better than either of us had hoped for.
Jasper started walking toward us. Alice let me go and twirled once in her skirt.
"Ma'am, you're one pretty young woman," Jasper said, pushing the glasses up on his nose. "Do you think I could get you to be my date to the Sock Hop?"
"What's your name, stranger?" Alice asked with a big grin.
"Buddy, ma'am. Buddy Holly. I'm going to be a singer one day," Jasper said with a wink.
"Jazzy, your feelings sing to me everyday," Alice sighed, leaning against him.
I laughed and pushed the two of them toward the living room. "Go set up the music, Alice."
"I hear you're the culprit behind these outfits," a velvet voice whispered into my ear.
My breath caught in my throat. His low chuckle let me know he'd heard it.
"And what if I am?" I squeaked.
Edward spun me around to face him. His smile was glorious. "Then I need to thank you."
"So you really do like it?" I asked, crinkling my nose. I was nervous. I'd picked this theme especially for him after hearing his thoughts on the music of this particular era.
"You've managed to capture the feel of the time period perfectly with these outfits. I'm sure Alice and you have done just as well with the music. It's a wonderful idea, Bella. Thank you."
"I'm so glad you like it!" I said, hugging him tightly.
Alice started up the music. The first song was "Chantilly Lace" by the Big Bopper. Edward and I watched as Emmett and Jasper did a weird variation of the twist. Rose and Alice laughed as they worked to keep up with them. Esme and Carlisle were beaming as they watched their children having such a good time.
When "Kiss of Fire" by Georgia Gibbs started to flow from the speakers, Edward pulled me out onto the makeshift dance floor for that one. He led me in a variation of the mambo. I laughed the entire time, amazed that I wasn't falling flat on my face. Our family just watched as Edward moved me and twirled me. As the song ended, Edward dipped me low to the floor and kissed me passionately.
"Get her, Eddie!" Emmett laughed.
Alice kept the hits coming. She played "Sh-Boom" by The Crew Cuts next. Carlisle and Esme joined us on the dance floor. All eight members of our family were dancing and laughing together. There wasn't a negative emotion, or thought, in the room with us. It was exactly what we all needed.
After about an hour of dancing, I was beginning to wonder if Alice had picked out any slow songs. Just as I had that thought, a familiar tune came on. It was "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers. It was a song made famous by a drama movie called "Ghost".
Edward held me close to him as we started to sway to the music. I closed my eyes and rested my head on his chest.
Halfway through the song, Edward started to sing softly to me. "Oh, my love. My darling. I've hungered for your touch. A long lonely time."
"Have I ever told you how much I love it when you sing to me?" I whispered.
"You just did," he chuckled.
I smiled as his arms tightened around me. This had been a wonderful Halloween. I had managed to make everyone in my family happy. If I had been human, I would have been crying from the joy I felt for giving them a perfect night.
