DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creation of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Emmett and Rosalie play against Edward and Bella in a game of strip poker, while Bella has a second scheme to get back at Emmett.

Poker & A Prank 1

Alice's tinkling laughter preceded her entrance into our room, with Jasper following close behind her. "I've seen it and I love it," Alice chirped.

"Bella is quite the devious little schemer," I chuckled, hugging my wife tighter.

"I taught her well," Alice sighed, ruffling Bella's hair.

Bella and Jasper laughed together while I shook my head at Alice.

"Emmett and Rosalie are having some quality time at the lake and will not return until fifteen minutes after Carlisle and Esme leave. We are free to discuss the plan without being overheard," Alice announced.

"What's this master plan?" Jasper asked, sitting on the edge of our bed and pulling Alice into his lap.

"We're going to get him to play at the coffee table downstairs so that Edward and I can stretch our legs out under the table. And then I just have to brush an ankle, or knee, against Edward to make our connection. Emmett's sure to ban Edward from reading his thoughts, but it won't matter if Edward and I know what cards we are going to play," I explained.

"Excellent plan," Jasper said proudly.

"Emmett isn't going to know what hit him!" Alice squealed. "But Edward, what will you do without the constant teasing from Emmett?" she giggled.

"I'm sure I'll be just fine," I laughed.

"Besides, we all know Emmett won't be able to stop himself from reverting to his usual ways," Bella chuckled. "I give him a month tops, and then he'll have some new nickname for Edward."

"Is he going to throw a fit over Bella wearing more clothing than usual?" I asked.

Alice giggled. "No, because he's going to force Rose to do the same thing."

"He's such a hypocrite!" Jasper chuckled.

"We need to makes sure he doesn't have the power to choose which article of clothing we take off," Bella pointed out. "No amount of plotting will help if he has control of that."

"Good idea, Bella," Alice chirped. "You'll need to suggest that Jasper and I be the choosers. We'll keep it even until Emmett and Rosalie start loosing badly."

"Perfect," Bella said, rubbing her hands together. She giggled suddenly and then rubbed her hands again. "We need a second part to this scheme. We are going to prank Carlisle and Esme, but make it look like Emmett did it."

"Oh, my God! It's perfect, Bella! And it screams Emmett's name," Alice squealed.

"What's this new plan?" Jasper asked, both Alice and he leaning forward toward Bella and me.

"Well, we all know that Emmett likes to give you guys pointers about your sex lives. And with the comment he made a few days ago about Carlisle and Esme doing the deed, this will just convince them further that he's behind it," Bella replied. "Edward, we will need Jasper and you to go to Emmett's room and collect all of his books and 'teaching tools' that he bought for you before our wedding. We're going to put them all over Carlisle and Esme's room. We'll put a few books in Esme's stack near the tub. And we can put the 'teaching tools' into their dresser drawers. We should also put some items in Carlisle's desk drawer."

"Boys, be sure to look at the very back of Emmett's t-shirt pile on the left side of his bureau. He has a bottle of lotion that he's written his name on," Alice instructed.

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"Errant vision," Alice grimaced.

"We certainly don't need to hear anymore," I said quickly.

"As soon as Carlisle and Esme are out of the door, we'll need to set everything up. That will require a distraction," Bella announced. "I will now sacrifice myself for our prank, tag team. Alice, it's time for a round of Bella Barbie that will run over into poker playing time."

"Yeah!" Alice squealed, jumping up and grabbing Bella up into her arms. Alice ran out of the room with my kidnapped wife.

"Those two are something else," Jasper chuckled, staring at the open door.

"And they're ours, Jazz. I have no idea how we got this lucky, but I'm not really willing to question it too much," I laughed.

"Good idea," he replied, smiling at me. "Let's go watch TV so we'll be able to see Carlisle and Esme leave."

"Excellent idea," I agreed. "I just need to add a few layers," I chuckled, slipping on a pair of sweats over my jeans. I took off my shirt, put on a muscle shirt, then put my original shirt back on. I then grabbed my hoodie and put that on, as well.

After I was dressed, we went into the living room and sat down on the sofa. After a few minutes of playfully arguing over the remote, I let Jasper have it. He turned the TV to a music channel and we started making fun of the songs and videos together.

"Oh, look, Edward. Aren't we lucky?" Jasper asked sarcastically. "It's that Justin Timberlake guy that all the human girls go nuts for."

"Where is he?" I questioned.

"I think it's a Mexican bar slash whorehouse."

"And he not only felt the need to visit, but to entertain the clientele?"

"Looks to me like he wants to do more than entertain them," Jasper chuckled.

"The girl in the red dress…I can see Rose wearing something like that."

"Yeah, but she wouldn't make it look so trashy. Nor would she move as if she was having an epileptic attack."

"Have you noticed he has an extremely high pitched voice?"

"Yeah, I thought only eunuch's could get their voices that high."

We looked at each other and laughed.

I was the first to calm down. "We have obviously been spending way too much time with Emmett. Since when do we watch and critique music videos?"

"There's a first time for everything, Edward."

I nodded my head in agreement. I looked up at the TV and pointed at the screen. "Hey, isn't that the song Alice and you danced to that night when the girls had us dance in Alaska?" I asked Jasper.

"It sure is. That Nelly Furtado girl is kind of cute, but she's got nothing on my Alice."

After watching the video in silence for a minute, I turned toward Jasper, smirking. "So when do you think we should ask the girls about another dancing night?"

"Alice is actually plotting one already. She wants us to go down to Saratoga Springs when we come back from vacation," Jasper replied. "Of course, that means we will all be going shopping with her for outfits."

"Of course," I laughed.

"Hello, boys," Esme greeted, as Carlisle and she came into the living room.

"Hi, mom," we said together.

I turned to look at them. "Big date night?"

"Your father is surprising me," Esme replied, her eyes sparkling brightly.

Carlisle kissed Esme's cheek. "That's right. Edward isn't the only Cullen male capable of surprising his wife."

"Hey, if Jasper can manage it, the rest of us don't have an excuse," I said.

"I'm not sure how late we'll be out since your father refuses to give me any hints," Esme stated. "So please make sure I come home to a house and not a pile of rubble. Please keep Emmett in line without fighting."

"Certainly," I replied, nodding at her.

"Have a nice night, boys," Carlisle called, as he led Esme out of the house.

As soon as the door clicked closed, Jasper and I were flying down the hall and into Emmett's room. We found all of the items we needed. We ended up doing 'rock, paper, scissors' to see who would have to touch the piece that would freak Esme out. I lost and took one of their towels to carry it around in. Jasper had to get the special bottle of lotion Alice had mentioned.

"'Emmett's magic lovin' potion'," Jasper read from the bottle. "I can't believe—no, scratch that—I can believe that, I just don't want to."

We quickly set everything up in Carlisle and Esme's room, and then went down to the basement to await Emmett and Rosalie's return for the poker game to start.

Jasper broke the silence with a low chuckle. "Bella certainly has a way with you. I still can't believe she got you to agree to play strip poker."

"She assured me that our brother has no chance of seeing her," I said. "Besides, she has to know that if we actually start to lose, I will run her out of here and take whatever punishment Emmett dishes out for a forfeit."

"I'm sure she won't complain," Jasper laughed. "Bella doesn't want Emmett to see her anymore than you do."

"Well, that's too bad," Emmett loudly announced. "Because Bella and you are going to lose!"

Jasper and I exchanged a glance, before turning to look at Emmett. He was shuffling a deck of cards in his hands as he walked over to us.

"Where do you want to play?" Emmett asked.

"Right here is fine," I told him. "We can sit on the floor and play at the table."

"Cool," Emmett responded.

"What's cool?" Bella asked, as Rose, Alice, and she came down the stairs.

"Just discussing how we're going to play down here, love," I told her, giving her a little wink.

I moved to the floor and stretched my legs out under the table. Bella sat down across from me. I expected her to put her legs on side of mine, but she got a wicked smile on those beautiful lips of hers. She moved so that my feet were on either side of her and her legs were resting on top of mine, with her little feet pressing against my stomach. I laughed at her and she just shrugged her shoulders, smiling.

Rose chuckled and shook her head at us. "You two are never going to get out of the honeymoon stage."

"I'm fine with that," Bella immediately replied.

"Let's get down to business," Emmett said, as Rose and he sat down on the opposite ends of the table. "The rules are simple. No cheating—Edward, that means no mind reading—and no matter which partner loses, both partners lose their clothing. We will bet how many articles we are willing to take off and whatever the loser bets is what both team members have to take off. Also, if either team forfeits the game, they must complete whatever challenge they are given, without complaint. Any questions?"

"Nope. None," Bella chirped. "Let's play."

"Just a second," I interrupted. "I would like one stipulation put in. Alice and Jasper should be the ones to choose which article of clothing is lost at the end of each hand."

"Why them?" Emmett asked, sounding suspicious.

"Because they have no interest in the game," I replied. "Knowing you, you'll immediately go for the main pieces of clothing, and honestly, I'll forfeit before I let that happen."

"Fine. In the interest of keeping the game going, Alice and Jasper choose the clothing," Emmett relented. He grinned and started dealing the cards. "Picky, you'll get to play first since you're on my left. Rose will go next, and then Edward."

I did my best to block Rose and Emmett as they looked at their cards. Suddenly, I could hear my beautiful Bella in my head.

'Honey, you look so sexy in that shirt. But I honestly can't wait until you have to take it off.'

'Bella, behave.'

'I haven't done anything. Yet.' She smirked and moved her foot slightly.

I quickly grabbed it and moved it back. 'Behave or you won't get to prank Emmett twice in one night.'

'Fine. I'll behave.'

"Alright, Picky. Do you need any cards?" Emmett asked.

Bella looked closer at her cards, pretending to concentrate. 'Edward, I have two pairs. Sevens and jacks.'

'Go ahead and put down the fifth card down since it is an odd card, and draw one. It can't possibly hurt.'

'Thank you, honey.'

'You're welcome, my love.'

"Emmett, I think I want to trade this card in," Bella said, pretending to be unsure of herself.

Emmett passed her a card and she looked at it for a second. 'Make that three of a kind and a pair.' She managed to frown, though, hoping to throw off Emmett and Rose.

"Rose, how many cards?" Emmett asked.

"Three," Rose replied.

Emmett lifted an eyebrow at her.

"You dealt the cards," she reminded him, as she picked up her three new cards. Her frown didn't lift so I was pretty sure she still had a bad hand.

"Edward?" Emmett questioned.

I had a straight and I wasn't going to risk it. "None for me."

Emmett looked a little worried, but didn't say anything. "I will take three for myself," he announced. He must have picked up three good cards because he was smiling happily. "Time for bets. Picky, how many articles of clothing do you want to risk?"