DISCLAIMER: The characters do not belong to me…they are all the creation of the wonderful Stephenie Meyer.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: The Cullens spend Christmas at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia
Christmas 5
I stared out the window of our room, thinking about how I had gotten into my current predicament. I knew how, I just couldn't believe it had actually happened. I hadn't been so stupid in a long time. Even Alice had been aggravated with me.
It had all started yesterday afternoon, when I had gotten to watch Edward and the rest of our family snowboard. They all had looked so graceful and amazing as they surfed the side of the mountain. Rose had even done some really cool tricks on her board. Alice and Jasper had been moving quickly, passing back and forth in front of each other, making some extremely interesting designs in the snow. Emmett had definitely been the showman, doing so many stunts, that I wondered how he ever managed to make it to the bottom. Carlisle and Esme had traveled down together, not bothering with any stunts or tricks. And then there had been Edward, speeding down the mountain, laughing happily.
When Emmett had taken Alice down the mountain on his back, I had tried to convince Edward to do that with me. But, he didn't like the idea of it and I didn't want to press him on it. We had both been having a really wonderful Christmas with our family and I didn't want to dampen his spirits in any way. And I had been fairly certain at the time that I would get to snowboard before we left.
But then this morning happened, and now, I wasn't even sure if I would see Edward again today. He was that mad at me, and with good reason. Even with him so angry, he was still following the rules we had come up with together. He was calling to check in with me every half hour, letting me know where he was. Currently, he was off with Alice, Rose, and Jasper, checking out the river Carlisle and Esme had mentioned on our first day here.
"Hey, Picky," Emmett said softly.
I turned toward the doorway, surprised to see him leaning on it. "Hey, Em."
"Can I come in?"
"If you want," I shrugged.
He came in and sat down on the bed. "Edward's pretty pissed, huh?"
"Yeah," I sighed, going down to sit on the bed next to Emmett. "It's my own fault, though. That's what I get for trying to prove something to him, instead of listening to him. He told me not to keep my feet pointed straight, that I wasn't ready to do that yet, but I did it anyway."
"At least the tree stopped you," Emmett chuckled.
I glared at him. "Edward didn't appreciate watching my face attack a tree. Nor did he appreciate having to figure out how to cover the damage I caused, before anyone could get there to investigate the noise. I nearly exposed us, Em."
"Look, I'm not Edward, and I'm not about to let you beat yourself up over what happened. It was an accident, Bella. You're only two; you're still pretty much a newborn. And you never went skiing in your human life, so that makes this an even newer experience for you. Edward's forgotten what it's like to be a newbie."
"And you haven't?" I asked, looking up at him.
Emmett smiled. "I remember a lot about Edward training me, and me getting very frustrated with him and myself. I know it's not easy. There's a lot you have to learn about your own body and how it can affect the world around you with just the slightest touch. Not to mention always having to worry about exposing us and calling down the wrath of the Italian dudes."
"I think we've messed with them enough, don't you?"
"Bella, I didn't mean it that way, and you know it. The Volturi aren't going to come looking for you just because of an incident at a snow lodge. I just meant that vampires in general have to be careful of getting noticed by them, not you specifically. And personally, I think you fear them so much because of the way Edward is so overprotective with you."
"He loves me, Em."
"I know, but I just think Edward is too cautious with you sometimes."
"Only because I can't seem to be cautious enough for myself."
"So come with me and I'll be cautious for you."
"I'm not going anywhere. For once, I'm going to listen to Edward and stay right here."
"So what makes him so special that he can go and blow off some steam, but you can't? Is he your husband, or your boss?"
"Both, depending on the circumstances."
"Bella, just trust me. We'll be back before anyone even knows we've left."
"Alice will know," I pointed out.
"Alice will know I took you to the video arcade to play some games and to blow off some steam," Emmett smirked. "Exactly what I think we should do."
"But that's not what we're going to do. Is it?"
"Nope."
"What are we going to do, Emmett?"
"Snowboarding, Bella."
"Nope! No way. Are you trying to get Edward angry enough to rip your arms off?"
"He won't find out."
"Emmett, he always finds out. There are no secrets in this family."
"You're not going to come with me, are you?" Emmett pouted.
"No, I'm not. I'm staying right here." My phone started ringing and I looked down at the caller ID. "Not that I don't want to hang out with you, but it's best if I take this call alone."
"Sure, sis," Emmett said, getting up off the bed and leaving my room, closing the door behind him.
I opened the phone and answered it. "Hi."
"Hello, Isabella."
I cringed from the use of my formal name. "Still pretty mad, then. Well, I guess that's to be expected. Thanks for calling."
I closed the phone softly and sat down on the floor. Part of me hoped he would call back, but the coward in me hoped he wouldn't; at least not for another twenty-nine minutes and twelve seconds.
The phone rang again and I sighed as I answered it. "Yes?"
"Even when you are insanely stubborn and troublesome, I still love you, Isabella Cullen. I'll be home soon to talk to you."
"I love you, too, Edward."
"I know. I'll be home within a half hour."
"Okay," I replied, but he had already hung up.
Suddenly, I was being picked up and rushed away from my room. When I got over the initial shock, I started hitting my abductor.
"Emmett! What the hell are you doing? Edward's on his way home right now! Put me back in my room."
"No can do, little sis. You need this experience."
"No, Emmett. I don't. It can wait. I'm a vampire for God's sake. I have an endless amount of years to get around to doing this. That's what Edward was trying to get through my stubbornly thick skull this morning. Take. Me. HOME!"
"Bella, you'll thank me for this later."
"Edward is going to kill you," I hissed, struggling in vain to get out of the hold Emmett had me in.
"You can squirm all you want, Picky. I'm not letting go."
"Rose isn't going to like you as much when you don't have arms," I told him, trying to reason with him in any way I could think of. "Wouldn't it be best to take me home and to not risk either Rose or Edward's wrath?"
"They won't find out," Emmett assured me again.
I was surprised Alice wasn't calling my phone or Emmett's, having seen what was going on in my future, and the only thing I could come up with was that I was so focused on what Edward was going to do to Emmett and me, that she couldn't get a fix on what was actually going on. I decided it might be safer to play along with Emmett, so I forced myself to start thinking of the arcade too. When this was all over, if Edward didn't kill me, Alice just might.
He ran us up to the mountain side everyone had been snowboarding on yesterday. He set me down and I tried to run, but he grabbed my arm. "You'll get down the mountain much quicker on your board," he said.
I sighed, hanging my head low. He had a point, and now that he had me up here, I was only going to get down by doing what he wanted. But I wasn't going to feel the least bit sorry for him when Edward found out, or at least that's what I told myself.
Emmett strapped my board to my feet, and then gave me some instructions. "Snowboarding is different from skiing. You are going to stand sideways, pointing the left side of your body down the slope, with your left foot forward. For you, I would suggest standing straight up and keeping your weight on your heels. You can change your direction by just leaning a bit to the left or a bit to the right, depending on where you want to go. When you get near the bottom, turn and face your entire body forward to slow down and come to a stop. Then, I suggest you unbuckle yourself from the board and run your butt home."
"I am so going to let him know that you kidnapped me," I hissed, glaring at Emmett.
"He's already mad. Is he really going to listen?" Emmett smirked.
"I am so going to get you back for this."
"Oh, no, little sister. This is already your payback for getting me grounded by Esme. I found out you were behind it."
"What? How?"
"That's not for you to know. Now, get down that slope," Emmett said, giving me a little push.
I started sliding down the slope, slightly freaking out without anyone there to help me or to tell me if I was doing it correctly. I didn't get far before I fell over and couldn't get up again.
Emmett's booming laughter filled the air, and a few seconds later, it felt like the snow beneath me was shifting.
"Emmett!" I yelled, scared for no reason that I could explain. "I can't get up and the ground feels weird."
I heard a loud rumbling and then Emmett's voice. "Oh, shit!"
I was suddenly in his arms, the board still attached to my feet. I looked up into Emmett's face, growing more terrified by the look of pure panic in his eyes.
"Emmett, what's going on?" I asked, trying to keep my voice from shaking.
"I laughed too loud. I caused an avalanche."
I craned my head back to look past Emmett's arm and behind him. The roaring sound was growing, and just a few feet away, was a wall of snow that appeared to be gaining on us.
"Emmett, you have to go faster," I cried, staring at the wall as it took out a tree to our right.
"I can't go any faster. Bella, turn your face into my chest and hold onto me. I'm not going to make it down before it overtakes us."
"Emmett, you have to! Do you know what Edward will do if we get crushed by an avalanche?"
"Bella, we'll survive. Vampires, remember? We'll just have to hope Alice sees this in time and can get us out before rescue workers show up."
"This is bad. This is so bad, Emmett."
"Bella, I'm so sorry. I just wanted to get you back for the prank. I never meant to really get you into any trouble."
"Emmett, just shut up and tell me what to do," I screamed, completely panicking.
"Tuck your face against my coat, stop breathing, and keep your mouth closed, no matter what."
The roaring was so loud that I barely heard Emmett's instructions, but I did hear them and I obeyed them. When I felt Emmett's body pitch forward, it took everything in me to not scream, and to keep my mouth closed. I felt myself being rolled with Emmett's body as the wall hit us and covered us in darkness, completely blotting out the bit of sun that had been out seconds beforehand.
I don't know how long I was trapped in the darkness, unable to breath, or to speak, or to even ask Emmett if he was okay. The snow was all around me, blocking out sight as well as sound. It was packed so tight that I couldn't even move my arms or legs. I could move my fingers, though. I tugged at Emmett's jacket, hoping he could feel it and would return the gesture. But I never felt anything in return.
I tried again to wiggle around, but we must have had quite a few layers of snow above us. And since I had no idea if anyone knew about the avalanche, or even where we were, I didn't want to risk popping out and having to explain how I accomplished that. Not to mention that with the stupid board still attached to my feet, I wouldn't be doing any moving anyway.
I finally felt a tug on my jacket and I tried to position my face so that I could attempt to speak without swallowing snow. I never got the chance as I was suddenly yanked backward, finding myself blinking at the harsh change in lighting. I took a deep breath, but quickly had it crushed away from me by two familiar arms. I tried to turn in his grasp, but it was a useless attempt.
I turned my head, noticing Jasper and Carlisle pulling Emmett out of the hole Edward had made when he yanked me free.
I finally managed a small breath and a low whisper. "I didn't…He was…"
"I know. Alice told me."
"Can't…breathe," I got out finally.
Edward chuckled and turned me in his arms, relaxing his grip slightly. He pushed my hair out of my face and kissed both of my cheeks. "Better?"
I smiled a little, taking a full breath, and nodded.
"Edward, we need to go," Carlisle instructed.
"Carlisle's right," Jasper remarked. "The four of you take off and I'll cover the tracks. I'll be right behind you guys."
Edward held me tightly against him as he took off at vampire speed, heading for the nearby forest of trees. I wanted to ask him why we weren't heading toward the townhouse, but decided I didn't really care. I was with him and he didn't seem mad at me. Maybe Alice really had filled him in on everything. Oh, but Emmett would surely get his arms ripped off if that was the case.
When Edward finally came to a stop, deep in the trees, Alice, Rose, and Esme bombarded me, pulling me away from Edward and hugging me tightly.
"Bella," Esme sighed, kissing my forehead.
"I'm okay," I reassured her. "A little shaky and not quite sure what to make of being buried under snow, but otherwise okay." I tried to look past them, to keep track of Edward, but they were blocking my view. "Is Emmett okay?"
Rose pulled away and cupped my face in her hands. "He gets you buried in an avalanche and you ask if he's okay? You truly are one amazing person, Bella Cullen."
"He'll be fine," Carlisle said, from somewhere close by.
"He'll wake up in about two minutes," Alice chirped.
"Wake up?" I asked, trying to pull away from everyone. "Somebody get this damn board off my feet," I begged.
Rose helped me to sit and Alice got the pieces that were left of the board off of me. I looked to the side and found Carlisle and Edward kneeling over Emmett's still body.
Once I was free of that stupid snowboard, I ran over to them, kneeling down next to Edward. "What happened?" I questioned, putting my little hand over Emmett's big paw.
"He's fine, Bella," Carlisle answered, taking my hand and squeezing it. "I suspect a rock that was knocked lose in the avalanche hit him in the back of the head. He's healing as we speak, and as Alice said, he'll awake shortly."
"Bella, my big bear is just fine," Rose said, kneeling down by Emmett's head and caressing his face. "If I didn't believe that, I would be freaking out a lot worse than you are."
"Are you going to kill him?" I asked, looking up at Edward. I knew my fear was written all over my face.
The entire family laughed at me, including Jasper since he had rejoined our group in time to hear my question.
Edward pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead. "I'm not going to kill him, just talk to him. Esme and Rose have enough punishments planned. And Rose and I came to an agreement, allowing Emmett to continue living for protecting you. It could have just as easily have been you on the ground before me, and we both know it would take you a lot longer to heal."
"He just wanted to get back at me for the prank. He found out it was me that set him up," I explained.
"I know," Edward said, kissing my forehead again. "As I told you earlier, Alice told me everything. We thought you two were at the arcade, but then Alice saw you fall with the board attached to you and realized Emmett had tricked her. That was when she also saw the avalanche and you two getting buried by it."
"And I've just seen that the humans won't find a trace of anything, so today's avalanche will be chocked up to global warming," Alice chirped.
"Edward, can we go home?" I asked, burying my face against his jacket. "I think I've had enough snow for a long time to come."
He chuckled and hugged me tighter to his body. "You've finally had enough adventure, my little danger magnet?"
"More than enough," I sighed, causing everyone to laugh at me.
"Let's just get you back to the townhouse and then we'll discuss it," Edward said softly, standing with me in his arms. "Be sure to tell Emmett when he awakes that he and I will be having a long chat later on tonight. And Rose, be sure to caution him that running is out of the question."
"Oh, he won't be going anywhere," Rose said, her eyes darkening slightly. "He has a lot of people to answer to."
Edward took off with me through the trees, only stopping once we reached the edge of the tree line. "We'll need to walk like humans from here to the townhouse," he said softly, putting me onto my feet.
I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged my body against his. His arm wound around my back and we walked that way through the snow and into the townhouse. Once he closed the door, he took me into his arms again and ran me into our room.
As he put me down in the bathroom, I realized for the first time that my hair and clothes were damp from all of the snow. I looked up at Edward, marveling at how careful he was being with me. I was expecting to see his full wrath, but all I saw was love and tenderness as he helped me out of the damp clothes.
My curiosity got the better of me and I blurted out the question. "Why aren't you mad at me?"
"Would you prefer me to be?" he chuckled, while turning on the bath water.
"Well, no, but I still don't understand."
"Even unconscious people still have thoughts. Emmett was thinking about how he should have listened to you and left you alone in our room. It was clear that you didn't go willingly with him."
"And this morning?"
His eyes darkened slightly, but his smile remained. "I was more focused on what the consequences could have been than on what had actually happened. And it was something that most likely would not have happened if I hadn't been so overly cautious with you."
"Well, I found out the very hard way that I don't particularly care for snowboarding. I enjoy watching it much more."
He chuckled and kissed my forehead. "Get into the tub, Bella. Enjoy the heat and relax yourself. I'll be back soon."
"Where are you going?"
"To talk to Emmett. I love you."
"I love you, too," I replied, as he closed the bathroom door. I was glad that Edward wasn't mad at me, but I had a feeling Emmett wasn't going to be so lucky.
EBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEB
Dun-dun-dun! Will Emmett survive the talk with Edward with his arms still attached?? HeHe!
