I'm sorry this chapter took longer to post up than the rest. I've signed up for this life-saving course with my friends and it is so dang tiring!
Please don't hunt me down if this chapter doesn't meet your expectations...
Okay, here it is. Chapter 15!
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
"Edward," I whispered. "I- I don't think I can,"
His expression when he heard my words was heartbreaking. My heart ached because I knew it was I who was causing him pain. And would cause him pain if I were to admit my true feelings.
"Oh," he whispered sadly. "I understand,"
"No, Edward. Let me finish," I said, taking his face in my hands.
I breathed in deeply before continuing.
"It's not that I don'tlove you, Edward. I'd be lying if I said I didn't. It's just that, I can't. I just can't," I said shaking my head. "Every single person I have ever loved, they died and it's all because of me. I care for you too much to let that happen to you," I confessed, a tear slipping down my cheek.
"Bella," he whispered, still trying to process my words.
"Please, don't cry," I said wiping away the tears that escaped his eyes with my thumb.
"Bella, I promise you. Nothing will happen to me. They didn't die because of you. It was just fated to happen. You had nothing to do with it," he said as he took both my hands in his and looked at me pleadingly. "Please, Bella. I love you. I love you so much and I promise you that I won't leave you. Please, Bella." his voice was cracking at the end of it.
Was I ready for this? Could I allow myself to admit my true feelings for him? A part of me was shouting at me for being so selfish while another part o f me told me to follow my heart. I looked at him--the man I loved--while he patiently waited for me to answer . A few more tears slipped from his eyes and were now sliding down his cheek.
"I can't bear to see you get hurt. Or worse," I winced at the thought.
"I won't," he assured.
I finally decided. I sighed and looked up at him. "If you promise, then," I paused, searching for any doubts in my decision but there were none. "I love you too," I looked up at him and smiled warmly at him.
"Really?" his eyes brightened.
"Really," I said laughing as tears of joy trickled down my cheeks.
Edward pulled me onto his lap and hugged me tight. "Bella, you don't know how long I have waited for you to say those words."
I laid my hands on his chest, welcoming the warmth that was spreading through me now.
I looked up at him to find him already staring at me. He brought his hand up to cup my cheek, "Bella, may I kiss you?" he asked.
I no dded and pressed my lips against his. His lips moved softly against mine and I couldn't help but smile into the kiss. His fingers threaded their way into my hair while his other hand pulled my waist closer to him. There was barely any space between us left while my hands moved up and down his chiseled chest.
Soon, we broke away and both of us were grinning madly.
"Let's take a walk," I said, pulling him up with me. We held hands as we walked through the park and I kept stealing sideward glances at Edward who seemed to be watching me the whole time.
Finally, when we reached a greensward meadow in the middle of the park, Edward stopped and turned me around. He leaned closer to kiss me, but just as our lips were only a few centimeters apart, I took off running, giggling madly the whole way. I kicked off my heels, knowing I would trip if I ran with them on. Edward stood there, stunned for a moment before taking off after me.
Then, just as he was right behi nd me, I tripped. Edward, who was close by, fell on top of me. His body was pressed against mine and his sweet, hot breath was fanning my face.
"A vixen like you should be punished," he teased.
"Oh, really? And what punishment would that be?" I challenged.
"This," he said, pressing his lips to mine. This kiss was more passionate than the last. His lips moved against mine roughly as his tongue grazed my bottom lip, seeking for entrance which I granted him. Our tongues collided against each other as if they were dancing.
"Edward," I managed to gasp in between the kisses.
"Mmm?"
"We should stop," I said as I continued to kiss him.
"Yeah, mhm," he replied, making no move to stop. We stayed like that a while longer until I finally pushed him off me. I got up and straightened the ruffles on my dress and fixed my hat. I walked towards where I had kicked off my shoes. I strapped them on and walked towards Edward.
He looked at me. "Wo uld you like to meet my family?"
I smiled at him. "Sure,"
We walked back to the hotel with Edward's hand securely around my waist as I stared at him the whole way there. I sat on one of the couches in the lobby while Edward went to check us out of the hotel. He then led me towards his silver Volvo. The whole ride there, Edward was singing along to all the old songs on the radio while I laughed and danced in my seat.
Edward finally pulled up to a large house. I gasped. "Wow, is this where you guys live?"
"Yup. It's not much, but it's home," he said, locking his car.
Not much?! I thought.
"Come on. Everyone should be home today," he said, holding my hand as he led me towards the extravagant looking house. He unlocked the front door and shouted, "I'm home,"
I stood behind him as everyone crowded around the front door. Everyone was extraordinarily beautiful, just like Edward and because of that I felt so out of place. There was a big, muscular man standing beside a breathtakingly gorgeous blond woman. Then, beside them stood a tall, blond man with a small, pixie-like girl. And in front stood a couple who seemed older than everyone else. The woman had caramel coloured hair while the man had blonde hair and wore glasses.
"Edward, where were you? You didn't call last night. I was so worried!" the woman with caramel hair shouted.
"Worried is an under statement," said the muscular one, "She was in hysterics."
The woman glared at the muscular man.
"Uhh, sorry about that." he said, laughing nervously, "I'd like you all to meet my girlfriend, Bella."
As he said this, I slowly walked out from behind him.
"Hi," I said nervously.
Everyone's eyes widened when they saw me, except for the caramel haired woman.
"She's very pretty Edward. I'm so happy for you," she said, giving Edward a kiss on the cheek,
"Thank you, Esme," he replied, turning to look at me l ovingly. I completely melted into his gaze.
Suddenly, the pixie-like girl bounced up and down and squealed. "Yay, I have a new person to dress up!"
I could feel the colour drain from my face as she said this and everyone in the room burst out in laughter.
"That's Alice, the shopping deviant I told you about," I gulped, remembering the horrific tales he told me about her and her shopping sprees. "The blonde beside her is Jasper, her boyfriend." The one named Jasper gave Alice a sweet peck on the cheek.
"That's Rosalie, Emmett's boyfriend," he said, motioning towards the blonde and the muscular man.
"Hey," Rosalie waved.
Emmett ran towards me and gave me a bone crushing hug.
"Can't...breathe!" I gasped.
He let go of me and grinned as Edward shot daggers at him.
"And this," he said pointing to the couple who seemed to be the oldest in the room, "is Carlisle and Esme,"
"Nice to meet you, Bella," Carlisle said as he shook my hand.
"You too," I replied happily.
Esme approached me and gave me a hug. "Edward's very lucky to have you,"
"No," I disagreed softly, "I'm the lucky one here,"
Esme let go and gave me a gentle push towards Edward. "Edward, be a gentleman and show Bella around the house,"
"Gladly," he said with a grin, grabbing my hand and pulling me up the stairs. He showed me all the rooms in their house, and let me tell you, there were a lot. We finally stopped at his room. His room had a lots of CD's and a large stereo system. I sat on his bed and examined the room some more.
Finally, I turned to him. "Tell me more about your family. They seem really nice,"
"Well, both Carlisle and Esme are twenty-nine. He's a business man while Esme stays at home at watches over all of us. Rosalie and Emmett are married. She's nineteen and he's a year older. Emmett works at a local gym nearby and Rosalie is a model."
I knew it, I mused.
Suddenly, Alice came into the room. "Hey, Edward, Bella."
"Hey. Just telling Bella about the family,"
She mouthed an 'O' and sat down beside me.
"Jasper is a psychiatrist. He was an early grad at his university because he's really good at what he does. He is engaged to Alice who, on the other hand, is a fashion designer but she has this uncanny ability to never be wrong. Except once during my fourteenth birthday," he said, puffing out his chest proudly.
"That's only cause it was his birthday. I was going easy on him," Alice whispered into my ear and I giggled. Edward, who was still puffing out his chest proudly, frowned as realisation dawned on him. He pouted.
Wow, their lives are so fun. So light-hearted. What I would give to have a family of my own. All I have is Jerry. I gasped. Edward and Alice turned to me with identical looks of concern etched onto their faces.
I turned to Edward. "Please don 't take me back to Jerry's. Please," I begged, knowing that he probably found out about me escaping the shop a day earlier than my birthday. He would definitely punish me cruelly for unpleasing one of his customers. I clutched the bed sheet as I went through all the punishments that he could do to me.
Edward pulled me on my lap and stroked my hair. "I am never taking you back there. Besides, you're turning eighteen tomorrow, aren't you? You just have to stay here until then," he said comfortingly.
"What? It's your birthday tomorrow? Well, let's all go out and celebrate tonight then! I'll go tell the others," she exclaimed. Before I could argue, she was already out the door and was already shouting the news to everyone in the house and probably the whole neighborhood, by the sounds of it.
Alice then popped her head into the room and demanded that I take a shower immediately so that she could dress me up. I sank further into Edward's lap, gulped as she stared at me menacingly.
"I think you better do what she wants, love. Alice can be veryvicious when she wants to be," Edward whispered into my ear. I sighed defeatedly and headed into the bathroom to take a shower. I took my own sweet time in the tub - soaking up the warm water which soothed my body.
"Bella, hurry up! Me and Rosalie have been waiting forever out here," she said as she banged on the door. I groaned and unwillingly got out of the tub and dried myself with a towel which was neatly folded on the rack.
I wrapped myself in the towel and slowly unlocked the door, afraid of what monster was lurking on the other side of it. The monster was short and pixie-like - and she was holding a bag of make-up in her hand. I stood there frozen, staring at the make-up bag in fear.
"Edward warned us about this. Sit down while I do your make-up. Rose will find you a pretty dress for you to wear tonight,"
After god know how long, Alice had finally finished applyin g some light make-up to my face. They said that they liked the way my hair looked like already so they moved on to my dress. They handed me a dress and shoved me into the dressing room to change.
I gasped when I saw the dress. It was a sliver, glittery halter dress which ended at about mid thigh and it seemed to hug my curves perfectly. It also exposed most of my back. I was relieved that Rosalie and Alice made no plans of tying my hair up. I put it on cautiously, not wanting to tear or damage the dazzling piece of fabric. By the time I came out of the bathroom, Alice and Rosalie were all dressed and made up. It took me three times longer than them to get ready. Probably because I was fidgeting so much.
My eyes widened when I saw what Alice and Rosalie were wearing. Alice was wearing a black, sleeveless dress which hugged her curves nicely. It had a red ribbon tied around her waist. Rosalie, on the other hand, was wearing a shimmery gold dress which flowed down to her shoes. They looked so pretty and I felt hideous just by standing in the same room as them.
They gasped when they saw me and I blushed. "Wow, Bella. You look beautiful," Rosalie complimented sincerely.
"It fits just nicely," Alice squealed as she ran towards me, checking to make sure that everything fitted nicely. "Here, put these on," she said, handing me a pair of heels.
I obediently put them on and followed the girls down the stairs. The girls went down first, locking lips with their men. I was the last to appear. As I descended the stairs, I saw Edward turn to look at me. His eyes widened and his lips parted and I felt the blush creeping up to my face again. I must look really weird. I mean a girl as unattractive like me wearing a dress like this must look like a pathetic attempt to make myself look prettier.
By the time I was standing in front of him, I felt completely self-conscious. "I know, you don't have to say it. I look horrible,"
"Wh at?" he said, baffled. "Horrible? Bella, how you look is the complete opposite of horrible." He held my hand and gave it a squeeze in assurance.
"Yeah, what are you talking about Bella. You look gorgeous," Rosalie added.
"Fabulous," Alice piped in.
Emmett and Jasper nodded in agreement with their wives, of wife-to-be in Jasper's case.
Esme approached me with a loving smile on her face and embraced me. "You look beautiful, my dear,"
"Thanks," By now, I was beet red and I probably looked like a tomato.
"Come on! Let's go," Alice squealed. Edward held my hand again as we walked to the car. We rode in the same car as Alice and Jasper while Rosalie and Emmett rode with Carlisle and Esme. The whole way there, we joked around. Alice was so easy to get along with.
"We're here!" Alice jumped in her seat when we pulled up in front of an extravagant restaurant.
My eyes widened when my thoughts went to how much a dinner here would cost. "Edward, this is too much. I'm not worth -"
But he cut me off. "Don't you dare say it, Isabella Swan. You are worth it and so much more. I'm the one who isn't worth your love," His green eyes pierced through mine.
"I think you've got it the other way around," I scoffed.
"As if," he said. I was about to argue but he covered my lips with his before I could. Again, I felt the fiery sensation which started off from my lips and quickly spread to the rest of my body. Instinctually, my hands rose and tangled themselves into his hair as he tightened his grip around my waist. He was the first to break away with a smile on his face.
"Sorry," he apologized. "Your lips were tempting me too much," He gave me a chaste kiss on the lips and pulled me out of the car. We walked into the building, Edward's hand firmly on my waist, and headed to the table where Alice and Jasper were already seated.
Not long after, Esme, Carlisle, Rosalie and Emmett arrived and soon a fter that, we were ready to order. Our waiter was a black haired teen with pale, gray eyes. He eyed me hungrily as his eyes roamed to my chest. I quickly scooted closer to Edward who was glaring at the boy.
"Ahem," Carlisle coughed.
The boy snapped out of his trance and looked at Carlisle. Edward continued to glare at the boy.
"What will you be having, sir?" he asked, his eyes occasionally flicking back to me. I scooted my chair even closer to Edward.
After taking all our orders, he walked away, but not before giving me a wink. I shuddered. The whole table, excluding Edward and I, burst out in laughter at my reaction.
"Haha. Have you ever seen Edward that steamed?" Emmett managed to gasp out in between his laughing.
Edward just glared at everyone and I was blushing furiously. Everyone's laughter died down when the same waiter returned with our food. He purposely brushed his hand against mine while serving me my food. I immediately flinch ed my hand away and rest it on Edward's lap. Edward jumped in his seat, surprised at my sudden actions. The waiter eyed us carefully but looked away when he saw Edward's glare. After serving everyone's food, he quickly walked away with Edward's glares boring holes into his back.
I held Edward's hand and traced circles with my thumb. His rigid posture quickly calmed down and his eyes softened as he turned to look at me. I smiled back at him. The whole dinner was mostly spent laughing and joking. Emmett was, at one point, flinging food at Edward and Jasper until one of the pieces fell on Rosalie's dress. Rosalie was fuming and told off Emmett. After that, Emmett didn't dare to even touch his food.
Then, some upbeat music began playing and Alice stood up from her seat.
"Let's dance!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air. She took Jasper's hand and dragged him to the dance floor. Emmett and Rosalie got up next and soon, they too vanished into the crowd.
"Come, Bella. Let's dance," he said, pulling me up. I shook my head nervously. "I don't think it's fair for all those people dancing there to suffer from my klutziness."
"Don't worry. I won't let you hurt anyone.. or yourself," he smirked as he dragged me to the dance floor as well. We saw the rest of the gang dancing in the middle of the crowd so we headed towards them.
I mimicked Rosalie and Alice as they threw their hands up into the air and shake their hips. Edward's hands rested on my waist as he danced with me. We were jumping and twirling around to the upbeat music and I had never had so much fun in my life. It was all so invigorating.
Then, a slow song came on and every one instinctively held onto their partners. Edward snaked his hands around my waist as I placed my hands on his shoulders. Throughout the whole dance, I stared into Edward's eyes. None of us said a word as we swayed to the slow music.
As the song began to slow down, I til ted my head and stood on my tip-toes to give Edward a sweet kiss. We broke apart as the music stopped.
"I love you, Bella," he said as he caressed my cheek
"I love you too, Edward," I said with a smile. He gently took my hand and we walked back to our table. Everyone was already seated there, the girls were fanning themselves exhaustedly.
"What time is it, Carlisle?" Edward asked.
Carlisle looked at his watch and smile. "It's 12.03 am. Happy Birthday, Bella."
"Happy Birthday!" Everyone at the table wished me. Edward grabbed me by the waist and kissed me passionately on the lips. "Happy Birthday, Bella."
I blushed again. Edward had just kissed me in front of everyone in his family. After a bit more talking, we decided to head back to the Cullen house. When we got out the restaurant, we were swarmed by a group of paparazzi. The multiple flashes from their camera's nearly blinded me. Many questions shot out into the air.
"Is it true t hat Edward is opening up a shop somewhere in Seattle?
"Who is the new addition to the family?"
"Did Edward get married?"
We pushed through the paparazzi and finally got into our cars. Jasper revved up the engine as we sped towards the Cullen house.
Alice lent me some shorts and a top to sleep in. She said that she designed it in her classes and told me that I could have it since it would fit me.
I was sleeping in Edward's room. I smiled at the thought. I changed out of the dress and put on the clothes Alice lent me. It was a pink spaghetti-strapped shirt and very short white pants with pink floral patterns on it. It showed a lot of skin but I was going to be under the blanket most of the time so what the heck.
I left the bathroom and found Edward sitting on the couch reading a book, wearing only a shirt and his boxers.
He looked up at me and smiled. "Hey," he said, motioning for me to sit on his lap. He put down his book as I did an d I leaned against his chest. I could feel his heart thumping erratically as I moved my feet around to sit in a more comfortable position, often brushing my leg against his. I smiled, knowing I had this effect on him.
He wrapped both his arms around me as I absent-mindedly traced patterns on his chest. I could feel his heart beat speeding up as I did.
"Let's go to bed," he said, as he picked me up bridal-style and carried me towards the bed. He gently laid me down and slid next to me. Just before he turned of the lamp, he turned to me and fidgeted uncomfortably.
"Uhh, Bella? Is it okay if I take off my shirt? I don't usually sleep with it on but if your uncomfortable with it, I don't have -"
"No, its fine, Edward. I just want you to feel comfortable around me and just be yourself," I said with an assuring smile.
He took off his shirt and I could see his nicely toned chest and arm muscles when he reached over to switch off the lamp. I couldn't se e anything when he switched off the light but I felt his hands around my waist as he pulled me closer. I snuggled into his chest and tangled my legs with his. He hummed the same, sweet lullaby like that night in the hotel room and I immediately fell asleep.
(All outfits can be found in my profile)
Woohoo! About 5 more chapters until this story is FINALLY finished. There will definitely be a sequel. I'll probably post up the first chapter of the sequel and then wait until I finish 'Is This Love?" before continuing.
I bet you guys are wondering why everyone gasped when they saw Bella. Let me explain:
Alice knows about Bella and how she worked at the stripper shop and Alice - being Alice - told everyone. So they were expecting some fake looking woman but instead, they saw the naturally, beautiful Bella. In my story, Bella is just about as gorgeous as Rosalie except Bella's is more exotic while Rosalie's look is more or the normal kind of beautiful.
Aren't you happy that this chapter doesn't end in a cliffhanger? I decided that two cliffhangers in a row were enough for you guys. The next few chapters will be brighter than the rest of the story. Bella and Edward deserve their moments of happiness together.
Review and tell me what you think. Was it what you were expecting or was it less? --- Remember to vote on my profile! ---
-Sabrina-
