Chapter 23: Number 326
EPOV
Christmas was just around the corner and I still had not gotten Bella's Christmas present. I wasn't sure what to get her since she never volunteered information or even really wanted anything. So today, while she was off doing her own Christmas shopping, I decided to head to Port Angeles to do mine. I had already gotten my father and Emmett taken care of, and that only left my mom and Bella.
I knew that their gifts would be the most difficult since I wanted to do something that would be special in its own right. When I passed the jewelry store window, something inside caught my eye and I knew without a doubt that I had found my mom's gift. My decision to join the Army had understandably been hard on my mother, and I wanted to get her something that would help her to feel as if I wasn't so far away. In the glass enclosure, I saw an elegant white gold necklace with a pearl dangling at the end. It was perfect, my birthstone, something tangible to represent me.
As I stood at the register to purchase the necklace, something else drew my attention away from the man behind the counter informing me of my total. I gazed down into the glass case found the perfect gift for Bella.
"You do engraving, right?" I asked distractedly as I continued to stare at it.
"Of course, sir. Which piece do you wish to engrave?" he asked skeptically, probably wondering what some kid could possibly afford in this store besides the necklace.
"That," I replied, pointing down through the glass. "Number 326."
"Very well," he said and reached for a slip beside register. "Fill out the details here, and your item should be ready to pick up in three to four business days."
I handed him my credit card to check out as I filled in the information. I had no idea why I hadn't thought of this sooner. The evening of my induction had been rough, especially when I thought that I had lost my Bella to it. When she kissed me outside and told me that she couldn't do this, I felt numb; unable to move or speak as she ran away from me. I was barely even aware of my mother taking my car keys out of my jacket pocket or my father's hand on my shoulder to guide me toward his car to go out to celebrate. I had hardly felt like celebrating at that moment. The best thing that had ever happened to me had just run away from me because I had hurt her. And no amount of reassurance from my father or my brother that I had done the right thing could truly convince me of that.
It was a sharp reminder of one thing though. Bella was so young, so unsure of life and still very unsure of whether I was ever coming back. I was determined to find a way to assure her that nothing would prevent me from returning to her. She was everything to me, all I could possibly want in this world and as long as she wanted me, I would be hers. I handed the slip to the man behind the counter and grabbed my bag. I had finished my shopping, and I needed to get home.
Turning down the hall from the bathroom, every eye had turned to face me. One of the things that I hated most about small towns was even the smallest news was clung onto and spread like wildfire. Until there were so many versions of it, no one was ever quite sure what the actual story was.
I knew some of what was going around, and none of it was complimentary. Bella wasn't putting out, I was tired of her and one of the best was that Bella was pregnant and Chief Swan was forcing me to join the military. Every one of them grew more ridiculous as time passed to the point that they hardly made sense anymore; but it didn't matter. Bella and I knew the truth, and that was what counted. But it didn't mean I could ignore the almost constant public scrutiny lately. Such as the two guys standing about thirty feet away from me at this very moment, talking loudly about my induction and the rumors surrounding it. It made me almost wish I had done all of my Christmas shopping online.
"Well I sure wouldn't mind giving her some practice."
They both laughed, and I couldn't listen to any more. I had to get the hell out of there. I stormed down the hallway, glaring at their shocked faces as I passed. What could I honestly say or do about this?
Once I was out in the parking lot, I tossed my bags into the backseat of my car and sat down roughly in the seat. I immediately reached into my glove box for my pack of cigarettes, but instead of lighting one up, I just sat and stared at the pack. I needed to stop relying on these every time I got angry or upset. Even though I knew I needed to give them up anyway before I left, I knew more than anything it bothered Bella that I still smoked, even if it was only on occasion. I threw the pack out the window and started my car.
All I knew for sure was that I wanted to see Bella, and I wanted to see her now.
The hour drive from Port Angeles to Forks seemed to drag, even with the blaring music from my stereo and driving above the speed limit as often as I could. When I finally pulled up in front of her house, I hurried out of the car and up the front walk, catching a glimpse of her dad's cruiser in the driveway beside her car. Well this would make for a short visit.
Since finding out we were dating, Charlie had been less receptive toward me, not that I could blame him. However, he had gotten slightly more bristled since the news of my induction. I assumed it was because of the pain it was causing his daughter when I should be doing everything in my power to make her happy. Someday I hoped to be able to prove to him that I only want the best for Bella, that I would give anything never to see that pained look in her eyes again; that I loved her enough that if it meant her happiness, I would let her go.
I knocked on the door and heard the heavy footfalls approaching from inside, so I was not surprised when Charlie answered. "Hello, Chief Swan. Is Bella here?"
"Mmm hmm," he hummed in an annoyed tone and turned to the stairs behind him. "Bella! Edward is here."
I smiled as I heard her feet thud against the floor upstairs and hurry across her room and down the hall.
"Edward!" she exclaimed with a smile as she reached the top of the stairs, and I looked up at her from my stance in the doorway. She hurried down the stairs toward me, and I was instantly reminded of why I loved her as much as I did. The smile that lit her face at the mere sight of me, the way she made several attempts to push up the sleeves of the sweater that was several sizes too big for her, the sloppy ponytail and the torn jeans. She was still the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.
"Hey ba... Bella," I corrected myself mid-statement, seeing Charlie shoot me a look as she flung herself into my arms.
She pulled back slightly to look at my face and then rolled her eyes and looked back at her father.
"Ugh, Dad," she growled slightly and took my hand, pulling me outside and shutting the door. "Sorry, he always gets a little extra moody around the holidays. So what's up? I thought you were going to Port Angeles today."
My mind instantly shot back to the creeps from the mall and I slid my arms around her waist, stepping toward her to hold her against me. I felt her raise up on her toes and cautiously wrap her arms around me as I buried my face in her neck. Her fingers came up to run through my hair and I held her tighter.
"I love you, you know that, right?" I mumbled against her skin, nuzzling her hair slightly.
She pulled back from me again and placed her hand on my cheek, looking into my eyes. "Is there something wrong? You seem really keyed up about something."
Her fingers stroked my cheek and I leaned down, chastely kissing her but her eyes remained open and watched me warily. Resting my forehead against hers, I rubbed my hands along her sides as she began to shiver.
"It's nothing. I just wanted to see you and tell you that I love you."
"You know that I'll call you on bullshit, Edward. Tell me," Bella replied sternly, holding my face between her hands. I hated this look almost as much as her tears. Her brow was furrowed, her eyes tense and her lips tight. It was a combination of fear and concern.
"I really hate shopping, have I ever mentioned that?" I said with a teasing smile and kissed her forehead. "Never let me go to Port Angeles alone again."
She chuckled softly and pulled me back against her, rubbing her hand on my back.
"You men are such babies, you know that?" she teased and slid her hands inside my jacket, curling up against my body.
"Baby, why don't you go back inside, it's freezing out here. I've gotta head home for dinner anyway," I said and brushed her hair back from her face as she nodded. "I'll pick you up for school tomorrow. We're supposed to get a storm tonight."
"Edward, I am fully capable of getting myself to school," Bella groaned and pulled away from me, tilting her head in annoyance. I raised an eyebrow at her and she sighed heavily. "Fine, pick me up, I don't care."
She turned to walk away in a huff and I grabbed her arm, pulling her back to me and kissing her again. Her lips pressed together in a hard line, trying not to respond until I tickled her sides. She emitted a small squeal and responded to my kiss, wrapping her arms around my neck. A sudden throat clearing behind us caught our attention and Bella lowered down onto flat feet, her arms dropping.
Thanks, Chief Swan, I thought to myself as my hands quickly moved from her waist.
"I'll see you in the morning, Bella," I said softly and then looked over to Charlie. "Goodnight, Chief Swan."
I heard him hum in response as I turned back to head to my car and couldn't help but chuckle. When I got into my car, I laughed even more at the look of annoyance on Bella's face as she spoke to him on the porch before storming inside. I couldn't fault the man for wanting to protect his daughter, though. It really showed how much he truly loved Bella. And as I drove home, I began contemplating ways to someday gain his approval and be worthy of his daughter in his eyes. It was going to be a challenge, but a challenge that was worth it in the end.
BPOV
I stood on the porch for a moment, watching Edward walk away. Once he was finally at his car, I turned back to my dad.
"Was that really necessary, Dad? Seriously! It was just a kiss!" I growled in irritation with my fists clenched at my sides.
"A kiss appropriate for a sixteen year old girl is a peck on the cheek, not having some boy's tongue down your throat," he replied sternly and I gaped at him.
Never in my entire life had I heard my dad be so blunt about anything like this. Even our 'sex talk' had been full of stutters and mumbles of ridiculous analogies.
"Dad... there were no tongues," I stammered slightly and then quickly collected myself from the shock, trying to get my point across. "Edward is my boyfriend. We are going to hug and kiss and do everything that boyfriends and girlfriends do. That's what dating is."
"Bella," he replied in a calmer voice, and I watched him shift uncomfortably. Here's the Charlie Swan I know, I thought to myself. "I just don't want to see you get yourself involved or in trouble, only to get your heart broken. You deserve better than that."
"I'm already involved but that doesn't mean I'm going to 'get myself in trouble'. I love him and he loves me, and that's all that matters," I replied trying to keep my angry tears at bay.
"You're only sixteen, honey. That word is thrown around a lot at your age, and it doesn't always mean anything. You're far too young to shut yourself down when he leaves."
My eyes widened and I shook my head.
"Oh, so now you've gone from 'no dating at all' to 'date more often'?" I almost screeched, waving my arms out in frustration and then brought my eyes back to his. "I could date the entire town of Forks, and it would always come back down to Edward. He is the one I want. And nothing is going to change that."
I stormed into the house and ran upstairs to my room, slamming the door behind me and falling onto my bed face first into my pillows. I knew that was a bit bratty and dramatic, but I was so tired of people reminding me of how young I was and suggesting that I didn't really love Edward as much as I thought I did. Even Esme claimed that she knew we loved each other, but in the same breath reminded me of how young I was. I spent so much of my childhood just wanting to go back to being a little girl, back to when my mom was still alive. And now I would have given anything to be just a couple of years older. To be able to leave Forks with Edward instead of being left behind for two years until I graduated, while he was hundreds-if not thousands-of miles away.
I heard my dad's footsteps ascend the stairs and stop briefly outside my room before continuing to his room and shutting the door. I felt slightly guilty about blowing up at him, and I was sure I would end up apologizing for it in the morning. But I knew what I wanted, and that was Edward.
The way he made me feel, the way he touched me and kissed me was something that I knew I would never find with anyone else. Even without much basis for comparison, I knew that I had never felt this connection with James. I had never felt so complete just being in his company. I turn my head on the pillow to look at the frame on my bedside table, smiling when I saw Edward's face in the picture taken at my birthday party. We weren't even together yet but now I could finally see what all of our friends had seen for so long. The way he held me, the visible comfort I felt snuggled against his chest... I couldn't understand how I had not seen this sooner. I could have had so much more time with him.
I hadn't even remembered closing my eyes, but I was suddenly startled awake my the sound of a car horn outside. My eyes shot open and looked up quickly at my clock.
6:50
Dammit, the first bell was in thirty minutes! I jumped out of bed and grabbed the first set of clothes I could find before running for the bathroom to change, while trying to brush my hair and teeth at the same time. I screamed in frustration as I heard my phone ring, and I rushed into my bedroom to answer it with my toothbrush still in my mouth. "Ah now, jus gah may toe mo momits."
I heard Edward's chuckle on the other end and I brushed more furiously in response. "So articulate. Oversleep a little, baby?"
"Shaddup," I replied and covered the mouthpiece to spit into the sink, wiping my mouth. This day was starting out just marvelously. "I never oversleep, so don't give me shit."
"Okay," he replied but I could hear the restrained laughter in his voice. "But you might wanna get a step on it. The roads are really icy."
"I'm coming, give it a rest! See, I told you that you should have just let me drive myself to school," I grumbled as I held my phone between my ear and shoulder to slide my boots on.
"Then you'd still be sleeping," he teased back.
"Oh and this is an unappealing thought why? Gee, warm in bed sleeping, or braving the cold and ice to sit through a boring Algebra class. Wow, decisions decisions," I snipped sarcastically and grabbed my bag off my desk.
"Bella..."
"Alright, I'm coming!" I yelled into the phone on my way down the stairs.
"Don't say that too loud, people might start getting the wrong idea," Edward laughed out loud.
I groaned loudly.
"Ugh! You're a pig, Edward Cullen!" I yelled and snapped my phone shut after hearing him erupt into more laughter. Men! Or more specifically boys! Did they always need to think with their dicks? I walked out the door with my coat in my hand and miraculously did not fall all the way to Edward's car.
He leaned over as soon as I sat down and kissed me gently.
"Good morning, beautiful," he mumbled against my lips and just like that, my resolve melted. I brought my hand to his cheek, kissing him more firmly and his soft groan vibrated against my lips. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea for him to pick me up for school. Our kiss slowly began to deepen and heat up when he suddenly pulled away. "Bella, we're never going to get to school at this rate."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," I murmured softly and pulled his mouth to mine again, nipping at his lower lip. My desire for him shot through the roof, the grogginess I had felt not even a minute ago immediately forgotten. Our sex life had fairly diminished in recent weeks. The last time we had been together it was anguished, heated and as a result of anger. It seemed like so long since he had touched me, and I was missing him horribly in that way. I was hoping that our 'honeymoon phase' wasn't over quite yet. I still wanted to enjoy him and have him enjoy me more before he left in eight months.
Edward responded for a moment but then brought his hands up to my face gently and pulled us apart.
"We really need to get to school, baby," he said in a gravelly voice and then turned in his seat to shift the car into gear to back out. I stared at him for a moment in astonishment. Edward Cullen was turning down sex in exchange for school. I turned in my seat and fastened my seat belt. Before we began moving, Edward reached over for my hand and brought it up to his lips. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."
I glanced over at him and of course, he was sporting the smirk he knew I couldn't resist and I smacked his chest.
"Just drive," I replied in a half chuckle and shook my head. "That smirk won't get you out of everything. You realize that, don't you?"
He laughed and started to drive slowly. Even with his crawling speed, we still made it to school with minutes to spare. My first two classes dragged as they normally did until third hour when I finally got to my study hall with Edward. He was already sitting there waiting for me when I entered, and I knew I was going to miss this next semester when we had our courses switched around. Once the bell rang, I pulled a sheet of paper out of my binder and began our study hall ritual.
So, this is what you were dying to get to this morning? Seriously?
I folded the paper and tossed in on top of his Trig book, watching him shake his head and smile out of the corner of my eye. A breathy chuckle passed over his lips and he bent over slightly, writing back. I pretended to read my book only to be taken by surprise when a ball of paper bounced off my temple. My first reaction was to look up at the librarian, who was conveniently preoccupied. I narrowed my eyes and turned to look at Edward now leaning over his book again, trying to appear busy while he snickered and licked his lips. I continued glaring at him as I lifted the paper from my lap and unfolded it, flattening it out to read.
Not really. I don't know about you but getting detention right before vacation does not make for a happy Cullen household.
I rolled my eyes and wrote back. We could have blamed the weather. Where's your sense of adventure?
I tossed the paper back at him under the table, making sure it hit his crotch. Not really the best defense, but the best I could manage in the current situation. As with last time, he chuckled and reached down for the paper, unfolding it and reading it under the table. I bit my lip as I watched him raise his eyebrows, eyes wide as he barely restrained his laughter. I watched him as he folded the paper again after writing and handed it back.
Isabella Swan, I'm shocked! When did you become so devious?
Since my boyfriend stopped putting out, I wrote and shoved it back to him. I started reading my book again as he opened it and started coughing. I looked over at him to see that he was masking laughter.
"Mr. Cullen, are you alright?" the librarian asked, and Edward only nodded in return as his coughing continued. "Why don't you step out and get a drink of water?"
Edward nodded and stood, and I watched him leave the room with a triumphant smile on my face. When he came back, I tried to ignore him but kept having to suppress my smirk. A few minutes later, he tossed the paper back at me.
Touché, Miss Swan. We'll talk later, I need to get this Trig done.
I nodded as he looked over at me and then turned my attention back to my book. I had become so enthralled in the demented mind of Holden Caulfield and the lies he wove for Mrs. Morrow that I jumped slightly at the sound of the bell ringing. I gathered my things quickly and hurried out of the library. Edward caught up to me quickly.
"So, your boyfriend has stopped putting out, has he?" he asked softly in my ear as his arm slid around my waist and he kissed my neck.
I leaned away from his gesture and lifted my chin slightly. "Yup, he sure has. It's a shame too. I had so many plans for him, but obviously he's not interested," I replied casually and then nudged his ribs with my elbow. I stopped in front of the bathroom and kissed his cheek. "I'll meet you in the cafeteria."
He nodded and I walked through the door, quickly stepping into the stall and trying to hurry so I could get out of there as quickly as possible.
"I can't believe Edward is really leaving. And for the Army. That's pretty fucking drastic."
"Probably can't get far enough away from her. She is such a prude, honestly. Did you see her out there after class? God, I'd give my right arm for what she's got. And she's all 'ew, don't touch me!' He could do so much better than that."
I could swear I almost heard her eyes rolling as she spoke, and it only served to make me seethe more. What the hell did they know about me and Edward, or our relationship?
"You know he's only sticking it out because she's the police chief's kid. Don't wanna piss off daddy."
"He could still get some on the side, I mean it's not like she's always with him. And it's definitely not like he couldn't get the offers. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt and am totally willing to make a return trip."
"You are such a bitch!"
They both started to laugh and I just couldn't take anymore. I bolted out of the stall, catching their eyes as they stood by the sink and roughly pulling the door open to leave. I knew for a fact that Edward wouldn't cheat on me. I had enough faith in our relationship for that at least, but somehow that fact didn't seem to calm me at the moment. I needed to see him now.
I hurried as quickly as I could to the cafeteria and when I arrived I clenched my jaw when I saw Jessica Stanley talking to Edward. I moved closer, straining to hear what was being said.
"So Edward, I hear Bella isn't giving it up like a good girlfriend should. You have that ladder for a reason. She should use it sometime. I'll climb your ladder any day. Just say when," I heard her purring voice and clenched my fists as I saw her touch his arm, rubbing it slowly.
"You know Jess, I was always wondering when you would offer. But Bella..."
I grabbed his arm to yank it out of her hold and stepped beside him, watching Jessica's eyes widen.
"There you are, baby," I said in an overly sweet tone, sliding my arm around his waist as his arm came around my shoulders and he kissed my hair.
"Hey, I was looking for you," he replied with a smile but as he looked down at me, something must have indicated that I was less than amused. His expression fell and his eyes locked on mine. "Excuse us, Jess."
"Yes, excuse us, Jess," I seethed at her and dropped my arm from around him, turning and walking toward the doors. I could hear Edward's footsteps behind me, but I didn't stop until I felt his hand on my shoulder once we were outside. I spun to face him, my eyes burning in fury. "Kiss me."
He furrowed his brow in confusion and shook his head.
"Baby, what are you..." he started but I cut him off, grabbing the front of his jacket in my fists and pulling him toward me, crashing his lips to mine. When he tried to pull away, I brought my hand up to hold him against me and clenched his hair in my hands. I kissed him with everything in me, tugging at his bottom lip with my teeth.
"Bella, stop."
I pulled away from him as he mumbled against my lips and opened my eyes to look at him.
"I'm sorry, did I interrupt something by wanting time with my boyfriend?" I growled through clenched teeth, pulling away from him and walking toward the parking lot.
"Bella, wait. Where are you going?" he called after me, and I walked faster as his footfalls came faster.
"Home. I'm not feeling well," I yelled back over my shoulder.
"You're not walking home, Bella. Stop," he said as he caught up to me and stepped in front of me. "It's not what you think."
I folded my arms over my chest, glaring at him. "Oh yea? Then tell me, Edward, what the hell is it? Because I know exactly what I just heard and saw. Jessica Stanley? Really! Come on, I thought you could at least do better than that."
I pushed past him and continued walking toward his car. I would stand there all day if I had to, but I wasn't going back inside that school. What those girls had said had been like a smack in the face, only accentuated by Jessica's attempt to steal him out from under my nose; and I honestly couldn't take any more for one day. I was beginning to seriously wonder if there would ever come a time when we could just be happy, just be Edward and Bella. That was never going to happen if he was considering offers from the likes of Jessica Stanley. I leaned back against the car, folding my arms over my chest and trying to force back the tears that were starting to form.
Edward stopped in front of me. He placed his hands on my forearms, but I quickly shook my shoulders to ward him off me. They immediately went to his hair and he sighed heavily. "Bella, it's really not like that, okay?"
"Then why was she talking to you? Why was she touching you? And why the hell were you considering her proposition?" He stared at me wide eyed and began shaking his head, but I didn't want to listen. "Just don't even start. Why don't you just go finish your statement? 'But Bella', what? But Bella might find out? But Bella is who I'm stuck with now? What?"
Edward's jaw tightened, and he suddenly took my face between his hands and kissed me fervently. I closed my eyes to ward off the tears threatening to spill over but did not move to touch him or return his kiss. He pulled away slightly, leaning his forehead against mine.
"What I was going to say was, 'But Bella is the only one that does anything for me. No other girl can come close'. You are everything to me, baby. I never for one second even considered it. I love you, Bella."
I opened my eyes to look up at him, and I saw my Edward staring back at me. I slid my arms around his waist, pulling myself against his chest, and felt his hand come up to stroke my hair.
"Is this ever going to stop?" I asked softly, snuggling further into him. "Every time I begin to feel secure, safe and okay with everything that's happening, something goes wrong. Something threatening to take all this away, to take you away. I don't want to lose you any more than I already have to."
He kissed the top of my head and tightened his hold around me.
"Bella, look at me." I raised my chin slowly to meet his gaze. His lips lowered to meet mine, touching so softly but still conveying so much. "You're not losing me. I'm always going to be yours, no matter where I am. I promise."
I nodded as I stared into his eyes and he bent down to kiss me.
"I trust you, Edward," I murmured against his lips as I brought my hand up to weave in his hair. "I don't trust them. I know they are waiting for me to screw up enough that you won't want me anymore. I just never want that to happen."
"They aren't you, baby. And they never will be," he replied seriously, shaking his head. I pulled him back against my lips, kissing him fiercely and pressing my body against his. I knew he loved me, but I wanted him to need me; to want me the way I wanted him. To know without doubt that those girls were wrong.
We were interrupted by a clearing throat behind him, followed by a loud, "Get a room". We broke apart to find Jasper smirking at us with Alice standing beside him.
Edward chuckled and shook his head as the couple walked away from us toward the parking lot. "I guess we should get inside and get to class."
I whined softly, tugging at the front of his jacket to pull him back to me and kissed his chin. "What's one day without science? And history. And Spanish. I can think of other things I would rather be doing."
He chuckled and kissed the tip of my nose, shaking his head. "Baby, the chief is home today, remember? And my mother wouldn't think too highly of us leaving school for that."
"No one has to know. We could just drive around for a while," I pleaded with him, peppering kisses on his lips. "I want you... now. Please."
I kissed him more firmly and arms tightened around my waist, pulling me against him as he deepened the kiss with a soft moan. Then the bell rang and he hesitantly pulled away, his hand rubbing the small of my back.
"As tempting as that offer is," he paused, kissing my lips again. "We are not going to do this in my car. I have something special planned for us over vacation, but for now, we need to get to class."
I sighed heavily, although intrigued by his mention of 'something special' as he walked me back to the school with his arm around my shoulders. I held him tight around the waist as we passed by Jessica and her passel of minions, all staring at the gorgeous guy at my side. My Edward. That thought made me smile as I heard their whisperings, and I found I actually felt invigorated instead of enraged. None of them had ever experienced what I had with Edward, and they never would. I had nothing to prove to them and neither did he.
