A very nice reviewer told me the last chapter was a little less dense than the other ones. And I have to agree. But the last chapter was CRUCIAL to the story. Three VERY important things happened in the last chapter. Check out the playlist for this story. I still need to add more, but until I post more chapters up. NEW POLL!
A Missing Piece of the Puzzle
Chapter 5: Surprise!
E.P.O.V.
"This is Mr. Cullen. I would like to check on the reservations for tonight." I spoke into my phone. I was talking to the baseball parks' manager.
"Yes, Mr. Cullen, everything is ready. You will want your usual field, I assume. What time should we be expecting you?" The man, Mr. Chavez, asked me.
"We'll be around six o'clock until midnight or one in the morning at the latest." I answered. I could already feel the excitement building inside me.
"Certainly. It's always good doing business with you Mr. Cullen."
"Mr. Chavez, how many times have I told you? Call me Edward." I smiled to myself as I remembered the last time I told someone to call me Edward. It was with Bella.
"If you wish, you can just call me Javier. See you soon."
"Thank you Javier, have a nice day."
"You too." The line went dead and my smile grew.
"Is everything okay?" Emmett asked.
I nodded and tried to control my happiness. "Everything is set for tonight."
"Good," Jasper sighed. "You guys will love Bella." He smiled down at Alice and rubbed her shoulder reassuringly.
Alice looked up at Jasper. "You think so?" Then my pixie of a cousin looked at me. "Maybe you shouldn't have invited me and Rose to Bella's surprise party if she doesn't even know us."
Rosalie hugged Emmett tighter and nodded. "What if she doesn't like us?" Her voice was filled with worry as she looked up at Emmett then at me.
I rolled my eyes at their nonsense. "You guys bug me about meeting Bella, but when you're about to met her, you get all nervous on me? C'mon," I patted Rose on the shoulder. "Not even Emmett and Jazz acted this weird when they were about to met her."
"Yhea," Emmett agreed as Jasper nodded. "Then again, we just stopped by to see you and found out she was randomly sitting on your kitchen counter and had no choice but to meet her."
Alice and Rose sent each other a panicked glance. "But it all worked out in the end." Jasper added quickly and hugged Alice tighter.
"Not helping." I looked over at Emmett. He gave a nervous chuckle and scratched the back of his head.
"Do we have the presents?" I asked them to make sure we had everything.
"Check!" Rose smiled as she held up a huge bag filled with a bunch of smaller presents inside.
I nodded and tried to think of other essentials. "Cake?"
"Right here!" Alice proudly held up a vanilla and chocolate cake. "Decorated it my self." She beamed at the declaration.
"Thanks, now we're only missing one more thing." I took a deep breath.
"What?" Jasper asked and looked around my office.
"Bella." I replied and took another deep breath. Was it getting hot in here?
"Dude, calm down, she's going to be here any second." Emmett walked over to me and patted me on the back with his paw-like hands.
I tried to calm my self as I explained my nerves. "I just want to make everything perfect for her. This is going to be her first birthday party, ever! Plus, today she's eight-teen."
"An adult." Emmett grinned. "She is no longer a kid……you know what that means." Emmett winked and nudged me lightly in the ribs.
Alice giggled and Jasper tried to hide his amused smile. "It's not like that." I rolled my eyes and double checked every detail in my head.
I heard foot steps and started feeling the adrenaline pumping through my veins. "She's coming! Hide!" I hissed as I made my way to the light switch.
I noticed Jasper and Alice hiding behind my desk and Emmett and Rose crunched down beside the couch. I leaned back against the wall and turned off the lights.
At first you could hear soft footsteps. They were even and in rhythm. Step. Step. Step. Step. Step. Bang! Crash!
"…..What was that?" Rosalie asked in a confused tone.
"Bella is…a little clumsy." More like the Queen of Klutz Kingdom.
I smiled, even though they couldn't see me, and tried to control my impatience. I started hearing footsteps again and getting louder and louder.
"3." I whispered, letting them know when we'll jump out and surprise Bella.
"2." You could feel the anticipation building up in this room.
"…1!"
B.P.O.V.
Not even a. "Happy birthday!" or a "Hey Bella." I would even take a simple. "Hi." But no all Charlie said was, "I'm going out tonight, be back tomorrow, don't open the door if the police comes and if you do, say that I don't live here."
I don't even want to know why the cops might come to my house. This is supposed to be my birthday, my 18th birthday! Instead of today being my "Happy Birthday!" it feels like a "Crappy Birthday!"
Ugh. And everybody keeps bugging me! Teachers nag and nag at me when they thought I was 'disrupting the class' but it was Rachael! I swear she's out to get me only because I ran out of cigarettes on Monday and didn't go back to get her some more.
I wish I had people, or even faculty members, who cared enough to find out the date I was born on. But nope, instead they annoy me to death. Why today? Why now? Aren't teachers supposed to know your birth date for school information and stuff? Every time it's somebody's birthday, they announce it on the intercom. Why don't they say mine? They even said Sarah's last week, and she's part of the gang, too!
For once, I would appreciate a little attention.
As I made my way to Edward's office, I over heard Mrs. Cope and Ms. Scott talking. "Did you see Mr. Cullen walk in with them? The big one was so handsome and the blonde one was gorgeous!" Mrs. Cope was gushing to Ms. Scott.
Something about their conversation pulled a trigger in my brain. I don't know why, but for some reason I had to pay attention to find out.
"I know!" Ms. Scott nodded eagerly. "But did you see the other two girls that were with them?" She leaned against her chair, shaking her head and my walking started to slow as I started to listen closer to their conversation. I was never one for being rude, but I just had to know what they were talking about.
"Yes," Mrs. Cope sighed. "They were so beautiful, probably the girlfriends." Girlfriends? What's going on?
Since I was too busy being nosy, I didn't see the table in front of me and BANG!
I covered my mouth with my right hand to muffle my cry. I guess that's what I get for eavesdropping. In and out, in and out. I took deep breaths to control my breathing. I gripped the end of the table as the pain from my right foot started to ease. I let out one final breath before continuing to walk.
What were Mrs. Cope and Ms. Scott talking about? The girlfriends? Edward told me he wasn't seeing anybody. Maybe he was lying. No, he wouldn't lie to me, would he? Great. And why did 'the big handsome one' and the 'blonde one was gorgeous' call my attention?
I slowly made my way to Edward's office door. I could've sworn I heard him counting. What is going on?
I shook my head and turned the door knob. Maybe I'm just mad nobody remembered my birthday. Maybe I'm depressed or sad or something. Whatever it is, I could only hope it wears off before I talk to Edward. He could see right through me.
I sighed to my self as I pushed the door open. Maybe nobody remembers my birthday because nobody cares about m-
"SURPRISE!" What the hell!
I knew my eyes were as big as a volley ball and my face could make a tomato look pale right now, but what the hell?
I felt like my heart went into over drive and was going 90 times its usual rate!
Jasper, Emmett, Edward and two stunning girls were in Edward's office. Smiling at me. Holding up a cake. Throwing me a surprise party. And the only thing I can think of is what the hell!?
So the big one and gorgeous one were Em and Jazz. That means those two girls must be the girlfriends. Jasper and a petite girl with spiky hair were standing behind Edward's desk. Since Jasper had his arm around her shoulder (she had a cake in her hands) I was guessing she must be Alice – Edward's cousin.
As I examined the rest of the office, I saw Emmett smiling so hard, I thought his face would break. He was holding hands will a model blonde. Definitely Rosalie.
I finally spotted Edward. He was grinning his lopsided grin by the light switch against the door.
"What's going on?" I asked slowly as I took everything in. Of course I knew what was going on. Edward was throwing me a party. An actual party! For me and only me. With his friends. Talk about the best party in the entire world on the face of the universe!
Edward smiled and gave me a bone-crushing hug. It wasn't like anything I got from Emmett the first day I met him, but it was still tight. "Happy 18th birthday." He gently whispered in my ear.
He pulled away and smiled a bright smile. Not any smile, but my smile. I've noticed he only smiles like that around me. Whether it was a smile for just me or a sympathetic smile for me being a loser, I don't know. All I know is that it's my smile. "I'm throwing you a surprise birthday party of course." He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
I felt my blush go down and he put his arm around me. Comfort. "This is Rosalie," He put his hand out in front of the blonde model standing next to Emmett. "Emmett's girlfriend."
"Hi, it's nice to meet, you." Rosalie smiled a smile that could make any female model cry her eyes out.
"You too." Was all I could manage. Is it even possible to be that beautiful?
She smiled sweetly and added quickly. "Oh! And happy birthday."
"Look at you." Emmett let go of Rosalie and grabbed my hand. He awkwardly spun me around in a circle, causing everyone to grin. "My little drug addict is all grown up."
We all laughed and Emmett gave me a hug. I was kind of preparing my self for much needed oxygen, but he just gave me a gentle hug. And I could tell he was trying his best to not break my bones.
He stepped away with a satisfied smiled for not hurting me. "Good boy." Jasper cooed as if Em were a puppy dog in training. I laughed and went over with Jasper and his, who I guessed, girlfriend.
"Happy birthday Bella." Jasper smiled and gave me a quick hug.
"Here, Jasper, take this." The petite girl ordered Jasper. Her voice could make a professional singer green with envy. Here ink colored hair bounced up and down as she passed Jasper the cake in her hands.
"Happy birthday!" She chirped and stepped out from behind the desk to engulf me in a hug that made Emmett's look like a light tap from a feather.
"Th – thanks." I breathed. For such a small thing, she was pretty strong. I wonder if she can beat Emmett in a wrestling match….?
Edward came up from behind me and gently pushed the beautiful girl away. "This is my cousin, Alice." He smiled at me, then at Alice, and back at me.
"It's really nice to meet you, Bertha." Alice chimed. Did she just say Bertha?
"Bella." Edward hissed under his breath.
"Bella!" Alice corrected herself with a light jump and a wide smile to hide her embarrassment.
"It's nice to meet you, too." Looked back a Rosalie then at Alice. "It's a pleasure to meet the both of you, actually."
"Ready to cut the cake?" Edward asked with a genuine smile.
"You guys didn't have to get me a cake." I protested as Emmett and Rose came closer to us and the cake – the cake was currently placed on the desk.
"Oh, don't worry!" Alice smiled. "I made it my self. Edward told us how much you hate people spending money on you."
I blushed and turned around to Edward, who was standing right behind me. "What else did you tell them?" I ordered under my breath.
"Don't worry." Edward moved a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I only told them things you would want them to know. I didn't say anything personal about you."
I sighed and turned back around to face the desk. My cheek still tingled where Edward touched my cheek….No! I can't like Edward. He's twenty, but then again I'm now eight teen. No, I won't allow it. I don't like Edward. I don't like Edward. Not even after this super sweet birthday party. I can and will only think of him as a friend.
Of course, this party could be filled with balloons, presents, but Edward didn't do that. Because he knew I couldn't be able to enjoy, but he still threw me one with his friends. Some of which, who didn't even know me.
Jasper and Alice were standing behind the cake, looking for matches to light the candles. Emmett was standing on the side of the desk and I was standing in between Edward – on my right – and Rosalie – on my left, in front of the desk.
Alice bent down to open a drawer while I read what the cake.
"Happy Birthday….Bertha?" I looked up at Edward and at everyone else.
Alice immediately jumped up and dropped the matches. Who's Bertha? And why is her name on my cake?
"Um…It doesn't say Bertha." Emmett stammered.
I pointed down to the frosting. "Then why does it say-"
I was cut off by Emmett dragging his fingers across the frosting and stuffing it in his mouth. "Shee?" He asked with a bunch of frosting in his mouth. "It doeshn't shay Bertha."
"Yhea," Rose nodded and looked down at the cake. "It says Be." I knotted my eye brows together and looked at Edward.
"Be is short for Bell which is short for Bells which is short for Bella which is short for Isabella." Edward had a confused look on his face as he slowly explained to me. Everybody looked confused as well, but still nodded their heads in agreement.
After they sang Happy Birthday – in perfect harmony, I might add – I made a wish and blew out the candles. We ate and had fun. Rosalie and Alice weren't conceded or girly or uptight like you would think they were. They were funny, smart, kind and I can see why Alice and Rose go well with Emmett and Jasper.
Jasper is too calm and Alice can keep him from being bored. But Alice can get controlling and hyper at times and needs someone like Jasper to keep her in check. Emmett is too much of a goofball and could use Rosalie to keep him away from trouble and reaching a very high level of stupidity.
I never thought Emmett could be a lawyer. But his is actually very smart – he even helped me with some math homework. Plus, his huge size could make anybody scared of him. I guess that can also help by making people tell the truth. Em can be really smart and intelligent, but he just loves life and wants to live it at the fullest. Too many people think of him as an idiot when he's really sweet and smart.
And I also learned that Alice is Edwards adopted sister. They really are cousins, but Alice's parents dies when they were young, so Mr. and Mrs. Cullen adopted her. Alice is still a little sore by it, that's why she prefers Edward to call her his cousin.
"Presents!" Rose and Alice chimed when we threw away our plates.
"Presents?! What presents?" I started to panic. Why are there presents? Presents aren't good.
"Not yet, guys." Edward answered in an annoyed tone.
"So there are presents?!" I shrieked, my voice going up a higher octave with each word.
"You can't have a birthday without presents, Bella." Jasper shrugged and sat on the cough next to Emmett.
"No!" I protested. "Presents are bad. Really, really bad. No, no, no, no, no! NO presents!" They all smiled back at me. "Edward!" I turned to look at Edward. "Tell them! Tell them I don't want presents!"
Edward's smile grew and he shrugged. "Sorry, Bella, presents are essential for birthdays."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Fine," I huffed. "But if I get more than one present from each of you, I will personally kick your-"
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The stupid bell cut me off.
"Time to go; we'll see you at the park." Emmett got up and grabbed at rest of the cake.
"The park?" I echoed his words. "Why will we see them at the park?" I asked Edward.
He sighed and threw his head back. "Way to go Em, you just ruined the rest of her birthday surprise."
"What's going on?" I exasperatedly asked.
"Nothing, nothing." Rose tried to calm me down and sent a death glare in Emmett's direction.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
"Are you sure he won't mind?" Edward asked me as he drove me to his apartment.
I sighed. We've gone through this so many times. "Yes, Charlie said wasn't even going to be home tonight."
Edward nodded slowly and got in his reserved parking space. "Let's go, I need to lend you a jersey."
"Ugh! Why do I need a jersey? Why are we going to the park? Why did you let them get me presents?"
Edward opened my door and I stepped out. "That's for me to know and you to find out." We started walking into the entrance. "Besides, you need presents, live a little!"
We went up to his room and he started looking through his closet while I was lying on his bed.
"Try this one." He tossed me a gray and black baseball jersey with a number 7 on the back.
"'Kay." I went to his bathroom and tried it on.
"Well….?" I asked and spun in a circle as if I were modeling.
Edward chuckled and got up. "Very nice." He grabbed my hand and took my old shirt away from me. "Let's go, I want to give you your first present."
I sighed in defeat as he put my shirt on his bed and walked me over to a room I've never been to.
I couldn't help but smile as he held me hand. His was big and strong, but not in a freakishly large kind of way. It's almost as if our hands were made for each other….Stop! I can't take this any more! Edward is my psychologist! I am his patient! We are not supposed me 'together' in any type of way!
And yet, here we were. Hand in hand, in his suite, taking me to a room I've never been in before. I felt chills go down my spine.
"Here we are." Edward smiled down at me and opened the glossy, white door. Once the door was opened, I could see the room.
The wall directly across from us was pure glass. A grand, black piano sat in the middle of the room, surrounded my other music related things. There was an acoustic guitar, an electrical keyboard and a desk with what looked like music paper.
"Woah…" I breathed out.
Edward smiled at my reaction and led me toward the black, shiny piano. "This is part of your present from me." He sat down on the bench and patted the seat next to him, gesturing me to sit by him.
"You got me a piano!?" I yelled. Was he insane! Was he the one who needs to see a psychologist!? "I can't have a piano; I don't even know how it play it!"
Edward laughed and, eventually, calmed down. "No, you silly girl. I'm going to play you something." My blush from earlier came back to haunt me.
I sat down and gazed at the piano in front of me. "I didn't know you had this in here." I whispered to Edward.
"Yes, it was here all along. But can I ask you something? Why are we whispering?" He asked in a hushed tone.
I laughed and started talking in a normal voice. "Sorry, I guess I'm just taking it all in." My cheeks stained in embarrassment.
"This is for you." Edward suddenly said after a while without talking. He sat up straight and began playing the piano.
I watched in awe as his long fingers glided over the ivory keys, sending notes out in the open to convert into a beautiful melody. The music was calm, cool, and refreshing. It made me relax in almost an instant.
I closed my eyes in content and let the music flow through the room. It mad me feel safe, and comforting, like how I feel when I'm with Edward.
I felt almost as if it were a….lullaby.
The song came to an end very slowly and the last note echoed in the room. "That was amazing." I said as my eyes were still closed.
"Thank you. I made it for you; it's your new lullaby." I opened my eyes and looked at him. My eyes were to the rim with tears. "Are you okay? If you don't like it, I can fix it! Don't cry, please don't cry, it's your birthday! I'll change it, I promise! I'm sorry, it's just that I only had a couple of days to work on-" I stopped him by giving him the tightest hug in the world, well, to me anyway.
I pulled away and wiped my fresh tears. "You better not!" He seemed confused. "I loved it, Edward! It's so amazing and beautiful and other words I can't even describe! Nobody has ever done something like this for me. Nobody has ever thrown me a party in….ever! I cant believe it! It's almost too good to be true. With Emmett and Jasper and Rose and Alice and you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I gave him another hug and he stroked my back. Can he get any more perfect?
"C'mon," He wiped away a tear with his finger. "No more crying, okay?" His voice could sooth a new born baby from crying. "Let's get to the baseball park before it gets late. The others are probably wondering where we're at."
I wiped away the rest of the tears and nodded.
Baseball Park?
Sorry! I'm only allowed 1 hour on the computer each day. The next chapter is the baseball scene! Review and let me know what you think, because I'm not sure if people really like this story /
Love, Mayface!
