Chapter 6—The Beauty of Fashion

I think there is beauty in everything. What 'normal' people would perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it.

Alexander McQueen

Edward's POV

Bella was bouncing in her seat the whole drive to where the high-end shops were on Sixth Street. I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. I couldn't be sure if she was thrilled about being out and about, about the prospect of shopping, or about seeing Ian McGregor. And I was once again being visited by the green-eyed monster. I internally scoffed at myself. Why am I begrudging Ian? I haven't even met him and certainly don't know much about the man. Despite that, I didn't think my day would've been as wonderful had I gone to work—the luxury of being the boss man. I had called in and had my secretary reschedule all my meetings for next week; my clients could wait.

Alice was waiting for us outside one of the shops lining the street, her face buried in a magazine.

"Alice," I said before putting my hand on her shoulder.

"Hey," she replied, looking up at me and tossing the magazine into the trash bin next to her. "Are you going to tell me how you plan on getting in?"

I shook my head. "Allow me to introduce Bella. Bella, this is my sister, Alice."

"A pleasure," Bella said, extending her hand.

Alice glanced at me and then at Bella's hand. "Oh, none of that," she said, throwing her arms around Bella.

Bella stiffened and whimpered a little at the suddenness of the hug. That was the second time I'd noticed her reacting to someone touching her.

"Alice, back off!" I barked.

Did Jacob do something to her? Or was she like this before he kidnapped her?

I made a mental note to ask when Bella and I were alone again.

Alice jumped and moved away. "What crawled up your ass, Edward?"

I glared at her. Maybe this wasn't the best idea, I thought.

Bella stepped in front of me. "Your brother is just doing … what I asked him to do. I don't like to be surprised, and your hug caught me off guard."

"Oh." Alice look at me and then back at Bella. "I'm sorry."

"It's all right," Bella said. "Just give me a little warning next time and … I'll let you come in with us." With a flourish, she whipped out the invitation.

"Deal!" Alice shrieked. "You have got to tell me how you scored that."

"Later," I interrupted. I was amazed at how well Bella handled Alice, but I would still be asking about her reaction at being touched.

The three of us approached the door and I reached out, hitting the buzzer.

"Sorry, no admittance without an appointment or invitation," said a disembodied female voice.

"We do have an invitation," Alice retorted.

"Name?"

"Cul—" I started, but Bella cut me off.

"McCullough."

"You're not on my list," the female said in a bored voice.

"Tell Ian that the McCullough is at his door," Bella said, crossing her arms and tapping her foot.

About three minutes later, the door was open by an imposing gentleman dressed in a fine Italian suit. His eyes roamed Bella from head to toe before a smile spread across his lined but tanned face.

"Ah, Isabella," he greeted in a heavy Scottish lilt much like Malcolm's. "Come in." He moved aside, allowing the three of us to enter and closed the door. "Lass, come 'ere and give your cousin a hug."

"Ian McGregor is her cousin?" Alice whispered in question.

My jaw dropped. Her cousin! I had no idea.

Ian lifted Bella up into his embrace, swinging her around. When her beautiful laugh reached my ears, I smiled.

"I missed you," Ian said, setting Bella back on her feet. "Now, who did you bring with you?"

"This is Edward and his sister, Alice."

"Pleasure," Ian said, bowing over Alice's hand and kissing her knuckles.

He offered me his hand, which I took hold of in a firm shake. "Edward."

"If you would follow me, I'll show you my latest collection."

Bella's POV

Edward's hand slipped into mine as he, Alice, and I followed Ian through the showroom and back to his workroom. Warmth began to spread through me from his simple touch.

What is it about Edward? I thought, still pondering why I was being drawn to him. Holding his hand feels so natural, just like waking up in his arms had earlier.

"What? What is it?" I said when Ian turned and looked at me.

He shook his head. "Where were you?" he asked in Gaelic, eyeing how my hand was clasped in Edward's.

"What do you mean?" I responded, freeing my hand from Edward's.

"Just now." He chuckled as I felt my face heat.

"Show me what you've been working on," I said in English, hands on my hips.

Ian held up his hands. "Fine, lass, don't tell me."

I glanced toward Edward and Alice. The both had confused expressions on their faces.

The work area was abuzz with seamstresses pushing fabric through sewing machines, hanging up outfits in all stages of completion, and pulling bolts of shimmery silk off of shelves. Ian shouted something and all activity ceased. Six seamstresses were soon surrounding Alice and me.

I screamed as one of them touched me. A long-forgotten memory surfaced.

Ang dropped me off, and I yawned as I approached the front door. I was pleased to see that Dad had remembered to leave it unlocked.

It was dark inside. I briefly wondered why there were no lights on. As I moved to find the light switch, I stumbled over something and fell.

My hands came in contact with something wet and sticky that smelled like copper—blood. I screamed as someone hauled me off the floor.

"What in the hell is wrong with you?" Edward shouted at Ian, drawing me back to the present. He pushed his way through the throng, opening his arms to me.

Without a moment's hesitation, I stepped right into Edward's embrace. As soon as his arms were around me, I felt safe and protected, like nothing and no one could harm me as long as I stayed there.

"You of all people should know Bella needs some warning, being her cousin and all." Edward's tone was fierce.

I chanced a look at Ian. His eyebrows were pinched together.

"I don't know what you're implying," Ian replied. "But that reaction was not like the Isabella I know. Granted it has been years, but that was not like her."

I closed my eyes. Ian was right. It wasn't like the old me, but the new me was afraid—afraid of being taken again. Outside of family, Edward was the only person I was willing to trust—and that was only because he could touch the pendant and hadn't done anything to make me question his intentions. The pendant had only steered me wrong once: When I asked it if I could trust Jacob, it glowed green indicating that I could.

My lip trembled as I responded. "I-I've changed."

Ian closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Malcolm warned me that your captivity might produce some reaction," he said, switching to Gaelic again. Reopening his eyes, he looked me up and down with an appraising eye. "And aye, lass, you've changed. And don't take this the wrong way, but you've grown up."

I blushed. I had filled out more since …

Well, that was a thought I didn't want to complete.

"This is going to make things a little more difficult," Ian stated in English. "But we'll manage. Do you trust me enough to do the measuring?"

I averted my eyes, thinking over what he asked. Ian was family, so I didn't understand why was I hesitant. With a sigh, I looked back at him and stepped out of Edward's embrace. "Of course I trust you."

Ian smiled and held out his hand for the tape measure one of the ladies was. He made quick work on taking my measurements.

"Thirty-two, twenty-eight, thirty-two," he said.

Once Alice was done getting measured, Ian ushered the three of us into a small sitting room, a room reserved for special clients. I had been in this very room countless times and never took the time to look around, but for some reason, today I did. The room was sparsely decorated. One wall had cubby holes stuffed full with bolts of fabric, while the others had hand-sketched drawings pinned up. Curious, I walked over, examining the drawings near the window. One sketch had my name on it, and I snatched it from the wall. It was a simple yet elegant dress with a deep v-back, cinched waist, and full flowing skirt with an extended train.

"See something you like?" Ian asked from behind me.

I turned, handing him the sketch with an eyebrow raised.

"Hmm. I didn't know this was pinned up out here. It's just a drawing," he said in Gaelic.

"Looks like a wedding dress to me, designed specifically for me," I replied back in Gaelic.

"And what if it is?"

I crossed my arms, a little upset. I didn't mind that he had drawn a beautiful wedding dress with me in mind. What I did mind was that he had it on display where anyone could see it. "Planning my wedding?"

Ian laughed. "Nay, lass. It's nothing more than a rough idea. I would never create anything of that nature without your blessing."

I looked over Ian's shoulder and saw that both Alice and Edward were staring at us. Their noses were wrinkled, and there were creases between their eyebrows.

"Sorry," I said. "We were just talking about this drawing, not you two." I motioned to the sketch Ian still held.

"We gathered you weren't talking about us," Alice stated. "You just sound mad about the drawing."

I bit my lip. It shouldn't surprise me that she picked up on my discomfort.

~~ L.C. ~~

Ian had shown Alice and me several styles of dresses and pantsuits. I loved his designs, but nothing screamed me. He wasn't surprised and had a selection of more down to earth outfits —jeans, black and brown slacks, and tops of various colors and styles—set aside for me.

Alice really didn't find anything to her liking either, but she had acquired an invitation to come back. She also obtained Ian's promise to create something she would absolutely love.

By the time Edward and I got back to his house, I was beat. After we left Ian's, Alice had dragged me from store to store, not that I minded. We must have hit every one in the mall.

"Head to my bathroom," Edward said, handing me the bags from Bath and Body Works and Nordstrom. "Take a relaxing bath. I'll bring in everything and put them in yourroom."

"My room," I said in awe. A smile crept over my face at the thought of having my own room again. I dropped the bags and threw my arms around Edward. "Thank you."

His arms came around me. "You're welcome, Bella."

A/N: Thanks to my two betas JCat and Jennej for their help in editing this chapter.

So, thoughts about Ian McGregor being Bella's cousin.