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We stayed in the front room until around five o'clock, and that was when Esme thought I might be hungry. She ushered me, along with the rest of the family into the dining room. My jaw dropped. There was a huge table set up with a good amount of food. There was a bowl of salad that had about six bottles of dressing around it, along with mashed potatoes, corn, steak, shrimp, and chicken.
"Esme, I really appreciate this, but you didn't have to do all of this for me," I managed to get out. She let out a lilting laugh.
"Bella, it's an honor to do it. We don't normally get human visitors. It's a pleasure to be able to do this for you. Especially after how much you've been there for everyone." She smiled down at me. I couldn't help but smile in response.
"Well, thank you just the same. It's very nice of you to do all of this for me." Alice decided to chirp in
"It's no problem Bella! We've been looking forward to this for a long time. Isn't that right, you guys?" Everyone nodded. "So, take a seat Bella," Alice continued, "and enjoy!" We each took a place at the table, and had standard dinner conversation; what was going on in school, the unchanging weather, what was going on in the world. As I ate my food, I noticed how smoothly they got along. They truly were a family. Each of their personalities complimented and enhanced one another's. It was so interesting to see them here, so unburdened by the human charade they had to put forward each day. They were different, and they were free.
I ate until I was full, and Esme tried to get me to eat more, but I politely declined. For vampires, they sure knew how to cook food. But I was stuffed. We generally got up and went into different rooms. Emmett and Rosalie went off somewhere, after politely excusing themselves, while Alice, Jasper, Esme, Carlisle, Edward, and I went to the front room again. Upon entering the room again, I noticed a giant grand piano.
"Wow." I said, unable to help myself. "That's beautiful." They followed my gaze across the room.
"Yes, it's very fine. It's well tuned as well, since Edward plays it. Do you play?" Carlisle asked quizzically. I laughed.
"I wish," I said sheepishly. "My mother loved to play piano though, even if she wasn't exactly the best at it." I shook my head at the memories of her plunking her way through songs like Ode to Joy with a fierce determination. She always got the notes confused, and ended up hitting the wrong notes constantly. She had a lot of fun doing it though. Then one small detail registered in my mind. "Edward, you like to play?" I asked. He scuffled his feet against the ground, looking to the floor yet again.
"Yeah, but I'm okay at it. Nothing special." Alice, Carlisle, and Esme all scoffed simultaneously.
"You're okay at it?" Esme said. "You're amazing! You should play for Bella! Play that newest piece that you just wrote." She said, with the firm command of a proud mother.
"Mom…I'm sure Bella doesn't want to hear me play some little song I wrote." Esme rolled her eyes.
"I'm sure she would love to. Isn't that right Bella?" I nodded my head. "See? There you have it. Now go play." She shooed him in the general direction of the piano and he sighed.
"You're coming with me though," he said, as he went on his way towards the piano bench. I didn't care, and came along willingly enough. He put his fingers to the ivory keys, and a sweet gliding melody came out of the piano. They wrapped around the room, gentle but firm. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It sounded completely beautiful. It was soothing and filled with emotion, almost like adoration. I glanced at the sheet music that he was reading from. It was the same music I had found in Biology that day, entitled, 'For Her'. I made a mental note to ask Alice who 'her' was. The tune came to a slight and subtle end. I found myself with a tear rolling down my cheek, because I was so touched by it. He looked at me in awe. "You liked it that much?" he asked quietly. I wiped the tear away.
"That was beautiful Edward," I said, a bit in shock. Esme and Alice exchanged smiles. Carlisle just looked upon his son proudly. After Edward's amazing display on the piano, we settled back into the front room and just talked for a few hours. I was shocked to see how differently he acted than he did at school. He was much more gentle and caring than he let on normally. The obnoxious behavior had really gone down, compared to his daily jerkiness. It was nice to see him as a less annoying person, since I had really had that idea of him ingrained in my head. The rest of the night went smoothly, until…
Rosalie and Emmett returned, with Rosalie seething, and Emmett in his normal mood of humor.
"Bella," Rose hissed. "Apparently your sled dog team is here." As I sat there with a confused expression, she glared towards the door. "Your boyfriend has come to pick you up." My jaw dropped slightly.
"Jake is here…?" I asked, non-believing. Alice's jaw dropped, along with Jasper and Esme. Edward and Carlisle seemed to be some of the only ones not fazed by this. I quickly got up and went to the door and when I flung it open, and there was Jake, accompanied by Quil and Embry. They looked very uncomfortable, but there was only one expression on his face. He looked very worried.
"Bella, you're okay?" He asked, in a concerned tone.
"Why wouldn't I be?" I was surrounded by vampires, which might not have been the best idea, if I had been in a horror film, but these vampires were definitely safe. He let out a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness." He said, running a hand through his short locks. Rosalie crossed her arms and practically spat at Jake.
"So, what are you here for dog? You didn't trust us?" She asked scathingly, looking up at him. He sent her an annoyed glance.
"That's not the case in the least. If Bella trusts you, I trust you, no matter what my tribe says otherwise. I'm here because we've been watching the attacks that have been going on, and one happened recently that was closer than any of them have been." All the vampires' eyes widened. "I was worried about her, and I thought we might want to discuss precautions to keep her safe." Edward nodded.
"Of course. Whatever it takes to keep her safe. So, what were you planning on doing?" Jake hesitated.
"Actually, I was thinking of maybe having twenty four hour surveillance on her. I've been trying to have late runs around her house at night, but Billy wants us to keep a bit closer to home to protect the tribe." Edward nodded. I burst in.
"You've been doing WHAT? And you haven't told me? Jake-" He cut me off.
"It was necessary Bells. I can't have you getting hurt, remember?" He put his arm around me and kissed my forehead. I crossed my arms.
"I'm not a five year old. I can take care of myself." Quil snickered.
"Says the one who trips over flat ground." Said Quil. I glared. This only made him laugh more.
"Quil." Jake said with an exasperated sigh. The snickering stopped.
"Thanks" I whispered. Jake just held me tighter.
"What were you thinking for about the twenty four hour surveillance?" Edward asked, crossing his arms. "We don't sleep as you know, so we can manage it during the night, but what about the rest of the day?" Jake smiled
"Well, during the school day, she should be safe with five of you there, and after school, she can hang out with either of us. That way, we're taking care of her at all times." Edward nodded.
"That seems like a good idea. Are you guys okay with it?" He said, turning to the rest of his family. They nodded.
"Of course we'll protect Bella!" Alice cheered. "Right Jazz?" He smiled and nodded.
"We can take turns, or even go together!" Esme said, cheerfully. "Maybe if we're quiet enough, we can even hang out with her at night." Alice clapped her hands at that.
"Perfect! Now I can plan your outfit for each day!" she said, probably already plotting outfits in her head. That took off some of the tense atmosphere that had entered, and everyone laughed.
"I'll take the first shift tonight." Edward said quietly. "Black, get her home, please." Jake nodded.
"Come on, Bella." He said, tugging on my arm. Quil and Embry were already practically out the door. I turned to the Cullens.
"Thank you so much." I said, tears coming up in my eyes. "I really had an amazing time tonight, and I appreciate that you guys are looking out for me." I went to Esme and Alice and Rosalie and gave them a hug. They all returned the hug, even Rosalie. Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper patted me gently on the back. Edward just observed.
"It's not a problem at all Bella," Alice whispered. "You're like one of the family to us." She hugged me tighter. "Now go. We'll keep you safe." I smiled and went towards the door with Jake again.
"Thank you again!" I said and waved to them. Then a thought occurred to me as Jake and I were outside. "How did you guys get here? You can't drive." Jake gave me a sheepish grin.
"Well, we kind of transformed into wolves to get here…" his voice trailed off.
"Um…so how am I getting home?" He smiled.
"Easy. You don't think I'd let a day go by without you in my arms, did you?" I smiled goofily.
"You are ridiculous. And you can't go as fast in your human form, can you?" Jake gave me a grin.
"Well, wolf form is just easier since you can go through the forests without worrying about hitting trees as much, but I can still go relatively fast as a human. And with Quil and Embry in wolf form, you'll be safe. Don't worry." He picked me up in his arms, and began to lightly run, going faster than a normal human, but just a bit slower than the maximum limit of my car. I just stayed cradled to his chest, breathing in his woodsy scent, and relaxing myself with the fact that I was in fact able to see him. I was trying to ignore the fact of the vampire attacks. With the Quileutes and the Cullens protecting me, I was sure to be safe.
We got to my house quicker than I expected. Jake set me down gingerly, and kissed me on the forehead, and then on the lips.
"Thank you baby," I murmured after he broke away from the kiss.
"For what?" He asked in sincere confusion.
"For coming to get me and protecting me." He stroked a piece of hair out of my face.
"Bella, I love you more than I could possibly say. There is nothing that would keep me from protecting you. You're my Bells, and you're absolutely perfect. I wouldn't let anything happen to you." I crushed myself against his chest in a hug, and he squeezed me to comfort me.
"I love you more than I could ever say too. And you have no clue how much it means to me that you care so much." I said, looking up at him.
"Well then," He said looking down. "I'd say we're both pretty lucky. But you should get to bed Bella. I'll see you tomorrow, okay baby?" I nodded and he kissed me on the head. "Love you Bells." I squeezed him tighter to me before I let go.
"Love you too Jake." He smiled, and walked into the woods. I heard a slight noise that must have been him changing, and I then saw three wolves go into the light that came from the porch, one chocolate brown which I assumed was Quil, one was a lighter more tan brown which must have been Embry, and the other was reddish brown, and was My Jacob. He came forward quickly, nuzzled his head against my hand, and then he and the other wolves went off into the night. I smiled at their comradeship, and went inside to see Charlie. After locking the door, and checking it several times, I said goodnight to Charlie and got ready for bed. Knowing that the Cullens were looking out for me gave me a sense of ease, and I felt calmer than I probably would have, if the situation was different. I went to bed a little bit tense, but mostly calm.