Sorry for the wait guys! I'm trying to get as much down as poss so I dont leave it so long between updates... honestly, I'm not making excuses or anything xP hehe!
Chapter 29:
"…You really should see this girl dad; she's beyond beautiful, like a princess. She's smart, funny, elegant, oh and did I say beautiful?"
"Yeah, you did mention it" my dad answered casually, while he busied himself with grabbing his breakfast.
"She has this blonde hair that's just… wow. And these big blue eyes; total head turner. I'm telling you dad, I think I'm set with this one," I walked down the stairs that Monday morning to hear Emmett swooning over Rosalie. It was sweet really, in a sickly kind of way.
"So quite a contrast to your usual type then?" my dad responded, much to Emmett's embarrassment, his brow puckered feeling snubbed, and I couldn't help but snicker with amusement.
"Contrast? He's done a total one eighty!" I made myself known. "Well, aside from the hair; old habits, huh Emmett?" I mocked him smartly; knowing full well Emmett primarily zoned in on ditsy blondes; a slight glitch in his programming if you ask me.
"Erm excuse me, blondes just find themselves attracted to me, I can't help that. And I'm not very well going to shut them down and make them feel bad. I'm not that mean Bella" he told me wide-eyed; trying to justify his behaviour.
"No, heaven forbid we'd want that" I muttered under my breath. While Emmett turned back to confront our father. "And I have dated smart women in the past, you know".
"Dated?" I spluttered a laugh, "since when was that word even in your vocabulary? I think you mean, slept with them one night and then just forgot to call back" I clarified with a close-lipped smile; sitting myself down at the kitchen table and grabbing the juice.
He glared in return, growing flustered, before he plastered the fakest smile onto his face and took the seat opposite me. "Anyway, like I said, this one's a definite keeper. And you know what they say, when you know you know".
I smiled to myself thoughtfully; my mind trailing back to Edward. My brother could be a doofas at times, but I sincerely agreed on that last part. Some people were just meant to be, and imagining a life without that person seemed so alien.
For me, personally, Edward felt like my magnetic force, because no matter how much I tried to stay away from him, through the highs and lows of our quite complicated relationship, I couldn't seem to stay away; completely helpless. The pull was just too strong.
"What are you smirking about?" Charlie observed as he took the seat beside me; giving me a nudge as I sat doe-eyed and off with the fairies.
"Huh?" I snapped out of it, hoping I hadn't looked too obvious, which, clearly I had. "Oh, nothing, I'm just…"
"She's not smirking dad, she's smiling" Emmett felt the need to butt in. "Cant you tell? Just look at those adorable rosy red cheeks, that cute and coy little smile; that I believe is the face of first love" he teased me; looking awfully pleased with himself at how he'd gotten me back. Typical. I should've guessed he'd bite me.
I could've killed him, literally, the fork and knife in my hands suggested that exactly; one in each eye would suffice, particularly as my dad had yet to be informed of my new-found relationship with Edward.
I sensed my dad go rigid in his chair. "Love?" exclaimed Charlie, a look of bemusement on his face. "That's a pretty strong term," he stared at Emmett first and foremost, before his gaze landed on me. Understandably he wore a look of confusion, but the annoyance set in soon after, which gradually turned into raised eyebrows as he awaited my response. "Anything I should know about?"
I guess I had some explaining to do.
Great. This should be fun.
…
I don't think I'd ever been so relieved to be back at school, first period was like a cake walk compared to the never ending 10 minutes of one on one father-daughter time.
Turns out my dad had already guessed I was sweet on Edward (thanks to Emmetts ongoing input on the matter), that was the easy part, but when he brought up the two buzz words no daughter ever wishes to hear, 'Safe' and 'Protection,' it was time to evacuate the area.
Thankfully Charlie was just as uncomfortable as I was. And the sooner that conversation was out in the open, the sooner it was dead and buried; forgotten about for all eternity. And Emmett's childish snickering certainly didn't help any.
I headed to Psych class come 10.15am, my now-favourite subject; crossing the 'playground' as I fought with gale-force winds and that type of misty rain that manages to drench you right through, but not even the weather could prevent that slight spring in my step, which was, of course, facilitated by the fact that I shared a desk with Edward, and the tables in the Psych lab were so small, arm brushing was always a given. And even more so now we were dating.
So focused on arriving at my destination, I failed to take note of the person calling my name; convinced it was merely the howl of the wind trying to tease me. It wasn't until a hand tugged at my arm to swing me around, my entire world turning askew for a second there, that I realised who it was.
"Bella, wait up!" the bewildered voice caught up to me. I gasped, startled from being torn from deep concentration; a gust of wind stealing my breath away. I placed my hand to my chest to settle my erratic heartbeat, but I found myself laughing as Edward stood there before me; both of us grappling against the strength of the wind.
"Sorry, I didn't realise you were there" I laughed; feeling slightly embarrassed.
"Well as long as you weren't trying to avoid me" he smirked, mocking a pouty face. "So how's it going?" he shouted across to me, his voice just barely audible above the volume of the gale force winds. His hair was covered in a beanie today, there was a scarf around his neck and a thick winter jacket hugged snugly to his frame. He looked adorable as always, and certainly a lot warmer than I currently felt.
"A little wind swept, but mostly fine!" I joked, having to raise my voice, but found one merciless gust of wind almost sweep me off my feet. Edward's hands were on my shoulders before it had the chance to claim me though.
"You look freezing!" he spoke my thoughts aloud, before he unravelled the scarf from around his neck, swinging it over my shoulders and wrapping me up. It felt so soft and was toasty and warm from being radiated by Edwards body heat, not to mention it smelt just like him; any thoughts of catching a chill were long gone as his aroma happily attacked my senses.
"Come on, let's get inside!" he told me then, placing his hand to my elbow protectively. As we speed walked towards the building, his hand gradually crept lower down my arm, meeting with my hand before his fingers entwined with my own. I felt like I was in some kind of movie sequence, bar the state of the weather, the entire gesture was beyond romantic and our hands and fingers seemed to slot into each other with such perfection. Cue dorky grin.
By the time we reached the Psychology building, chaos had ensued. We barely made it inside without having to barge our way in; the doorway hoarded with pupils glued to the glass, apparently finding the sudden change in weather extremely exciting. They stared out of the windows like they were witnessing an alien invasion or something. Very peculiar.
"Alright, make a move people! I won't tell you again! I know it's windy out there but it's not the end of the world! Of course, that could be arranged if you don't get to class. Please don't make me tell you again!" one of the teachers tried his best to round everyone up, and each pupil reluctantly peeled themselves away from the windows, dragging their iron-loaded feet back to their classes for another hour of doom and gloom.
"Why is everyone so hyper today?" I asked as I clutched onto Edwards hand; he led the way through the masses as I lingered close behind him.
"Last week of term, it's to be expected really, especially with Christmas coming up".
Oh right, Christmas, I'd almost forgotten about that. "Yeah I guess" I answered, barely noticing my lack of enthusiasm. Christmas along with my birthday was another day I tended not to think about. Put simply, it was merely another holiday celebration in which I found my thoughts drifting back to my mother; or lack of one to be exact. And no matter how much I tried to forget it, she always succeeded on putting a dampener on everything.
"You not a fan of Christmas?" he glanced back at me; a twinkle in his eye.
"Sure, it's great. Christmas has always been pretty small for us though, the whole eating until you fall asleep thing is pretty much the highlight".
"Right," he smirked, "Well sounds like the complete opposite to mine".
"Big family?"
He shook his head, "Try 20 of my moms business associates all crammed around one dining room table, oh and me and Rose sitting on the end flashing them death stares" he spoke fondly at that last part; "at least, that's what it used to be like. Last year was a lot quieter".
"Really? How come?" I asked unknowingly, and then realised a moment later. It must have been around that time, when the Manfield incident had blown up in their faces; I guess they weren't really feeling the holiday spirit.
"So you up for an ambush this year?" there was a playful but hopeful tone to his question. How could I not comply?
"Sure… sounds eventful. What did you have in mind?"
He squeezed my hand. "I'll let you know".
I was intrigued, and the knowledge that I could be spending Christmas with a boyfriend, and non other than Edward Cullen, put a totally new spin on things. In your face, absentee mother!
But intrigue quickly wandered to amusement, and suddenly walking into class hand in hand with Edward turned into the most bizarre experience ever. It was as if the entire class had been frozen in time, like gawking statues; each one of them staring at our interlinked hands with either looks of disbelief or sheer mortification.
I can't say I've been at the envy of my fellow classmates very often, if at all really. But seeing their reaction to my new found relationship with Edward, well, that was a real treat. Especially when Jessica Stanley caught my eye, flashing me the deadliest of glares as she folded her arms across her chest in clear protest. She looked at me like I was muck. And with Edward on my arm, I'd never felt so proud; I simply smiled in return, feeling extraordinary.
We ventured towards the back, excusing ourselves as we shimmied past people, before taking our usual seats in the far back corner of the room.
I removed my jacket, placing it at the back of my chair, but kept the scarf on, not wanting to be parted from it. Edward did the same, pulling off his coat and beanie, the latter of which he positioned at the top corner of the table...
"So is this as weird for you as it is for me?" I asked under my breath, trying to be subtle. "Most days they don't even notice me, now I'm public enemy number one, I guess I should be thrilled for a change in status" I wondered to myself out loud.
"What are you talking about?" Edward asked absentmindedly as he fumbled in his bag, eventually pulling out his glasses case and placing it onto the table.
I frowned whilst smiling, perplexed by his ignorance. "You know, I'm almost convinced you walk around with your eyes closed. You seriously didn't notice everyone staring?" I leant into him a little as I kept my voice down.
Taking a brief glance around, I noticed his soft features start to harden. Several people who'd previously been staring turned their backs on us, while others were quite clearly engaged in Chinese whispers. Truthfully, it didn't bother me, I had all the friends that I needed, but I could tell it bothered Edward, particularly after his response.
"Judgmental people never change Bella... you shouldn't expect miracles" he told me, rather out of the blue and with such intense seriousness. A flicker of the fragile untrusting Edward made a reappearance.
My mood started to wilter at that; saddened that he took such things so closely to heart. He was always so guarded, believing almost everyone had a secret agenda, I realised that now, and even though I was glad he felt that he could trust me, I was wounded by the knowledge that not even I had the power to make his fears go away.
"But listen, if they were staring" he hummed into my ear, his tone now considerably lighter, as his hand found its way on my leg, "let's just say I wouldn't be surprised. We are one hot couple after all" he managed to find a joke amongst all that brewing angst.
His ability to switch from tense to nonchalant still marvelled me and I tried to laugh in return. Of course the combination of having been caught up in my previous emotions, and the sizzling heat of his hand on my thigh, left me breathless. My skin buzzed in anticipation and his voice still hummed to me in my ear.
"I don't know about that" I mumbled back; my cheeks on fire as I tried to concentrate on not passing out in front of my fellow classmates, "I mean, well, you are, obviously, very attractive, but me…" I rambled, shaking my head a little, as I went down my usual self critical route.
"Don't, even go there" he warned me.
"Go where?" I shrugged it off innocently.
"You were about to self-deprecate, I could sense it a mile off" he flashed me a side-long glance.
I shook my head, smiling. "Don't try and get out of it" he playfully pinched my side, and I squirmed away from him laughing. "I know for a fact you were".
I looked down at the table guiltily, but felt his eyes bored into my profile. My toothy grin diminished, leaving a soft smile. "You really don't see how amazing you are, do you?" I turned to find him looking intensely into my eyes; "everything you've done for me this past month, pulling me back from all that misery; not just anyone could've done that Bella", there was a passion brewing between us I can barely describe, I couldn't look away. It was like the entire room was burning with electric heat, the walls turning a deep red and orange colour, as everyone and everything in the local perimeter faded away. "You're like, I dont know, my own personal therapist" he spoke trance-like. And I felt my palms turn wet and sticky at the thought. Outfits came to mind, as well as an image of me servicing Edward.
I gulped hard.
I so badly wanted to kiss him, especially as his eyes flicked down towards my lips, his tongue peeping out for just a second, tormenting me and triggering the onset of a much-needed orgasmic release. It had all happened so quickly, our relationship had gone from friendship to an almost overwhelming level of intensity; like life and death. To an outsider, it would probably seem full on. But to me, it was the feeling I treasured most of all. In my whole entire life, I was only ever viewed as the kid sister, never loved nor lusted for, but with Edward, I felt both in one amazingly powerful gaze.
"This Christmas's going to be a good one" he stated, amidst our interlocking eyes. His lips almost barely moving as he spoke; too focused on my eyes. "I can tell" he added, swallowing hard.
It took every amount of strength I had to pull myself out of that spell.
I nodded back, eventually, but found words had escaped my tongue completely.
To tell you the truth, I was mildly relieved when the teacher walked in, as anything I could've said or done may have led to some serious embarrassment. I may have managed a few vowel sounds here and there, but I think the moaning would've put everyone off. I certainly hoped we weren't studying Sigmund Freud today; the Id, the Ego and the Superego; I was already all over the pleasure principle, thanks to Edwards hand on my thigh, I really didn't need further encouragement.
…
"Isabella Swan how very dare you ignore my texts!" the voice blared at me down the phone line; pleasantries clearly out the question on this fine Monday evening.
"I wasn't ignoring you Alice, I was just…"
"Yes yes, I don't want to hear your excuses, something more important has come up!" she interrupted and I could practically feel her sizzling down the phone line.
"Really? Like what?" I asked, only 60% paying attention, while I hovered around my room collecting my purse, keys and shoes ready to leave. I knew for a fact that Edward had taken an extra shift at the multiplex this evening, and I desperately wanted to surprise him.
"Oh, I don't know, like you and a certain Edward Cullen maybe!" she started; halting my movements. If only she'd called me earlier, this was such an inconvenient time.
I was silently relieved we weren't doing this face to face however. I could handle her verbally, the odd screech, gasp and squeal now and then was somewhat manageable, but being confronted face to face by an overly-exuberant Alice, well, if history was anything to go by, she had a tendency to attack me. Similarly to Emmett's embrace, she posed a threat to my oxygen supply. Amazing really, considering she was a quarter of the size of him.
"So is it true!" she demanded, growing impatient at my silence. I scrambled onto my bed; knowing this would take awhile.
"Well, that depends I suppose, what exactly did you hear?" I tried to taunt her; knowing it would work. Alice had made it clear countless amounts of times how she wanted Edward and I to be together, the whole double dating thing really appealed to her, and I could just imagine her face growing redder by the second.
"Bella come on! Don't mess with me!" she whined ecstatically. "Tell me the truth".
I sighed, a soft smile on my face as I held the phone to my ear; ready for her reaction. "Ok, so you should probably be sitting for this" I began, but my intention to continue was cut short by hysterical squealing. I was literally forced to pull the phone back a good few inches away from my ear, just to prevent myself from any long term hearing damage.
"I knew it! I knew it!" She cheered, before I heard the sound of feet pattering along the hardwood floor and then a very distant Alice calling down to her mother, "Mom its true!"
I heard her scurry her way back to her room before panting could be heard down the phone line. "You told your mom?" I felt my eyebrows kink; slightly wierded out by the knowledge that I was the topic of conversation at the Brandons dinner table.
"Yes yes, I've been telling everyone all evening; even though Jas didn't believe me when I told him" her voice ended with an offended grimace. "You just wait until I tell him tomorrow! He's going to be so faced!" I sensed she was bouncing, "He totally owes me ten bucks now" she added matter-of-factly; feeling pleased with herself.
"Ok, well, I'm really happy for you Alice, you make sure he pays up alright! Anyway I should really be…" I went on, trying to cut the conversation short, I'd had serious plans for this evening, and none of them involved talking on the phone all night to my insane and hysterical best friend.
"I have to tell you Bella, this is the best news I've heard all week" she told me through a grin.
"Alice, its Monday" I reminded her flatly.
"Fine, all month then" she corrected herself delightedly.
"Yeah, that's really great, listen I have to go".
I could practically envision her mouth opening into an O shape as she gasped, "To see Edward?" she inferred squeakily.
"Maybe" I felt my cheeks begin to blush.
She squealed once again. "Alright alright alright, I'll let you go then, but you have to promise me you'll tell me everything tomorrow! I want details, oh and shopping this weekend!"
"Oh, no, I can't…"
"Great, it's a date then! Bye!" she once again butted in, but before I could interject, the line went dead. Typical!
A/N: Hey guys =] I hope you're still enjoying it! So this fic's nearly wrapped up. I'm thinking maybe 3 more chapters to go, as there's still a couple of things I want to cover. Let's hope for a little Christmas cheer with these two! I think they deserve it =]
Next stop, cinema!
Thanks for reading!