Chapter 7 (Clingy and Shopping)
B.P.O.V
"What's wrong Bella…?" my mom's voice called as my eyes slowly got their vision back. There was my mom… decaying… like in the first dream… and we were in the same place… help…
"Aw… no worries… killing you will be good for the world, and I'm doing it to save you before you realize that you are truly alone."
"I'm not! I have the Cullen's," I protested weakly.
"Oh really! Well, what if they're just letting you in so they can eat you?"
"They wouldn't! They would have done it a long time ago!"
"What if they thought you were too thin…"
"No…no…"
"And worse… what if they just disappear on you?"
"No!" I screamed at the stop of my lungs, and then heard a crack. I looked to the side to see the wall collapse as dirt fell; but more than dirt… decaying bodies… there were four of them and, to my utter horror, they started moving…
"Ha! Aw, look! We have new meat…" one of them said in a deadly voice. They all surrounded and grabbed me….
I woke up in my favorite place in the world…my sanctuary… the Cullen's' house. It was weird calling a place that meant so much to me 'The Cullen House', but it has a nice ring to it. Nice, simple, and probably never been used anywhere else.
I looked around and felt very stiff. It wasn't painful, just annoying. I looked down to see I was wearing the blue dress, and smiled.
"Hello," whispered a voice from beside me, but I knew that voice and hugged him without thinking.
"Edward!" I said, and started crying in his chest. I can't lose the first person that cared for me…
"Bella! Relax, and tell me what's wrong!" he said, hugging me closer to him.
"I… I…I…had a bad dream…" I said through tears.
"Shh… It's okay… I'm here…" He said the perfect words to calm me down.
"Are you hungry?" Edward asked once I had completely calmed down. I nodded and clung to him tighter.
"Bella, you have to let me go so I can get you something to eat," Edward said, but I shook my head. I felt like a four-year-old, but I never had someone to care about and I was worried.
"Fine, we'll go together," he said, but sounded more happy than annoyed. He picked me up and I was in the kitchen the next second. I saw the most food I had ever seen in my life.
It was a plate with bacon and eggs, with toast and marmalade. Edward put me down in the chair and tried to sit in the one next to me, but I was still worried he would just run off. The rest of the family was nowhere in sight.
I pulled him to me and he just sighed happily.
"What am I going to do with you?" he asked, and picked me up, sitting down on my chair and putting me on his lap.
I ate in silence… when I was done I pulled Edward with me as I washed the dishes.
"What do you want to do now?" Edward asked.
"Can we watch a movie?" I asked, and Edward smiled at me.
"Sure. I'll make popcorn and you pick a movie," he said, and was at the microwave in a second. Can he use that speed to run away too?
Tears started to fill in my eyes, making Edward look my way.
"What's wrong?" he asked, and I held my arms open. Edward hugged me and I heard the microwave heating up some popcorn in the background.
"Okay, okay… I get it…I'm not going to leave your side," Edward said as we made our way to the movies. I was hugging his side to me as I walked. It took a long time to pick a movie, but in the end I decided to go with Clue…
We started the movie and I sat as close to Edward as possible on the big couch.
"Hey guys. What you watching?" Emmett asked.
"Clue," I replied in a small voice.
"Awesome! Mind if I watch with you?" he asked, and sat down on the other side of me. I moved over and gave him a big, long hug. He seemed very happy that I was warming up to the family, and not long into the movie we had the whole family watching intently. I was so happy to have a family, someone to say 'Hi' back to me.
A.P.O.V
We were watching the movie Clue and I was watching it intently, yet not as intently as I was watching Bella and Edward. It was so cute how Bella wouldn't let go of him!
I looked through Bella's clothes and found her in desperate need of stuff, so Rose and I decided to take the family on a shopping trip, and we were going to have some fun embarrassing her by showing her how cute she is.
It was so adorable when she started crying 'cause we made popcorn. I know it was wrong of me and the rest of the family to spy, but Bella looked so scared…
I'm still wondering what happened to her to make her worry like that. I was going to find out, and soon. It was good that Bella was warming up to us, letting down a few walls she built up to make her look strong. We all knew that she was just pretending to act strong, but what made her build those walls? What is she hiding?
B.P.O.V
"Well, that was a great movie," Emmett said as the family got up.
"So what are we going to do now?" Jasper asked.
"I know! Let's go shopping!" Alice yelled, bouncing up and down as I held tighter to Edward.
"Can Edward come too?" I asked
"Well duh! It's a family trip!" Alice bounced to the car and I slowly followed with Edward at my side.
"Let's take Emmett's car," Rosalie said, and it was the biggest thing I had ever seen!
I started backing away from it just by how big it was!
Imagine someone getting mad at you and throwing you out of that thing.Edward noticed and held me closer to him as he put his lips to the top of my head, calming me.
"Don't worry, I'll help you up," Edward soothed me as everyone else was already in the car. The side door was open and Edward slowly helped me into the car. I was starting to panic, but a second later he was there again holding me. I sighed and we were off, speeding down the highway.
"So Bella, how did you sleep?" Emmett asked, bringing back memories. I shuddered, and dug my face in Edwards's chest. Edward whispered something to Emmett, but it was too low for me to hear.
"Okay! So this is the plan!" Alice said, and put a big map of the mall on our lap.
"First, we go to this section on the mall and find Bella new, sexier clothes cause what she wears is ripped and baggy, not to mention it smells like blood with too much stain remover." I blushed at the word 'sexier' and looked up to see the family asking for an explanation for my clothes. I scanned my brain but in the end could only come up with this.
"I like baggy clothes, and am very clumsy." It was pitiful, but good enough. Alice continued, but I could tell that she and the rest of the family were still worried.
"Second, we go on to this section of the mall which is for girls only as the boys go into this section which is only for men. Bella, you need to learn the term 'Bra that is not cheap.'"
"What are we buying that is not for me?" I asked.
A.P.O.V
"Come on Bella! It will be fun! We haven't shopped for a human in forever! Now it's time you show off that ass of yours," Rosalie said. Rosalie never liked Bella, but she respected the fact that her brother does, and she did want to go on a shopping trip. I knew she could not resist teasing Bella either.
Bella blushed, and I knew it was bad because Jasper sank into his seat a little.
"Okay! Now we meet up at the food court that is in the center, get the human something to eat, and last but not least we go to the book store and stuff like that to get her something to put in her room. This is the most important because we are decorating Bella's room!" Esme shrieked in excitement, and Bella had a look of terror on her face that gave me a pang of guilt even though my face didn't show it.
"No! You didn't see my room did you? Wait! Were you in my house? What were you doing there? What did you see?" Bella started sobbing, backing away from Edward, who looked very hurt at that gesture.
"Bella, relax! I didn't see your room! I just want to give it a makeover because you don't seem to have good taste." Lying was horrible, but it was all I could do not to make her build up those walls again.
"My room is not the best at the moment. I was thinking of getting it re-done now anyway so I removed my draws and bed," she said.
"What did you do with the items?"
"I donated them, and then soon after found out I had no money to buy new stuff." I knew she was lying; it was written all over her face, but I didn't dare pry. I'll find out soon enough…
E.P.O.V
Bella snuggled back into me and I felt truly horrible about lying, but I would do anything to have her next to me… What? No! I don't want it! She's just a human!
I kept yelling at myself, but knew I couldn't deny it forever… well, I could try. Thoughts flooded into my head, and I listened as Carlisle said my name.
"Edward, I need you to tell the rest of the family to gather up for a family meeting at midnight. Don't let Bella know," Carlisle said and I knew from the sound it was urgent.
B.P.O.V
The car slowed down and stopped for one second, yet Alice was already waiting for us.
"Alice, keep your cover," Carlisle warned, but she was bouncing up and down.
"Okay, let's start," I said, feeling more certain about them not abandoning me. I slowly let go of Edward's waist, but still held his hand as we all filed out of the car. Emmett's goofy grin didn't go unnoticed, and it made me giggle. I hadn't giggled in a long time. It was strange, but good… like little bubbles of happiness exploded inside of you. Edward turned to me and showed me a dazzling smile, and a strange emotion came over me, but I quickly put it away as we walked to the door.
"Okay! Let's go!" Alice said, grabbing my hand and rushing me to the nearest store. It was a big shop with clothes everywhere for what seemed like every occasion. Alice started scanning the racks and the family soon followed. I started looking around too and found a cute blue plain shirt. I looked at the price and thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.
"30 dollars?!" I shrieked. I didn't waste time as I ran to Alice, almost falling, but managing to grab on to the racks.
"Alice! It's so expensive!" Edward was still behind me. The two of them laughed.
"Silly Bella. For us, this is cheap," Alice said.
"But I have don't have any money," I protested.
"That does not matter, it's not like we would let you buy anything anyway."
"But… but…"
"No! Now stop complaining and come on!" Alice said, pulling me to the changing rooms and stuffing me in with a dress. I put it on without complaint, for I knew Alice would come in here and force it on me either way.
E.P.O.V
"Alice, Carlisle wants a family meeting," I told her as the door to the changing rooms opened and my breath hitched.
Bella came out in a cute, light blue dress that reached her knees. It was very pretty, and complimented all her nice curves.
"Oh you look beautiful!" Alice bounced, and I was left speechless.
"What do you think?" Bella asked, blushing, and if I were not a monster I would have blushed too. I went into full gentlemen mode and kissed her hand.
"Beautiful," I whispered, making her blush a delicious shade of red.
"Bella! Try this on!" Rosalie stormed in, pushing Bella into the changing rooms again with a pair of jeans. I told Rosalie about the meeting as well.
Thirty minutes later we emerged from the first section of the mall with around ten bags full of stuff! Emmett had four bags on each arm and would have carried more, but it would have made him look too strong. Jasper carried one bag in each hand, and I was holding Bella's hand as she ate some ice cream we got her.
"You got some on your face," I said, taking my thumb and rubbing it against her cheek. Her cheek was so warm against my hand I didn't want to let go. Bella looked up at me with such eyes... and her lips! They looked so warm and full... what would they feel like on mine?
"Edward! Hurry up!" Emmett yelled, making us both jump. We looked over to see Esme hit Emmett over the head with her hand. The rest of the family watched us as we approached them, smiles on their faces... this was not good.
"Okay! Now we split up into groups," Alice said, and gave Jasper a kiss. The other couples started giving goodbye kisses, and it made it awkward. I glanced at Bella nervously as she looked at me and gave me a loving hug. I hugged her back. When we let go I followed the boys to the men's section of the store, and when the girls were out of view they tackled me with questions.
"Dude! Why didn't you kiss her?" Emmett yelled.
"Edward, you really ARE falling in love with a human!" Jasper said.
"Are you planning to take her on a date?" Carlisle asked.
"I don't like her!" I yelled, making them smile wider.
"Right..." Emmett said.
"You're so in love with her..."
"Just think about it," Carlisle said as we entered a shop.
"Well, even if I did like her, how could she like a monster back?" I whispered to myself.
B.P.O.V
Once we were in 'Victoria's Secret' the girls asked me questions.
"What do you think of Edward?" Rosalie asked.
"Well, he's very kind..."
"But do you LIKE him?" Alice pushed, making me blush.
"Depends what you mean by LIKE..." I said back, trying to avoid telling, because I truly didn't know myself. When Edward put his hand to my cheek a weird emotion came over me that made me feel... I couldn't even describe it...
"Oh, don't play dumb! Here, let's make it simple. Do you love him?" Rosalie was growing impatient.
"Love's a strong word... he is handsome and a gentleman," I said and they pouted.
"You're so cruel!" Alice yelled as she pulled stuff off the racks.
Once we were done with that we went into the food court to wait for the boys. I ordered and was almost done when the boys sat down.
"And what did you lovely ladies buy?" Emmett asked, trying to see into the bag Rosalie was holding.
"Something that you won't be seeing until tonight," Rosalie said, making Emmett frown.
"It's dark enough in the back of my car..." Emmett tried.
"Emmett!" Edward yelled, rubbing his forehead. Edward sat next to me and almost naturally we grabbed each other's hands.
"Sorry bro, but you got to learn that it's only natural," Emmett defended himself, and sat back down in the seat next to Rosalie.
"Now, we get to decorate Bella's room!" Esme looked so excited.
"Just please don't spend too much money," I begged.
"I was thinking we should go with a blue theme for her room," Alice said, ignoring my pleading.
"I love it! I was kinda hoping we could do a twilight sky for the ceiling?" Esme suggested, and the two of them were bouncing up and down. Carlisle and Jasper thanked me for making their wives happy by giving me a big smile. I could not help but smile back as we got up and finished up the shopping for shelves, paints, and more. When we got into the car it was 8:00 p.m. and I was tired, wanting to take a nap. Alice looked at me and smiled.
"Don't worry Bella. Go to sleep, and when you wake up your room will be done." I smiled at her and leaned to the side so my head was resting against Edward's arm. He seemed to notice that his arms were hard and moved so that my head was rested on his lap as he played with my hair, and the last thing I thought before I fell to sleep was 'It feels nice to be in his arms..."