I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.
CH. Barefoot 14 (BPOV)
2004
When I got home I placed my book bag down next to the stairs and headed to the kitchen. I opened the insulated bag that Esme was so sweet to give me that contained the potatoes. I reached and found the potatoes still burning hot wrapped in foil. I decided to leave them in there realizing they would be good until dinner.
I grabbed the steak out of the fridge and took it out of the marinade and placed it in the oven to start to broil.
Since everything was mostly set I brought my bag to my room and double checked the window to make sure it was unlocked. Just before heading out of the room I remembered my mother had e-mailed me first day the last time and she got upset when it took me a couple of days to get back to her. I fired up the computer and cringed at the groan it made.
Knowing it would take a while I busied myself by setting the table, starting a load of laundry and flipping the steak.
I checked my e-mail to discover I did have two messages from my mom. So I sent a quick response back. I heard the front door open and Charlie call up.
"Bella?" he called.
"Coming," I called back turning off the monitor and headed back downstairs.
I found him in the living room turning on the television.
"Dinner should be ready in about five minutes." I told him.
"It smells great," Charlie gave me a relieved smile. I smiled back and entered the kitchen to get everything ready.
"How was school?" Charlie asked as he sat across me.
"It was fine," I gave a shrug. "I actually saw someone I knew." I told him.
"Really? You remember someone here from before. Who?" He asked.
"Actually, funny enough, it was Alice Cullen. I met her at camp at University of Phoenix a few years ago; I didn't know her last name then. I was taking a literary class and she was there for an art one." I relayed the story Alice had given me at lunch.
"Well, that's great you already have a friend here," Charlie looked pleased.
"I hope you don't mind she offered to take me shopping this weekend." I mentioned and Charlie looked as if he had been granted a pardon.
"No problem here. It would be good for you to get out and socialize with kids here in town." Charlie took a swig of his beer.
"She also asked if I could spend the night." I looked down at my plate.
"Will her brothers be there?' Charlie's voice sounded suspicious.
"Probably, they do live there. I'm sure her parents will be too. Would you like me to have one of them call you?" I knew Esme would be more than willing to.
"That would make me more comfortable. Not that I don't trust you. It's the boys I don't trust." Charlie brought his plate to the sink.
I bit my lip still wanted him to like Edward better this time around.
"I can clean up, if you want to go watch your game." I offered.
"Thank you, Bells. I enjoyed it." He thanked me again.
"I'm glad to do it. I cooked often for mom too." I brought my plate to the sink and did a quick cleanup of the kitchen.
BS&EC
A few hours later I had finished my homework and was waiting in bed for Edward to show up. Charlie had just gone to bed and was snoring. I was watching the window like a hawk. I started to smile when it started to go up and Edward quietly sneaked into the room.
"You came," I beamed. He glanced up smiling widely at me.
"I told you I would, beautiful." I opened up my arms and he came quickly to my side.
"Is Jacob out there," I asked snuggling into his arms; his body was cool against my warm skin.
"Yup. Jasper relaxed him enough until he fell asleep." Edward started placing soft kissed on my jaw. "Enough about him though." I felt myself growing dizzy with each kiss.
I was enjoying the increasing intimacy from him. I hoped this was a sign he wanted to take things much further. I didn't want to ask though in fear that he would stop again.
His mouth met mine and I lost all train of thought as I kissed him back while vaguely registered the bed dip as he laid us back.
I'm not sure how much time went by before Edward finally pulled away, settling me against him and my head on his chest. I drifted off into the best night of sleep that I had gotten in a long time.
BS&EC
The rest of the week pasted in a similar pattern. Edward picked me up each morning and I rode in the back with Alice. Edward didn't trust my truck, since Jacob worked on it and Rose wasn't there to look it over. I thought he was a little too paranoid, but I let it go.
He was cautious how he touched me at school. He didn't want others forming a poor opinion of me. He made up for it whenever we were alone though.
Charlie agreed to let me go shopping with Alice and spend the night with the Cullens after talking with Esme. So they picked me up bright, and extremely, early on Saturday morning. I actually fell back asleep in the back with Edward as Jasper drove.
We were now in a mall in Seattle; we had been here an hour and Alice already had the boys' hands full of bags. Alice insisted on them paying for everything, saying if she couldn't buy me a present to at least let her do this. She was reasonable for being her too, with only a few sweaters and long sleeve tops that I really liked. Jeans, as well as some dressier pants. We argued a little over dresses, but she insisted that I might want something for an occasion if Edward took me somewhere nice.
All of that was in the first hour of us being at the mall. The one great thing of Alice was that I didn't have to try anything on. She could see what worked and didn't. One of the things I hated about clothes shopping was trying everything on.
"Why don't you guys take those to the car while we hit the next store?" Alice asked. They nodded and headed on their way. I felt slightly bad that they might be bored following us around.
"Next store," Alice dragged me into a Victoria's Secret.
"Um, Alice, I don't think I need anything in here." I looked around glad that she sent the guys away.
"Sure you do. Every woman should have some fancier matching sets. Instead of just plain old cotton ones." She made some fast selections.
"It's not like anyone is ever going to see them besides me." I hoped Edward and Jasper would take a while before coming back.
"Don't be too sure." Alice had a sly smile on her face as she selected a blue lace set. My cheeks tinted a light pink.
"Have you seen something?" I asked slightly embarrassed, but curious all the same.
"Nothing in particular, but you've had to notice the change in him," Alice smiled. She headed over to a rack of satin and lacy baby dolls.
"Lace or satin?" she asked, moving through the rack.
"Alice, really, there is no need for something like that." I answered. I could just imagine if Charlie found that in my room. Alice subtly moved closer to me.
"It's not that he doesn't want to, you know. Anyone can see it in his eyes how much he loves you. Jasper was the same way when I was still human and he was a vampire. He was terrified of hurting me even thought we had been intimate before." Alice took a few babydolls out to show me.
"Edward could never hurt me." I disagreed.
"I said the same thing to Jasper. But to them even the remote chance is too much for them to risk." Alice placed them back on the rack.
"I like these," I commented looking at a rack at soft flannel lounge pants. Even though they were flannel they looked lightweight
"Then get a pair. There are some tank tops over there that will go with them." She pointed to a table. The pants were a purple plaid so I picked out a solid purple top to go with it.
"Is Esme younger than before," I asked in a whisper.
"She's the same age as Carlisle. Carlisle went to visit her when she was suppose to fall out of the tree and caught her. She had her memory back then, so Carlisle courted her and then married her." Alice picked out a burgundy pair as well.
"Give me those and I will pay for them after I get what I need. You can meet up with the guys. Edward is at the linen store, two stores down on the right and Jasper is across from him at the electronic store." Alice held out her hand for my items, which I handed over.
I made my way out and could see Edward standing outside the store looking at a display of blankets. I frowned when I saw an over friendly salesgirl trying to flirt with him. She had on way too much makeup, reminding me of Mimi from that Drew Carey show. She had to be twenty years older than us too.
I continued forward right up to Edward and wrapped my arms around his waist. He looked down at me with a smile on his face and wrapped an arm around me. His eyebrows raised slightly and his eyes glinted with amusement.
"There you're, love. I was debating whether or not to get an electric blanket for you." His velvety voice was smooth.
I looked at the rack then at the girl, who now appeared annoyed. Feeling a bit bold I answered him.
"I think our bed is warm enough without it," I got on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek and he chuckled in amusement.
"Well, then if you're sure." He let go of my waist to take my hand in his lacing our fingers together. "Thank you, anyways." He gave the sales girl a nod not really looking at her. She was glowering at me by this point and I just gave her an innocent smile.
She walked away further into the store.
"Are you sure? It could keep you warm when I have to go hunting," Edward said quietly.
"Maybe, but not from here," I scowled at the girl's back.
"For your birthday then," He walked us away from the store to a bench to wait for the others.
"I said no presents. Besides you already gave me the window seat and all the books." I took a seat on the wooden bench.
"That was more of a welcome home present." Edward shook his head. "Plus you told Alice no presents. I didn't agree to anything." He smirked.
"You could always make another CD." I told him my preference. I loved that CD and wanted it back. I used it when he went hunting to fall asleep to.
"Already made it and I will give it to you for a small price of a kiss." Edward smiled charmingly at me. He leaned down and kissed me chastely ignoring all the others passing by.
"So are you going to let me get you one of those blankets for your birthday or do I just sneak it on to your bed when your are not looking." Edward pulled back and leaned against the bench back and then extended one arm around my shoulders.
I glanced behind him at a candy store's display window.
"You can get me one of those gourmet apples for my birthday." He looked quickly behind him at the display with a tiny frown.
"If you would like one I will get one, but it doesn't count for your birthday." He grinned crookedly before standing up.
"What kind would you like?" he asked.
"Mmmm…one with chocolate and nuts." I decided, I started to get up. He motioned me to keep sitting.
"I will be right back." He headed off at a smooth pace. The crowd parted for him as he crossed to enter the store.
I turned back after he disappeared into the store. I jumped when I noticed Jasper beside me on the bench. He smirked and chuckled slightly.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." He handed me a new cell phone. It was blue and flipped open.
"That's okay I didn't know you joined us." I glanced down at the box at his feet. It was an iMac laptop.
"New computer?" I asked the obvious.
"Yup. I needed an upgrade for something I need to do." He answered. He gave me a thoughtful look.
"Would you be interested in my old laptop? Nothing is wrong with it." He offered.
"How much would you want for it?" I asked.
"For you? Nothing. Siblings wouldn't charge each other. Consider it a hand me down." He shook his head. I was about to refuse, but I knew I would probably end up with it anyways.
"Thank you, Jasper," I said instead. He smiled back.
"I'm glad you're going to be agreeable. I thought you were going to hold on to that dinosaur of a computer of yours and I would have to tweak with your emotions to make you accept it." He teased.
"It's younger than you," I shot back with a teasing smile.
"Maybe you should learn to respect your elders." He tried to give me a stern look but I saw his lip twitch in amusement.
"Is this where you launch into the 'I had to walk five miles in two feet of snow, uphill to get to school every day' speech?" I challenged him. He glanced away then back at me.
"It was twelve miles and the snow was four feet deep. Plus it was uphill both ways barefoot." He huffed,but his eyes were twinkling with amusement.
"Please, you're from Houston, it hardly snows there." Edward scoffed sitting beside me. He handed me a white bag. I opened it and glanced in. The apple had been cut up to make it easier to eat. I took a slice out and bit into the apple enjoying the mixture of bitter apple to the sweet candy.
"Mmmm…Thank you," I thanked him after I swallowed. Edward smiled, pleased that he made me happy. I started to check out the phone that Jasper had given me. Edward took it from me and started to add numbers to it.
It was interesting to see that Edward was so calm about Jasper sitting so close to me. Usually he kept Jasper at a distance that I didn't know him very well. I wonder what had changed. I hoped that I would get to know Jasper better this time.
"You can ask later," Alice walked up with the bags from Victoria Secret and two bags from another store that was cube shaped. I had a feeling they were the blankets.
Both Edward and Jasper reached out to take the bags she handed them.
"Where to next, Darlin'," Jasper asked.
"I think we need shoes, next." She glanced at my old sneakers.
"No, high heels," I protested. Alice rolled her eyes.
"Fine, but maybe a stylish boots for the winter." Alice brushed off my refusal and she herded us on to more stores.
We were finally done about an hour and half later and headed back to Forks with the back of Edward's Volvo stuffed with bags.
BS&EC
Since we got an early start and with Alice's quick shopping, we got home in the early afternoon. Jasper got to tell me his story on the way back. I was happy to hear that he changed his diet earlier and had good results. We dropped my bags in Edward's room and then Edward quickly placed me on his back and took off for the meadow.
I was pleased to see the sun start to come out, which that explained why Alice was probably so fast with her shopping rather than make it a whole day experience.
I sat in the grass and Edward laid down with his head in my lap. His eyes were closed and he looked like he could be sleeping except he was humming lightly. I lazily ran my finger through his hair as I glanced around at the late season flowers.
"This is nice," Edward spoke lightly.
"I miss this. It feels like we have no worries here." I sighed in content looking down at his face that sparkled in the sun. His golden eyes opened and he looked at peace too, instead of the constant worry I often saw. The fact he liked to fool around a bit more was a plus too.
"We don't have any worries at the moment. No Volturi breathing down our necks. No Victoria plotting revenge." Edward reached up to cup my cheek. "No pressures to change you. In fact, forget I ever said Marry me and I will change you."
My heart faltered and I looked away from him. We were back to where he wasn't going to change me. On top of that now, he changed his mind about marrying me. I don't know why that stung like it did. I wasn't ready to get married at sixteen, almost seventeen, but it still hurt that he changed his mind. Before we got sent back I had pretty much changed my view on it. I frowned as my thoughts conflicted with one another.
I was vaguely aware that Edward sat up.
"Bella?" I looked up when I heard the concern in his voice. The peaceful look was gone. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I shook my head. My thoughts would probably just lead to an argument. I didn't want to ruin our peaceful time.
"Love, please tell me what you're thinking. Did I say something to upset you?" He pleaded not giving up.
"Edward, I still want to be changed." I told him picking at the flattened grass in front of me.
"Bella," Edward started as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Wait, before you start all the reasons not to. You never got sick this time, you chose yourself to be changed. Not that I'm really complaining, because I would be lost without you. But you still got to choose and it would be only right if I got to choose too." I said with conviction.
"Bella…"
"I'm not done. What if Alice is right? What if keeping me human will always be fighting a losing battle to keep me alive. Sure, things are fine now, but for how long. Em and Rose tried and lost out, because they were always meant to be changed. I don't want to end up like them or always struggling to keep me alive. I want to be changed, because I truly believe I'm meant for that life, like you." I took a deep breath after finishing.
Edward was watching me carefully, his face was blank. I couldn't tell if I won or not.
"Please, don't fight it." I begged in one last ditch effort.
"Are you done?" Edward asked softly. I nodded then bit my lip. Edward sighed and reached over to remove my lip from my mouth gently. His finger traced my lips gently.
"I will change you, but not now." I opened my mouth, but Edward held up one finger against my lips lightly before continuing. "I think it would be prudent to wait until after graduation, like before. This will give you more time with Charlie. Alice can watch out for your future and I will keep you safe until then. Okay?" He gave me a soft smile. I hesitated before responding.
"How do I know you won't change your mind?" I asked, he moved me to his lap and hugged me to him.
"I won't because you're right. It's your decision to make. Plus, having to go without you again was miserable. I don't want to be without you again. I also agree that Alice is right after all. I rather spend our time happy together rather than at odds with each other or on edge ready for something bad to happen." Edward kissed my cheek. I felt relieved that he wasn't going to fight me, but still something else bothered me.
"I thought that would make you happy?" he asked after a moment.
"It does, but why don't you want to marry me anymore?" I confessed. Edward looked confused.
"I never said that. I said forget I said, marry me and I will change you." Edward explained. I was still confused, wasn't that what I just said. Edward turned my face until I met his eyes. "I don't want you to marry me because you feel like you have to. I want you to marry me because you want to. I thought you didn't want to marry me, anyways?" His eyes grew sad at the end.
"It's not that I don't want to ever marry you. I just thought it would make my parents upset with me. I didn't want to upset them just before I was changed. Renée has always grilled into me to wait before." I explained.
"Well, then, perhaps I will get the chance to ask properly someday." Edward smiled charmingly at me.
I couldn't help but to smile back at him. Edward finally agreed to change me without any argument on it. I was also fairly sure that when he asked I would tell him yes.
BS&EC
It was twilight by the time we arrived back home to a light rain. I was a bit surprised we got caught in it. Edward placed me on my feet right before we entered the quiet house.
"Everyone must have gone out hunting. Can I get you something to eat? We could go out to Port Angeles." Edward asked.
"I rather stay in if that is okay. I'm not very hungry, do you have stuff for a sandwich?" I asked heading to the fridge, but Edward beat me there.
"We should have plenty. Why don't you go change and I will bring it up to you." He suggested taking things out of the fridge and putting it on the counter.
"Okay, that is sweet of you," I kissed his cheek and started to turn away. Before I could blink he had my back pressed against the counter and he started to kiss me heatedly. Shivers went through my body from excitement and he pulled back.
"Go change before you get sick." He ran his hand through his hair looking uncertain, his eyes were hooded and black. I was pretty sure it wasn't from hunger.
He started to busy himself making a sandwich moving at a slow pace for him. I took the hint that he needed a moment.
I hurried up the stairs and into his…our room. I liked the sound of that. I entered and found that Alice had left out one of my new blue flannel sets. Knowing I was chancing Edward walking in, part of me felt guilty that I was tempting him, but another part was curious how far he was willing to bend his original rules, I changed in the middle of the room.
I was finished before he arrived, I wondered what was taking so long. I took a seat in my new window seat and pulled one the blankets around my shoulders. I rubbed it on my cheek to feel the softness.
There was a knock on the door. I glanced at the door. Why didn't he just come in?
"Come in," I called out in amusement. The door opened and Edward poked his head in before entering. "Why did you knock?"
"I wanted to make sure that you were dressed since I walked in on you last time." Edward brought a tray over to where I was sitting. "I heated up some soup too in case you needed something to warm you up." He placed the tray down in between us.
"Thank you," I picked up the sandwich and started to eat.
While I ate he told me a little about the changes he made this time around and Jasper coming to visit him when he was human.
When I was done Edward moved the tray to his desk and I leaned into the pillows behind me.
"Mmm, I could fall asleep here." I closed my eyes.
"But what about the bed?" Edward asked. I could tell he was near by. "The window seat is only really big enough for one."
"Well, since I'm the only one that sleeps this is good." I answered, I felt myself being lifted quickly and placed down just as fast. I opened my eyes to find Edward hovering above me. He was as close as he could get without actually touching me. My breath caught in my throat and my heart raced.
"We couldn't do this very well on a window seat." His voice was very husky and his eyes were dark again.
"True," I stuttered slightly and he smirked. He dipped his head down and lightly brushed my cheek with his nose and then placed a kiss on my neck.
"This would be difficult," he breathed lightly into my ear.
"Mmm." I couldn't respond intelligently.
"Also this…" he rolled us over gently. He held my eyes with his heated gaze and I felt his hand slowly run down my body, he paused at the knee before lightly lifting it and hitching it over his hip. I froze and I could even feel my own heart beating rapidly.
"Is this okay?" he asked hesitantly. He started to shift away when I didn't answer right away.
"It's fine. You just surprised me. You've changed, you've never been this forward before." I answered him.
"I'm sorry," Edward looked slightly abashed as he started to move again.
"Wait, I didn't say I didn't like it, in fact just the opposite." I blushed. "In fact I wouldn't mind seeing more of this." I bit my lip, hoping I didn't ruin the moment and the dignified gentleman would make an appearance.
"I like it too," Edward admitted. "I dreamed of you often when I was human and even fantasized biding my time for you to return to me. I find myself being easily carried away with you now." He brushed my hair from my face and cupped my cheek.
"Carry away all that you want. In fact, if you want to carry further away, go for it," I kissed his jaw.
"I don't need your temptations. You're already a seductress." He chuckled huskily and his eyes looked more hooded.
"Like I would know how?" I scoffed.
"Well, the stuff Alice picked out for you in that pink bag is a start." He grinned wolfishly and my jaw dropped.
"You peeked?" I gasped.
"Why do you think Alice wouldn't let you try anything on?" His grin grew. I blinked several times. I had meant he peeked in the bags, but he obviously meant Alice's mind.
"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen," my jaw dropped.
"Are you mad," he tried to give me a serious look, but his eyes still twinkled with amusement.
"I… no….but have you peeked before while I was getting changed." I asked flabbergasted. He shook his head.
"No, I have been a good boy." He gave me angelic smile. "Although when I walked in when you were just wearing the towel, it was enough to fuel my imagination." I could feel the blush on my cheeks and Edward looked smug.
"Are you going to tell me about your dreams or would you prefer to act them out?" I asked bravely. Edward's smug smile fell from his face as he froze.
After a moment he let go of me and rolled to his side. I knew it was too good to be true. I sighed heavily and covered my face with my arms.
"It's not that I don't want to. Trust me there is times I want nothing more. But until you're changed I'm not going to risk it." Edward explained in a quiet voice.
"My kind is very physical with that aspect. Emmett and Rose brought down a house reducing it to mere ruble. We have the need to claim our mates during our climax. Not even Carlisle was willing to risk Esme that way until she was ready to be changed."
I processed in the information in my mind.
"But you have pushed your boundaries already?" I lowered my arms but looked up at the ceiling.
"True and we can still. But until you're ready to be changed I think we have to hold off." I rolled over to see him. He laid parallel to me and gave me a reluctant smile.
"Emmett and Rose brought down a house?" I asked.
"Esme was pissed too. She just finished it." Edward smirked then looked sad. I knew he must miss them.
"Ready to go to sleep?" he asked.
"It's only 8:30," I laughed. Edward glanced at the clock and looked abashed.
"How about a movie and more cuddling?" I curled back into him.
"Sounds wonderful, love." He kissed my nose.
A/N: If you're wondering why Edward doesn't think of Jacob is a risk it's because Jacob hasn't phased yet. Even though they are fairly sure it was him that sent them back, Edward doesn't think Jacob could do much to them for the time being.
Yes, Edward agreed for her to be changed. Some worried he would still be stubborn about it. He got rid of that horrible requirement too.
Thank You For All Reviews!
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Preview:
I turned into a small circle with my bucket in my hand. I picked up the bucket and doused Carlisle being careful not to get Esme. I figured he would forgive me out of the rest. The water dripped off of him, but he didn't move.
"Emmett," Rose gasped in shock.
"Hmm, didn't work, I was trying to wake him up." I sighed.
"Before you do something like that again. Run it by me." Rose rolled her eyes.
"What about Bells, think she will be easier?" I asked her.
"You're not dumping water on her. She will freeze to death…
(Yup, Emmett's back!)