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Chapter 28: Progress Part 1
Edward's POV
I led her out of the courtroom to the bench on the other side of the hall. Judge Hayworth had called a fifteen-minute recess before he handed down the sentencing. Bella was quiet but not in a withdrawn way. She leaned over and rested her head on my shoulder. I grabbed her hand and squeezed. She sighed and looked up at me with a smile. She had been great so far. She was asked to recount the events once while the Judge asked a few questions. Then she had to listen to it again from Jacob's and Seth's point of view.
"How are you doing?" I asked.
"Okay," she answered. "I'm just glad this is finally going to be over, and I'm getting what I want."
"Maggie told the judge what you wanted. He can do whatever he wants though." I looked over at Maggie where she was talking with Alice, her niece. What a small world.
"I know." She leaned her head back onto my shoulder. I rubbed her hand as we sat there in silence until the bailiff came to let us know the judge was ready.
We went inside and took our seats. I sat directly behind Bella with Charlie and Sue on my right and Carlisle and Esme on my left. Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, Angela, Ben, Seth, Leah, and Billy sat behind us. When Billy had showed up and sat on our side, it caused quite a ruckus.
*****
Billy came into the courtroom and wheeled over to Charlie where they spoke for a few minutes. Charlie seemed to be arguing with him about something. I guess Billy ended up winning because Charlie nodded his head and went back to his seat. I was standing with Bella at the end of the aisle trying to keep her calm before everything began. Billy wheeled himself over to be next to Charlie.
"Billy, what are you doing?" Bella asked.
"I'm here to see how this goes," he answered calmly.
"Shouldn't you be on the other side?" she asked tentatively.
"Bella, if I were here to support Jake, I'd be over there. However, I'm not here to support him. What he did was wrong. He had no right and has no excuse. You didn't deserve that." He gripped her hand. "Bella, I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for what he did. I'm not just talking about at the store either. I'm so sorry I didn't recognize anything earlier. I should have been there for you."
"Billy, it's not-"
"Bella, listen to me. I'm sorry. You'll never know how much." I watched as she started to cry. I let go of her, and she launched herself into his arms.
"I was so worried you'd hate me, hate Charlie. I thought you wouldn't believe me."
"Bella, honey, I could never hate you. I love you like you were one of my own daughters."
"What the hell?!" Jacob yelled as he was led into the courtroom. "Whose side are you on, dad?" Bella stood up quickly and stepped back into my arms.
"What you did to her was inexcusable. All of it. It's time for you to take responsibility for your actions and live with the consequences."
"I'm your son. You should be over here. Not on that bitch's side."
"Don't you ever speak to her in that manner. I know your mother taught you better than that."
*****
I was brought out of my thoughts when Judge Hayworth took his seat. Bella reached back, and I took her hand in mine. She was still so worried that Billy would be left with no one to take care of him. Maggie reached over, patted her leg, and gave her a reassuring smile. Charlie reached forward and squeezed her shoulder. She placed her hand over his and sighed. The judge looked up from the files and glanced from Bella to Jacob.
"Ms. Swan, you haven't told me everything," he started. She furrowed her brows. "This isn't a one-time incident." Her face paled. "I understand why you're here. I don't doubt the incident occurred, but I think there's a history of violence here. Am I correct?" Her grip on my hand tightened, but she said nothing. She looked over at Jacob then back at Billy. "Ms. Swan, is there a history of violence?" She met the judge's gaze and nodded slowly. "Mr. Black, you should consider yourself lucky that these are the only charges you are facing.
"Ms. Swan, I have taken into consideration what punishment you see fit. However, I will not hold to those requests. Mr. Black will be undergoing Domestic Violence Treatment. The program is a minimum 12 months and will include the therapy you wished him to have. I will not be assigning any jail time as this program is in-patient. Once released, and mind you, it is not a guarantee after the twelve months you'll be released, you will have 150 hours of community service to fulfill. You will be on probation for two years, and if you mess up once, Mr. Black, I will not hesitate to put you in jail. Am I understood?"
"Yes, sir," Jacob said resigned.
"As for compensatory damages, you will pay for any treatment she has received or will receive due to this incident as well as the past abuse. I read here Ms. Swan has been seeing a therapist. You will pay for those sessions as well and any further ones she attends. You will also pay punitive damages in the amount of $100,000 to be paid immediately."
"What?!" Jacob roared. "You've got to be kidding me! $100,000?" The judge rapt his gavel on the podium.
"Counselor, control your client."
"Yes, your honor," Jacob's attorney said as she pulled Jacob back into his seat.
"This is my ruling, and it will be upheld. Mr. Black, I sincerely hope you take advantage of this opportunity. Ms. Swan, I hope things work out for you. Court is adjourned." He stood and left the courtroom. Jacob banged his fists on the table and Bella stood up. She turned toward me with an odd expression on her face.
"Is it really over?" she asked.
"It's really over," I answered with a smile. She smiled back, and I pulled her into a hug.
The past few days had been wonderful. It was Thursday, only three days since the sentencing, and Bella had done a 180° turn. The withdrawn, sullen person that she had been for three weeks was replaced with a vibrant, playful, and open Bella. It was such a change. It started before we ever walked into the courtroom.
Esme introduced Bella to Maggie. Maggie started off by telling Bella how brave and admirable she was being. 'Not everyone would think more about the punishment being rehabilitative rather than retributive,' she told Bella. She commended her for having such a kind, caring heart. It immediately put Bella at ease and of course made her blush. I smiled at the reaction. There hadn't been much color on her face since the assault.
After the sentencing, she left the courtroom with her shoulders held higher than they had been in a long while. A weight seemed to be lifted from her shoulders. She was quick to smile and laugh, she was looking forward to getting back to work, and she was eager to get back in the swing of things with our group. She was also going to Jasper again for her therapy sessions. To my great surprise and appreciation, she started talking to me about what they discussed.
*****
"Edward?" I heard her call from the front door.
"In the kitchen," I yelled. I must not have heard her knock, because she still didn't feel comfortable just walking in. I guess that could have a little to do with the first time she walked in without knocking. I had told her I would be on the balcony when she arrived and to just come join me. I didn't plan on Emmett walking from the bathroom to his room at that exact time; with no clothes on. I chuckled at the memory of her lobster-red face. "It's clear; no naked men." She walked in and smacked my arm before reaching on her tiptoes to kiss me.
"That's not funny. I will never be able to look at him the same way." She shook her head as a residual blush colored her cheeks. I kissed her nose before turning back to dry the rest of the dishes. She hopped onto the counter next to me. "I saw Jasper today."
"Oh?" I knew how this conversation would go.
"Yep."
"How did it go?"
"It went well." She paused, and I knew that was the extent of the conversation. "We talked about Renee and Phil." That was more than she normally offered.
"Yeah?"
"Yep. I told him I don't want to tell them about 23."
"You don't?"
"No. I told him that telling Charlie was one thing. I mean, he cares and wants to help. Renee would just blame herself and not know what to do. I just don't want to tell her."
"If you don't want to tell them, you don't have to."
"We talked about how Renee's actions when I decided to leave made me feel." I picked her up off the counter. She wrapped her legs and arms around me as she giggled. I carried her to the living room and deposited her on the couch before sitting next to her.
"Do you want to tell me about it?" She captured her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded.
*****
We had talked about so many things lately from her mom and stepdad to her fears about me leaving her if she didn't put sleep with me. In return, I told her about Tanya and my parents. I told her my fear that she'd push me away if things got hard, like Tanya did. When I told her about my parents she echoed Carlisle and Esme's thoughts. Since I hadn't told her about them, she thought I was bitter about the event and didn't trust her. I assured her that wasn't it at all. It felt great to talk to her and know no subject was off limits.
I kept a close eye on the clock for the rest of my shift. I was anxious to get off so I could get to sleep. I had to be up a bit early. Bella planned a dinner party for tonight. She was excited and even let Alice help decorate. I would get off work in two hours then sleep until 3:00pm. I was told to be early to help. It was the first group gathering that included everyone since our weekend in Forks. Things had calmed down, and everyone was ready to be back together.
Emmett and I were able to leave by 8:15. Once at home I showered quickly and fell into bed. It had been a long shift so I was out like a light as soon as my head hit the pillow. My alarm clock woke me at 3:00, but it felt like I had only been asleep for a few seconds. I slapped the offending piece of machinery and groaned as I stretched. Then I remembered we would all be together tonight and smiled. I picked up my phone and saw a new text from Bella. Can you bring a shirt and pair of sweats for me to borrow? I cocked an eyebrow and pondered what that could mean.
I got out of bed and readied for the day quickly tossing a shirt and sweats into a bag. I drove over to Jasper's and arrived at 3:30. Bella's truck was already in visitor's parking, and I assumed Alice's was here as well. When I got to his door, it was propped open, and I could hear laughter from inside. Being late May, the weather was starting to get warm. It was the perfect temperature to enjoy the breeze. I was sleeping with the windows open myself. I knocked none the les so I wouldn't scare anyone and yelled, "Hello." I heard a chorus of greetings and invitations to come to the kitchen. I could make out Bella, Rosalie, Alice, Angela, and Jasper's voices. I walked into the kitchen cautiously and couldn't hold back my own laughter.
"How the hell did this happen?" I asked between gasps for breath.
Bella and Angela were crouched behind the bar with their hands covering their mouths. Jasper was perched on the counter by the sink with a wide grin. Alice was standing next to the refrigerator with a bowl of something white. She had the bandana from her birthday laser tag game tied around her forehead, two black lines under her eyes like a football player, and a clear plastic pancho on over her clothes. Rosalie was flat on her back on the floor like she had fallen. A shower cap covered her hair, she was wearing a 'Kiss the Cook' apron, and she was barefoot. All of them were covered in the white stuff in Alice's bowl and laughing to the point of tears.
"Bella wanted to make cookies," Jasper said.
"All I was doing was making the batter," Bella defended and cringed at her outburst.
"Ah ha!" Alice exclaimed and ran around the bar. She then proceeded to dump the concoction on top of Bella and Angela's head. "Serves you right." Bella just continued to laugh.
"What happened?" I asked again hoping to get the full story.
"I was just making cookies," Bella rushed to defend herself.
"Then Angela showed up and wanted to help," Jasper said.
"I was only trying to be nice," Angela defended as everyone finally stood up.
"Alice came in and started being nosy," Rosalie said.
"Hey, you did the same thing," Alice accused while pointing a finger at her.
"They fought over who would get to put the cookies on the sheet," Bella supplied the next step of the evening.
"It's my boyfriend's house. I should get to do it."
"Alice, that makes no sense," Rosalie said. "I'm youngest. It should have been me."
"I have done it before," Angela said. "I am the experienced one. I should have done it, because I wouldn't have messed it up."
"Anyway," Jasper said bringing the attention back to him. "There was a bit of a scuffle. I heard it and came to inspect. I walk in and the first thing I see is Alice flick some of the stuff at Rose." He pointed at Rosalie.
"So I did it to her," Rosalie said and pointed at Alice.
"But she missed and got me," Angela said pointing to herself.
"I just tried to save the batter," Bella explained holding her hand up in a defensive manner. "I took the bowl and was going to walk away."
"But I wanted to get Rose back, so I grabbed the bowl," Angela said and looked down as if she were being scolded.
"Then Alice and I grabbed the bowl, because we weren't going to be left out," Rose said.
"Tugging ensued, and the stuff splashed out of the bowl onto all of them," Jasper said and started laughing again. "Bella and Angela scooped up some of it and flung it at Alice and Rose."
"It seemed good at the time," Bella said in a small voice. "Then Angela and I ran."
"I went to get the pancho so it wouldn't ruin my clothes, and it was war so I had to have the right equipment." She pointed to the bandana and face paint. "I brought back the shower cap for Rosalie. She doesn't need to mess up her hair."
"While they were gone, we hid behind the bar because they wouldn't think we'd stay in the same room," Bella said.
"I went and got the camera," Jasper said as he held it up, "and took a seat to watch the show. This," he pointed to the batter on his shirt, "is all from crossfire. I'm an innocent bystander."
"I was going to walk into the living room to see if they were there," Rosalie continued.
"We didn't know there was batter on the floor," Alice said and started laughing again. "Her foot slipped out from under her, and Bam! she fell on her ass."
"It was actually funny, I have to admit," Rosalie confirmed. "Then, well, you came in."
Everyone looked around at each other then burst into laughter again. This explained why Bella needed the clothes. She was covered in the stuff now. She'd have to take a shower because it was on her clothes and in her hair. She did, however, look utterly delicious. Jasper hopped down from the counter and walked over to show me the pictures. We heard a knock at the door before Emmett and Ben walked in and saw the scene. They looked from one person to the other seemingly struck quiet. Then Emmett spoke up.
"You guys had a food fight and didn't wait for me?" he whined.
"I was only trying to make cookies," Bella began, and so started the epic explanation again. When it was over everyone was laughing. I pulled Bella to me but far enough away that I wouldn't get goop on myself.
"You are too adorable. You know that?" I asked her. She just smiled at me. I leaned down and gave her a lingering kiss. I leaned to her and whispered. "You also look temptingly delicious." I licked from her collarbone up to just behind her ear. She moaned quietly, and I watched as her eyes slid closed. She leaned forward and kissed me hard. It was the most PDA she had initiated. I pulled back before she could do something she would be embarrassed about later. "You're sticky. Why don't you clean up?" I held the bag out towards her, and she pouted. "Trust me." I leaned back in to whisper again. "I can think of plenty of things to do while you're sticky, but it's not going to be in a room full of people."
"Uh, o-okay," she stuttered. I looked up to see her eyes a bit dilated and heavy lidded. I kissed her once more and gave a gentle shove towards the bathroom. She walked away slowly before shaking her head as if to clear it. I chuckled to myself.
Eventually everyone was clean. Alice was the only one that didn't need to shower thanks to her pancho. I still couldn't believe she got one for a food fight. It just didn't seem fair. I had been trying hard to hide my excitement from thinking of Bella sticky with things like caramel topping and ice cream. Then she came back from her shower with my station shirt and sweats on. I had to sit down and pull the chair close to the bar to hide my arousal. Mine. That was the only thing I could think seeing my name on the back of her. The shirt and sweats were too large for her, but damn did she look good marked with my name.
She came over to thank me for bringing the clothes before she returned to the clean kitchen, courtesy us guys, to cook dinner. She made Havarti Chicken, caponata, homemade green beans, and red potatoes. I hadn't had any of those yet but knew they'd be great. She was an amazing cook. Maybe next time my parents came down she could cook for them. She didn't get to cook on our weekend in Forks so they'd only had one of her meals. I'd have to talk to her about it, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind. She and mom had been talking a couple times a week since the assault. It was nice to see them getting along, the two most important women in my life. We all sat down at the table to eat.
"Before we get started, I want to make a toast," Jasper said. We all grabbed the wine glasses, Bella's filled by water, and gave him our attention. "It's been a hell of a start to the year, and tonight should be a celebration. It's a celebration on account of many things. Bella, you'll be starting back at Mansfield Prep come Monday, the trial is finished, and you'll graduate in June. Edward, you start Medical School in the fall and have a birthday coming up. Rose, you're graduating in June and can work on getting your garage started. Emmett, you start Medical School in the fall and found someone that can keep up with your ass." Everyone laughed. "Ben, you're being promoted to Watch Commander and marrying Angela in three months. Angela, you're marrying Ben, and your short story compilation is being published. Last, but not least, Alice and I…" He looked over at Alice who was smiling brightly with shining eyes. She held her hand out over the table.
"Are celebrating our engagement," she finished for him. There was a beat of silence before the girls broke out in a squeal. Rosalie grabbed Alice's hand to look at the ring. Bella and Angela stood and walked over to pull Alice into a hug. I reached over and patted Jasper on the back congratulating him. Emmett and Ben did the same.
"When did this happen?" Bella asked. Alice looked at Jasper a bit apprehensively before turning back to Bella and speaking softly.
"A little over three weeks ago," she said slowly. I watched as Bella smiled faded and her brows furrowed.
"In Forks?"
"Yes."
"Why did you wait so long to tell us?"
"We were going to announce it at lunch that day, but then everything happened, and we just didn't know when would be a good time."
"Alice, you never should have put it off. This is wonderful. It's only eight years in the making." We all laughed, and her smile returned. "Tell me, tell me. What's the story?" We all started eating again and listened to the proposal story.
"Well, it was Sunday morning." She shimmied around in her seat until she was comfortable. Her face was lit up more than usual, and she had trouble not looking at Jasper. "We got up early and had coffee on the balcony off our room. After a few cups we went out back. It wasn't raining at the time so he suggested we walk around the garden. Of course, it was beautiful, and Edward was playing the piano so it sounded beautiful too. It was a picture perfect morning.
"He stopped me by the rosebushes and whispered my favorite Edwin Arnold poem in my ear. He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Then he pulled out the 1.5 carats Tiffany Marquise." I didn't know much about rings, but I knew the name Tiffany and carats meant big bucks.
"Alice, it fits you. I think it's gorgeous. Jasper, did you pick it out or did Alice tell you what she wanted?"
"I picked it out, but I have listened to her talk about it," he said after swallowing his food. "I have a list that I've been making. When I heard her say certain words that could be key in picking out the ring, I wrote them down."
"Smart man," Rosalie said. "Angela, I've never really looked at yours. Let me see the hand." Angela held out her hand, which Rosalie took. "Pear shaped with tapered baguettes. 1.5?" Angela nodded. It's like they were speaking in a different language. "Tiffany as well, I see."
"We went shopping together. I pointed out a few I liked. He chose from those," Angela said.
"Also a smart move."
"You sound very knowledgeable," I observed. "Do you look at a lot of them?" Emmett froze next to her, and his face drained of color.
"No." Emmett let out a breath and relaxed. "I worked at a jewelry store for four years. I had to know my shit when it came to jewelry."
"Have you guys decided on any details yet?" Bella asked.
"You know me," Alice answered with a smirk. "I have a few things written down." Even I knew she probably had a whole binder already. "We did decide we want to get married on May 16th." Bella gasped. I looked at her curiously.
"Really? Jasper, really?" He nodded. Jasper, Alice, and Bella were the only ones not confused in the room. Bella looked around at everyone. "May 16th was Jamie's birthday." Oh! Bella had given me the basics of that story. It helped me understand why she and Jasper were so close. Emmett, Ben, and Angela still looked confused.
"Jamie was my little sister," Jasper explained. "She died nine years ago."
"I bet she appreciates the gesture," Angela said with a smile. It was quiet for a moment. "Bella, your kids are ready for you to be back." The tension dissipated, and Bella lit up again.
"I'm ready to be back," she said. "I thought I'd enjoy the time off, but I'm anxious to get back and see how they are. Do you know how Jason is? He was making great progress last time I saw him."
"I think he's doing well. The substitutes have mentioned his name a few times. It seems he's been helping the other students with their chapter analyses."
"That's great. He's got a great eye for that sort of thing. I wonder if his parents every looked into the creative writing classes I referred them to."
"They did," Jasper said. Bella looked at him...hopeful? "He's been seeing me. We talk about the class often." Bella looked relieved and proud.
Conversation lulled as we all returned to eating. Once dinner was over everyone helped clean up then moved to the living room. Jasper sat in the armchair with Alice perched on his lap. Ben sat on the floor with his back against the couch and Angela between his legs. I sat on the couch and pulled Bella to sit by my side an arm thrown over her shoulder. Emmett and Rosalie said on the loveseat.
"Ben and I wanted to talk to you about the wedding," Angela said. "We've decided on a destination wedding. We're getting married in Durango, Colorado, at the Blue Lake Ranch."
"Colorado? I bet it's going to be beautiful," Alice said whimsically.
"It's gorgeous. We took a trip out there a few days ago. It's going to be perfect. Are you all going to be able to make it?" A chorus of yeses sounded through the room. She smiled at us each. "Good. We reserved The Ranch House for the group. It's very nice and has three rooms and one suite. It'll be perfect for all of us. We have it for Wednesday through Saturday night, but of course, Ben and I'll be gone Saturday night."
"We have been going over details lately," Ben picked up the conversation. "We had originally agreed not to have anyone stand with us, but we've recently decided differently. We want you all to stand with us." Alice squealed and jumped off Jasper's lap to hug them both. We all exchanged hugs and let them know we agreed. Alice went to pour a glass of wine for everyone to toast. Rosalie and Bella talked to Angela about the wedding, while Jasper and Emmett went over Jasper's video game collection. Ben came over to me. "Edward, I want to ask you a favor."
"Sure, man," I said. "What's up?"
"I know we haven't been the best of friends, but we have been friends for a long time. I was hoping you'd stand as my best man." I just stared at him in shock.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am."
"I'd be honored to." His smile was a relieved one.
"Thanks."
"No. Thank you."
"Don't worry too much about what you have to do. Angela has it mostly planned out and will call you."
"Okay."
Alice came back with the wine and toasted to "the greatest wedding party in history." After we all took a drink she sat up straighter, and I noticed she had a notepad and pen in her hand.
"I have something else we need to discuss," she said. Everyone looked over. "Graduation is in a little over two weeks then there's Edward's birthday. We need to decide how we're celebrating."
"Mom wants to have everybody, including you two," Emmett said and pointed at Ben and Angela, "back for a weekend in Forks. She said Eddie's birthday would be the perfect opportunity." I glared at him for the nickname, but he only smiled.
"We could do a big barbeque!" Alice clapped at her idea. "It could be a combination celebration of graduation and birthday. Would you be willing to share? We can do something separately."
"I don't mind sharing," I answered. "I don't really want to celebrate my birthday anyway. I'm only turning 26. There's nothing excited about that."
"What about a themed party?" Angela said. "That could be fun." Alice gasped.
"I could do so many decorations. We need to make decisions tonight though. I don't have that much time to get everything together, and if I'm going to make the costumes I need to get them designed soon."
"Costumes?" Bella asked apprehensively.
"If we're doing a themed party, we're doing it right. Now, what themes do you have in mind?"
"Western," Emmett piped up. "You could be saloon girls." Rosalie reached over and smacked him hard on the back of the head.
"How big are you planning on this being?" Jasper asked.
"Well, all our families, friends, co-workers, and I'm sure Esme has a whole list of people she wants to come. What we should really do is make it a huge thing for all of us. Jasper mentioned something in the toast that each of us is celebrating. Let's make it a big thing," Alice said her excitement growing even more. "You know what. I have the solution." We all looked on a bit amused. She really did work at light speed sometimes. "Edward, Emmett, one of you give me your mother's phone number. I'll call and make sure this is okay with them since it will be at their house. We'll talk things over and make a decision. It'll be a surprise to everyone but her and me. Okay. That settles it."
"Wait!" Bella exclaimed. "I didn't agree to that."
"Me neither," Angela said.
"Yes you did," Alice said matter-of-factly. They both looked at her curiously. "Remember. You agreed to anything Alice-decided when you signed the dotted line to be my friend." Emmett, Ben, Jasper, and I tried to hold our laughter in. Rosalie didn't even try to disguise hers.
"I'm okay with it," Rosalie said after she sobered a bit. "Just make sure the costume is flattering. I don't do frumpy, and I don't do safe. I don't care who's there. I want to look good and my age."
"Will do. Ladies, I expect you to be cooperative. It'll be fun! I promise!" She looked over at me expectantly.
"What?" I asked. She sighed exasperatedly.
"Your mom's phone number," she said as though it were obvious. I pulled my phone out and handed it to her so she could program the numbers into her own. "I need everyone to get me a list of names and addresses of those you want to invite. Get them to me ASAP, but have those to me by Tuesday at the latest. I know it's quick, but we need to get them out soon. We're already going to be pushing it as it is."
"Well, tonight is not about planning. It's about celebrating," Emmett said as he stood up. He walked over to the corner and picked up a game. "I say we celebrate by playing a game." I groaned when he held up Twister. His grin was wide, and I knew there would be no changing his mind.
"Really?" I asked.
"I want to play," Bella shocked me by saying. I raised an eyebrow at her. "What? I do. You don't have to though. We can have fun without you."
"Oh no. I'm not missing out on this." I turned to look at Alice. "Grab the camera. Whoever's out first is in charge of documenting this." She giggled and shot up to run into another room. Emmett was already moving the couch, with Bella and I on it, to make room for the mat. He spread it out and rubbed his hands together. There were four mats taped together to make a larger board. This was going to be interesting.
"I spin first," Ben called, which caused Emmett to pout.
An hour later, we had played three games. Jasper was the first one out, but only because Alice pushed him over. He started taking pictures, and I couldn't wait to see them. Alice won the first two games and Rosalie won the last. Now it was between Bella and I. Angela had just fallen when she tried to reach between Bella's legs to touch the yellow dot. We were now in the most cliché twister position, and I honestly didn't know how we got here. My feet were three dots apart on blue, and my hands were on red and blue with my back to the mat. Bella's was above me. One foot was to my left and the other between my feet. Her left hand was under my arm on the red, and her right was over my shoulder on the blue.
The position looked very compromising, and everyone in the room knew it. They were all snickering and looked very amused. Emmett was in charge of the board. I had decided that he long ago disregarded the spinner all together. There's no way we could have randomly been put in this position. I looked up to see Bella smiling down at me. Her hair was pulled to one side and fell to the side of my face.
"This game is mine," she said playfully.
"Oh yeah?" I said. "That's just wishful thinking."
"No. It's a fact." I leaned up to whisper in her ear.
"Just because you're on top doesn't mean you're in control. I'm going to win this game, and there's nothing you can do about it." I reached up a bit and nibbled on her earlobe. I had wanted to do that for some time. I loved that she was so responsive, but I didn't think through the consequences. Her arms gave out, and she fell into my body. I wasn't expecting the weight so my arms gave out from under me, and I tumbled to the ground. "Umpf." Bella landed on top of me and started to laugh.
"I win!" She wiggled off me and jumped to her feet. Everyone laughed around us. I huffed and took the hand offered. Rosalie pulled me up.
"Thanks," I said.
"No problem," she answered. "Next time think about the effects of nibbling on her ear." I could feel my face heat up.
AN: Visuals are on my blog. The link is on my profile. Are you happy about the trial outcome? He didn't get beat up like a lot of you, and I, wanted. They're finally talking. Yay!
Jasper and Alice are finally engaged! All I have to say is, "It's about time!" Oh Emmett and your idea of fun costumes. What do you think the theme is going to be? I already have the costumes and decorations picked out. I think it'll be fun.
Are you glad to see Bella moving forward? She's making great progress.
Are there any outtakes you'd like to see? I had a request to do Charlie's POV when he learns of the abuse Bella suffered and his conversation with Billy about Jacob. What would you like to see? I don't know how fast I can get them out, but I'll do what I can to write them.