Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.
I own my original characters and original story.
*This parallels chapter 65 of V&V 'Scenic Views & Meeting Duke'. Please read that before attempting this.
Enjoy!
****************************LRM**********************************
Chapter 65 – Empire Builder to the Windy City
In order to enjoy the first leg of this vacation, I was willing to overlook the fact that our compartment was so small that when Bella and I turned around at the same time, we bumped into each other. Shoving aside the part of me that liked being pampered and catered to, aka Edward Masen, I decided to tap into the part that had been long dormant; the ten year old boy who enjoyed spending part of each summer with his Grandparents, and riding for hours upon end in the back seat of a Volvo while arguing with his sister. The same sister who still believed she knew more than me simply because she was born a mere eleven months earlier.
By the time I'd set up my laptop with the GPS running, there was no denying that I was starting to enjoy myself. It had been almost five o'clock in the evening when the train departed Seattle, so I knew the landscapes we'd see tonight wouldn't be very different than those we were used to. Still I was looking forward to seeing the vast open spaces that followed.
Montana in particular fascinated me. Ever since I'd seen A River Runs Through It, I'd wanted to see Big Sky Country for myself. This trip didn't qualify as a true visit though. I made a mental note to take Bella on a proper vacation there one day soon.
Now to find a five star hotel in the wilderness.
As we ate in the dining car that evening, I thought about the fact that my parents were headed to England in a couple of days. It was a vacation of sorts, but Mom was also going to purchase furnishings and hire decorators for the Tolkien house as a wedding gift for Bella and I while they were there.
Bella wasn't precisely aware that Mom had been gathering information about more than Bella's taste in wedding flowers these last few weeks. By now I was certain that she had appointments to visit every antique dealer within fifty miles of London, and a clear idea of exactly what she would purchase.
During dinner, I spent a lot of time gazing out the windows. After all the crazy shit of the last few weeks, it was nice to relax.
I knew that Jasper would enjoy this, and lamented the fact that he and Alice had to return to L.A.
Maybe another time.
"While you're on your road trip, I'll be back in L.A., working" Jasper informed. "I'll be handing you a couple of scripts when I see you again so be prepared."
I nodded, knowing I couldn't escape work for long.
After dinner, I wanted nothing more than a little privacy with my girl, and as usual, Bella and I seemed to be on the same page.
We relaxed back in the compartment and watched the miles fly by. I had to admit that my eyes were on Bella more than the scenery. As I watched her, I thought about the different honeymoon options I'd been considering.
After our wedding, I had an entire month before I had to report on set for Enemy Combatant. The only thing Bella and I had discussed was the fact that we both wanted to go someplace warm.
"It's so beautiful." She whispered as I watched her.
"Yes it is." I murmured.
Yes she is.
No wonder my mother is always laughing and telling me I'm 'smitten'.
She glanced up at me and smiled as she placed a hand on my cheek and bent up to kiss my lips. "I've made my decision." She whispered.
"About what?" I asked.
"I'm going on Oprah with you." She stated simply.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
She nodded. "This is part of your life. I know there are some things I will have to do in order to share that life."
I shook my head then. "No Bella, that is my work. You are my life. As I've said before, I would rather you be happy than do something that makes you uncomfortable."
She smiled. "I know that. This is my decision. Who knows? I may actually enjoy it." She looked down then. "Leno was actually kind of fun. The added benefit is that this will drive Rose crazy. Oprah's her idol." She admitted with a giggle.
I couldn't believe she was referring to our stint on Leno as 'fun' especially after most of the English-speaking world was made aware of her verbal spew backstage. "Alright. Just know that you are free to change your mind at any time."
"I won't." She said decidedly.
I believed her.
A short time later, I sent a text to Jasper advising him to let Oprah know that Bella had agreed to do the show.
When it was too dark to see anything outside, we closed the curtains. I pulled out my guitar and started to play. Every now and then I would look up at Bella and see her smiling at me over the top of her laptop as she typed.
Eventually I added vocals to my efforts, choosing another Van Morrison song that made me think of Bella. I kept my eyes trained on her as I sang.
I can hear her heart beat for a thousand miles
And the heavens open every time she smiles
And when I come to her that's where I belong
Yet I'm running to her like a river's song
Bella stopped typing and looked up at me, her lips slightly parted as she listened.
She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love
She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love
The lyrics of the chorus coaxed a wider smile.
She's got a fine sense of humor when I'm feeling low down
And when I come to her when the sun goes down
Take away my trouble, take away my grief
Take away my heartache, in the night like a thief
I smiled at her playfully as I continued.
Yes I need her in the daytime
Yes I need her in the night
Yes I want to throw my arms around her
Kiss her hug her kiss her hug her tight
She continued to smile sweetly.
And when I'm returning from so far away
She gives me some sweet lovin' brighten up my day
Yes it makes me righteous, and it makes me whole
Yes it makes me mellow down to my soul
She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love
She give me love, love, love, love, crazy love
As soon as I finished, she was there, standing in front of me. I set the guitar aside and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her against me as she wrapped hers around my neck. "That was beautiful. I love you Edward." She said as she cradled my head against her stomach.
"I love you too Bella."
-LRM—
I admit it. I hadn't made a huge effort to dress in the shower. Yes, everything I told Bella was true, but I also loved to get a reaction out of her. I guess every now and then I needed reassurance that she still wanted a physical relationship.
If the look on her face was any indication, I had nothing to worry about. It took a lot of effort to suppress the laughter dying to escape when I took in her reaction to my almost naked body.
Knowing Bella, I should have guessed that she'd exact revenge. When she exited the shower in a towel my thoughts immediately descended into the gutter as I quickly tried to come up with ways to make the towel drop and look like an accident.
pervert
As it turned out, there was no need. Bella dropped the towel herself. Sadly, she'd already put on her panties, but I was treated to a view of her naked breasts.
Beautiful.
-LRM-
The bed, or berth may have been the proper term, was regrettably small. We were used to something quite a bit bigger, but somehow when I settled in and pulled her against me, it didn't matter. My only other option was to sleep in the upper bunk, away from Bella, and that simply wasn't an acceptable alternative.
I found the movement of the train to be quite relaxing, and before I knew it, I'd fallen into a deep sleep.
I was woken by the sound of Bella gasping for air. I sat straight up, not knowing what the hell was happening. At that exact moment, she let out the most blood-curdling scream I'd heard outside of a horror movie.
Full-on panic set in then as I turned her to face me and saw the trace of blood on her lip. She was blinking her eyes rapidly as if trying to wake herself up.
Is it safe to wake someone in the middle of a nightmare? Or does that pertain to sleepwalkers?
Shit I can't remember.
I decided I didn't care; I need to be sure she was fully awake and to understand that she was safe.
"Sweetheart" I called frantically as I ran my fingers across her forehead and down her cheek. "Bella baby it was just a dream." I said as I pushed the hair back from her forehead. "Sweetheart, your lip is bleeding."
She was shaking all over as I wrapped myself around her. Her eyes darted past me, taking in her surroundings. I hoped she was starting to realize where she was. Her breathing had just begun to calm when Emmett banged on the door, causing her to let out another startled scream.
"Bella" he shouted in a panic. "Edward, open this fucking door."
I reached around Bella, and unlocked the door, allowing he and Rose to enter.
"Is she okay?" Emmett asked me. "We heard the scream." He said as he crouched in front of Bella and took her hand.
She buried her face in my chest as she sat there holding both our hands. "I was in the Ranger's car" She managed to choke out.
Oh shit
"I thought I was back there and that everything that had happened since had been a dream." She said in a hoarse whisper as she cried. "But then,.. then he.. he wasn't the Ranger any more, he was Jeffrey Dryden." She sobbed. "He told me that I'd never be rid of him; that he would kill anyone who tried to take me away from him." She whimpered.
This is all that fucker Victor James's fault.
I felt like I'd been kicked in the stomach. My poor girl had lived through hell not once but twice in her life, and people like Victor James found a way to further their careers with her misery.
It was fucking unfair. Jeffrey Dryden and Victor James should be the ones having nightmares.
Rose handed me a paper towel and I wiped the smeared blood from Bella's lip where she'd bitten it. Emmett and Rose went back to their room soon after, as I continued to hold Bella, letting her cry it out.
Eventually she fell asleep in my arms and I lay us both down. When I was certain that her dreams were peaceful, I allowed myself to drift off with her. The next morning, I breathed a sigh of relief when she seemed to be back to her old self. Aside from the fact that she tried to apologize to everyone for disturbing their sleep, the nightmare didn't seem to have any lasting effects.
I laughed out loud at Rose's reaction when she found out that Bella was appearing on Oprah with me. Her smile when I agreed to introduce her to Oprah was reminiscent of the time I'd given her the keys to my Vanquish.
-LRM—
The next few hours were spent in the lounge. After seeing the beautiful Montana landscape for myself, I decided that Bella and I would definitely be coming back here on vacation at some point.
Maybe to a ski resort
Thinking about that brought back memories of our trip to Aspen which, in turn brought another smile to my face.
I knew that Bella was amused by my enthusiasm for the scenery, but she didn't say anything. Emmett didn't rib me about it either, because he was more excited than anyone about this trip.
When Emmett mentioned that he and Rose were thinking of looking at houses out on Bainbridge Island, I bit the inside of my cheek. After this vacation, Bella and I had talked about looking for a home. I had been musing over purchasing something on Mercer Island to be close to my parents, but Bainbridge may be a better choice. It definitely offered more privacy than Mercer Island, and Bella would probably enjoy having Rose and Emmett close by.
At the mention of wanting a toilet in the shower though, I realized that I didn't want him and Rose to be too close.
-LRM—
Before dinner, Emmett notified us that a couple of paps had boarded the train. It was something I had feared, but fooled myself into believing we'd luck out for once and be able to escape the press for a couple of days.
Yeah, right.
I glared at the bastards when we passed them on our way to a table in the dining car. Bella and I made sure to sit with our backs to them, limiting the quality of their photos. After dinner I met up with Emmett and Jasper to discuss the situation with Troy, our sleeping car attendant, and the conductor.
They were sympathetic after we explained everything. It seemed that everyone I met these days was familiar with the hell that Bella had lived through. It was gratifying to learn that so many people were on our side.
"I'll keep an eye open." Troy promised. "Unfortunately, I'm responsible for the entire car, but I'll do my best to keep one eye on your hallway."
"That's all we can ask." Jasper said before shaking his hand.
-LRM—
"You are such a fucking liar Franny." Emmett said while glaring at Jasper. "I know that one of you if not both of you are aware of Pops' plans for my party." Emmett attempted to shoot us both a menacing look. He only succeeded in making us laugh.
We were sitting in Rose and Emmett's compartment drinking Jack and coke. The girls were next door where we'd found them when we returned to the sleeping car. Not wanting to interrupt their fun, we went next door and pulled out the liquor.
"Even if I knew anything, which I don't" Jasper began. "I wouldn't tell you Emmett. Charlie wants it to remain a surprise."
Emmett grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. "Do you realize how many years of shit my old man has to retaliate for?" He said with a worried look.
Jasper and I laughed.
"I mean, if I had known maybe I wouldn't have tormented him so much you know?"
"Really?" I asked.
Emmett grinned. "Hell no." He laughed. "Nothing he can do will ever make me regret that shit."
Jasper and I laughed.
"Seriously though, you guys have no idea what he's planned?" Emmett asked.
We both shook our heads.
Emmett sighed and took a sip of his drink. "No matter. I'll get even with him when Clint comes to town." He said with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
"Why do you torment your father so much anyway?" Jasper asked.
Emmett thought for a minute and stared off into space as he answered in a quiet voice. "After Mom left and took Bella with her, it was almost like he became a different person. He'd always been quiet, reserved, you know? But this was different. He was like a zombie. Looking back on it now, I know he was suffering from depression but I was too young to understand it then."
"Did he see a doctor?" I asked.
Emmett looked at me incredulously. "Are you kidding me? We're talking about Chief Swan here." He laughed without humor. "No. No doctor."
"So anyway I was acting out in school because I was upset about Mom and Bella. Pops would show up there on a regular basis to straighten my ass out. It seemed to be the only time he got that spark back that he used to have."
"When I finally stopped acting like an asshole in school, I found other ways to get his attention or keep him on his toes. It eventually morphed into what I do now, just a little harmless fun. As much as he screams and yells, I know he loves all that shit." He grinned showing his dimples. "But that's not to say he won't enjoy finding a way to make me look like a jerk in front of you fuckwads." He laughed.
Jasper and I laughed with him.
"You're lucky Emmett. I mean, I love my Dad and all, and we have a good relationship now, but he worked a lot when I was growing up." Jasper was starting to slur his words.
What a lightweight. We've only had two drinks, and they were more coke than Jack.
"I barely saw him." Jasper shook his head then. "And y'all know what a great parent my mother is." His tone dripping with sarcasm. "S'part of the reason I'm afraid to have kids."
This is news to me.
Emmett looked puzzled as well.
"What are you talking about Jasper? I thought you and Alice wanted kids." He asked.
"She hopes I'll change my mind. I don't know. Sometimes I think I do want them, but I'm afraid I'll be a lousy parent.." He sighed.
"Hey, Rose is scared, and I sure as hell have no clue how to do this, but I figure we'll learn as we go." He shrugged. "We have a lot of good people to ask if we need to."
Jasper turned to me. "How about you Edward, you want rugrats?" He asked.
I nodded. "Hopefully not right away. I mean I'd like some time with just Bella." I admitted.
Like that's going to happen with natural family planning
Jasper stroked his chin as he thought. "I can understand that. You haven't known each other very long." He looked down at his drink. "Ever since Alice found out she's going to be an aunt, she won't stop talking about having a baby."
He took a swig. "After I explained that I wasn't ready now, if ever, she said we could just practice."
"You can help with baby Swan any time" Emmett interjected "that will give you plenty of practice Uncle Jasper." He said with a laugh.
Jasper looked at him with mirth-filled bloodshot eyes. "Yeah, thanks for that, but the kind of practice she is referring to is 'making' a baby. She jumps me at every opportunity lately. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining." He smirked before taking another swig.
My mouth fell open in horror.
Too much information!
First my parents and now Alice.
"Even in our compartment" he gestured through the wall "She wanted to try out both bunks and the chair." He took another sip. "I'm here to tell you that sex is impossible in that upper berth."
Pfft. And Alice was concerned about someone pissing in the shower? Really?
I glanced at Emmett to see his entire body shaking with laughter. "Franny, I am officially cutting you off." He announced as he removed Jasper's drink from his hand. "No more alcohol."
Jasper opened his mouth to protest.
"Look, poor Eddie has now been scarred for life at the thought of you boinking his sister." Emmett exclaimed before laughing again. "I'll bet his dick is trying to crawl up into his body as we speak."
Too. Fucking. True.
Jasper looked at me skeptically. "Is there something wrong with your dick Edward?" He drawled. "Maybe a little too much self-love?"
Emmett laughed like a fucking hyena.
"There is nothing wrong with my dick Jasper." I replied through clenched teeth before turning to Emmett. "What are you laughing at Mr. Abstinence? You almost jizzed yourself after a visit to Victoria's Secret." I snarked, making him laugh harder.
The man has no shame.
"Well since I seem to be the only one around here gettin' any, I think I'll see what the little woman is up to." Jasper slurred before trying to stand.
"Jasper, do me a favor and keep that shit to yourself from now on." I barked.
They continued to laugh.
Assholes.
Next door we found Alice and Rose being treated to a performance of 'I'm Too Sexy for My Shirt' by my slightly inebriated fiancée.
She wasn't immediately aware of our presence watching from the doorway. "I'm too sexy for my shirt. Too sexy for my shirts. So sexy it hurts." She did a weird little head bob, making me laugh out loud just as she glanced in our direction.
"Okay, I'm done." Bella blurted as she blushed all the way up to her hairline and flopped down in the chair. The same chair Jasper and my sister had sex in.
I groaned inwardly.
Alice giggled hysterically before turning to me. "Oh Edward, I've been meaning to ask how you like Bella's birthday gift?" She slurred before winking at me.
Oh shit.
"I liked it very much." I answered in a serious tone.
"Pfft. You're always so proper. Oh!" She exclaimed as if she'd just experienced a eureka moment. "I've got the perfect song for you brother dear."
She pulled Bella from the chair so her silly ass could climb into it and stood there facing me. She looked at me and mouthed 'perfect' before she started singing at the top of her lungs. "My blood runs cold. My memory has just been sold. My angel is the centerfold. Angel is the centerfold."
I palmed my face.
Bella gave the girls a dirty look before grabbing my hand and getting us the hell out of there.
We went back to our room before I said anything. "Jasper and Alice make a fine pair. We had a couple of drinks and he was acting as silly as she was." I chuckled, deciding to keep the facts of our conversation to myself.
"I hope they survive the night."
"Maybe it's the altitude?" Bella asked with a smile.
-LRM-
I was literally running through the train, fleeing from paps and screaming fans alike as I tried to make my way back to our compartment where I knew Bella would be waiting. It was like a scene from A Hard Day's Night.
By the time I'd reached the door to our room, I'd done fairly well evading the grasping hands that pulled at my clothing and my arms. Unfortunately the door was locked. "Bella let me in." I no sooner had the words out of my mouth when the door flew open, and two arms pulled me into the partially darkened room.
"Edward" This was the point when I was certain that I was dreaming because standing in front of me was Mrs. Nearing, my old high school guidance counselor. "I don't think you will be able to participate in both theater and track during the winter. The after school schedules conflict."
We'd had this same conversation years ago, and I had proven her wrong. I still couldn't understand what she was doing on the train.
Where the hell is Bella?
"What are you doing here?" I asked Mrs. Nearing. She looked even older than she had when I was in school, which at that time was about two days older than dirt.
"Have you been listening to me young man?"
"I…" I shrugged.
Coach Thomas chimed in from right behind her. "You have to make up your mind son. Track is a lot more important than some silly theater class."
I laughed out loud. "Yeah, right."
The door to the compartment opened and I turned to be greeted by none other than Chief Swan. "Edward where the hell is Bella?" He asked before looking me up and down. His eyes settled back on my face as he quirked an eyebrow. "And why the hell are you naked?"
"What?" I exclaimed before looking down and realizing that the Chief was speaking the truth. I was as naked as the day I was born.
Oh Christ.
I immediately covered my junk and backed up against the wall.
I really hope this is a dream.
Deciding that, naked or not, I needed to find Bella, I ran out of our compartment and down the hall. When I rounded the corner I ran straight into something or rather someone, knocking us both down in the process. I looked around and realized I was no longer on the train, but in the hallway of a movie theater, the same theater where Bella and I had bumped into each other over a year before.
This is such a fucking weird dream. There is probably some Freudian explanation as to why I am naked.
I then looked at the small figure lying sprawled on the floor in front of me surrounded by the remnants of a large tub of popcorn that had fallen to the floor with us. "I have to pee" whispered the tiny person whose face was shrouded by the hood of their large jacket.
I recognized that whisper.
"Bella?" I questioned. As soon as she heard my voice, she sat up and threw the hood back, revealing her face.
"Edward?" She asked, and then in a move very similar to her father's, her eyes traveled the length of my body. Unlike Chief Swan though, Bella's gaze stopped and her eyes widened when she got an eyeful of my very erect cock. It was something that couldn't be helped; my dick had a mind of its own whenever she was near.
Her attention was drawn away by the familiar shrieking of several feminine voices. From our seats on the floor, we turned our heads toward the noise only to find three female fans sprinting toward us.
Bella lifted to her knees. "Must protect the peen!" She shouted before diving at me and covering my junk with her hands. My mouth fell open in shock and surprise at her movement. As soon as her warm soft hands made contact with my hard cock, my eyes shot open.
To my surprise, I wasn't in the movie theater, but lying in bed, on the train, face to face with a very wide-eyed Bella.
It was all a crazy dream.
It took about 3.2 seconds for the blood to travel from my dick to my brain, advising me that Bella's hand was most definitely cupping my junk and it felt pretty damn good.
At least that part wasn't a dream
I had no idea why her hand was where I wanted it most, but was determined not to say a damn thing to screw it up.
"Oh God." She muttered before jumping up from the bed and barricading herself in the bathroom.
-LRM—
"Bella sweetheart, please come out." After several minutes of trying to coax Bella out of the bathroom, I'd resorted to pleading, and if that didn't work I wasn't above stretching the truth.
"Bella please come out, I need to use the facilities." I lied coolly.
I heard her fumble around with the lock before she jerked the door open and dove past me onto the bed. She pulled the covers over her head so I wasn't able to see that beautiful blush.
I chuckled as I climbed in beside her, wrapping her up in my arms.
"Liar" I heard her muffled whisper from under the blanket.
I laughed out loud then. "I had to get you out of there somehow."
She lay there for a long moment before deciding to speak. "I'm sorry I molested you in your sleep." She muttered from under the blanket.
I couldn't help but laugh again. "Yes, please don't do that ever again Bella. I would rather you molest me while I'm fully awake so that I can enjoy it more."
If she only knew how serious I was.
"Don't tease. I'm really embarrassed. Does it help if I tell you it was all because of a dream?"
Whoah. Bella had a sex dream about me?
My inner teenager and my dick were high-fiving each other as I tried to focus on answering her.
"Please come out from under the blanket Bella." I asked. "I really need to see your face baby."
I heard her blow out a breath just before she pulled the blanket off of her head. "Okay."
I smirked. "Now, let me hear about this dream."
She spoke softly. "It was our wedding day. We were in the limo, I'm assuming on our way to the reception." She shrugged. "Let's just say that things were getting a little hot and heavy."
I smiled widely.
"You touched me down there." She gestured down with her eyes. "And when I went to touch you the same way" She cleared her throat nervously. "I don't know. I guess as soon as I touched your, uh, manhood" she smirked "It woke me up. From what I remember, it was kind of impressive." She giggled.
I laughed and moved until I was leaning on one elbow, partially hovering over her. "Would you like me to refresh your memory baby?" I asked.
She didn't say a word; she merely stared into my eyes.
I'll take that as a yes.
I took her hand and gently pulled it down to rest on my manhood as she so eloquently put it.
If I'm this excited by the fact that her hand is on my dick, I'm probably going to have a heart attack and die when we finally have sex.
What a way to go
She cleared her throat. "Like I said. Impressive."
Damn right.
"I hope I don't disappoint you sweetheart, but the first time we make love will not be in the back of a limo."
I cringed at the thought.
"Oh yeah?" She asked sweetly.
Oh shit, I think my dick twitched. I hope she didn't feel that.
"Yes. I have plans for you." I whispered.
In response to my words, Bella gave me a little squeeze.
Ahh. She has no idea what she's doing to me.
I closed my eyes, trying to control myself. I definitely didn't want our first time to be on this train. "Baby, if you do that again you may just ruin my plans."
Oh God, I want to keep her hand there forever.
No, no I don't, it's torture.
Yes, yes I do.
Fuck.
"Uh oh. Sorry. It seems my hand has a mind of its own." She giggled again.
I chuckled.
I am a fucking masochist
"Edward, I'm glad we're not doing it in the limo. I'm a total germaphobe, and there's no way of knowing how many nasty prom-night cooters have rubbed all over those seats." She said in a serious tone, once again catching me by surprise with her wit, and in turn causing me to collapse into laughter.
She is one of a kind.
She grinned at me, amused, and then joined me in laughter.
Her hand was still covering my junk; it was sweet torture, when suddenly we were interrupted by a loud banging on the door. Bella startled and pulled her hand away.
I will personally kill whoever is on the other side of that door.
"Guys, rise and shine. We've got a bit of a situation out here, so hurry up." Emmett boomed through the door.
Emmett, that cock-blocking bastard.
What situation? Did they run out of danish in the dining car?
Alert the fucking media.
I leaned down, giving her a sweet kiss. "Precisely why Emmett will not be anywhere around when we make love for the first time."
"It's probably for the best that we have to get up Edward."
"Why's that?" I asked.
"Well, it's either that or you spend the rest of the morning letting me grope you." She replied.
"You say that like it's a bad thing." I grinned.
-LRM—
As it turned out, it was a situation. And one I was not comfortable with in the least. Evidently Troy had discovered the two paps lurking in the hallway outside of our compartments in the middle of the night. According to him, they never figured out which room was mine and Bella's, but they were still too close for comfort.
I understood that technically the two pieces of shit had broken no laws. Hell, they hadn't even broken any Amtrak rules, but Amtrak was doing me a favor by escorting them off the train.
I forced a large tip into Troy's hand as I shook it. He argued, not wanting to accept it, but soon gave up the fight.
I can be very persuasive.
It was early, only six o'clock, and Bella and I were still sleepy. We grabbed coffee and headed back to our compartment until the train was due to stop in an hour.
In St Paul, we exited the train with our group and walked around the platform. The trip had been enjoyable, but I was ready for it to be over.
"I'll be glad to have a workout." Emmett remarked.
I had to agree. I hadn't exercised in two days, and I was feeling it.
"Hey Eddie does your Gramps have an exercise room?" Emmett asked.
"As a matter of fact, he does, but it's a small one. I have a membership in the best fitness club in Chicago; we could go out there tomorrow if you like."
Emmett grinned. "Sounds good." He said before looking back toward the station and starting to laugh. "Check that out. Fuckers can't even walk straight." He said as he pointed.
We looked back toward the building only to see the two paps being escorted by Amtrak security away from the train and into the doors of the station. The way they carried themselves was very strange.
They are probably on drugs. That fact alone would have gotten them tossed from the train.
"What's their deal?" Bella asked.
Emmett grinned and rubbed his hands together. "Well little sister. Did you really think I would let them off that easily?"
"Emmett what did you do?" She asked.
"Hey, I never laid a hand on either of them." He grinned widely. "For the last ten minutes, they've been closed up in their roomette waiting for the train to stop. Have you seen the size of those roomettes?"
"Well, they're basically the size of a small closet with two seats jammed in there." He smiled wickedly. "Let's just say that, while Amtrak security held them in the hallway, I prepared their roomette for them."
Bella's eye widened in realization then, I was still clueless. "You farted didn't you?"
Definitely not what I expected to hear
He grinned wider. "Several fucking times. Almost made myself gag, and that never happens. I think this train trip has been wreaking havoc on my digestive system." He muttered as he rubbed his abdomen.
Jasper and I both doubled over in laughter at Emmett's confession. Rose and Alice cackled.
"As soon as I vacated the roomette," Emmett continued, "Troy and the security guard shoved those fuckers in there and closed the door. Troy was supposed to videotape them through the door window for me. If it's funny enough, that shit's going on Youtube."
We laughed for a solid five minutes, and I decided there and then that I never wanted to be on Emmett's bad side.
-LRM-
After breakfast, we spent the morning in the lounge. We chatted with our family as we travelled along the banks of the Mississippi River through Minnesota. Once we crossed into Wisconsin, Bella went back to our room to take a nap. I was tired, but restless. I knew that Rose was napping next door, so once Bella was secure in our room, I locked her in and headed back to the lounge.
I drank a soda and watched out the window for a while. Everything is set up for tomorrow by the way." Jasper informed.
I nodded. "I'm going to let Bella know what's going on with Victor James. I don't want to upset her before Oprah, so I'll wait until after the show, but I don't want to run the risk that some reporter will shout it at her."
Jasper agreed. "She's a tough girl Edward, and Victor James is a prick who's desperate to further his career any way he can. I don't understand what he has against you and Bella though."
"I believe he's just twisted. I threatened him a while back when he upset Bella with the some things he said. She could have sued his ass for sexual harassment." I muttered. "This is probably his way of getting even."
Jasper frowned. "Sounds like he'd fit right in in L.A."
"I wish everyone would leave us the fuck alone." I said petulantly.
Jasper nodded in agreement. "Amen."
I didn't stay in the lounge long. It still made me uneasy to leave Bella alone. Once back in our compartment, I started to pack up the few things we had lying around. When I saw Bella's Ipod on the table, I couldn't stop myself from being nosey. It had been a while since I'd snooped on there, and even then it was just to look at her 'Edward' playlist. This time I put on her earbuds and found a list of her most recently played songs. I proceeded to sit back and listen while watching out the window.
I thought I had eclectic taste in music
I stared at my sleeping beauty in disbelief as I continued to listen.
There was 'Party In The U.S.A.', followed by 'Dragula', which in turn was followed by 'I Kissed A Girl' and then something by Seether. Bella was unexpected as usual.
And I wouldn't want her any other way.
Before packing up my laptop, I took a quick look in the photo file that held her calendar poses. I'd perused them more times then I could count since my birthday, each and every time feeling the breath leave my body when I thought of how lucky I was.
The beautiful girl looking back from those photos, giving a smile reserved only for me, had actually agreed to become my wife. I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to wrap my head around that reality.
As I packed up the few remaining items, Bella began to stir. "Why didn't you wake me?" She whispered.
I smiled at her. "You looked like you needed the rest. We'll be arriving in Chicago in an hour or so."
Plus I love to watch you sleep.
-LRM—
"Hello Manny" Alice and I called to Duke's driver parked in front of the station.
"Hello all" Manny replied with a grin. "I trust everyone had a pleasant trip." He asked as he ushered us into the vehicle. After the girls were in the car, Emmett, Jasper and I loaded the luggage into the trunk.
"Beautiful girls" Manny whispered to me and gave me a wink.
"They're all taken so none of your Casanova shit." I said with a grin.
Manny barked out a laugh. I'd known him my whole life. He was almost as old as Duke and married to the housekeeper, Maeve, but fancied himself quite the charmer.
-LRM-
Every time I visited Duke's house, I still expected my Grandmother to come waltzing into the foyer to greet us. It had been years since she'd died, but I still felt her presence.
Maybe she's waiting around for Duke.
My Grandfather did his best to have a full life. He stayed involved in charitable causes, spent time with his children and grandchildren, and made sure to golf with his buddies, but I knew that deep down he was biding his time, waiting to be reunited with her. The thought used to depress me, but since falling in love with Bella, I'd developed a greater understanding of it and of him.
As I expected, he and Bella hit it off immediately.
We had a very pleasant dinner. Normally a very private person around those he'd just met, Duke uncharacteristically opened up about his past and his interests to Bella, Rose and Emmett.
After a while I realized that, probably thanks to the conversations with my mother, he already considered them a part of the family.
Duke pulled me aside once dinner was over. "You young people can have the run of the house for the rest of the evening; unfortunately this old timer won't be long for bed." He smiled at me. "Maeve will show everyone to their rooms whenever they're ready."
"Okay Duke" I wasn't sure why this was a secret.
He cleared his throat. "Alice and you get your usual rooms, and three guestrooms have been prepared for the others."
I smiled at my Grandfather when I realized what he was trying to tell me. "That's fine Duke."
He smiled happily, looking relieved.
Hours after climbing into my bed, not having slept a wink, I padded silently from my room and down the hall to Bella's.
Sorry Duke.
I think if he were aware of the details of our situation, he would approve, but even Duke's disapproval wouldn't keep me away from my girl.
Not surprisingly, she was still awake. "Couldn't sleep" I whispered as I wrapped my arms around her, both of us falling into a deep sleep within minutes.
-LRM—
We were waiting backstage for our cue. Oprah was showing a clip from The Harvest of Avarice. I was a little surprised that they had begun promoting the film so soon, but also knew that the studio had a lot riding on its success.
Instead of watching the clip, I kept my eyes on Bella. She looked unusually calm.
"As you all know, Edward Masen is scheduled to be a guest on today's show." Oprah began to uproarious cheers and applause. "Okay so we have a little surprise. A few audience members are already aware of this, but most of you are not. We were able to coax Edward's beautiful fiancée to appear on the show with him." The cheering and applause started again, and Oprah continued to speak right over it. "Please welcome Edward Masen and Isabella Swan."
Bella took a breath and looked at me. I tried to convey with my smile that I would be with her every step of the way. I squeezed her hand and thought of how much I loved this woman who every day in so many ways has been willing to place herself out there merely because she loves me.
*******************************A/N********************************
A/N Song Rec: 'Crazy Love' by Van Morrison.
Already halfway done the next V&V. Just to clarify…the timeline to V&V is as follows: Chapter 1 began in December 2009. Therefore when Bella and Edward appear on Oprah, it's June 2010. A full year before her farewell.
On my profile page are links to videos I found on Youtube showing the train trip from Seattle to Chicago. It's divided into 4 separate parts. So if you are interested in seeing what the gang saw from the train, have a look.
As always, I love to hear your thoughts. Still working on responding to them all! Thanks. Laters baby.