Edward's Birthday – Part 2
Bella:
Everyone is sat around the table, which is quickly becoming crowded. I'm sat in between Alice and Edward, who's looking a little overwhelmed. There is a helluva lot of food covering the table.
Pots of vegetables, roast potatoes, mash potato, chicken – absolutely everything.
Carlisle and Esme start serving out plates of food for everyone, pilling up tonnes of vegetables for us.
"Thank you," Edward mutters, digging into his meal.
We all mutter our own thank you'd and tuck into the meal prepared by Esme and Mum. All of it is absolutely delicious, silence filling the room as everyone focuses on the food.
"So, Edward, what are your plans for the future?" Trust my dad to be the one to break the silence. I glare over at him, as does my mother.
"Um, I'd like to study astrophysics, Mr Swan, and, uh, possibly get a job relating to NASA," Edward replies, not looking at my dad. Carlisle looks proud of his son. Slowly but surely, Edward and Carlisle are becoming closer.
"You plan on moving to Florida then?" Dad asks gruffly. "And call me Charlie, son."
"Not necessarily, though I would like to visit NASA," Edward replies, seeming more calm. Maybe it's because his hand is now resting on my leg, gripping it lightly. I'm not complaining.
Dad seems to accept this, returning to his food and stopping his questioning of Edward.
After food, we move to the living room where Edward can open all the present's we got him. His parent's give him a present first, a small black box. Whatever it is, it looks expensive.
Edward slowly opens the box, his expression turning to shock when he sees the contents.
"Thank you, Es-mum and dad, it's amazing," he smiles, taking out the object. He shows us all the expensive looking watch that's inside. Esme urges him to put it on, so he clasps it around his wrist.
Next, he moves on to the gift from my parent's. He opens the package which turns out to be some Converse shoes, in a dark green colour. I helped them choose them for him.
Once again, he thanks my parent's greatly, before moving on to the next gift. This one is from Alice and Cowboy, who decided to buy him a joint present. Inside the box, there's a piece of paper. Edward reads out what it says, and it turns out it's a gift of two tickets to the cinema in Port Angeles.
"We thought you might wanna take Bella," Alice smirks, winking at us. I roll my eyes and blush, scowling at her.
"Thanks, Alice and Jasper," Edward grins, ignoring Alice's wink.
Emmett eagerly hands him the gift from him and Rosalie, a little too eagerly. I dread to think what's inside the fairly small box. The gleam in Emmett's eyes…it…well, it says it all. Oh god.
"Emmett," Edward sighs, possibly in relief? "This is…wow," Edward mumbles, bringing out the gift a bit. I can see it's a photo frame, but I can't see what's inside the frame.
"We thought you'd like it," Rosalie smiles – actually smiles at Edward and gestures to the gift.
"What's the picture inside?" Esme asks, trying to see the photo frame.
"It's me and Bella," Edward announces happily, looking a little emotional. He turns around the frame, showing it off to everyone.
It looks like it was only taken a couple of weeks after Edward arrived in Forks. Edward and I – in the picture – are just sat, on the sofa, talking. We both look content and happy in it.
"That's so thoughtful, Emmett," Esme chuckles, sounding a little surprised.
"It was mostly Rosie's idea," he shrugs, though still looking proud of himself. Rosalie looks down, shrugging along with Emmett. Once again, I'm shocked.
I smile and hand Edward my gift. I'm a bit nervous he won't like it, but he seems happy enough when he accepts it from me. Eagerly tearing open the wrapping paper, he pauses when he sees what's underneath.
"You remembered?" he asks, a mixture of shock and happiness in his voice.
Edward and I are lying on his bed, just hugging each other and occasionally kissing. It's peaceful, bliss. There's nowhere I'd rather be.
"You looking forward to your birthday?" I ask him. I feel him shrug against me, so I raise an eyebrow in questioning.
"Birthdays have never been a big deal to me," Edward explains, though it only leads to more questions forming in my mind. I briefly think back to when Alice told me about Edward's birthday, and how his birth mother wasn't big on presents.
"Alice throws the best birthday parties," I assume him, chuckling. "So, what did you used to do on your birthdays, then?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me. I hope he doesn't get offended.
"There was this one tradition we had. Up until I was about 12," Edward begins, looking nervous. I reassure him by kissing him softly on the lips. It seems to work. "As a child, my favourite books were the Chronicles of Narnia. So, on the evening of each of my birthdays, my birth mother would read them to me until I fell asleep," Edward explains to me, his eyes welling with tears.
"Edward…" I wrap my arms around him and pull him to me tighter.
"I haven't read those books in years," Edward chuckles, trying to lighten the mood. "The tradition stopped, since mother preferred to drink rather than talk to me," Edward sighs, looking sad once more.
"Maybe we could start that tradition again?" I suggest, trying to cheer him up.
"I'd like that," Edward says, then pauses. "I'd like that a lot."
Edward excitedly inspects the book I got him – all the Chronicles of Narnia in one book – and turns to me, teary eyed.
"Bella, this means more than I can ever say," Edward admits, looking in awe at the book.
"Don't worry, you're more than showing how you feel," I tell him, snuggling into his side as he wraps his arm around me.
Everyone looks at us, all with matching expressions of confusion, so Edward half explains the importance of the book. I notice he leaves out certain parts of his story, I presume because he doesn't want to tell everyone about it.
After the presents, we all play board games together – a Cullen, birthday tradition – while a film is playing in the background. Edward looks like he's having the most fun he's had in years, and I occasionally catch myself just staring at him. Hopefully lovingly, rather than like a stalker.
"Oh to be young and in love," Esme sighs, sitting next to me on the sofa. We decided to sit out from this particular board game. Cluedo – a game I'm not particularly fond of.
"What?" I turn to face her, my face heating up at being caught staring at her son. She treats him exactly the same as Emmett, you'd never know Edward was adopted by her.
"You and Edward. You're so…easily together, if that makes sense," Esme smiles, turning to face me.
"It does. I can't imagine being without him," I admit, smiling when Edward smiles over at me. He's just so perfect. Perfect for me.
"Just promise me one thing?" Esme asks me. I nod at her question. "Will you and Edward at least wait a couple of years before making me a grandmother again?" I actually choke, on air, it seems, as Esme's question. Woah, woah, woah. Grandchildren? Edward and I haven't even…not even close to…just no… Not yet. Someday? Yes. But far into the future.
"Yes, definitely, I mean…yeah, shit, I'm…no," I blurt, not really making any sense. Esme, who I used to adore, just laughs. Damn her.
"Good, that's the reaction I wanted," Esme nods, looking proud of herself.
Our conversation is stopped when we hear raised voices. It would appear an argument has broken out among the players of the game.
"You just looked at my cards!" Emmett shouts, pointing out Cowboy.
"Oh! Nu uh, mister! You be lookin' at my cards!" Cowboy quickly retorts.
"I beg to differ," Alice states, joining in the argument.
"Whose side are you on, Alice? Your brothers or your boyfriends? Huh?" Emmett asks, staring at Alice.
"And father of your baby," Cowboy adds, pouting at Alice.
"How 'bout the big brother who beat up all the boys who gave you unwanted attention?" Emmett adds. Alice looks between the two boys, clearly having no idea who to choose.
"I love you, my little Miss Alice," Cowboy drawls, using all his charm.
"Hey! I love her too! Just not…like that. At all," Emmett shudders, amusing Rosalie. Everyone's eyes are on Alice, waiting to see who she chooses.
"I choose…" she taps her chin, dragging out the suspense. "Brother or boyfriend?" she hums, looking deep in thought. "I'd choose Edward," she finally decides.
"WHAT?" Both Cowboy and Emmett shout in unison, looking outraged.
"He wasn't even part of it!" Emmett shouts out.
"He is my brother, though," Alice giggles, clearly enjoying what's going on.
"That's, Ali, you're my favourite sister," Edward grins at her.
"Thanks…" Alice begins, when it dawns on her. "Wait, I'm your only sister?" she points out in a huff.
"But you're still my favourite," Edward chuckles.
Board games are abandoned after that, with all the parents agreeing that they cause too many arguments. I couldn't agree more.
When dad announces we need to leave, I pout and whine in protest. I wanna stay with Edward. Edward pouts a little, too.
"Kiddo, can you wait in the hallway while we say goodbye to Esme and Carlisle?" Dad asks. After muttering 'I'm 18, not a kid anymore', I walk out into the hallway. With Edward close behind me.
"Thank you for my gift," he grins, wrapping his arms around me.
"You're welcome," I smile, nuzzling into his chest. "And your other gift? I've decided that can be your Christmas present," I tell him.
"I have to wait 'til Christmas?" he whines, kissing my cheek.
"It's only four days away!" I point out, laughing.
Instead of replying he kisses me deeply, his tongue seeking entrance to my mouth. Our tongues battle with one another, as we continue our passionate kiss. I moan, tilting my head back to grant Edward further access.
"This is exactly the kind of funny business I didn't want," Dad grumbles, walking past us. I hear mum chuckling in the background.
Thanks, dad.
A/N: What do you think of the second part of Edward's birthday party? :D
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