Note: I love all the reviews I have gotten and I thank you all for supporting in my first fanfic! Thanks! Love ya all!
Disclaimer: I take no credit in the characters within this story; those are the sole work of Mrs. Stephenie Meyer. I do, however, take credit for the specific, new traits I gave them and am quite proud of them.
The drive was quiet as I glare out the window. I still couldn't believe that Alice would have done that without checking with me first. This was extreme, even for her. But eventually my anger began to melt away, leaving me to think about Edwards promise. One word from me and he would take me back to the hotel. That was infinitely more generous than anything Alice would offer as an apology. Actually, I would even be surprised if hers wouldn't' have some to do with (duh duh duh) shopping. But that didn't' matter as I began to look through the cd's in Edwards car, tucked into a case by my feet. I remembered the first time I had seen his vast collection
--
I was nervous when I showed up at the house, first because I was still in awe of Edward, second because the white mansion was rather intimidating. But, before I had a chance to get back in my truck and head home, the door opened and Alice came dancing down the steps, looking beautiful as ever. "Bella! You made it!"
I laughed a little to myself. Like I had a choice. If I hadn't shown she would have been at my door in an instant. "Of course Alice. I couldn't pass up the invitation. I told you that."
She smiled and took my hand, leading me up into the house through the front door. "Well, you're the first to arrive! Isn't that exciting? Everyone will be here soon enough. My entire family went of to the store to get a few last minute things, but they will be back soon, then the guests will start arriving at three!"
I smiled down at the girl as she bounced up and down while she walked. I couldn't help but feel a little more at ease by her side. Something about her excitement was so infectious that even when I wasn't really excited about being to a barbeque, I certainly wasn't upset about being here. "How many people are coming?
"I have no idea. Last count was up to thirty, but who knows. We have enough food, that's for sure."
"You invite people but lose count?" I asked, smiling to myself as she led me through strange rooms. I tried to not to ogle too much, not wanting to look as out of place as I felt in such a massive house. It didn't work too well.
"No, we never really started counted, just got an estimation. You have to realize the we liked to be surprised."
I rolled my eyes. Of course they do. Just another difference between me and them. I stopped as we passed a beautiful piano. Alice noticed and smiled, pointing at the seat for me to sit.
"It's Edward's. He won't mind you trying it out if you want to," she said as I sat and gently touched a key, not pushing it to make a noise. "Do you know how to play?"
"Not really. I mean, a little, but not very well. My mom has always been kind of… daring. She always has a new hobby she wants to try. I try to keep up with her, but I get left behind most of the time." I smiled as I thought about Renee. "But piano I was with her on. She even bough on, kept if for a week, got bored and sold it."
Alice laughed a little. "She sounds nothing like you."
I shook my head, "No, she's not."
"Well, go on Bella, play something. I would love to hear you."
I smiled at her. "It's been years Alice. I don't remember any songs and I certainly don't carry sheet music with me."
I watched her hold up a finger before skipping over to a bookcase. She pulled out a thick book and opened it. "Here, play this."
My eyes carried over the notes, "I'm warning you now; I really have not played in years. And I was never very good to begin with. Just… prepare yourself for some flinching." Then I started to play the notes slowly, humming the notes in my head at the same to make sure they matched the ones I played. At first I was nervous about playing, not liking Alice standing over me like she was, but I relaxed pretty quickly as I got used to it again. After my second go through I had all the notes right and decided to play it one last time at a proper tempo. I watched the notes on the page seem to jump out and surround me, not really needing me to read them directly as I played. I had always loved music.
When I stopped I looked at Alice to see what she thought and she smiled before glancing at the doorway. I turned and followed her gaze. Edward was leaning there, smiling at me. "That was very nice Bella."
I felt a blush start to climb into my cheeks. "Thanks."
"Come on Bella, Everyone's home now! Lets go to the backyard and help Esme make lemonade!" Alice said, grabbing my hand. "Edward, you know where you should be."
"Of course," he said, smiling once more at me before walking out of the room in the opposite direction I was being pulled. There was a pounding in my throat as I tried to swallow around my heart.
"Mom!" Alice called lightly, her voice its own orchestra. "I want you to meet Bella Swan! Bella, this is my mom, Esme."
I smiled at the small, skinny woman with caramel hair. "It's very nice to meet you."
"And you Bella!" she said, her heart face breaking into a smile just as beautiful as her children's. "We are so glad that you could make it; I love to meet any friends of my children and I have heard nothing but good about you."
I blushed a little as I smiled bashfully at the woman. "You have a beautiful house ma'am."
"Please call me Esme," she said. "And you are welcome in this house whenever you feel the urge to come over. And I'm sure Edward would be more than happy to let you use his piano whenever you want to. You play beautifully." I blushed again at her compliment.
"Would you like us to help make the lemonade mom?" Alice asked from beside me.
"No, I think I have this girls. I do think, though, that your father could use your help before he blows up that grill," she winked at us and I gave her a last smile before following Alice across the yard.
"Dad."
A man leaned over, looking over at us from around a massive black grill. "Hello Alice," his eyes met mine. "And I'm assuming your Bella."
"Yes sir." I said, smiling sweetly at him. He had a face just as angelic as Edwards, and I could now see why Edward was so gorgeous. Between his mother and father I don't think he had a choice but to be beautiful.
He stepped over and extended his hand. "Carlisle. I've heard a lot about you from Alice here. I'm very happy that I finally get to meet you."
"Thank you." I said, taking his hand and shaking it with a smile.
"Dad, we were sent over to make sure you didn't kill yourself or someone else. Why don't you let us start the grill and you go help Edward in the kitchen."
Carlisle gave Alice a look before laughing and starting to walk toward the house. "Pushed away from my grill by my very own daughter."
I smiled as I watched Alice shake her head while she dumped some coal into the belly of the grill before grabbing a bottle of lighter fluid and soaking the coal. I handed her the box of matches that were closer to me. She lit one and dropped it down into the grill. The flame caught instantly and she smile triumphantly. "You know, they taught me to do it, yet I think I may officially be better than my brothers! Isn't that exciting?"
I laughed. "Extremely."
"Don't let Emmett here you talking like that Alice," said a velvety voice behind us. I turned and peered into Edwards face.
"I wouldn't dare Edward." She chirped. "So, did dad kick you out of the kitchen?"
He laughed. "Yes."
"Good. Then why don't you go show Bella the cd collection you told her so much about? I'm sure she'd love to see it."
He turned his eyes to me and motioned me toward the house. I went inside the house, stepping back so that he could take the lead. I followed him closely, my eyes not so wandering this time, but rather focused on little more than him. We went up three flights of stairs before he finally stopped and opened a door.
"Wow." I said, stepping into his room behind him. The entire back wall was made of glass, showing out onto the river and forest, an unimaginable view. I turned and saw the cd collection then; the entire wall was covered with shelves holding nothing but his collection. I walked right over to it, stepping past his beautiful wooden bed, hardly thinking about it as I began to read through the bands.
"I wasn't kidding about it. See?" he said from behind me. I turned a little, seeing that he was sitting on his bed, looking over the wall slowly, tracing the rows of cases. "What would you like to listen to?"
--
I pulled out the cd, slipping it into the player and turning the volume up enough to just be able to hear it. The beautiful melodies filled the car while I carefully avoided eye contact with Edward. I had heard the song in my head only moments before, thinking back on that first day. It had been incredible, full of laughter and dancing. Yes, I did say dancing. I didn't mention, however, that I almost fell three times and did fall twice. I was a hazard. But that hadn't ruined my day in the least.
Another long while passed while I listened closely to the music. After the first songs were over I was able to look at the beautiful profile of our driver. I traced his perfect nose and lips and then up his cheek, memorizing the hallows of his cheeks and his strong jaw. God, it was almost unbearable just to look at him. So, I stopped and turned to Alice. "So, what other plans are you not telling me about?"
She smiled a little, her eyes dancing. "I don't know what you mean my dear Bella."
"Of course you don't." I muttered, still staring at her, willing her to answer. She merely looked away. Damn. "What else are you planning to have us do while we're in Seattle? The club and the mall I know, but anything else?"
She smiled a little, "I haven't really thought about that."
"Why do I doubt that?" She just shrugged so I turned to Edward who had a smile stretched across his face, looking almost smug. I leaned forward and placed my chin on his shoulder, slowly breathing in his scent. "Edward, you'll tell me what evil things she has plotted, right?"
He turned his head a little, looking at me, but not enough to put us nose to nose. The smile was still firmly in place. "I don't know; she may kill me."
I gave him my doe eyes, pouting. "I won't let her."
He laughed. "Like you could stop her. Besides, it's not anything terrible. As far as I know the plan is to-"
"Edward!"
He glanced back, his nose sweeping past mine. "Alice?" When she didn't say anything else he looked forward again, again making our noses just brush each other. I didn't move my head and he glanced at me again, trying to be careful to keep and eye on the road too.
I sniffled, trying to get him to tell me as I continued to pout a bit. I saw his lips twitch up again. "Please?"
"Promise to protect me then?" he asked, his eyes flicking up to the rearview. I nodded, keeping my eyes wide so he wouldn't change his mind. He never had been able to resist me when I pouted. "Okay, well, as far as I know, we are going to the mall now, then to the hotel to get ready and something to eat, then off to the club for the night. Tomorrow Alice wants to go out to breakfast before hitting the pool for a few hours. After that we go to a street mall for a while, get an early dinner, then start back. Nothing to terrible."
"Now its not a surprise." Alice whined from the back. "Thanks Edward."
I laughed. "Yeah, thanks Edward." I said before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. Unlike Alice, I wasn't sarcastic this time.
He laughed a little as he took an exit off the highway. The mall was off to the side of the highway, very accessible and visible. I shivered as I looked at it; when Alice and I had been going to college she used to pull me here once a month and shop for hours. I could already see that this would be happening again. It was only 12:30 and I had a feeling we would be here till at least six if I knew Alice. I could already see a broken ankle and super sore feet.
"Edward, you know we weren't supposed to be here for another half hour. You really shouldn't speed." I said, looking at the building. I was glad I hadn't noticed while he was driving or it would have been another bitchfest. It was far from the first time since I had caught him going way above the limit.
"Yes mother," he mumbled as he maneuvered the car into a parking spot near the front of the building. "I'll remember that."
"You never have before, obviously." Alice pointed out, laughing as she hopped out of the car, her excitement written all over her face. "But that doesn't matter right now. Let's just go shopping!"
I climbed out of the car slowly, trying to torture Alice. She just grabbed my hand and pulled me faster. "Alice, try not to make me trip!"
"Then hurry up on your own! We have a ton of shopping and so little time!"
Edward watched as I stumbled off toward the doors, Alice tugging me along. He was shaking with laughter and I glared at him. "Not even a little help Edward? That's not very nice."
He walked forward, holding out his arm. I laced my own through it and pulled on Alice to slow down a bit. She looked back and, seeing that I had a balance, just released me and hurried ahead. "Good, now you make sure she gets inside! You can get her to go faster than I can!"
He chuckled to himself as he started walking faster, keeping a good grip on my arm as he stepped up beside his sister. She smiled at me as I stumbled along; still trying to find my footing in the shoes she had me wear. I was ready to fall by the time we stepped through the door, but Alice slowed down, finally happy that we were inside. She stepped back and took my other arm, smiling as she led the way, keeping a steady but comfortable pace as she led us straight into a store.
"What exactly are you looking for Alice?" I asked cautiously, worried about what she was going to say for the mere reason that we were shopping. One needs no other to be afraid.
"A clubbing outfit of course."
"Alice, you have so much at home… I mean, Bella's house…" Edward paused, surprised by what came out of his own mouth. Then he shook it off. "Why didn't you just bring something with you?"
"There's not any fun in that Edward!" she laughed, flipping through a rack. "Why would I go shopping if I already an outfit?"
"Yes Edward, don't be so silly." I whispered to him, my chuckle almost held back.
"I know. How could I possibly think that it would make more sense to buy something else! God I can be naive."
I laughed harder before turning back to Alice. She smiled at me and handed over a stack of clothes that she had not had a moment ago. God that girl was quick! "Here Bella!"
"What's all this?" I asked, not taking the hangers.
"Some things to try on," she said, shoving them into my free arm. "What else?"
"But Alice… I don't need clothes."
"Of course you do Bella; I was in your closet this morning. It was pathetic. Besides, you need something to wear tonight!"
I glanced up at Edward, my eyes meeting his. He was laughing, his eyes lit with humor. I didn't even look at the clothes as I released his arm and started to follow Alice who was heading toward the back with her own stack. I wasn't sure how she had gotten it all so fast, but didn't' really want to question her ways anyways. Who would really want to know that? "Okay, I want you to come out here and show me everything after you try it on Bella. I want to see!"
She then proceeded to push me into a little room. I said nothing as I stripped down and grabbed a pair of jeans off the top of the stack. They slid on easily, actually looking cute as they shaped my legs. I turned in front of the mirror and saw that they really didn't look back. A shirt was next in the pile which made everything a bit easier. I slipped it on, not liking the metallic look but knowing better than to not try it on.
"Come on Bella! You should have something on by now." Alice chimed from outside my door.
"Yeah yeah." I mumbled, stepping out and standing in front of her. She made me turn, studying me from head to tow as she had so many times before.
"The jeans you are getting, but that shirt just doesn't work for you." She mumbled to herself. Once she was done studying me she pushed me back to the door and instructed me to rehang the shirt but to toss the jeans over to her. I did, without question. Alice shopping was a hard thing to behold. I never really knew exactly how to react to her Tasmanian devil like sweep across a store. Everyone was just so much better when you allowed her to do whatever she wanted on days like this. Of course, that urge didn't just seem focused on shopping for most. I could deny her little, but most found it too hard to say not to anything.
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APOV
--
I was still laughing a little when Bella came back out of her dressing room, a knee length silk skirt wrapped around her waist. I studied it closely. The skirt was beautiful, there was no denying that, and saying that Bella had any less than gorgeous legs would be a complete lie, but her skin tone was just too pale for the pale lilac coloring. It was too bad too, it would have been perfect for tomorrow.
My eyes carried up to the shirt. The clingy crushed red velvet hung off her shoulders, really calling attention to the deep hallows of her neck. The color paled her further, but also managed to pull out the natural rose within her cheek, making her even more beautiful. The flare at the bottom accented her slim waist and showed just enough stomach to make a guy want to see more. Oh yes, that would do nicely. "Toss me the shirt once you have it off."
She nodded and stepped back into the dressing room not fighting. This was her way. Soon though I knew she would start complaining about my shots for a new wardrobe. As I wondered just how far she would let me go this time the shirt soared out of the room, landing right in my arms. I folded it carefully and set it down on my new pair of pants and top I had found and the jeans she had tried on last. Not bad for the first store for me. Usually Bella would have a waist-high stack by now. Speaking of Bella…. "Where are you girl?"
"Alice…" she sounded worried.
"What?"
"This is NOT a dress. A shirt… maybe. But not a dress at all."
I smiled, remembering the black minidress (pic on my profile). "Listen, it won't look like that on. Just try it for me."
"But…"
"Please Bella. For me?" I heard her sigh before the zipper from the skirt sounded. I smiled only moments before my phone let out a ring. "Hey, listen, I'm gonna take this. Take your time and come out when you have it one and situated."
She mumbled something, probably a curse at me, as I left the dressing room area, taking the phone out of my purse. "Alice."
"Hey Alice!" Emmett hollered, making me jump. "What is going on little sis?"
I smiled a little. "Hold on a second, I have to get Edward to do something, then I'll tell you all about it." Even as I said it I waved my other brother over from his point in a corner, trying to stay out of sight from the girls in the store so they wouldn't come up and hit on him.
"What is it Alice?" he sounded bored and tired as he looked around him.
"I need you to go sit in that chair right there. If Bella says something like 'there is no way' then I want you to come get me. Otherwise just sit there until I get back. Don't let her know your there unless you have to though; you know how embarrassed she can get about things like that." I said quickly, pushing him toward where I had been standing.
"Fine." He sighed and went to the chair that was against the wall. "But hurry."
I turned on my heel without responding. "Okay Em, what's up?"
"Nothing here. I just want to know how everything is going. How's Bells?"
"Amazing as always. We're in Seattle right now. I kidnapped her to take her shopping and to a nightclub." I said, laughing as I left the store and stepped into the main section.
"Oh god, Alice, you know she hates shopping. And now you're forcing her to go dancing too? I can only imagine her reaction." He was laughing heartily though. Bella may not technically be family, but she mine as well be. Everyone loved teasing her, same as everyone else. "So, what did Edward have to say to all this?'
"Actually, he's completely for it! Even helped back her clothes and drove. It was shocking." I laughed. "But Em, you should have seen him yesterday when we pulled in and she stepped out onto the pouch. I've never seen a jaw drop like that. He hasn't seen her for three years. I think he still thought that she was the same old Bella! But, I mean, you've seen her Em, she has really grown into herself. She was always beautiful, but now she's gorgeous."
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BPOV
--
"Whatever." I muttered, letting the skirt slide down my legs and just staring at the dress. How could she? I wasn't kidding when I said that it could possibly be considered a shirt. Hell, I had shirts longer that this so called dressed. But, I would humor her for now; no sense in ruining her spirits and making her bitch too early. The longer you kept her happy, the longer she let you be. After I had the skirt back on its hanger I stepped in front of the mirror, looking at myself for a moment before grabbing the dress and holding it before my body. It didn't even look like it would be long enough to cover my ass.
"Alice! How can you possibly expect me to wear this?" I asked, despite the fact I knew that she wasn't there. At least I felt like I was arguing rather than just giving in to putting it on. I sigh heavily as I slip the straps off of the hanger and slide the clothe over my body. I kept my eyes closed, not really wanting to see myself as I tied the straps behind my neck quickly. Then I made the big mistake of opening them back up. The mirror reflected 'me' in a black, microscopic dress with a studded bustline and amazingly low neckline. Eww. "You have got to be kidding me!"
I heard a little noise from just outside my door and turned to face it. Alice was back and she found this amusing. I wanted nothing more than to walk out and slap her. How could she even think of putting me in this dress? Even if I had agreed to try to seduce Edward I would never have let her even take a second glance at this particular garment. "Alice, this is worse on me, not better. Anyone who can even think that this is a dress has got to be mentally challenged! I mean, really! I tried it on but there is no way in hell…"
There was nothing but silence and I could practically see her pout already. I let out a tired breath, opening the door and stepping out. There is no way she would be able to understand unless she saw what it looked like. Who would? I mean, my ass was all but falling out and don't get me started with my boobs and their mostly bareness.
My legs carried out, eyes already shooting fire. She wasn't standing next to her normal pile of clothes, but Edward was.