Chapter Forty Two – (Special Plans)
EPOV
Esme and Carlisle went around the house, apologising to everyone about the unexpected drama that developed after Bella's performance and kindly told them it would be best if the party came to an end. Because Alice only invited people who were fond of Bella, they all understood and didn't try to linger behind to find out what was happening. Even if someone did try to do that, Rose would have probably dragged them out by their hair, anyway.
I've never seen Bella so heart-stricken and conflicted than I did last night. Even Tanya said her breakdown was worse than the one she had in California. I think it was all just a little too overwhelming for her. Everything was going so perfectly. She was surrounded by people who love her, her friends from California were here, and everything between us was perfect.
Then her mother showed up, shocking everyone and causing all of Bella's bad memories to come flooding back. At first she was okay and even happy to see her, but then something just snapped inside of her and she started screaming and yelling at Renee in front of everyone. Jess tried to calm her down but that only upset Bella more and she began shouting at Jessica too. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her. She turned around and began weeping into my chest. I lead her out of the room and upstairs.
Bella and I knew her mother was on her way here, but we didn't know when she was going to arrive. She did mention she was a little worried that Renee would turn up at the party, but it was only a small possibility, so neither of us really took it into account.
I was extremely anxious and concerned about Bella when she left with Renee to go see Charlie. I asked her if she wanted me to come but she insisted that she was okay and it was something she had to face on her own with her mother.
Bella sent me a text half an hour after she left, telling me she told Renee everything Charlie did to her when she was gone. She also told me of how broken Charlie seemed when he saw Renee. She said she's never seen him like that before, not even when Renee left, and for the first time in five years, he actually looked remorseful for acting the way he did towards her. She said he reached out to stroke her cheek or something and she automatically flinched away from him. I couldn't stop the smile forming on my lips when she said Renee responded by slapping Charlie across the face, and yelling at him for laying his hands on Bella.
I helped Alice and Rose clear the house of the decorations while Jasper and Emmett put all the furniture back into their original places and Esme and Carlisle cleaned up the food table and kitchen. Tanya and Jessica stayed behind to help clean up for a while, before Esme insisted they go home to bed.
Bella and I have been through so much together this past month. Her leaving was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through. She was the only person that I ever let into my life after my mother died – apart from my adopted family – Sure, I've had girlfriends and stuff, but I never felt for them the way I feel about Bella. Yes, she made a mistake by leaving the way she did. But she had to deal with those consequences. She never gave up on making it up to me, going out of her way to involve herself with things in my life to show me how much she cared about me. She never gave up on earning my trust back, which lead to her winning my heart back.
We've both said and done some horrible things to each other, but every single day I'm with Bella, I do everything I can to make sure she knows how much she means to me. I'm pretty sure she has the same thing in mind for me. Bella seems to think making love to me is the only way to show me how she feels, though. It's been so difficult to turn her down sometimes because every time we touch, I feel sparks run through my body and all I've wanted to do is drown in every inch of her and make love to her.
But I couldn't do that to Bella, because we weren't ready for that step. I want it to be perfect. She keeps saying that it's already going to be perfect because it's with me, but I just can't take that risk. I want to be romantic and spoil her. I want everything to be a surprise.
Which is why I'm standing outside of Alice's door right now, trying to decide on whether or not I should really go to her for help with this.
I close my eyes, take a deep breath and let it out slowly before raising my hand and knocking on her door.
"It's open." She calls out softly.
I turn the nob, open the door and pop my head inside. She's sitting on her bed reading a book. She looks over at me and quirks her brow.
"What are you doing?" she asks, confused.
"Are you busy?"
"Obviously not…" she says, tilting her head to the side. "Are you gonna come in?"
"Uh, yeah," I mumble, stepping inside and closing the door before walking over to her and sitting on the edge of her bed.
"What can I help you with?" she asks politely, smiling softly before closing her book and placing it on her bedside table.
I stay silent, pursing my lips as I think about how to ask her for help.
"Well?" she questions, looking at me expectantly.
"Okay, so Bella has kind of been hinting that she wants to take the next step in our relationship."
"That's a bit of an understatement," she scoffs. "I hear she's been throwing herself at you but you keep turning her down,"
"Right," I murmur, running my hands through my hair and pulling it lightly. "Well, yeah, I have. But only because I want it to be special for her,"
"Edward." She says pointedly.
I glance at her nervously to see she has a serious expression on her face.
"You two have been through so much already. She loves you; she wants to be with you. In every way."
"Yeah, I know. But –"
"Don't interrupt me," she cuts me off, holding up the palm of her hand. "She doesn't care about how romantic it is. As long as she's comfortable and with you, that's all that's going to matter."
"I want it to be perfect for her,"
"All she needs is you for it to be perfect." She says softly.
"That's exactly what she said,"
"Why is it so difficult for you guys to understand that? Jasper was exactly the same about me losing my virginity." She says, rolling her eyes.
"We care about you."
She rolls her eyes at that statement before crossing her legs in front of her.
"What is the point of this conversation?" she asks.
"Well, I've been thinking and I guess I want to take the next step in our relationship, too,"
"So you're ready to pop her cherry now?" she jokes, grinning at me.
"Charming," I respond, shaking my head in amusement as she laughs softly to herself.
"Okay, so I'm taking it you want some help, or pointers on what to do?" she asks.
"Yeah."
"Do you have any ideas at all yet, or…"
"I was thinking something to do with roses and candles,"
"As you would." She says, laughing lightly. "Do you have a location?"
"I was thinking of the meadow I showed her, but then I don't want her to get cold and become uncomfortable,"
"What about the cottage?" she asks.
"Really?" I ask hesitantly.
"It's a place where she's comfortable, you could decorate her room."
"What about Tanya?"
"Well, if you tell her about it, I'm sure she'd be more than willing to help you out."
"Okay. Thanks, Ali," I say appreciatively, kissing her on the cheek before heading out of her room.
"Call me if you need help with anything else!" she calls after I shut the door behind me.
I pull my phone out of my back pocket and text Tanya.
HEY. ARE YOU BUSY? I NEED HELP WITH SOMETHING.
NOPE. SURE, WHAT DO YOU NEED? :)
IS BELLA HOME?
NEGATIVE. SHE'S AT CHARLIE'S WITH RENEE. WHY?
GOOD. I'LL BE OVER SOON.
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO?
I'LL TELL YOU WHEN I GET THERE. :P
*SENDS YOU EVILS*
I laugh to myself at her reply as I make my way down to the kitchen. I pour a glass of milk and down it in a second before grabbing a banana.
"Where are you off to, honey?" Esme asks as I make my way to the front door.
"Just heading over to see Tanya about something,"
"You're not going to see Bella?" she asks, confused.
"She's at Charlie's with Renee,"
"Oh. How is she, is she okay?" she asks, concerned.
"I'm not sure. She says she's okay, but I can tell that something is troubling her."
"Have you tried talking to her?"
"I'll talk to her tonight," I assure, smiling kindly. "Look, I've gotta head off. So I'll see you later?" I question, kissing her on the forehead.
"Of course," she says, smiling affectionately at me.
I return the gesture before walking out the front door and running down the front steps to my car.
When I arrive at the cottage, I think over what I'm going to say, and how exactly I'm going to ask Tanya for help. I don't know if she's going to be okay with the idea, or completely against it. I mean, Bella is like a little sister to her. What if she's not okay with Bella losing her virginity at seventeen?
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly before knocking on the front door. Tanya opens it almost straight away.
"I heard you pull up," she says, smiling and standing aside to let me in.
"Oh, okay," I say as I walk inside. "How are you?" I ask, heading into the living room and sitting down on the couch.
"Yeah, pretty good." She says as she sits down next to me. "So, what do you need help with?"
"Oh. Um…"
She laughs lightly before nudging me with her elbow. "I'm just messing with you. Alice called me to give me a heads up so shit wouldn't be awkward,"
"Oh, thank god." I say, breathing a sigh of relief.
"So, you just need me to occupy Bella for the day or something?"
"Something like that. At least until I text you and say it's okay for you to bring her back."
"Okay. And what's your plan?"
"Light candles everywhere, have a trail of petals leading to the bedroom."
"Okay, no." she says, shaking her head with amusement.
"Why not?" I ask, offended.
"It's too cliché," She says, screwing up her nose. "Buy her a bouquet of roses, leave them on the kitchen bench and write her a letter."
"Then how's she gonna know to go to the bedroom?" I ask, confused.
"Write it in the letter…"
"Oh. Right."
"You can still have rose petals leading to her bedroom, though,"
"Okay, cool. Anything else?"
"Not really. Just make the whole night about her."
"That's the plan," I reply, smirking at her.
"Okay, well I'll call her now and tell her I'm taking her out."
"Alright, I'll get started then."
"Oh, and give her a call later so she doesn't get suspicious about you not contacting her all day." She says, heading for the front door.
"Hey, Tanya?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"It's all good. She's been waiting a long time for this," she says, winking at me before walking out the front door.
I call Alice and ask her to go buy a bouquet of red roses while I begin to set up at the cottage. I already went out and purchased a bunch of roses to make the petal trails with, but I didn't buy enough to have a dozen left over for Bella.
Alice turns up half an hour later with the most extravagant roses I've ever seen. Trust Alice to go all out on the one task I sent her on.
"She deserves only the best," she says, reading my thoughts.
I rummage around in the kitchen to find a suitable vase. I fill it with water and place it on the bench before going back into the living room.
"Can you sort them out while I set up the candles?" I ask kindly.
"Of course."
I place all the candles on the coffee table before pulling out my lighter and lighting them all. I place them around the house – in places where nothing will catch on fire because that really wouldn't be romantic at all if the cottage went up in flames.
I sit down on the couch to start writing the letter to Bella. I tap my pen on the pad and drum my fingers on the coffee table as I try to think of the perfect thing to say. I begin to become frustrated when nothing comes out right when I put it on paper. I screw up the fifth failed attempt and throw it on the ground with the other scrunched up pieces of paper. I don't know where Alice disappeared too, but when I let out a groan of annoyance she's suddenly by my side.
"What are you doing?" she asks.
"Tanya said to write Bella a letter, but every time I put something on paper it doesn't come out right."
"You're thinking about it too hard,"
"Oh, really?" I ask sarcastically, rolling my eyes.
"Just write what you feel, Edward."
"You think I haven't tried?"
"It's just like writing a song," she says, placing her hand on my shoulder. "Except it doesn't rhyme,"
"Right," I mumble, running my hands through my hair.
"It'll come to you, just stop thinking so hard." She says, smiling kindly at me. "I'm gonna head off, but call me if you need anything else, okay?"
"Okay. Thanks Alicat,"
"You're welcome, Edwardo," She says, smirking at me and ruffling up my hair before walking out the front door.
I don't know how much time passes while I try to think of something to write to Bella, but it must be a long time because I receive a text off Tanya.
WE'RE AT JESSICA'S. WHY HAVEN'T YOU CALLED BELLA YET?
SORRY. LOST TRACK OF TIME, I'LL CALL NOW.
ALL GOOD. HOW'S EVERYTHING GOING?
GREAT, APART FROM THE LETTER :|
WHY, WHAT'S WRONG? :S
JUST CAN'T THINK OF WHAT TO SAY.
JUST WRITE HOW YOU FEEL…
YOU SOUND LIKE ALICE.
GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE :P ANYWAY, STOP TEXTING ME AND CALL HER.
YES MA'AM! *SALUTES*
SMARTASS.
I chuckle to myself at her reply. I bring up my call history and click on Bella's name. She picks up after the second ring.
"Why, hello." She says brightly.
"Hey, gorgeous. What are you up to?"
"Just hanging with Tanya and Jess. What about you?"
"Not much, just hanging about. Missing you,"
"Aw, you're so sweet. I miss you too."
"How's everything with your mom and Charlie?"
"It's okay," she replies, letting out a heavy sigh. "It's all… very dramatic."
"Is Charlie still trying to apologize to you?"
"Constantly," She mumbles.
"I guess that's a good thing, though."
"I guess..."
"Is Renee kicking his ass into line?"
"Yeah," she says, laughing lightly. "She hasn't let him touch any alcohol so far. He's become so accustomed to it, his withdrawals are pretty bad."
"It's the best thing for him, though."
"He looks like he's in so much pain." She says sadly.
"That's normal, baby. It'll get easier for him."
"He's said and done some horrible things to me, but I still hate seeing him like that."
"I know, baby. It will get better, I promise. Maybe this is a good thing? Maybe it'll help you two get back on track?"
"It's not that easy, Edward. I still have a lot of resentment towards him." she says sadly. "And Renee." She adds softly.
"I thought you said you were sorting things out with your mom?" I ask confused.
"I am, I just… I don't know, never mind."
"Bella, talk to me."
"No, really, it's okay. I'm fine."
"Look, it's not like everything is going to go back to normal over night, but maybe watching Charlie get better will show you that the father you used to know is still somewhere inside there." I assure.
"Maybe," she says quietly.
"As for your mom, you just need to work through it together. Don't hold anything back; let her know exactly how you feel. If you hide your feelings, nothing will get resolved."
"Yeah, I know. I'm just, so confused and my feelings are all over the place."
"I'm here whenever you need to talk, baby," I assure. "Well, I should probably leave you guys to it. I just wanted to check up on you."
"Okay," she murmurs, sighing into the phone. "Can I come over tonight? I really want to see you, and talk about some stuff."
"Of course you can, I'll come pick you up when you get home."
"Thanks. I love you, Edward."
"I love you too, beautiful," I reply before she hangs up.
Little does she know, I'm going to be waiting for her when she gets home.
I call Alice an hour later and ask her to get Jasper to drive her over here to drive my car back home so Bella doesn't see it.
She turns up twenty minutes later and finds me in Bella's room, Jasper trailing behind her.
"Whoa. Everything looks great!' she says enthusiastically.
"It's not finished yet," I tell her.
"Good job, anyway, bro. She's gonna be blown away," Jasper says.
"Thanks. And thanks for taking my car back."
"Well, we can't have you go to all this work for the surprise to be ruined because of your car, can we?" he says, smirking.
"That's right," I reply, throwing my keys at him.
"Hey, I thought I was driving it back?" Alice whines.
"No way, Alice."
"Is that why you insisted we take my car here?" she asks, turning on Jasper.
"Don't get so worked up, Ali," he says calmly.
"Whatever, we'll just let you get back to work then," she mumbles.
"Okay, bye…"
"Let me know how everything goes, though!" Alice says eagerly.
"I'm sure Bella can do that for you," I remind her.
"Oh, right, yeah." She replies, laughing to herself. "Come on, Jazzy," she entwines her hand with his and leads him out of the room.
While I continue to set up Bella's room, I receive a text from Tanya.
BELLA'S GONNA HAVE A LITTLE SURPRISE FOR YOU TOO ;)
WHAT ARE YOU ON ABOUT?
YOU'LL SEE.
SHE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT TONIGHT, DOES SHE?
NO. BUT JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE.
YOU'RE AN EVIL HUMAN BEING, NO WONDER YOU AND ROSE GET ALONG SO WELL.
NOW, THAT'S NOT VERY NICE, EDDIE.
THE TRUTH ISN'T ALWAYS NICE.
HAR-HAR, YOU SHOULD BE A COMEDIAN.
SHUT UP. ARE YOU ON YOUR WAY HOME?
YEPPERS, SHOULD BE HOME IN HALFA.
AND YOU'RE SURE SHE HAS NO IDEA?
DON'T FRET MR. PARANOIA, ALL IS WELL.
I roll my eyes at her reply, throwing my phone onto Bella's bed as I continue to decorate her room. I scatter rose petals from her door to the middle of the room where I'll be standing. I light the rest of the candles and place them around her room. After that, I pick up my phone off her bed and put it in my back pocket before forming a heart on her bed and filling it up with rose petals.
Once I've finished the final touches in Bella's room, I head back out to the living room to try and write the letter again. I close my eyes, resting my head on the back of the couch as I let my mind wander and conjure up thoughts and memories of Bella. I think of every minute I've spent with her.
A smile forms on my lips as the words finally begin to form in my mind. I grab the pen and paper and begin writing down how much Bella means to me, and all the things that I love about her.
I also leave a little message that I left her something in her room.
My phone chimes with another text from Tanya.
5 MINS AWAY… QUICK, HIDE! :P
I shake my head in amusement and rip the letter off the pad, putting it into the envelope, and quickly cleaning everything up on the coffee table to the way it was when I got here. I go over to the kitchen island and place the envelope next to the vase of roses before writing Bella's name on it.
I pick a rose out of the vase before rushing down the hallway and into Bella's room, waiting for her to arrive home.
A-hoy-hoy! Please don't come after me with burning, flamed torches and pitch forks because of the cliffy! It'll be worth the wait ;)
Thank you to my beautiful, emergency Beta, MyHeartOfMusic! Jenndur's computer decided to break down, leaving her unable to Beta my work OR write her own, the poor thing.
I know Bella annoys a fair few of you and a lot of you didn't like Renee's reason for leaving, but this is my story and I have to write it how I want to be and not write what I think the readers want to read. It is my first attempt at writing, after all...
But thank you all for reading and leaving reviews! It seriously means so much to me.
- Nat x