Sorry again for the long wait! Thanks for being so patient, as a result here is a super long chapter! I'm already almost done with the next one so you wont have to wait as long :) Leave reviews!
CHAPTER 12
I gawked open mouthed at my father, instantly making me feel like the adolescent boy I really was.
"Carlisle, I can explain. It's not my fault." He continued to scowl at me. I turned to my right looking Bella, but her face was unreadable. It was just completely blank and gave no indication to me that she was coming to my defense.
"Don't even try to talk yourself out of this one Edward. I would expect this kind of thing from Emmett, but not from you. You know how hard we've all worked to get here and you're going to throw it all away because you're jealous of a little pubescent human boy?"
I hung my head in shame. I had never in a hundred years been lectured by Carlisle; even during my rebellious years. I listened for forgiveness through his thoughts, but something was off. I could hear the rest of my family in the other room just fine, but everything in the entryway was dead silent.
"Bella? What's going on?" She caught eye contact for a split second, and instantaneously the whole house erupted with laughter. Emmett was holding onto Carlisle's side where both of them used each other as anchors for their boisterous bellows. Bella was holding herself up by balancing her hands on her knees with her body franticly shaking. Esme, Alice, and Jasper were in the foyer with their giggles, and Jacob and Renesmee were both on the floor in fits of laughter.
"What's going on?" I asked again, a little more irritated.
"Oh man, Eddie. You seriously thought you were in trouble there," Emmett barely had enough air to finish his sentence.
"Oh son I'm sorry," Carlisle spoke next with laughter escaping every other breath. "I've never been mad at you for anything; I had to see what you would do."
"You were in on this?" I asked Bella incredulously. My own wife plotting against me?
"I'm sorry! Emmett texted me the idea when you were in detention. Plus maybe now you won't pick on that Scott kid anymore."
"Me, pick on him? He's the one trying to steal my wife and five year old child!"
"Oh grow a pair Eddie. Bella would knock him out before he even tried to do anything." Emmett said.
"Whatever. I'm going to my room."
"Awe come on Ed, no need to be a wet blanket." Emmett would only get worse.
I could handle being pestered by petulant school children and clueless math teachers. But Carlisle and Bella? I wasn't in the mood to take crap right now. I brooded down the hallway and made my way downstairs to our room. I sat on the left side of the bed near my desk where a framed photo of my family stood. It had been taken earlier that summer at Isle Esme by Jacob. The palm trees loomed over us and the sun was almost set in the background leaving the slightest shimmer from our skin. Ness even looked younger. Why did we choose to come back to school? We had spent the last few years at our leisure, worriless from the world. No fights, no Volturi, no half-breed teachers kicking me out of my head and making me worry for the safety of my little girl.
There was a knock at the open door and I knew it was Bella before I turned to face her. We never fought. I turned back to the photo wallowing in my self misery.
"Can I join you?"
"It's your room too."
"Edward stop acting like a child, it was just a small prank." Bella walked into the room sitting on the bed next to me.
"It's not just that. We could be in so many more places. We could be back in Forks with Charlie. Jake shouldn't have to be separated from the pack. We could be back in Rio in our own world. Instead I get dressed every morning worrying if there's more harm that is after my family. I just hate high school and it's turning out to be more trouble than it's worth."
"Honey we've had this discussion. I'd love nothing more than to live in our own fantasy world for the rest of eternity, but we need to give our daughter some sense of normalcy. I need this too. I miss civilization; as much as I'd love to stay locked up in our cottage day and night, we need to continue living a regular life, for our sake of humanity."
"I know, love." I heaved a long sigh.
"I think I know what will get you out of your funk."
"What's that?"
"Didn't you say you would be taking Jake out to find a new car today?"
"Crap, yes I did. What time is it?"
"Nearly five. Dealerships don't close for a few hours. How about you two go right now, and we can go for a run when you get back?"
Space from the house did seem like a good idea, and I could speak with Jake about where his relationship with Ness was heading.
"Okay. Love, I'm sorry for being angry."
"Heightened emotions. I get it." She took my hand in hers and I immediately felt our electric current run deep into my skin. The touch sank deep into my skin, instantly warming me and lifting my spirits.
"Thank you." I said.
"Anytime babe. Now go spoil our future son-in-law and get him a nice car."
"Ugh, please don't call him that. I'm too young to be a father-in-law."
"Edward you're a hundred and fifteen. I think it's safe to say you're nearly past your expiration date."
I stood up, leaned over and gave her a swift kiss on the lips. "Let's not talk about this now. Be back soon."
"Whatever you say. Love you."
"Love you more."
I headed up the stairs to find Jacob. My family was in the living room all doing various activities with Esme sat at the dining table sketching on a pad of paper, Carlise was deep into a book, Rose was cuddling next to Emmett with her legs dangling over his while he focused on some college football game on television, and Jake was racking through the fridge.
"Hey," I said.
Everyone turned heads in my direction. In a few seconds a chorus of "sorry's" echoed through my brain.
"It's fine. I'm fine. Where's Alice and Jasper?"
"They went for a drive. Should be back later this evening." Carlisle replied.
"Jake are you busy?" I asked.
"Not particularly." He answered with a mouth full of Doritos.
"I need to do something. Want to help me out?"
"Umm, sure?"
He rolled up the bag of chips, wiped the residue on his pants, and looked at Renesmee. She looked as clueless as he was. Good.
"We should be about two hours. See you guys later."
Jake followed me into the garage where I climbed into the driver's side of my car. He saddled into the passenger seat and pressed the side button down to give him more leg room.
"Wanna tell me where we're headed?" he asked.
"Nope, it's a surprise."
"Am I in trouble?"
"Why, did you do something wrong?"
"Not that I know of."
"Then no, you're not in trouble."
I pulled out onto the road and headed into the next town over. There were three dealerships in Buckley, Washington. All of them were right off the highway; pretty easy to find.
We drove in silence for a little bit while I listened to his hysteric and terrified thoughts.
I totally did something wrong. He's taking me somewhere to kill me. He probably saw Ness and I making out on the couch last night. Crap he can hear me.
I grinned. "You know, you may as well just speak out loud. I said you're not in trouble."
He make a large audible gulp and turned wide-eyed and terrified to look me in the face.
"I'm sorry Edward. It's just, the last time we ever had one-on-one time was before Nessie was born. Will you tell me what's really going on?"
"Nope, still a surprise. However, now that you bring up the subject of Renesmee, let's talk about that for just a few minutes."
The overcast sky was rolling in darker clouds and just a few moments later we were caught in a full-fledged rainstorm.
"Look, I know she's only 5 years old. Wow that sounds perverted. But really Edward, she's like a sixteen year old girl. I understand if you don't want us to date yet, but…"
"I didn't say anything like that. I know she's growing up. In many ways, she's probably more mature than you are."
"I know she is. Smarter too…"
"Jake, I want you to know that as hard it is for me to come to terms with my little girl growing up, I know I wouldn't be able to find another man on this planet that loves her as much as you do. I know that her feelings have changed for you as well, and she won't want anyone else but you. So whether or not you want it, you're stuck with us for life. Just promise me a few things okay?"
"Sure, anything."
"No sex until marriage. The thought of my seven year-old daughter just kissing boys makes my stomach turn. And on the subject of marriage, there will not be a wedding until she has fully matured and grown. Two more years at least, got it Jacob?"
"Yes sir. I love her Edward. You know I'd do anything for her."
"I understand. But she's still really young; she has so much to learn about this world. Let's not pressure her into anything alright?"
"I promise."
We slowed into town once the speed limit changed to 25mph. The rain was slowly letting up and I turned into Carl's Car Dealership.
The lot seemed pretty deserted, but I parked next to the small building entrance and switched off my engine.
"Umm, why are we at a car lot?"
"Because Carlisle wants his Mercedes back, and your Rabbit won't cut it for a first class professor who went to Harvard."
"I can't afford a new car!"
"Don't be ridiculous. I know what a teacher's salary looks like. I'm getting it for you."
"I don't need a new car!"
"Sure you do. Do you think I enjoy watching you drive around town with my own daughter in that little Rabbit? We're getting something with top safety ratings."
"Good afternoon gentleman. What can I do for you today?" A short, portly man with a mousy comb over wearing a red button down shirt appeared from a closed door. His name tag read 'Craig Forman' and he wore a genuine smile.
"Hi Craig," I introduced myself holding out my hand to shake. "My name is Edward Cullen and this is my friend Jacob. We're looking for a new car."
"New? Meaning new off the lot car?"
"Yes sir if you've got them. I'm looking for something with all-wheel drive and a high safety rating. Preferably a sedan. What do you suggest? Money is no object of course, we just want the best you've got."
Jacob stood beside me eyeing all the classic used cars out the right side of the window. I could tell one of the Shelby G.T.'s had caught his eye. He wasn't even listening.
"Well Mr. Cullen, I have a favorite myself. We only have two of them in if you'd like to follow me out around back."
"Jake, let's go."
"Could we at least test drive the…"
"No, you want to get home soon right?"
"Right, let's do this."
We followed Craig out the back door where the new cars were parked. We stopped in between two midnight blue Audi A8's.
"I just got in next year's models for these two. They come in about five other colors, but I just have the blue's in right now. There's also black, white, canary yellow, red, and burnt orange. I can have them ordered and here in a week if you like the car."
"What's the safety rating?" I asked.
"It received a 9.6 for this last year's model. One of the safest cars on the road. They common model is in rear-wheel drive, so the all-wheel drive will be a little more pricey."
"How much?" Jacob asked.
"This one is $73,000. The rear-wheel drive models run about $65,000."
"Damn, Edward this is too much."
"Do you like it?" I asked him.
"Well of course, she's beautiful. I just can't justify driving this car to and from town."
"What if I said you could drive it to Forks this weekend, would that help?" I replied with a smirk. We hadn't yet told him we were taking a quick trip home.
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah Monday and Tuesday will be great weather. It's a perfect opportunity to go say hi to the family."
Surprisingly, I was attached by Jacob in a massive bear hug. It reminded me somewhat like Emmett.
"Ah hem." Craig interrupted. "Well son, do you want to take her for a spin? I'll have to have you fill out this sheet before you leave."
"No problem." I took a clipboard from his hand and filled out all the required information.
"Right, I'll be back in a jiff."
He came back out with a set of keys in hand. I looked over at Jake who was grinning ear to ear. He excitedly held out his hands for the keys Craig was holding between his thumb and index finger.
"Thank you Craig. We'll be around the block and back in a few."
"Sure thing. I'll be back inside. Holler at me when you're back and we can talk about financing."
Craig walked back into the small grey building and Jacob was already in the car, adjusting the mirrors, seats, and playing with the lights. I opened the passenger door and climbed in.
"This is the only car we've looked at Jake, are you happy with this one?"
"Are you kidding me? Have you seen my Rabbit, and have you seen this thing? We could totally watch movies on this little screen here!"
He was already adjusting the XM radio controls on the touch screen.
"Well, the the main purpose of this thing is for transportation. Let's take it out of the lot for a few minutes okay?"
"Already on it."
Jake leaned over to press the start button located next to the steering wheel and the engine roared to life, well more like purred. He eased us out of the driveway and turned left towards the highway. Once we were passed city limits, he put more gas to the pedal and we were nearing 90mph.
"Beautiful." I said. "Mind speeding up to see how she does with the upcoming turns?"
He didn't even reply. His lips turned into a mischievous grin with his eyes still concentrated on the road. We were now at 110mph. As we approached the upcoming curve in the road, the car glided upon it without any trouble.
"Slow down." I said. "There's a police car ahead about 3 miles." Just a few moments later, we were passing a cruiser at the safety speed of 60 miles per hour.
"Okay, let's take her back. You happy with the blue? Or did you want to wait for another color?"
"Blue is perfect. That way I have a car a different color than all of yours. We already have silver, black, yellow, and red covered. Edward this car really is a lot of money. I could give you payments or whatever until I pay it off."
"Jake, one thing you're going to have to learn with this family is we've got the money. We've had investments for hundreds of years and money in nearly every major country on the planet. You're basically stuck with us for eternity. Also when one person makes money in this family, it's everyone's money. Stop complaining, you're getting the car."
"Thank you, so much. Really I can't thank you enough."
"No problem. Let's head inside and get it paid for. You can drive it home if you'd like."
We pulled back into the lot and parked the A8 right next to the dealership entrance.
"Everything run smoothly? How'd she drive?" Craig asked walking up front from the back entrance.
"It was perfect thanks. We'll take it," I answered.
"Fantastic! Why don't you head back into my office and we'll run your credit report and get you set up with a loan officer."
"Actually, we'd like to pay for it in full today if that's alright."
"In full? You're telling me you have seventy-five grand in your bank account right now?"
"Yes sir." I reached into my back pocket for my wallet and pulled out my black Visa.
"Right then. Do you have I.D. with this Mr. Cullen?"
"Of course. Here's also the name of my banker if you'd like to verify everything with him. Also, we'd like the title to be in Jacob's name. Can you give him your license Jake?" I slipped out my Washington driver's license and bank card and handed it to Craig while Jacob fished for his license.
"Okay. If you'll just hang tight for a few moments gentlemen, I'll be back with the paperwork."
He disappeared behind the door to his office, so Jacob and I took a seat in the scratchy, blue waiting area chairs.
"So we're really going to Forks this weekend?" Jacob asked with a smile.
"Yeah. Monday through Wednesday are supposed to be sunny here. I figured you'd want to say hi to your pack. We're heading down there Friday evening right after school."
"You really have no idea how much I need that right now. This whole teaching gig is just getting to me you know? I was never cut out to be a teacher."
"You're doing a fantastic job, Jacob. And yes, I know exactly how you feel. It will be nice to have a few days of no school to get reacquainted with everyone down there. I know Bella misses her dad."
"When was the last time you guys saw Charlie? Before summer?"
"Yes right before our trip to Rio."
"Ness has gained two years since then!"
"I know. Hopefully he won't freak out too much. Did you know last time we were home visiting, he had us sit down and watch that movie Jack? The one with Robin Williams that ages 4 times faster than the average human being?"
Jacob snorts. "Seriously? What did you do?"
"Just had to reassure him Renesmee would be fine and her aging was slowing down."
"Did he buy it?"
"Well, he dropped it. Besides him muttering stupid need to know crap" around the house the rest of the night.
"Has he gotten any closer to figuring you guys out?"
"Charlie's head is fairly private. He has a couple theories. Vampires have crossed his mind a few times because of the whole werewolf thing, but he dismisses it as quickly as possible. He prefers being in the dark."
"Alright gentlemen." Craig reappeared from his office with a stack of papers. "I've spoken with your bank and have already run your card. Everything seems to be in order. Our dealership offers free oil changes and service for up to five years after your purchase. This packet contains the title and owner's manual. Here is the receipt and two sets of keys. I'll just need to you sign on those four lines and she's all yours."
I took the BIC ballpoint pen from his clipboard and signed my name in my familiar script. "There you go," I said handing the paperwork back to him.
"Well boys, you certainly made this too easy for me. Wish every sale was as perfect as this one. Let me know if you have any problems with it, but everything should run smoothly. You two are the only one's who's driven it. Have a wonderful evening, it was a pleasure."
"Thank you Craig. It was exactly what we needed." Jake and I shook hands with the man and then head for the door.
I handed a key fob to Jacob and pocketed the other.
"I'll put this on the key rack in the garage in case one set gets lost. Or if anyone needs to use it they can take the keys."
"Edward, I can't thank you enough."
"I know, you're welcome. Let's get home to our girls shall we?"
"Race you?"
"Not yet. Maybe this weekend? Charlie may be a little more lenient on us if we get caught."
"Deal."
We both climbed into our cars and headed home.
I followed Jake up the driveway and into the cul-de-sac. We hadn't even turned our engines off before Renesmee and Bella were on the front steps to greet us.
"Whoa Jake! New car!" Renesmee was already ogling over the new Audi.
"Want to come for a ride with me?"
"Can I Dad?" She asked.
"Yes you may, but you're not allowed to drive it yet. Not until you get your license."
"Okay. Jake let's go! Thanks Dad!" Ness ran to the passenger seat and had her seatbelt on and door slammed shut in a matter of seconds.
"Well, I'll have her back by nine. She'll probably be hungry."
"Okay, drive safe Jacob."
"I'll protect her with my life. Don't worry."
"I know. See you soon. Also, remember separate beds tonight. Got it Jake?"
"Got it."
Moments later, the new A8 was peeling out of the driveway and you could hear Ness screaming with delight. It was now Bella and I standing on the pale gravel driveway.
"How about that run?" Bella asked.
"Please. It's been a rough day."
"Let's sneak around out back." Bella was already unfastening the button on my jeans with her other hand dangerously pulling on my collar about to rip my shirt.
"Maybe we should bring a spare set of clothes this time?" I suggested.
"Way ahead of ya. I hid a stash out in the woods. Let's go." She whispered.
Her eyes were still a beautiful amber color from our hunt the other night, but you could still see the mystery and deepness in them reflected from when she was a human. This woman owned me body and soul. I took her hand in mine, and before I had time to answer her, I had us sprinting into the fields behind our new home- heading towards the forest.
The next morning, Bella and I walked slowly back to the rear entrance of the house. We arrived before the sun came up because I still hadn't gotten around to finishing my homework from the night before. Damn homework. What a waste of time. I could hear that each of my family members were already home and in the confines of their private rooms. We walked into our private suite and stepped into the bathroom.
"Take a shower with me?" Bella asked.
"I assumed I was invited already."
"You're always invited."
She got the water running and We both stepped into the steaming shower. I poured a generous amount of her shampoo into her hair and slowly lathered it into her head.
"You managed to stow away some of the forest into our shower babe." I said pulling out two leaves from her locks.
"Don't look at me, you put them there."
"Probably."
"Edward are you doing okay? You seemed really stressed yesterday."
"I'm fine. This weekend will be really good for me I think. I want to go home." That little cottage had become somewhat of a sanctuary to me over the last few years. I couldn't wait to go back.
"I know, I'm excited too. I called Charlie yesterday to tell him we'd be there late Friday evening. He wants us to come straight over if that's alright."
"Fine with me, I miss him too."
We finished our shower giving me an hour to finish the mundane worksheets from my high school teachers.
"Next time we enroll in school, we're going to college." I muttered.
"I agree. High school kids are too immature for me to handle."
The next two days dragged out agonizingly slow. The whole family was heading down to Forks to see Charlie and the packs, and we were just as excited to see they as they had somewhat become our new family.
When the final bell rang for school, my siblings were already heading back to the house to grab our bags for the trip. It took us about an hour to be reassembled in our driveway, ready for our journey back home.
"Dad can I ride with Jake?" Ness asked.
"Sure sweetie. Your mother and I will be right behind you."
Rose and Emmett would be riding with Carlisle and Esme in the Mercedes while Alice and Jasper drove with us in the Volvo. The three and a half hour drive went by quickly with Bella's new mix on her iPod and casual conversation. Ms. Alvarez hadn't made any indication that she was a threat to the family, but she didn't associate with us either; which was peculiar. Without the drama of anything happening the last few days, the only topics that came into conversation were what we had planned to do in Forks, which didn't amount to a lot.
The wolves had redefined the treaty with us in the last few years. Nessie had turned all of our worlds on their heads which basically forced us all to cooperate with each other whether we liked it or not. We were allowed to cross over each other's borders without any retaliation. Seth, Embry, and Quil often visited Ness and she also sometimes had play dates with Claire as a young child. Now she was given opportunities to babysit her with any free time. Time never amounted to much with me, now with a daughter, I relished every second of it. Time was just too precious around here.
Alice mentioned something about taking Bella and Renesmee shopping in Port Angeles since there was nothing good in Enumclaw. I was just waiting to see how that conversation would turn out in real life. I saw the vision in Alice's head of them at some dress store, so fighting was basically a lost cause. We planned to arrive at Charlie's house around eight at night. Alice and Jasper would drop us off at the house where we'd meet up with Jake and Renesmee.
Pulling up to the familiar driveway, we saw that Jake, Ness, and Charlie were already assembled outside admiring the new Audi. The clouded sun was barely peeking over the mountains marking twilight. I could not wait to get home.
"Heya Bells! I missed you, come here." Charlie slammed down the hood of the new vehicle and approached his daughter.
"I missed you too Dad," Bella replied running into her father's open arms. The cold of her skin didn't bother Charlie anymore. He had accepted whatever had happened to his daughter to be for the best. Whatever kept her safe was the right thing.
"So, an A8 Edward? A little extravagant for a twenty-one year old kid, don't you think?"
"I'm not a kid anymore Charlie!"
"My mistake, I meant dog." He joked, giving Jake a nudge on the arm.
"Well aren't you the comedian." Jake responded.
"Well Charlie, in my point of view, I'd rather have Jake parading my daughter around in a car that we know works perfectly, and has passed every safety rating with flying colors. That rabbit Jake drives dents like a tin can."
"Fair enough. Well it sure is pretty. Could I take a spin later on Jake?"
"Sure, we'll be here for a few days. I'm sure you could take the keys tomorrow if you'd like.
"Excellent. Are you kids hungry? Sue's got some leftover roast in the fridge we could heat up for you."
"Bella and I are fine. We stopped to eat on the way, but Jake is always loading that pie hole of his with whatever food he can find."
"I'm a growing boy! I need my protein!"
"Jake have you seen your muscles?" Bella joked. "I think you're good with protein. I know what your diet consists of."
"Whatever. Let's see how Sue's meatloaf compares to Esme's."
Jacob headed up the stairs into the house first, proceeded by Charlie and Bella in conversation. My daughter came up to me giving me a hug.
"Hey Daddy. Good drive?"
"Hi sweetheart. Perfect drive. How did you and Jake do?"
"Seriously that car is amazing! Can I get one when I get my license?"
"We'll see. I'm still not sure how I feel about you driving considering what happened last time."
"Oh come on Dad, you know that was an accident. And it would take a lot more than that for me to get hurt."
"And how far are you willing to go to test that theory Ness? Let's just wait till you're a little older, then we'll talk about it."
"Okay. So what are we going to do this weekend?"
I started escorting us into the house as I answered her. "Well, I'm sure the packs will want to see you. Esme was thinking of throwing a dinner together Sunday night and inviting everyone over. Also, Alice wants to take you and the girls shopping tomorrow in Port Angeles."
"Ugh, Dad. Can't you think of some kind of excuse? Ground me or something?"
I chuckled. "Sorry hun. I'd get in more trouble if I grounded you. It will be a girl's day. Jake needs to drive into town as well. You can drive with him."
"Fiiiine." She complained. "What else?"
"Well, it's just family time. We don't need a schedule for every hour of the day do you?"
"Guess not. Let's get inside, I'm famished! Sue's roast is amazing, sure you don't want to try?" She mocked me, knowing every traditional family dinner Bella and I were forced to feed the vile human food into our systems, only to run into the woods after to hurl it up immediately after.
"Very funny. Come on, let's go." I ran my fingers down her hair, untangling the messy copper curls that hung from her back. She was the perfect mix of Bella and me.
We left Charlie's house around eleven in the evening. The four of us climbed into Jake's car, and headed down the driveway.
"I'm going to sleep at my dad's house tonight if that's alright. I know he'd appreciate it." Jake said.
"Oh can I come? I'd love to see Billy."
"Ness it's a little late, don't you think? You know you'll be asleep in an hour anyways."
"Okay," she droned. "But can I run to the res in the morning to wake up Jake?"
"We'll talk about it."
"Yes!" she chanted. She knew it was hard for me to say no to her. Bella was the stern parent.
Jake dropped us off at the main house where we grabbed our bags, hollered at the family to tell them we were headed to the cottage, and started walking to our home.
The weeds had grown over the summer flowers a little too heavily. The leaf pads on the pond needed to be cleaned out a bit, but as soon as we opened the doors to our first home, it just felt as though we were arriving back after a long vacation.
"Hmm…it's good to be home." Bella sighed.
"I know exactly what you mean." I dropped our bags at the door and lifted my wife into my arms, carrying her into our bedroom.
"Blech, can't you two wait twenty seconds for me to shut my door first?" Renesmee yelled.
Bella laughed. "Maybe we should invest in some soundproof doors for this room, babe. I don't want to scar our daughter for life.
"Maybe you're right. That's a long life to be scarred for."
Although my dead heart no longer beat, the electrifying sensation that erupted every single time I touch her skin is just as potent as the first time I touched her. I brushed my cheek alongside hers and swept my lips across to meet her own. She let out a deep moan as I deepened the kiss and held her the same way as I did the first time I kissed her in this room. In a swift motion, I ripped the delicate fabric of her blouse into pieces, throwing it on the floor. She jumped from my arms, grabbed my waist and threw me on top of our California King bed. Her fingers found the waistline of my jeans and she pulled quickly, leaving them in tatters next to her shirt.
We both halted for a moment when we heard blaring music coming from Renesmee's room for her feeble attempt to cover the sounds coming from behind our doors. Hmm, perhaps she should have stayed with Jake after all tonight. Oh well, she's a heavy sleeper. She'll be out in a few minutes.
"Love? Maybe we should keep it down a little bit until Renesmee's asleep."
"I make no promises, but I'll try." She whispered back into my ear—her tongue sweeping the walls of my lobe and arousing me even more.
"Not helping Bella," I muttered. She just giggled in response.
"Oh, you know how I love that noise. I threw her under me so I was now straddling her on the bed with her arms captive in my hands, held above her head.
"Oh, are we playing a game Mr. Cullen?"
"Always, Mrs. Cullen."
Renesmee's CD eventually stopped and we knew she was asleep when there was no attempt to turn it back on. For the next eight or so hours, we reacquainted ourselves with every inch of our room that we had recently left behind.
Around nine in the morning, I heard a light tapping on our door indicating Renesmee was awake.
"Is it safe to come in?" she asked.
Bella sped across the room and was back in bed with a silky, pale blue robe in less than a second. I already had some sweat bottoms on. With my arms wrapped around Bella, I invited our daughter in.
"Come on in hun." I said.
"You two are so lucky I sleep through the night," she joked.
"You're lucky you don't have Emmett and Rose as your parents. They wouldn't care about keeping things down for your sake." Bella responded.
"No need to remind me. They've babysat me enough times in my life for me to be permanently suffering with those memories for centuries to come."
"Come here Ness." She leaped onto the bed in between her mother and I with her head landing on my lap. Bella and Renesmee had such a strong motherly bond between them, but she was definitely a Daddy's girl. I loved her even more for it.
"Things have been so crazy this week we have hardly had any time to talk to you about your classes. How are you liking school?" I asked. I combed my fingers through her curls while Bella tickled her back. It was these moments that reminded us that she was still just our five year old little girl. As smart and mature as she was, she still needed the reassurance and stability of her parents like every other small child.
"It's good, I guess. I really love my classes. It's different and fun to be in a new environment. Some of it is restricted though. It's just weird that after living five years of being myself, I have to pretend being someone else."
"And your art classes?" Bella asked. "Are you sure you're comfortable staying in the class with Ms. Alvarez? We could get that class changed if you felt threatened in any way, baby."
"No, she's really nice actually. Thinks I'm really talented. She's never brought you guys up or anything though. Was really interested in our trip to Rio though."
"How so?" I asked.
"I don't know. Just asked a lot of questions if I had been to certain places, eaten certain foods. She mentioned something about the Ticuna tribes."
"What about the tribes?" Bella was starting to get worried.
"Just if I had heard any of the legends of the people. I told her I had never heard of them. She seemed to buy it. She's from South America though. It's not too weird she knows about stuff in Rio."
"Other than that, nothing else out of the ordinary?"
"Come on Dad, you would have heard me think it if there was."
"As much as I love your mother Ness, I am so glad I can hear your thoughts with no restrictions."
"Sorry to say the feelings not mutual."
"I know hun. Why don't you go get ready. It will be near ten by the time you get to Jake's if you plan on running there."
"Really? I can go?"
"Yes. Just promise to take your cell and call your mother and I so we can pick you up. Alice wants to take you to Port Angeles around three or four."
"Okay, I will."
Soon she was back into her room, climbing into the shower of her private bathroom Esme had installed last year.
"I'm going to get dressed." Bella said leaning over, grabbing the nape of my neck close to her face making me surrender to her touch.
"Five more minutes?" I begged.
"Nope. We need to get going, come on babe." I stood from the bed and she gave me a little slap on the behind. A growl blew into the air as she gave me a playful smirk, teasing me as she walked into the closet.
"You'll be the death of me woman."
"You're already dead!" she yelled back through the doors of the closet.
"I feel fine to me," I replied pinning her to the cream colored drawers kissing her feverishly.
"Edward, come on. I need to help our daughter get ready to be presentable for Billy."
"That girl has everyone wrapped up around her little finger. I don't think she has to do anything to impress the man."
"All the same. Later? Let's get our daughter off for the day, then we can reacquaint ourselves with the foliage outside. The sooner you let me go, the sooner I can take these clothes off later!"
"Fine." I reluctantly let her go, but not before leaving a chaste kiss on her lips. "Later it is then."
"You're relentless."
"Only for you, baby."
A few minutes later, I went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Nessie. She had always loved eggs, I figured because of Bella's craving for them during her pregnancy. Esme had our kitchen stocked while we were visiting Charlie last night. All of Renesmee and Jacob's favorites were in the fridge.
Once I had the omelets cooking slowly in the pan, I headed for the bathroom to check on my two favorite girls. Renesmee sat in a chair facing the mirror while Bella held a brush that she had been running through Renesmee's hair. Small pallets of makeup sat at the counter as my daughter took a small foam wand, wiping the purple chalk over her eyes. When did she get so grown up? Never in the hundred years I had already lived prior to meeting Bella would I have ever dreamed of having a life this fulfilling.
Marrying Bella completed me. The euphoric mood it put me in was nearly overwhelming. Our first honeymoon on Isle Esme was some of the happiest moments of my life. There was a dark time when I was convinced for Bella to go through with an abortion. I should have known that she'd be strong enough. My Bella is the strongest woman I know. Renesmee was a testimony to that; our little miracle baby.
"What are you staring at Dad? It's getting weird."
"Oh, nothing. I just love you both so much."
They both looked up at me from the reflection in the mirror and gave me identical crooked grins.
"You're looking more and more like your mother each day Renesmee. You're so grown up."
"I think I'm stuck with your hair for life though."
I chuckled. "Yeah, sorry about that. I suppose I have pretty dominant genes."
"Oh shush," replied Bella. "I fell in love with the hair before I fell in love with you."
"Very funny," I said as I walked over behind her, tickling her on her sides where she squirmed the most.
"Stop that!" she screamed.
"Tell me you loved me first!" I taunted back.
"Never!"
I tickled her again.
"AH! Edward let go, I'm going to burn our daughter with the curling iron!"
"Say that you love me!" I laughed again as I pinched her sides while she tried wriggling free from my grip.
"Fine! I loved you first! Happy?"
"Extremely." I smiled and left both girls with a kiss on the cheek, and headed back to the kitchen, spatula in hand, finishing Renesmee's breakfast. I'm totally the omelet king, even if they smell like vomit.
The day went by quickly, but was perfectly relaxing. We had just gotten a call from Renesmee saying her and Jake were ready to leave to Port Angeles, so we all decided to all meet at the main house and leave from there. I would help Jake run a few errands while the girls had their shopping trip. Bella and Renesmee were less than amused.
We arrived at Port Angeles by five in the evening. Ness and Jake were starving so I parallel parked on the street next to a small burger joint.
"This trip was a fantastic idea," Bella said coming to my side wrapping her left arm around my right. She leaned her head on my shoulders as we walked up to the front door of the restaurant.
"Today was perfect," I responded.
"Mom, Dad, hurry up I'm starving!"
"Coming!" I was so preoccupied with my family at the moment that I didn't even notice the familiar voices coming out of the room we were about to walk into.
"Bella, Edward? Is that you?" Bella held her breath and looked at me while I stared wide-eyed standing in front of a very curious, Jessica Stanley.