Disclaimer: All the Twilight stuff belongs to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing in her sandbox.

Chapter 6 Dishing

APOV

"You're just going to love this little shop, Bella! ", I told her enthusiastically as I tugged on her arm, "Even Rose loves this store!"

"She's right. I do!", Rose chimed in, "This little town, who would have thought, but the owners of this shop have a wonderful selection of unique pieces!"

"I really don't need any more clothes, you guys!", I said as Alice all but drug me into the shop. Spoiled Rotten. That was the name of the shop. Figures.

I had to admit, there were some cute things! No outfits, really, just unique jeans, jackets, shirts and even skirts and dresses. There were belts and scarves of all types, all unique and really cool looking! I found a couple of pairs of jeans that had tapestry down part of the leg in earth colors of brown and greens and rust - my favorites. I tried them on and they really did fit well! They were skinny jeans, jeans that sat low on my hips and really hugged my figure. It even looked like I was starting to gain enough weight back that I had a butt again - something I had been missing as my jeans had just hung on me in the months after Edward had left.

Hum, I can actually say it, at least to myself, and not cringe. Edward had left. There, I said it again . . . and I began to realize that it no longer hurt so much. The pain was duller, more distant now. Edwards presence was a soothing balm to the open wound.

"Those look great on you, Bella!", Rose exclaimed, bringing me back to the present. "They do don't they, Rose! I think I'm going to get them - it will be good to start wearing things that don't have to stretch on over my cast!"

"How's your foot doing with this walking today, anyway?", I asked even though I had already seen her answer. "It's much better!", Bella said as she strapped the velcro fasteners back over the removable cast that Carlisle had put on her leg. She had pitched a fit to have the cast off by her birthday, and Carflisle had given in only on the condition that she not take it off till her birthday, and then only if she was not walking around. I knew what she had in mind and I didn't blame her. I would want to be able to make love to my husband without a cast on my leg and she had not yet been able to do that, though I am pretty sure my brother had not even noticed much less minded!

"Do you have a shirt to go with the pants?", Rosalie asked, "Because if you don't, this green stretch top would look great, and show off the colors in the tapestry of the jeans!"

"It really is perfect with them, isn't it!", Bella said as she admired them together. I added a belt to the mix and we all eyed the combination approvingly. Then Bella looked at the price tag. "Two hundred dollars for jeans! Do they really look that good, cause even though I have my new credit card and all, I just don't know about spending that on a pair of jeans!"

"It doesn't matter", said Rosalie, "Cause you are not the one buying them. Happy birthday, Bella! The outfit is on me!"

"The next store is on me!", Alice chimed in! "Did you really think we brought you shopping for you to pay for your own clothes! Really Bella, sometimes I wonder what kind of friend you think I am. Family, now I suppose I should say family instead of friend!", I almost squealed with excitement at that statement!

"You are both too much, really! Thank you both!"

"Bella, we are just so glad to have you get presents that you like this year, we wanted everything to be perfect - not just to make up for last year, but because you are now our sister!", said Rose as she looked up from adjusting the strap of her shoe. Bella was starring at Rose, and Rose answered her glare, "What? It's not that I ever disliked you, Bella, I just don't agree with your choices and if I am being totally honest, I was really jealous of you for the longest time. I get it now though, neither of you are capable of being without the other - that much is clear - so you're becoming one of us is just the natural order of things." Rose whispered, just for Bella to hear, "One lifetime would never be enough and I for one do not want to be around Edward if you grew old and left him!"

BPOV

I should not have been surprised when the next store they took me to was called Eye Candy.

The store sold only lingerie.

Expensive, designer lingerie.

I had never had anything remotely similar to the things in this shop. The closest I had ever come were a satin pajama set, long pants and long sleeves that had a collar and buttoned down the front! I normally wore flannel sleep pants and a t shirt, or even sweat pants. I wore yoga pants and a camisole even now, to sleep with Edward.

"Alice, why do I need these?", I asked her quietly, "I don't know how much you have seen, but if Edward gets any more interested, we will never leave our bedroom!" Alice and Rose both laughed, I had forgotten about vampire hearing.

"It's just to keep it interesting, Bella! And you are so going to dish out some information about just that sort of thing when we finish here!", smirked Rosalie!

"Rose! Information about what, exactly?", I asked.

"Bella, I have waited over 80 years for Edward to get laid, we are dying to know just how good our big brother is, especially since he has been privy to reading out minds and thoughts about sex for nearly a century! He must have some moves and we want to hear about it!"

"Rose! I can't! I can't talk about any of that! It's private!", I blushed.

"Alice and I can wait till we have you alone at lunch, though I'm sure Alice has already seen more than enough! Let's get some things here to really get big brother going!"

Oh. My.

I had almost been able to forget that Alice saw things, even things that she probably really didn't want to see! Since I knew I was already blushing as bright a shade of red as was possible, I walked over to look at some of the tamer nightgowns. Actually, some of them were really pretty, elegant and flowing, almost fairytale like. Alice and Rose selected several gowns and added them to the pile I had over my arm and I walked into the dressing room.

I slipped on the one that was my favorite. It was midnight blue, flat in front with spaghetti straps. It dipped just low enough to show the tops of my breasts in front and in back, well there was no back really. The full skirt and train that sort of trailed behind was kept on by a series of laces in the back, starting just below my shoulder blades and ending just in time to keep you from seeing the crack at the base of my lower back. I had seen Julia Roberts wear one similar only in white in the movie Pretty Woman, and I had always thought it was the sexiest gown I had ever seen.

I tried on all the rest, but I kept coming back to the blue one with no back. Anything that showed my stomach was out. I had an almost puzzle like pattern of scars crossing my abdomen from the surgeries after the wreck. There was even a small scar just beside my breast where they had a tube into a lung for days while I was unconscious. I guess I had never look at myself naked since the accident, but Edward had. I felt sick. How could he want me, want this. It looked like something out of a Frankenstein movie. How had I missed this! I thought back to all the times he had knelt below me, looking at me, looking at all these scars. How could he!

He had gently kissed every inch from my neck down my chest and across my abdomen, he had to know these scars better than I did myself! How could he possible want this! My knees gave way and I landed hard on the bench in the dressing room, I felt nauseous.

"Alice, I have to go", I said as I came out of the dressing room almost in tears. "Don't you like any of the gowns, Bella?", she asked as I put them all down on the table. "I actually like this blue one, Alice, but I really don't need any of it." I almost ran out the door and sat out in the garden area in front of the store. Rose came with me, and Alice followed shortly, bag in hand. She had obviously purchased the night gown for me, even though I was behaving so badly.

"What's wrong Bella?", Alice and Rose asked, almost at the same time. "Is your leg hurting?" they looked worried.

I just sobbed. I covered my face with my hands, desperately trying to gain control of my silly emotions. "No, I'm fine", I said, trying to brush away the tears and using the tissue Alice had given me. She must have known this was going to happen - vampires would have virtually no need of tissues. I collected myself as best I could and said, "I saw myself in the mirror. I saw all the scars . . . I guess I just never looked before." They both looked at me like they still had no idea why I was upset. "I never realized I looked that bad, you know, naked. I never thought about how I looked to Edward . . . what he was seeing!" My tears broke out again, and I could not stop sobbing.

"Bella, is that all?", Alice let go a sigh of relief. "Honey, I thought something was really wrong when you started crying so! Edward doesn't care about that, you must know that by now!"

"That is so true, Bella. Any more lust coming off that man and Alice would have to lock Jasper up in chains! Edward is so hot for you we barely even come over there when he is home, which is all the time - and you know it! ". Rose stated bluntly.

That was true. Edward had been exceptionally attentive. We had yet to get out of bed, or go to bed in the evenings without making love one way or another, usually spending a good part of the day either naked or kissing, or both! Naked. I just had no idea. Edward looked glorious naked, his chest having just that light sprinkling of hair to decorate the hard planes of his chest. And his stomach, his flat, perfect stomach with the six pack of muscles and the trail of soft bronze hair leading south. I just did not compare to him in any way, he was just so perfect. Before the accident, I at least didn;t have all these scars, and I could work on having the ab muscles and flat stomach! My cell phone rang. I had almost forgotten I had one till now, and it was Edward, of course.

"Hi sweetheart, how's shopping going?", he asked. I could hear my dad telling someone how to put away gear in the background, and what sounded like water splashing and flowing over rapids or something.

"It's ok. I miss you", I tried hard to keep my voice from letting Edward know that I was upset. I was being silly. It was just me that had really seen them for the first time today, not him. He obviously already knew about all the scars, he had certainly seen them for the last week, and before . . .

"I miss you, too baby", he breathed heavily, "You have no idea. I hate being away from you! Are you having a good birthday my love?"

"I am. Rose and Alice are showering me with gifts!"

"Good! I just called to tell you that Renee called Carlisles' house and Esme called to let me know that they will be at the house in just a few minutes, Esme gave them directions to her house thinking that you would like to be the one to show her our house. Are you nearly ready to come home?"

"I am so ready to come home, but I'll go to Carlisle's first and wait for you so we can show her our house together, is that good with you?"

"Great! We have caught all the fish here so we're leaving. See you soon, I love you!"

I wondered why mom hadn't just called my cell phone to tell me she was almost here, but then again, I couldn't have given her any directions. I had no idea of the way to anywhere around here yet, except the path up the hill to Carlisle and Esme's house from our house. I still liked the sound of that - our house.

"My mom is almost here, how about we go to your house and wait for her!", I said to my sisters.

"Sounds good, let's go. We have done at least a little damage here for your birthday, one outfit to wear tonight to the party, and one to take off! afterwards", Rose laughed.

"I can't believe you said that, Rose!"

"Believe it, Bella, and I haven't forgotten that you didn't dish out any information on my brother yet!", she said as we got into her little red convertible!

"Guys, my mom is almost here! How do you expect me to talk about that!"

"Fine. Yes or no then!", Alice insisted, "and I go first."

"Fine!", I said, turning impossibly red.

"When you make love the first day you went to the new house, did it hurt?"

"Yes, but the hot bubble bath Edward took with me the next morning made it feel much better."

"Ah, extra information. Our brother took a bubble bath? Nice!", smirked Rose. "Did he see to it that you got to come first?"

I decided that two could play at this game, "In bed or in the bubble bath? In any case, yes, Edward is a gentleman and always allows a lady to come first . . . repeatedly!" Both Alice and Rosalie's eyes widened with surprise at my willingness to throw the game back at them, and I laughed as hard as they did!

"Well, well. Brother has some skills! I'm glad to know that all that mind reading has been good for something other than making money!", Rose laughed.

"Ok, is he hung like a horse, or like a hamster?", Alice asked.

"Alice! You know I have nothing to compare to!"

"Right, well, is it more than both of your hands can cover?"

"Rose! Why would you want to know that about your brother?"

"I'll give out Emmetts' measurements if it makes you feel better!", Rose offered.

"NO! NO! NO!", I squealed, covering my face with both hands. "Ok, no, both hands won't cover it - there, is that enough!", I asked still blushing.

"Not even close", Rose looked at me and asked, "What were you doing that caused the guest room sleigh bed to be destroyed?" I didn't answer. "Bella, what were you doing - oh, wait, you were doing something to him weren't you! Ok, yes or no - had you ever, you know, on a guy before?"

"No! Never!"

"Ha!", exclaimed Rose! "You were doing my brother and he ripped the headboard apart! That's it, isn't it! I knew he wasn't such a prude as he always made himself out to be!"

"Rose, Alice, your brother is definitely not a prude and he is not the least bit shy or timid. He is thoughtful and caring and more than happy to try anything new! There, is that enough for you for today!", I stammered. Thank goodness we pulled up to the house just as I finished speaking, and my mom was just getting out of her car with Phil. The Spanish inquisition was over!

I got out of the car and hurried over to greet my mom as Esme came out of the house. We rocked back and forth and hugged for a long time. She was crying, I was crying.

"Bella, you look great! You look absolutely wonderful sweetheart and I am so glad to see you!"

"Mom, I missed you! You remember Esme, of course", I said to my Mom as we walked over to Esme. "We are so glad you could come, Renee, Phil! Come inside!", Esme gestured to them.

"Bella! I forgot the bag in the store!", Alice panicked, "Rose is going to drive me back to town to pick it up! See you in a bit!". That was strange, I mused, vampires never forget anything. I let it go, too excited about my mom being here to think it through any further.

"I just love the house, Esme", my mom said as she sat down in the living room, "Can I have the tour?"

Esme beamed, "Of course! Let's start with the downstairs!"

Mom an Esme headed to the kitchen and I heard my mom ooh and aah over the stainless steel appliances and the view, and then I walked to the door of the master bedroom and heard her tell Esme that the bedroom and jacuzzi overlooking the mountains was just unbelievable. Esme was delighted. She loved designing homes, and having someone admire it just made her day.

"Bella must love this room!", mom said as Esme showed her Carlisles' study filled with floor to ceiling bookcases full of books. "She just loves books and reading, she always has ever since she was just a little girl!", mom was telling Esme.

Mom loved it. Alice arrived back as I was ushered upstairs, saying it was time to get ready for the party! Esme offered my mom a cup of tea out on the back porch and promised to continue the tour tomorrow.

"Bella, I am so happy you are here! I just want you to know that I really really missed you and even though you are my sister now, you are still my very best friend!", Alice gushed it all out as she led me into her bathroom and I sat down at the vanity.

"Alice, I feel the same about you . . . well, if you limit the amount of shopping I have to do with you!", I laughed. As I looked around the bathroom, the counter was cluttered with all type of beauty products; softeners, moisturizers, mud plasters . . . "Alice, what's all this! Do I really look so terrible that you need all this to fix me, because I know none of this would have any effect on the perfect skin on your face!"

"Bella! I don't ever remember being human, you are the only one I get to do all this with! You wouldn't want me to miss out on anything, would you?", she looked at me with that pouty face she was so good at making.

"Fine, Fine!", I giggled as she finished my hair. I looked at myself in the mirror after putting my new outfit on and I had to admit, the new jeans really did look good. Sexy even! I really hoped Edward liked them!

Jasper walked into the room just as Alice finished with me. I was so goad to see him, I worried that it being my birthday would bring up bad memories for him as well. I knew he still felt guilty over taking a nip at me on my last birthday.

"Hi Jasper! Did you guys get any fish?"

"Darlin', the lakes and streams of Highlands are now fish less we did so well!", he laughed. "Emmett and I came home in the jeep and left Edward to talk and ride home with Carlisle and your dad. They should be here in a few minutes." He must have noticed that I looked around to see where Edward was!

Alice stepped out of the room and I walked over to Jasper so that I could look into his eyes and let him know how important what I was about to say was. It wasn't necessary to be close, he could feel my emotions, but it mattered to me.

"Jasper, I just want you to know that I am really excited to have you as my brother. I want you to know that what happened last year on my birthday . . . forgiven. And you need to know that Edward leaving me would have happened regardless, if it hadn't been that night, it would have been something else equally as trivial as a paper cut. It was no ones fault, I need you to know that I don't blame you. Please know that!"

"You mean it, don't you. You really are happy to be around me, Bella. You are amazing! I am sorry about trying to bite you, though. I hate being weak."

"Jasper, you feel every ones' emotions, right? They are amplified when they get to you?"

"Yes", he nodded.

"Then Jasper, you are not the weakest, you are the strongest! Everyone in that room was fighting the blood lust that my paper cut caused, weren't they.

"Well, yes Bella. We are vampires, after all, and it is our nature even though we try to overcome it", he said apologetically.

"I am Edward's singer, so his must have been terribly overwhelming, Jasper, he was probably just barely containing the urge to kill me himself. Each of them was handling their own feelings, but Jasper, you were handling ALL SEVEN! You are not the weakest, you are probably the strongest of all of you!"

He looked at me like a bolt of lightening had hit him. I saw Alice over his shoulder and she was elated - her eyes dancing they were sparkling so bright!

"I never thought of it like that, Bella. Thank you. Really thank you. It means a lot", said Jasper as I hugged him. "To both of us!", said Alice as she came up behind him, her arms around his waist.

"Now, let's go to the party!" , Alice exclaimed. "Oh, Alice . . . party . . . really?", I questioned.

"Bella! You're going to love it!", she danced toward me as she spoke.

"That's what you said last time, Alice!", I gave her the serious face, then started laughing. "Come on, sis. Take me to my party!"

~oooOooo~

"Bella, you look wonderful!", my mom said as she stood from her chair and walked over to put her arms around me. "You really do, Bella!", Phil added.

"Thanks mom, Rose got me this outfit today for my birthday, and I really like it, too! I'm just so happy to see you, mom!", I cried. "This mountain air must be good for you, or is it being with a certain young man that has you glowing like this!", my mom whispered. I was blubbering like a baby, and I had no idea why. Everything was just so perfect, I just didn't want it to change or to have something go wrong like last year. Edward had left after the party last year . . . remembering just started my tears flowing more freely. I was being silly, and I knew it. He would never leave me again, I knew that. I happened to look out the front window as I wiped my face, only to see the volvo pulling up with Carlisle, Edward and my dad. I ran outside to Edward as fast as I could and threw my arms around his neck. I didn't care who was there, I kissed him like we were alone in the middle of the night!

"Bella! What's all this about, what's wrong, love!", Edward asked as he pulled my face away in his hands so that he could look into my eyes.

"Nothing is wrong, I love you and I missed you!", I told him.

"If this is the welcome I get, maybe I should leave for a few minutes each day so that I could come home to this!", he smiled as he joked with me.

"No you don't, mister. Anywhere you go, I can come, too!", I chided.

"Yes you can, love, always! I don't need to be anywhere that you can't go", he stated flatly. I knew he meant it and I loved him for it.

We walked inside, arms around each other to talk to my mom and Phil while Emmett drove Charlie to our house to shower and change.

"Phil, nice to see you again. I am so glad you could be here for Bellas birthday! How was the drive?", Edward asked as he shook his hand.

"Good, really good. We loved the drive up the mountain especially!", Phil allowed, "Thank you for inviting us to the party, Edward. Renee has been anxious to see Bella since she left the hospital and when Bella told her that you had a house built for the two of you for her birthday, well, you can imagine how hard it has been to keep her from just jumping in the car and driving up!"

We all laughed as my mom turned slightly red, "I just had to see all of this, Bella! I'm just so happy for the two of you!"

"Very responsible of you to want your own place, Edward. I like that in young people. I'd like to hear your plans, if you two are going to college, or work, or still racing bikes!", Phil chuckled.

Everyone but Edward smiled or laughed, but his lips were set and there was no humor in his face. "We haven't really discussed what our plans are, Phil, but whatever Bella wants is fine with me. College, travel, whatever she wants. As long as we do it together!"

Edward kissed the top oh my head as he tightened his arms around me.

"Are we ready to go to the party?", Carlisle asked as he came down the stairs with Emmett, showered and changed from the day of fishing.

"Ready as I will ever be!", I answered.