A/N: SORRY! Don't worry, I know I've not been very attentive and I apologise. I've had a lot of work due in and simply haven't been able to manage. I do plan to update these chapters quickly so you should see a few this week.

Many thanks for your patience.

Enjoy!

xxx

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Bella

"Alice," I shifted uncomfortably with the entire situation. "Can you quieten down, please?" I pleaded even though I knew it was going in one ear and out the other.

She sighed, lowering down the silky black and white teddy she had been holding with a light scowl.

"I don't see why you have to be embarrassed, Bella" she shook her head. "It isn't like you can't pull it off."

I raised a brow, giving her a 'are you serious' look as I gestured to my plain self. She did know she was talking to me and not Rosaline, right? Because there was no way I could pull off the skimpy lace she was holding.

She waved me off dismissively. "You don't give yourself enough credit. Edward wasn't disappointed in the least when he got a first glimpse at your body."

"Alice!" I shouted in embarrassment before I fully registered when she had said. "Wait, really?"

She nodded, grinning widely. "I had a mind full of you in many different compromising positions, I'll have you know," she wiggled her brows causing me to blush even deeper if that was possible. "For a virgin he has a very impressive imagination," she hung up the skimpy language before going deeper into the store.

I reluctantly followed, ashamed at the fact I wanted to know more.

"So tell me," she continued. "He a good kisser? He is isn't it? I knew it, I bet the fact he is so inexperienced doesn't even affect it, am I right?"

I nodded, not fully believing we were having this conversation.

She waved her hand in the air extravagantly. "What am I saying, of course I'm right?" she picked up a bright pink night dress causing me to cringe at the fact it was just pure ugly.

Alice also wrinkled her nose. "I know," she agreed. "It's distasteful isn't it? And to think this item is in the same place as their other products, it makes me sick."

Ok…so Alice is clearly passionate about shopping.

Alice had just placed back the revolting night dress when one of the three shop assistants seemed to work up the courage to approach the two of us, or should I say Alice? It was clear that Alice was extremely opinionated, and even if she didn't have the whole vampire aura she wouldn't be the easiest person to approach.

I think it was the fact Alice was clearly wearing expensive designer clothes that made them not simply ignore her like the few other customers in the store. If they were working on commission then it was obvious Alice had money and if they got the sale they would benefit.

They hadn't been very secretive in their looks or random attempts to step forward only to chicken out and pretend to do something else instead.

Even Alice was rolling her eyes in annoyance at their pathetic behaviour.

It turned out to be a dark brunette who approached, her hair flicked over her shoulder as she admired Alice's outfit while completely ignoring the fact I was with her. I rolled my eyes, not surprised in the slightest as I looked down at myself and saw the dark jeans I was wearing, paired with a simple sweater and coat.

It was clear I wasn't even in the same league as Alice, though as I stood behind her I had to admit I was curious to how she was about to react.

"H-hello there," the dark-skinned assistant stuttered out. "w-would," she coughed as she cleared her throat. "Would you like some help?"

Alice just stared at her blankly.

"We have a nice selection of the more expensive items in the back if you want to go have a lot, I'm sure your friend here would be happy to browse the store while we do."

I shook my head at the pure nerve of the woman, and if I wasn't feeling fo good after a slight make-out with Edward and the fact I was fully aware that I would never be the richest of people I would have felt bad about what she said.

Still, what a bitch!

Clearly Alice had the same thought, her brows pulling together into a frown as if she hadn't already seen how this would play out.

"What are you implying?" she demanded.

The girl shifted nervously and for a brief moment I kind of felt sorry for her that she was about to go up against Alice. I would wish that on no one.

"Uh, just that-"

Alice cut her off. "Clearly we are shopping together, so what makes you think I want to shop with you instead?"

Ouch, I thought with a wince.

"I'll just…" she stuttered before scurrying off, Alice turning to face me with a roll of her eyes.

I couldn't help it, I laughed.

"Humans," she shook her head with a mutter.

"Hey!" I shouted, offended. "Human here," I pointed to myself.

She rolled her eyes, narrowing her eyes as the dark-skinned girl once again looked over only to run back into the back of the store.

"You're hardly a human, Bella," I stared at her. "Ok, well you are. But what I mean is you aren't always going to be a human."

I frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"

She sighed, shaking her head as if I was stupid for not knowing the answer. "When Edward changes you silly."

Oh.

Oh…

OH!

"I hadn't even thought about it," I told her honestly.

Though as I thought about it I asked myself why I hadn't let the thought cross my mind, because that was where this was heading, right? The thought of growing old and Edward staying the same wasn't appearing in the slightest, and even the idea of me dying and not being with him forever was rejected my everything I held dear to me.

I wanted to be with Edward forever.

That's if he'll have me.

Alice's delighted laughter brought me out of my internal thoughts. "What?" I smiled at her.

She shook her head, clearly amused. "It's the fact you haven't thought about it which makes you perfect." When I gave her a confused look she expanded. "With most humans their first thought would be either eternal life or being perfectly beautiful…but with you, the thought hadn't even crossed your mind."

I guess I could see where she was going with this.

"I like the thought of being with Edward forever," I told her absently.

She nodded. "I know. And that feeling never goes away," she sighed, clearly thinking about her own mate. "It just gets better and sweeter the more time that passes."

Not going to lie, hearing that made me sigh in relief.

"And at some point Rose is going to confront you, telling you about how you don't want this life and you will come to regret it," she rolled her eyes which told me just what she thought about Rosaline's thoughts on the matter. "But ignore her. She's bitter, but ask her if she would give up Emmett and she's gets so defensive it makes you question whether even she knows what she wants."

Oh.

Ok then.

"What about this?" she holds up a scrap of black fabric which for the life of me I couldn't even figure out what it actually was.

"Is it a top?" I asked dumbly, scratching the back of my neck only to then realise it was a habit I must have picked up from Edward.

Alice snorted. "No silly, it's a VS Logo Lace Halter Babydoll. How can you know what a teddy is but not a babydoll?"

I shrugged. "It isn't like I ever buy this sort of stuff, Alice" I gestured to the store.

She rolled her eyes at me before she seemed to brighten up. "This can be our new bonding activity!" she decided cheerfully.

I stared at her.

"What?"

"You want to make shopping at Victoria Secret a bonding activity?" I repeated dumbly.

She nodded impatiently. "Yes."

"Why?"

"Bella," she sighed out annoyed. "You are a young and beautiful woman, why not show it off. Edward will probably have a heart attack if he wasn't a vampire and all."

"I hate to burst your bubble, Alice. But I doubt he will be seeing me in this," I gestured to the babydoll she was still holding, "anytime soon."

She shook her head at me, grabbing my hand before leading me to where the dressing rooms were. I flushed, attempting to resist when I realised her intention.

She didn't seriously expect me to try that on did she?

One look at her determined expression told me as much.

"Just because sex isn't in the picture yet doesn't mean you can't show him what he's missing, Bella. He can look even if he doesn't have the control to touch."

"Still-"

She cut me off by opening the silk red curtain and pushing me into the surprisingly spacious changing room. Pushing the tiny lace in her hands she raised her brow, my cheeks burning when I realised she expected me to change in front of her.

Yea, that was not going to be happening.

"Fine," she sighed. "Just so you know my visions mean I've already seen you naked, and trust me girl, you have nothing to be ashamed of" she huffed before shutting the curtain in my completely stunned expression.

Did she…did she just say she had seen me naked?

Fucking hell…

Deciding not to dwell on it I simply looked down at the small about of lace in my hands, not believing that I was about to even think about putting it off. A loud cough from Alice told me we wouldn't be leaving without me trying it on.

I sighed, giving up.

Quickly pulling off my clothes I figured that as soon as I got it on the sooner I could get it off. However, when I finally worked out how to get the bloody thing on I couldn't help but gape as I stared at my chest.

Were my boobs always that big?

Not being able to resist I reached down to grip them, feeling the weight in my hands before letting them go and placing my hands on my hips. Who knew a tight fitted halter top babydoll could make a girls chest that much better?

I knew I wasn't the most heavily chested, I mean one look at Rosaline was enough to have me in the flat chest department, but I also knew I had a decent size in comparison to most.

A small C cup wasn't that bad, right?

To be honest I couldn't imagine being anything bigger.

Turning around to catch a glimpse of my arse in the mirror I blushed when I caught sight of my pale arse in the matching silk v-string, never having worn one before, and while I had to admit it made my cheeks look a lot more perky then they were I still could barely look at it without flushing ten shades of red.

I yelped when all of a sudden Alice was in the dressing room, my arms automatically moving to cover my chest as her eyes ran over me.

"Perfect," she nodded her approval. "I love the fact you have a good size chest so I can shop for you, unfortunately god didn't bless me with anything bigger than an A cup" she frowned down at her own chest.

"Your legs make up for it," I found myself saying before I knew the words had escaped my mouth.

But she did. Her legs seemed to go on for miles.

She seemed to perk up at my compliment. "I know right," she looked admired her freakishly long legs in the mirror. "Jasper loves them," she smiled lustfully. "At first I was worried that he wouldn't like the fact I didn't have massive boobs like Rosaline, but do you know what he said other than the fact he loved everything about me because I was his mate, blah, blah, blah?"

I shook my head, ashamed to admit I was utterly curious.

"He said the fact his creator had massive tits, bigger than Rose's bear in mind which isn't an easy accomplishment in itself, meant the fact I didn't resulted in him not being reminded of her as often. I liked that he had a valid reason, you know? The last thing I want is to be compared to that woman in any regard."

I nodded, grasping onto the fact clearly Carlisle wasn't Jaspers maker and that whoever created Jasper wasn't a very nice woman.

I didn't pry; it wasn't any of my business even if I was dying to know.

"So, guys like this sort of thing?" I played nervously with the bottom of the fabric which didn't even cover my behind.

Alice nodded, and it wasn't until then that I released I wasn't embarrassed anymore about being practically naked in front of her. I knew she wasn't the type to judge, well me anyway since she always seemed to refer to me as family. It was nice.

"Oh yes," she purred with a wink. "Jasper loves it, and I am a hundred percent Edward will as well. Guys like a girl to buy it, and then they like to rip it off. Everyone's happy."

Now at that I did flush, but this time from arousal at the thought of Edward treating me in such a rough manner.

Maybe growl a bit too…

"Why didn't you invite Rosaline?" it had been bothering me. "Aren't you close?"

Alice shrugged. "Kind of. I mean were family and we protect each other as a coven does, but when it comes to this sort of thing," she gestured between the two of us. "She sort of looks down on a lot of stuff, so it's nice that you've finally joined the family" she finished on a bright note.

I nodded, thoughts of Rosaline on my mind before I shook my head.

Getting changed back into my normal clothes I jumped when Alice was soon holding the babydoll in her hairs.

"My treat," she stated, cutting me off before I could start my list of objections, because I had a lot of them. "I have money to burn, Bella. So please don't put up a fight."

Hearing the pleading in her tone I sighed with a nod, knowing it was worth it when she seemed to perk up once again before dancing back into the store.

Yep, dancing…

We spent the next half hour looking around the store but I refused to let her buy me anything else, and in the end she had somehow gotten me to agree to make this a weekly thing. Though what Edward would think of that I didn't know, he'd barely managed to let me leave the house without him.

Then again he was getting lingerie out of it if Alice had anything control over it.

It was obvious to the both of us she did.

Alice was in the middle on paying when I heard a familiar male voice behind me causing me to cringe.

Fuck!

The one place I thought I was safe.

"Hey Jessica, Lauren" I turned around.

They stared at me as if surprised I was in a shop like this. I didn't take it to heart; I couldn't believe Alice had managed to get me in here so easily.

Jessica was first to speak. "I didn't think you liked these sort of places."

I shrugged. "Alice wanted to go shopping," I gestured to the spiky haired vampire next to me with a frown. I knew how they felt about her, that she was weird, and I didn't like it.

Instead of being honest with their feelings it was clear they were going to be two faced, smiling brightly at Alice causing me to scowl.

"Hey Alice, you like shopping?"

"Of course," was Alice's simply reply.

Jessica smiled. "I was just going to pick some things out for Mike."

"Ok,"

I fought back the urge to laugh at the way Alice was cutting off any attempts of conversation, all while keeping her tone bright and cheerful. It was amusing to say the least.

"Maybe we could hang out some time?"

"We've finished."

Geeze, could this get anymore awkward I thought? And the fact neither Lauren nor Jessica was getting the hint was just plain ridiculous.

"Come on, Bella" Alice grabbed my hand once the purchases had been rung up. "We had better make a move to get back, Edward's getting antsy."

Ignoring the two sluts Alice tugged me out of the store before we headed back to her car, my eyes rolling as Alice muttered on about the nerve the two girls had when they spoke to her. I simply shook my head, nodding along in agreement when there was a momentary pause in her mutterings.

Though I had to admit, I had enjoyed myself immensely.

~~( )~~

"I didn't have her that long, Edward" Alice rolled her eyes as Edward pulled my into his arms, his nose pressing against my neck as he breathed in my scent before scanning me over for any damage.

"You were right; Alice didn't let me out of her sight."

No, she would barely let me change on my own, I thought dryly.

He hummed, not looking ecstatic but his mood seemed to have lightened somewhat now I was safely in his arms.

"Good," he nodded before turning to face Alice. "Have you seen anything else on the James situation?"

She shook her head. "Nothing has changed, he is still going through with the whole 'exchange your life with hers' plan, or at least he hasn't managed to think about anything better" she rolled her eyes. "Pathetic really."

Personally I doubted I could come up with much better, but then again I wasn't about to mention that to anyone.

It was when Edward suddenly stiffened in my arms that I looked up at him in confusion, his eyes dark as he narrowed his eyes at Alice who was grinning smugly.

"What-" I started only to jump when I heard a rumbling coming from Edward's chest. "Are you growling?"

Almost abruptly the sound cut off as Edward rapidly shook his head before taking a step away from me, his fingers running through his hair as he paced in front of me.

"Jesus, Bella" he grunted.

His tone was something I hadn't heard from him before. Don't get me wrong, he had spoken to me with a slightly husky quality to his voice before, but this-this was in a whole other league.

He sounded like sex, pure dripping and wet sex.

I found myself instantly aroused.

"What?" I looked around confused only to see the rest of the Cullen's looking on amused. "What's going on?"

Was I the only one who didn't know?

Clearly I was.

"Seriously guys, what am I missing?" I pleaded.

"What did you do today, Bells?" Emmett grinned.

I shrugged. "Went to school, hung out with Edward for a few hours before Alice took me shopping, why?"

His grin seemed to widen, so clearly I was missing something vital. "What did you go shopping for?"

"Clothes," I replied simply.

"What kind of clothes?" he laughed.

"Just-Oh…" my lips pursed as I cut myself off with a blush, scowling when each of the Cullen's burst out laughing at both my realisation and my reaction. "Seriously Alice, can't you keep your thoughts to yourself?" I demanded.

She shrugged, not looking the least bit sheepish. "I could, but where would be the fun in that?" she giggled.

Cheeks burning I narrowed my eyes further, not believing that she was intentionally letting Edward see me like that. And while part of me was pleased that Edward clearly liked what he saw, that didn't make me feel any less pissed off and annoyed at Alice.

"Alice," Jasper shook his head as he eyed her hungrily. "I do not think you are aware of the extent of Edward's lust for our Bella."

She shrugged. "He needs to loosen up-" was all she got out before she was swept up in her mates arms. They were gone before I even had the chance to blink.

It didn't take long for the other mate's couples to make a quick exit after that, leaving me standing awkwardly near Edward who seemed to be struggling to get a grip on his emotions.

"You ok?"

He grunted. "I'm sorry, Love. I n-need to hunt."

I nodded, frowning as I watched him leave while looking on with disappointment now that the lust has seemingly drained out of my system.

I couldn't help but ask myself…

When is simply kissing not going to be enough?

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