CHAPTER 16
The next five days were filled with training with Garrett and Charlie. I pushed myself to the limits, my week dead line I gave myself coming to a close. I had mastered my sessions with Jasper, Charlotte and Peter. I had just got the hang of shooting with Charlie, and felt confident enough to carry a gun, load it and shoot without any help. Garrett was satisfied with my progression and stated I was ready. I felt relieved. I had learned and mastered everything.
It was now Thursday, one day before my birthday. Carlisle, Emmett and Peter were off organising the food, while Esme was holed up in the kitchen, making a monster sized cake and other little things that can be done the day before. I spent some time up in Alice's room, trying on the dress, seeing if any alterations needed to be made. The dress was beautiful. Another black dress, but it was my style. It hugged my curves, and had an open back. It pushed my cleavage up and out, making me look a cup size larger then I was. It was covered in black lace with tiny, intricate designs. No sleeves with this dress, it was a halter. Although I felt a tad exposed, it made me feel sexy. The shoes were flat. Like the ones I wore that night at the club, but they, too, were covered in the same lace design as the dress. I'll have to thank Esme, the dress and shoes were lovely. Alice dismissed me, ordering that I rest up and get to bed early. I planned on it. Alice will have me up early, ready to play Bella-Barbie.
The night passed without incident. The house was quiet, considering there were 10 vampires and one human in the house. I didn't mind, less disturbances meant more rest. As predicted, Alice got me up early. I spent the day being pampered, and fed a different assortment of fruit, salads and water. It was almost six o'clock when Esme, Rose and Alice deemed me good enough to be seen by everyone else. Charlotte was here at one point, but left to get ready about 20 minutes before. Something about greeting the guests so I can make a dramatic, late entrance. Great.
"Can I go down stairs now?" I whined, fully aware I sounded like a five year old.
"Soon, Bella. Not everyone is here yet." Alice shushed me. I'm glad the whole pack weren't coming. They needed the extra man power because none of the vampires were patrolling tonight. Jake, Quil, Embry, Billy, Sue, Seth, Paul, Sam, Emily, and Charlie were coming. That was enough as far as I was concerned.
I heard some music playing softly outside with a few murmurs. People must have started turning up.
"Where's Jasper?" I asked.
"Right here." Came Jasper's voice. I turned to see Jasper leaning in the door way of Alice's room, dressed in cow boy boots, long sleeved white t-shirt layered with a black one exactly the same. And those snug faded blue denim jeans and large belt buckle. If I could have drooled without Alice complaining about me ruining my make up, I definitely would have been. Jasper chuckled and straightened up.
"You don't look so bad yourself, darlin'. I like your hair curled like that." He said with a smirk. I blushed and lowered my head.
"Come on, Bella. Time to make an appearance." Esme said, tapping me on the shoulder lightly with a smile, taking her leave with Alice and Rose. I rose my head to look at Jasper, whose eyes were gradually getting darker.
"Glad to see I have the same effect on you." I said with a small laugh. I walked towards him and he grabbed my hand, pulling me flush against him.
"Later." I said, copying him, shaking my finger in his face.
"Keep doin' that and it'll be now." Jasper said, growling low in his chest. He bit my still extended finger gently, then released it just as quick and planted a wet, loud kiss on my lips. Still holding my hand, he guided me to the back yard where everyone was waiting. Alice had decorated the yard in fairy lights, along with coloured lanterns and battery operated love heart and star shaped lights hanging from the trees. There was a long banquet table full of different types of hot and cold food, another table of the same size filled with bottles of champagne, wine and spirits. There was two large round tables either side that doubled as coolers filled with ice, bottled water, beer and an assortment of non alcoholic beverages. On top of the tables were all different types of shots all lined up, then, to top it off, there was another table with different gift bags piled on it. It was too much. After the round of happy birthdays shouted from every one, I made my way over to one of the two tables that were only there for sitting at, and lit a cigarette, thoroughly over stimulated and over whelmed already. Carlisle came over bearing a plate of food and a glass of champagne.
"Try to eat all of this, it won't do you good to drink on an empty stomach." He said with a smile.
"Thank you." I took the food and champagne and started to eat. Jasper was talking to Charlie. They looked to be joking about something though I couldn't hear them. Angela came running over with Ben being dragged behind her, and she threw her arms around me.
"Happy birthday!" She squealed.
"Thanks, Angela." I said, pulling away from her. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I really had missed Angela. Ben nodded at me with a small smile and mumbled a happy birthday. I gestured for them to sit with me. Everyone, except the Cullen's, chose that moment to personally give me their birthday wishes. I felt very well loved and embarrassed by the time I'd hugged and thanked everyone. The Cullen's, along with Peter, Charlotte and Garrett had already said their birthday wishes earlier that day.
Once I'd eaten and got on to my second glass of champagne, Charlie pulled me aside to tell me he had fallen in love with Sue. He had been meaning to tell me for a couple of weeks but he always chickened out. I was so happy for him. I hugged him tight, whispering my congratulations and well wishes. I was so worried about him, but now I was eternally great full that he had found Sue. With that said and done, the party was in full motion. We all took a round of shots, Carlisle and Esme telling everyone to have a good time and that they were quite happy to drive everyone home and deliver their cars tomorrow if need be. With that said, the party was kicked up a notch. The music was louder, the drinks were handed around quicker than my eyes could keep track of. I sang with all the girls and danced to some of the many classics, and danced not so gracefully with Jasper. I even managed to get Edward to dance with me, even though it was to a slow song. He made idle chit chat and bowed at the end of the song, quickly retreating over to one of the tables Esme and Carlisle were sitting at. I sang and jumped around with the pack to Blink 182 and Metallica. I got whirled around by Emmett like a helicopter.
I lost count of how many drinks I consumed. I remember being caught by Peter in a hot make out session with Jasper, to which he announced it to everyone and imitated both Jasper and I with Charlotte. I even made a not so quiet remark about how Jasper was like my 'Angel', and I was Buffy, and together, we are the chosen two alone who can defeat the evils and flesh eating zombies. I didn't realise I was so loud, everyone stopped talking to listen to my ramblings. I was too drunk to care, stating it was true. And to some respect, it was. But lucky Angela and Ben just thought I was telling a tall tale of sorts.
The night came to a close in the early hours of the morning. I waved everyone off from Jasper's arms, I couldn't stand straight. Esme and Carlisle made several trips to take everyone home. Jasper carried me to bed, both completely and utterly inebriated. We made sweet, hungry love until I collapsed and passed out. The next morning I woke to some Advil and a glass of water on the bed side table. I took them greedily. I felt like a truck had hit me. Today would be spent in bed recovering, tomorrow I would put my training to use. I needed to be on my game. With that thought, I rolled over and snuggled into Jasper and slept some more.
When I woke, Jasper wasn't beside me. I checked the time, seeing it was midday. I still wasn't ready to get up yet, so I reminisced about the night before. I remember in my more sober states, I talked with Ben and Angela some more about what was happening around America with the epidemic of undead people running around. Apparently our part of the state was one of the lucky coastal towns that didn't get hit first. There were very few coastal towns that didn't get hit. I didn't think about it too much, it made me sad to think about all the people who lost their lives. The only good news Angela had for me was the military were transmitting a message through the radio within a 500 mile radius of the places that were secure, informing survivors where to go. Maybe we didn't have to go on a rescue mission after all. I was roused from my thoughts with Jasper entering the room and cuddling up to me.
"Are you ready to get up yet? If not, I could bring breakfast to you, well lunch it will be now." Jasper said with a chuckle, sweeping my hair out of my face.
"That would be lovely. What's for lunch, then?" I mumbled.
"Scrambled eggs, wholemeal toast and a couple pieces of bacon, and orange juice." Mouthwatering! I could almost taste it.
"I'll take that as a yes to breakfast in bed." Jasper laughed. He kissed me on the neck and disappeared. Of course, he was back in mere seconds, bearing my 'lunch' on a tray.
"I love you." I said after he handed me the tray.
"Are you saying that to me or the food?" Jasper said, quirking an eyebrow at me.
"Both." I said with a mouth full. Jasper chuckled, planting a kiss on the top of my head.
"Glad to hear it." He murmured, still chuckling. I was too absorbed in my glorious meal to answer him. He went into the bathroom and started running a bath. By the time the bath was filled, I had devoured everything on my plate, along with my juice. I was feeling a million times better.
"Are you coming to join me?" Jasper asked, popping his head out of the doorway.
"Yeah, I'm coming." I said, climbing out of bed.
After my bath, I headed downstairs to see the family. They all jumped into stories about my drunken self about the night before. Now I was sober, I was shocked and embarrassed. I didn't even remember half of it. But, overall, everyone had a good time, except Edward. He believed I drank and smoked too much, and behaved the total opposite of what a young lady should act like. Everyone scolded him for his remark, it wasn't his place or business. All that mattered was that I had a ball.
I turned in early that night, still tired from last nights antics, and sore, too. Tomorrow was my first patrol with Jasper, Peter, Charlotte and Emmett. Although a few of the Cullen's were against this idea, they were out voted by me. I wasn't going to let them rule my decisions anymore, and they took it rather well. I understand they are worried for me, but this is something that is non negotiable. I felt a wave of call and lethargy fall over me. Thanking Jasper, I rolled over and closed my eyes.