Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
BELLA'S POVAfter finishing the song, Charlie arrived. I had been staying with the Cullens, at Esme insistence since Edward and I returned four days ago. Everyone was much more relaxed since we knew each other's secret.
"Jacob is still on the lam," Charlie said, obviously not caring who heard.
"She is more than welcome to continuing staying here," Carlisle said.
"But for how long?" I asked.
Charlie rubbed his chin, not answering.
Edward wrapped his arm around me. "It doesn't matter how long, Bella. Your safety does."
Resting my head on Edward's shoulder, I closed my eyes and sighed. He was right. My safety had to be put first. "I don't like that Jacob is messing with my life."
"I know, Bells. Why don't you come and get the rest of your clothes. I'm off duty until this evening and can help you pack," Charlie said.
Opening my eyes, I glanced over at Charlie. Two and half months I lived with him in peace, and then... wham! The moment I came into contact with Edward again, Jacob reared his ugly head, forcing me to seek safety yet again.
"I wonder why Jacob chose to the day after you met Edward to start torturing you again," Alice remarked.
My gaze snapped to hers. Could she read minds, too?
"Better yet, why did he choose to kill your guardians when he did?" Jasper asked.
I never thought about why Jacob did anything, but now, it made me question what he had done and would yet do.
"Hmm," Charlie said. "I can't recall if anything sufficient was going on around that time, Jasper, but I was in space. Bells, do you remember anything?"
"No..." I started, trailing off to think.
There had been something. What had I done the night before? Closing my eyes, I pictured my former bedroom in Spokane. My suitcase was open on the bed. There were a few items next to it I hadn't put in yet. The phone on my nightstand was missing and the light on the cradle was on.
I gasped, opening my eyes. "The night before, I had been talking to Grandfather. Danielle and Matthew were also on the line. We talked about making me officially the lady of the clan. Grandfather agreed it might be time. But he wanted to wait until you, Charlie, were back so you could be present."
"Jacob doesn't have any magical abilities, does he?" Esme asked.
"Not that I'm aware of," I replied. "He could have tapped the line or hired someone to do it."
A couple hours later, Alice, Rosalie, and I were in my room at the base. Three suitcases lay open on the bed. Rosalie stood at the dresser with another suitcase, packing the contents. I was at the closet, handing Alice select tops and bottoms to fold. The few silk tops I had needed to stay on hangers and were placed in a wardrobe box. Taking out a full garment bag and the only thing left, I considered leaving it at the base not sure if the dress would be needed anytime soon.
"Is it going?" Alice asked.
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed from where it sat on the bed.
"A message from Edward," Rosalie said, passing it over.
"Bella, what do you say to a first date? Edward"
Smiling, I hit reply. "What do you have in mind?"
His reply was almost instantaneous and made me wonder if he already he it typed out. "That's for me to know and you to find out. ;) You'll need a nice, semi-formal dress, though. Can you scrounge one up?"
I frown, feeling my forehead wrinkle. "Scrounge, seriously?"
"Do you need a dress, Bella? Esme is in Port Angeles and can pick one up for you," he texted back.
My gaze wandered to the garment bag I set down on the bed before replying to his first text. "No need, I have one."
"Can you be ready by seven?"
Glancing at the clock, I saw it was four thirty. "If I leave now, I can. Good thing we just finished."
"See you at seven then."
The smile reappeared.
"We have to go shopping," Alice said.
"Why?" I asked.
"Your clothes are so drab, at least what I saw," she replied, motioning to the box and suitcases.
"No," I said after a moment. "I like how I dress, and we don't have time. Edward's taking me out." I picked up the garment bag with the dress I planned to wear tonight in it and walked out of the room. "Charlie, my clothes are packed."
Charlie looked away from the tablet he held in front of his face. "I'll have them brought over tomorrow afternoon."
"Can I at least help you get ready? I have a dress and you will look amazing in it," Alice said.
Holding up the garment back, I said, "Taken care of, Alice."
Rosalie laughed.
Alice stomped off in a huff as I smiled to myself. I had yet again deterred Alice's attempt to play Barbie doll with me.
After hugging Charlie, Rosalie and I left. Alice wasn't home when we got back and neither was Edward. I headed straight upstairs to get ready.
It was New Year's Eve. I really didn't know where Edward would be taking me, and although I hated surprises, I respected Edward's decision not to tell me much.
Going into the large bathroom I shared with Edward, I started the water for a bath. I sprinkled rose oil in the water before getting in. I relaxed a little, letting the scent waft around me and seep into my skin.
An hour later, I got out, drying off. With detachable shower head in hand, I wet my hair, before gelling it. I started to curl it, using a little magic to curl the back before gathering my hair into a ponytail and accenting the top with crystal diamonds. I was pleased with the image that smiled back at me.
The hard part was my makeup. I hated wearing it and never learned how to do more than apply lip gloss. I had more of a natural beauty, though I would be the last to admit that I was beautiful. Edward had a habit of calling me beautiful, and I didn't contradict him. But I believed makeup ruined a girl. It was a requirement, though, according to Iain. Ugh! I would have to ask for help.
"Alice, Rosalie," I called, opening the door a little, "I need your help."
Rosalie was the first to arrive, and her jaw dropped when she saw my hair. Alice arrived a second later and was likewise flabbergasted but was the first to recover.
"Wow, your hair looks wonderful," Alice said.
"Stunning," Rosalie added.
"Thanks," I responded with a blush. "I need your guys help with my makeup. I don't know how to apply it properly and don't even want to try," I said, pointing to the counter where the gold containers sat. My cousin, Iain always included the makeup for which I was glad.
"Gold and silver?" questioned Alice, opening up one of the containers.
I nodded, not having opened any of them. "All I can tell you is that the gown is silver."
"Well, who do you want the help from?" Rosalie asked, crossing her arms.
"Hold on," I said digging in the bag that had held the makeup and pulled out a coin.
"Rosalie, you call it."
"Heads," she said as I tossed the coin up.
"Heads it is. That means you get the honor. Sorry, Alice."
"No worries as long as I can stay," she said, sitting on the edge of the tub.
"Certainly but once Rosalie is done, both of you have to leave. No one gets and early glimpse." I made that request knowing Edward could tapped into their minds and see the gown.
Alice pushed out her lip but agreed.
Rosalie worked quickly and five minutes later I was again in front of the mirror shocked at what I saw. "I accented your natural beauty and applied just a minimal amount of blush and gloss," she explained.
"Thank you, I would have never been able to do this," I said, smiling before giving her a hug.
"Come, Alice, let's give Bella time to finishing getting ready, and we had best get ready ourselves."
"Where are you guys going?" I asked.
"Out with Emmett and Jasper," Rosalie answered, leaving with Alice following.
I had about a half hour left before I had to be downstairs and didn't want to keep Edward waiting. I laced up the gold ballet slippers after putting on the heart anklet and carefully donned the gown. I had ten minutes to spare and grabbed the black wrap and clutch. Slowly descending the stairs, I was greeted by Edward.
"Beautiful," he whispered, offering me his hand. Instead of taking it, I looked him up and down. He was dressed in a tux with a black bow tie; his lapel was unadorned this time.
"I think we should at least say goodbye to everyone."
"They've left already."
I bit my lip. I had hoped I would be able to wish them a Happy New Year, since there was no knowing when Edward and I would return.
"No worries you'll see them soon enough. We're going to the same place. Carlisle and Esme are, in a way, chaperoning," he said, giving me a crooked smile while offering his hand again and this time I took it.
"Any chance of you telling me where we are going?" I asked.
"You'll know soon enough. We're not going far," he said, leading me out the door.
I froze when I saw a limo waiting for us.
"Courtesy of your grandfather," he said, kissing my cheek.
"He knows," I said.
"Of course, he suggested the place before we left Scotland." He was deliberately being cryptic.