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Chapter 21
Four Months
It had now been over three months since the Cullens had destroyed Victoria and my arm had healed.
Edward had taken touching care of me during this time.
I spent most of my time at the Cullens' home, and after Charlie discovered that Esmé was a wonderful cook, he was also here almost every night to watch baseball with Emmett, talk with Carlisle, or join in when we had another game night.
In the meantime, I had become really good friends with all of them and they had become a second family to me.
Rose and Alice were my sisters who I could always ask for advice. Alice was responsible for the crazy stuff, while Rose went along with it but was better for deep in-depth conversations.
Emmett and Jasper were my big brothers. Emmett was just like Alice for any fun to have and Jasper rather the quieter, but with which I really got along very well.
Jasper and Alice were really sweet. When Edward had to hunt and I didn't want to be alone, one of them always came over and lay next to me in bed.
Charlie was initially irritated with Jasper because we got along so well. He asked me several times what it meant that he was staying over. But when I explained that I felt alone without Edward's cold arms, he agreed ...
Then there were Carlisle and Esmé, who had become my second parents. Esmé was simply the sweetest woman in the world - you just had to like her. And Carlisle - always helpful and obliging - was no different. In the meantime, they also saw me as a daughter, as they said, and I had also become a sister for the others.
Lastly, there were Edward and Jonath.
Jo had been my best friend for a long time, but somehow this all changed. He withdrew more and more often to his room alone. I had tried to talk to him a few times, but he didn't respond.
I would probably just have to bide my time ...
And then there was Edward, my Edward ...
I simply could not imagine my life without him.
In the last three months we had become even closer, had talked a lot and - as far as that went - had fallen even more in love with each other.
I still remembered the last situation when I burst into the bathroom and Edward stood in front of me in his naked perfection, completely terrified.
He could move in the first moment just as little as I. But when he then read my thoughts, more than dazzled by his appearance, he had dashed to me at vampire speed, pulled me into his arms and kissed me passionately.
I didn't even dare touch him at that moment for fear of becoming too intimate.
I had Alice to thank for this, who was more than offended after my revenge for the towels she had removed from the bathroom.
She could hear with her much better ears, of course, that Edward was already back from the hunt and was taking a shower. So she asked me to get her lip gloss from the bathroom, which she had lent me - and already a stark-naked Edward was standing in front of me, and the lip gloss was forgotten ...
When Edward broke away from me, I was startled at first - but not out of fear - because his eyes were black, black with desire!
Unfortunately, we were interrupted by Emmett's yelling, who must have been watching baseball with Charlie again.
On Saturday of that week, I was awakened early by Alice, which confused me a bit since I had been sleeping in Edward's room.
"Don't worry, Bella. Edward is just hunting for a bit, and I'll get you dressed up now. You two have plans today."
Oh dear, I thought to myself, what would happen today?
"Think about it, Bella! You look so confused, even though you know exactly what today is."
Oh yes, Edward and I had been together four months today and we were going to spend the evening alone. Edward had said something about his favorite place.
As my face brightened, Alice began to grin as well.
"Well, has the penny dropped!" she teased me.
I just grinned. I was already looking forward to it insanely.
After I ate breakfast, we went to Alice bathroom.
It took Alice hours to get me ready - at least that's how it seemed to me. Rose had brought me something to eat in the meantime, for which I was very grateful to her. Now Rose helped Alice with my hair.
Unfortunately, I couldn't see what they were doing to me because Alice had covered the mirror with a cloth.
When they were done with my hair, we went a little into the living room, where only Esmé was to be found. The others were all gone.
We watched a movie, but I don't remember it because I fell asleep.
Then we went back into Alice's bathroom and the procedure continued. My hair was straightened again, and I was made up.
Finally, Alice put me in a beautiful blue dress. It went just above my knees and was held together at the neck by two straps. The back was generously cut out.
It was a dream.
When Alice put me matching blue ballerinas and I slipped in, she finally took the cloth off her mirror.
I was at a loss for words. I really looked indescribable.
Wow, I would never be able to pull that off.
Shortly after, Edward entered her room. He wore a black suit, which really looked very good on him.
He had left off the tie and the top two buttons were undone.
He really looked good enough to eat.
Edward regarded me with the same hungry look I gave him.
Then he came up to me and took my hand.
"I have a surprise for you, Miss Swan. If you would please follow me," he said formally, pulling me along with him!
I really wanted to thank Alice, but I was too distracted by Edward.
He led me outside and stopped in the middle of the driveway, stood behind me and the next second I was in his arms. He just grinned wryly at me, then ran off.
It was almost dark outside, but I knew Edward could still see everything, so I didn't worry about where we were running.
When Edward then stopped and set me down, I looked at him questioningly. He just gestured with his arm for me to go on.
I walked another five yards or so when I stopped in a clearing, too overwhelmed to continue.
