Matters of the Heart

C21: Long Awaited Birthday

Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters

A/N: So, we're at the end, and I'll admit that this one was a bit of a weird one to write for me, but as with many of my stories, it had niggled its way into my mind and wouldn't leave until it was finished. I have a few more projects lined up for at least the entirety of next year, which I have tried to incorporate somewhat of a new writing style in. I will also be taking the week off to recharge a little bit, so I'll be back in November for the first chapters of a new story. For now, enjoy this final chapter of this story and I'll see you for the next one.

Bella's POV

It took us a month to get properly settled in our new home in Los Angeles, which was probably twice the size as the house in Forks, with at least twice as many rooms, but with just as good a view as our home in Forks. Besides each of us having our own bedroom and our own personal spaces, Esme had made sure to also add rooms that were designed specifically to accommodate our sexual lifestyle, since short of putting in actual sex dungeon was basically everything we could think of.

Esme's main reasoning was that while we technically didn't need our bedrooms, she did feel that our bedrooms should remain the place where we were intimate, and not use them whenever the mood struck us to fuck each other senseless, which after thinking about it made a lot of sense, because while we were definitely driven mostly by sex, we were also a Coven of lovers, and sometimes those lines blurred a bit too much.

One thing that had carried over from our time in Forks was that especially in the bedrooms, clothes were always optional, which in my case meant that I was always naked in the bedroom. I had found it incredibly freeing not having to dress up every day since especially with Esme we could stay in bed for literal days at a time, which was exactly where I found myself now.

Esme and I were cuddled up together in her bedroom, which for all intents and purposes had been dubbed 'Love Central' within our Coven, because of Esme's uncanny ability to make any space feel like a forever home filled with love and care.

Currently I was resting my head on her generous bosom and was tracing random lines across her stomach. "I can't remember the last time that I have been this relaxed." I said with a soft smile.

Esme smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "I think at long last that your newborn hormones are settling a bit love. You're finally starting to truly get used to being a vampire, but I have a feeling that the new house and new location also has something to do with it. Whatever it is, it does my heart good to see you be so at peace."

"I'll be honest and say that most of it is probably the change in location. This house and being able to share it with the ones I love is everything I've always dreamed about, but having said that, I can definitely feel that my body is getting used to being a vampire, since my mind isn't as addled by lust as it was a couple of months ago." I said with a loving smile.

Esme nodded and smiled at me. "I also think that it won't be long before Alice starts asking you about wants for your belated birthday party."

I groaned at that. "I know, and other than a cozy night in with everyone I can't really think of anything, and I know she'll want it to be epic."

"I think Alice wants whatever makes you happy my love, and if that is a quiet night in with us, then I doubt she'll make much of an issue with it. Just be prepared for copious amounts of alcohol, because Heidi has mentioned wanting to try her newfound mixing ability on us." Esme said with a smile.

I grinned at that, having been a very willing test subject for the busty brunette. "I know, she's been grilling me for months about what kind of cocktails I would want. I still can't believe that out of all the things she could've found as her passion it would be becoming a mixing master, but I honestly can't argue with the results because everything she makes is heavenly."

"Heidi has always been a bit eccentric, and honestly this falls exactly in what I know of her. Despite her job back in Volterra, she is a real people person, so it makes sense that she wanted to do something with that, and honestly, being able to cook again has been a blessing for me too." Esme said with a sweet smile.

I nodded and kissed her softly. "I can understand that, it just surprised me is all, and I'll be very honest and say that since it is just me, Vicky and Rose here for most of the day, I've been getting a lot of work done on my novel."

Esme smiled at that. "Yes, we've noticed, because when you're not in bed with one of us, or in one of the sex chambers, you're in your office."

"Inspiration is a fickle thing sometimes, and I'd rather use it while it lasts." I said softly.

"It's okay baby, it's not like we don't have literal centuries to spend time with each other. You'll find that hobbies change the longer you're alive. I've had thousands of hobbies that I've either lost interest in or haven't been able to do due to changing times." She said with a loving smile.

"I can imagine that, given the fact that you're older than all of us combined. Not that it is a bad thing of course, because with age has certainly come experience." I said with a grin.

Esme smiled and kissed me. "Thank you love, I've always taken pride in the fact that I keep up with the times, unlike most in the Volturi. A lot of them are stuck in the time they were changed, much like Carlisle and Edward were. I knew very early on that it was important to change with the times, because it made blending in a lot easier. The Queens taught me well in that, and I on my turn tried to impart that wisdom to others who joined us."

I nodded at that. "I would love to hear that story sometime, because I am still so intrigued by your life before you started to form our little Coven. I still know so little about you."

Esme merely smiled and kissed me softly. "I'll tell you sometime love. Two millennia is a bit much to go into on a random Saturday."

I nodded and cuddled into her a bit more, content to stay like this until someone needed us for something.

Alice's POV

I should've known that Bella wouldn't be as opposed to a party now that she was turned, but given everything she had shown recently I had never expected that it would be a night where we would all be home and spend time together like we used to.

It was true that since settling here in L.A. we were all a bit busy with exploring our new hobbies and interests, but I don't think we hadn't realized how little we had been home in recent months, and since only Bella and Victoria worked from home, I got why she wanted this, and of course none of us had an issue in acquiescing to that request.

This was also the reason Bella and I were in Los Angeles to do some necessary shopping for her party tonight, as well as spending some much needed alone time together, at least that didn't include us in one of the sex chambers.

Honestly I felt bad about how things had gone the last month, with me starting up my own shop, Heidi and Esme being busy at their bar/restaurant and Rosalie usually locking herself in the garage for most of the day, we had little time to spend with each other, and I knew that the others felt exactly the same, like we had failed to keep our promise to Bella.

It was why I tried to make it up to Bella today, by staying as close as I possibly could without smothering her with affection, which I knew only Esme could do to her. "You seem distracted, my Pixie. Are you okay?" She asked sweetly as we walked through one of the many malls that Los Angeles had to offer.

I smiled at her. "I'm okay, I just feel bad that I basically broke my promise to you. I hope you know that I never meant to do that."

She gave me a sweet smile. "I know you didn't mean to do that love and I'll admit it hurt a little seeing everyone dive into their hobbies and interests. I know you all have decades, and sometimes centuries of experience in reinventing yourselves, but I've literally never had to do that before. In a way I'm glad that Vicky is the only one who really works from home with me, since she probably has a bit more experience in that."

"I realize that now, and I'm sorry love. I never meant to bring back any old fears for you." I said softly.

She smiled and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "It's okay Ali. I promise. I still have to get used to the fact that we've got literal centuries together, and Esme made sure to tell me that too. At least I haven't been bored since it gave me time to work on my book."

I smiled and pressed myself to her side. "Still, I feel really bad and want to make it up to you."

Bella grinned at that. "Then for once you'll let me get you an outfit for tonight, and I don't want to hear anything against my choices, but to make it fair, I'll wear something similar."

I quirked an eyebrow but nodded as she led me into Hot Topic of all places. "Now I know you have an aversion to Hot Topic, but I have a feeling you will look amazing as a goth girl, especially if we put our own brand of flair on it."

"So short skirt, no panties and a tight top without a bra?" I asked softly.

She nodded and smiled. "Among other things, but also fishnets and leather."

I smiled at her. "Now that is something I would definitely agree with, because I know it'll certainly give everyone an incentive to up their own outfit, especially if you come in with a similar outfit."

She grinned at me. "That was the idea love, now shall we see what they have available to make our Pixie into a Goth Pixie?"

I nodded and kissed her as we started browsing, quickly finding a top for both of us, which would probably be so tight that the only option was to go without a bra, which was something that had already been established was going to happen anyway.

The skirt was a bit more of a problem because while Bella wanted it super short, I wanted to keep a little bit of length of it to keep some mystery, but eventually we settled on something in between, which was a skirt that would just cover my butt when I sat.

Bella went for something a little more sensible, but no less provocative. She got a pair of leather pants that were tight enough that if she wore anything beneath it it would definitely show, and I had a feeling that it was exactly what she was looking for.

"I have to say love, you really know how to pick out sexy outfits." I said with a grin as we made our way to the changing rooms to fit and/or show off a little to each other.

She smiled at me as we piled into a single cubicle. "Why thank you love, I would like to think I have an eye for inappropriate clothing."

"Given your selection of barely there bikini's, I tend to agree with that statement, although I wonder how you're going to tackle this, because while a bra is out with the tops we've chosen, underwear might even be iffy for you." I said as I put on the top, smiling at how it fit me.

Bella grinned and wrapped her arms around me from behind while pressing a kiss to my neck. "You look so incredibly sexy Ali. I think we should be glad that my newborn hormones have settled a little."

"I couldn't agree more love, it might be a bit difficult to explain if someone catches us in here." I said with a soft smile.

She nodded and kissed me as she squeezed my ass under the skirt. "I've changed my mind. This skirt is absolutely perfect."

"I figured you might come around, and I think with some fishnet stockings and a mesh top underneath, I think we'll come a long way in turning me goth." I said with a soft smile.

Bella only nodded as she quickly changed into her own outfit, and now I could see exactly what her idea was. Her thong was poking out above the waistline of the leather pants she was wearing and I had to agree it had a very sexy, not to mention arousing effect.

Rosalie's POV

I'll be honest and say that I never was the best at dividing my time, even before Bella joined us, but I'm woman enough to admit that diving into our growing car collection was a bit ambitious even for me. I had barely seen any of our lovers in the past two weeks, and I knew I had a lot to apologize for, to Bella especially since she was the youngest and wasn't as proficient at reinventing herself yet.

That is why I wanted to ensure that Bella would have the best party in history, and while we had agreed on no gifts, Alice had conveyed Bella's wishes for a dress code, which was as sexy as we could get away with.

This was the reason I was standing nearly naked in my closet eyeing my immense selection critically. Sexy wouldn't be an issue, but something bordering on indecent was a bit harder to accomplish, since I usually didn't bother with that, because honestly, Heidi had enough of that for the entire Coven, and perhaps that was the answer to my conundrum. Heidi would know what I could wear to make Bella gush.

So with that in mind I made my way to Heidi's room, since we were very similar in size and I was sure she would have something that would work for tonight.

As usual when she was home her door was wide open, and I could hear her humming softly as she too was presumably in her closet. "Heidi love, do you have a moment? I could use some advice."

"Of course Rose, come on in. It's nothing you haven't seen before." She said with an audible grin.

I smiled and walked into her room and directly into her closet, seeing that she was in a very similar state to me, being completely naked. "And here I thought you wouldn't have any trouble in selecting an outfit for tonight."

She grinned and kissed me. "I could say the same thing to you love. Your closet is fuller than mine."

"Yes, but surprisingly I have very few scandalous options available, so I could use some help." I said with a bit of annoyance.

Heidi grinned at that. "Say no more, my love. I'll make you look ravishing. I think that I have plenty of outfits that will fit you."

"That's why I came to you love, besides the fact that you are closest to me in size, you probably also have the most scandalous closet." I said before kissing her.

She moaned softly into my mouth as she pulled me closer to her body. "If that is your subtle way of saying my choice of dress is slutty, you are absolutely right, and, I have to admit that it has definitely helped with tips recently."

I smiled at her. "I will believe that, my love. I'm honestly glad that you've found your passion so quickly."

"It wasn't that difficult to be honest. Despite what I did in Volterra, I love interacting with people and making them happy, and having all of this money available made it even easier, although I do regret having to spend so much there, which deprives me of spending time with all of you." Heidi said softly.

I smiled at that. "We all have that feeling love, and I know it is particularly hard on Bella because of everything Edward put her through, and that is why we organized this party, to show Bella that we're very sorry."

Heidi nodded at that. "And I think we'll all make a big effort to show exactly how sorry we are, and that this night will probably end in one of our special rooms."

"Honestly, I doubt it. She just wants a night where she gets to spend some time with us again while we're all dressed in something that gives everyone something to look at." I said with a soft smile.

She smiled at that. "Then we'll do our very best to find something both scandalous and comfortable."

I nodded as we looked through possible options, which ranged from sexy to outright slutty, one of her dresses being so low cut that it just barely covered her nipples. "May I ask why you ever bought this one? It barely covers anything."

Heidi smiled at me. "It used to be longer, but as you can see it got ripped at some point. The cleavage however I take full responsibility for. I call it my tip dress.

"I can see why. Any wrong move and those perfect tits of yours will just topple out." I said with a smirk.

Heidi smiled at that. "It has happened once or twice, but since I do wear bras when I work, it's not really an issue. I really should ask Alice to patch it up for me, because I really like this dress. This one however I think is perfect for you." She said as she pulled a red dress out of her closet.

I eyed it critically and smiled at her. "I think, my love, that you are absolutely right. With my height this will work perfectly, and of course it's tight enough to make sure that it'll meet Bella's wishes, not to mention the fact that it is in my favorite color as well."

"Exactly my thoughts, baby. Although I think you should go without a bra, mostly because it'll look better." She said with a grin.

I nodded at that. "I was thinking the exact same thing, and to prove a point I might go commando tonight."

"Ballsy, but understandable, because I think most of us will go for that option. I think we might even see Esme doing that today." Heidi said with a smile.

I grinned at that. "That might be a first then, since she's usually the first one to jump on the propriety train."

Heidi nodded at me as she put on a dark blue dress that oozed her usual confidence and sexuality. "I know, but I also know that Esme also knows how to have fun, especially when she's among family, and combine that with a little alcohol and I have a feeling we might see a whole other Esme tonight, and probably her kidnapping Bella to her bedroom for the night, and probably most of the morning."

I only nodded and kissed her softly as we decided to do the rest of our preparations together, fixing our hair and make-up to match our dresses, all the while we had some problems keeping our hands to ourselves.

Esme's POV

By the time everything was ready for Bella's long awaited, and slightly belated birthday part it was well into the evening, and not for the first time today I was surprised at how much food and drinks we had available for tonight, which I will fully admit I was partly responsible for.

Victoria, with her keen eye for aesthetics had turned our living room into a dining room that wouldn't be out of place in the Victorian era. Both of us had already changed into our outfits, and while mine as a little less scandalous then I think Bella would like it to be, I still think that I looked sexy, since it was so tight on my body it might have very well been painted on.

Victoria had gone for something so short and low cut I had a feeling her breasts would be coming out of it multiple times tonight, as well as everyone, myself included having a good grope of her wonderful butt tonight.

Rosalie and Heidi were putting the finishing touches on the bar area while Alice and Bella changed, and from my viewpoint I had a wonderful view of all the feminine beauty that surrounded me. "I have to say Rose, you always knew how to dress to impress. I can't keep my eyes off you."

The blonde smiled at me. "Thank you love, but I'll be honest and say that this dress is from Heidi's closet. Nothing in my own closet came close to Bella's wishes for tonight. I can also say the same about you. If I didn't know any better I'd say you were Morticia Addams."

I smiled at her. "That is by design love. You know I'm not really the type to wear something short and scandalous. I prefer to leave something to the imagination."

Rosalie grinned as Bella and Alice walked into the room. "Wow. You all truly went all the way."

"Did you expect anything else, my love? You deserve only the best on your birthday after all, and besides you two also didn't take half measures." I said with a soft smile.

She smiled and came up to kiss me before repeating the action on the others. "Like you said love, did you expect anything else? If this is going to be the only birthday I'm going to celebrate with my mates, it should be the best birthday ever."

We all smiled at that. "Trust us that it will be full of everything that you have come to love, being scantily clad hot women, booze and good food." Heidi said with a smile.

Bella grinned and expected copped a feel of Heidi's ass. "It's almost as if you all know me too well by now."

"We would like to think we do baby, now how about we start this night off properly, with a well earned drink." I said as I wrapped an arm around her and just couldn't resist giving that pert ass a nice squeeze, especially since her pants made it look that much more amazing.

Bella smiled and gave me a languid kiss. "Indeed, let's do a quick toast before we get this party truly started, although I have a feeling that I know where this one is going to end up."

I smiled at her. "And you would be correct in that, my darling Bella, but who will be joining is still very much up in the air." I said as I handed her a glass of wine.

Meanwhile Victoria put on the first song of Bella's playlist, one that she had composed over several weeks to help her write, and surprisingly was good to set a mood too, and as we all gathered in the center, we all focused our attention on Bella. "Before we all start proclaiming our love for each other, I would like to say a few things. I want to thank you all for loving me like you have and shown me how a family is supposed to act with each other, because while we all definitely have no issue in falling in bed with each other, you have also shown me the love only sisters and a mother are capable of." She said with a loving smile to all of us.

We all smiled at her. "You're too sweet sometimes love, and it was certainly our pleasure. And now that we have the opportunity, we would also like to apologize for how we acted the past month. We realize now that we were horribly inconsiderate in diving into our own hobbies so soon after you were turned. We know that you are not yet as proficient at reinventing yourself, and that your anxieties are still present. We'll do everything in our power not to let it happen again." I said softly.

Bella smiled and kissed us all in turn. "You are of course forgiven, my loves. I will admit that it hurt a little, but I also know that one thing we have is time together, plus I got a very good head start on my book, so there was definitely a silver lining. It was also the reason I agreed to this party, so we could all spend some quality time together again."

We smiled at her. "You really have a big heart, love, and to really make it up to you, we have a bit of a surprise. I know we agreed to no gifts, but I think this is something you will like." I said as I handed her a long box, in which lay her necklace, like the ones we were wearing.

Her eyes widened adorably at seeing it. "It's beautiful, thank you love."

"It's our Coven Crest, love, something that will show every vampire that we are bonded together in some sort of way and that to attack one of us would mean attacking all of us. It's as close to marriage as we can get." I said with a soft smile.

Bella nodded and smiled as Heidi put it on for her. "I don't think I've ever gotten a more thoughtful gift in my life. Thank you so much."

"You're very welcome baby, and I promise that this is the only material gift we shall give you tonight. The rest will be either very physical or emotional." I said with a teasing wink.

Bella merely grinned as she pulled us all into a deep kiss, not saying anything else as she let her hands and lips do the talking for her, and for the remainder of the night, and most of the morning too, we enjoyed ourselves to the fullest, eventually all ending up in Bella's bedroom to cuddle, because at the end of the day, we were more than content to be close and spend time together as a Coven.

By the time we decided to call a close to the party late the following morning, all of the food was gone and we had made a serious dent in the alcohol we had purchased, but even with all that all we felt was a slight buzz which led us to our current situation, with everyone's outfits either missing or in severe disarray.

"I have to say, this was one of the best nights of my life. I really can't thank you all enough for this beautiful evening." Bella said with a soft smile.

We all smiled at her and I kissed her softly. "It was very much our pleasure love. We figured you might like a night where we all say thank you for the things you've brought to our family, whether material or emotional." Rosalie said with a sweet smile.

"Since all of you have brightened my life in so many ways, that was absolutely my pleasure." Bella said sweetly.

I smiled at her. "You have opened all of our hearts to so many new things that I am still surprised at the things you make me feel, and while I never really believed in Matters of the Heart, as odd as that may seem coming from me, I'm very glad that I was proven wrong in this case."