Bella went downstairs with Jasper right behind her. She ignored Alice hovering by the bottom of the stairs and went straight to the living room where Rosalie, and Emmett, were sitting. She ignored Emmett for now and walked over to Rosalie. Rosalie stood when she heard Bella approach. Bella threw her arms around Rosalie. In the bathroom, Bella had been scared but it wasn't necessarily because of Rosalie. It was more her reaction.
"I'm so sorry Bella," Rosalie muttered in her ear. "I didn't mean to scare you."
Bella held onto to her like she was a life vest. "I'm not mad," Bella promised. "You were scared too."
Rosalie pulled away so she could cup Bella's face. She leaned forward and kissed her softly. "We underestimated him. I swear it won't happen again." She pulled away from Bella and pulled off the sweatshirt she was wearing. This one was from NYU. "Here, it's supposed to be chilly in Seattle. Are you sure you still want to go?"
"Rose, I told you she will be fine with me," Emmett said. "You know I will protect her."
"While that is a concern, that wasn't what I was talking about," Rosalie said with a glare at her best friend. "I want to make sure Bella is comfortable going."
"I want to go," Bella told her. "Emmett and I have been looking forward to this." Emmett beamed. Bella touched Rosalie's face. "It'll be okay. I'll be okay."
Rosalie grabbed her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist. "If you need anything at all, promise you will call me? Even if it's just because Emmett is annoying you."
Bella laughed. "I promise I will call you." She pulled out the phone Rosalie bought her. "See. I have it with me."
Jasper stepped closer to the two. "Rose, we need to meet Sam and Paul."
"Why are you meeting with Paul?" Bella asked concerned.
"We need to discuss Edward," Rosalie answered. She hesitated before continuing. "We think he's going to try and manipulate the wolves. We need them to be prepared. Especially after this."
"It'll be okay Bella," Jasper assured her. "That's why I'm going. To make sure nothing bad happens."
Bella kissed her cheek. "Be careful," she whispered, although it was unnecessary since everyone could hear her.
"Always," Rosalie said.
"Come on Bells," Emmett exclaimed grabbing her arm. Rosalie growled softly but didn't say anything. "We have shopping to do."
Bella glanced at Alice, Rosalie and Jasper. "Is it too late to back out?" she asked hopeful.
The others laughed. "It'll be okay love," Rosalie told her. She turned to Emmett. "Don't forget she needs to eat and humans get tired quickly."
Emmett nodded. "I know how to take care of a human," he insisted.
"I'm not a pet," Bella grumbled.
Rosalie hugged her again. "No, you're not. You're far more important than a pet." Rosalie kissed her cheek and let go of her. "I'll see you when you get back."
Bella kissed her one last time before following Emmett to the garage. Emmett helped her into the Jeep and they took off toward Seattle.
The drive took about half the time. As much as Bella hated how fast the Cullens drove she had to admit it was effective. They could get almost anywhere in no time at all. "Can you run faster than you drive?" Bella asked curious.
Emmett glanced at Bella. They were in town now, navigating through the busy streets of Seattle. They were no longer speeding as there were too many cars around. "We can," Emmett confirmed. He glanced at Bella again. He could tell she wanted to ask more questions but didn't. "We run about as fast as the top speed of the average car, around 140 miles an hour."
Bella's jaw dropped. "Why drive at all then? I mean you run faster and you don't need to worry about streets."
Emmett laughed. "A few reasons. Mostly for blending in. It would be weird for us to show up somewhere without a car. Second, shopping. You've seen what Alice's shopping trips are like. We can't run and carry all that stuff back." He pulled into the parking lot of the Lego store. "Last, well we like to drive."
Bella nodded as Emmett pulled into a parking spot. "I guess that makes sense."
"Come on Bells, let's go shopping," Emmett exclaimed.
Bella followed Emmett into the store. She had never been in a Lego store before. She wasn't even sure if Phoenix had a Lego store. The store was mostly full of children and their parents. There were a few teenagers there but Bella was certain they were the oldest ones there.
"Alright Bella, one rule when shopping with me," Emmett started. Bella noted how he looked like a kid in a candy store. "You have to buy one thing in each store we go in. It can be anything you want but it has to be something."
It was a better deal than Alice would give her and for some reason it didn't bother her. It was Emmett. Emmett made her comfortable. Not more comfortable than Rosalie, or even Jasper, but still. She knew she was safe with him. He wouldn't pressure her to buy things she didn't want or need. In a way he was making her buy stuff but it was whatever she wanted, even if it was just a bottle of water.
"Fine," Bella agreed.
Emmett looped his arm with Bella, mostly so they wouldn't get separated, but also in an attempt to soothe her. They started to the left of the entrance and slowly made their way around. "Can I get this for Paul?" Bella asked picking up the box for a Batmobile. She was sure Paul would love it.
Emmett shifted the boxes he was holding. He already picked out a giant Death Star and the Hogwarts castle. He seemed set on buying every large model he could. "Sure," Emmett agreed. "Grab two." Bella raised an eyebrow at him. "One for me."
They continued to wander around. Bella had yet to find anything she wanted. They were almost through the entire store and Bella was starting to get desperate. She was ready to pick out any old toy when she spotted something perfect. It was a red pick-up truck. It wasn't exactly like hers but it was close enough to get her attention. Bella didn't bother looking at the price. She knew she wanted it.
"What did you find Bells?" Emmett asked walking over to her. He was caught up in the superhero section while Bella wandered on her own. She was surprised he allowed it with how overprotective they were all being. Bella held up the box. "Damn, that's perfect for you."
Bella laughed as Emmett spun around in circles, quickly checking all corners of the store in case he missed something. "Don't hurt yourself," Bella joked.
"Are you ready to go now?" Emmett questioned, satisfied he had everything he wanted.
"Yes," Bella said. She followed Emmett to the register. They were third in line.
Well over a thousand dollars later Emmett and Bella left the Lego Store. They stopped by Emmett's Jeep to drop off everything. Once everything was safety tucked away in the Jeep, Emmett locked the car and they made their way to the next store, which turned out to be a model toy shop, mostly model cars but it also included model trains, planes and other types of vehicles.
Emmett was just as excited in this store as he was in the Lego store. He found a replica of his Jeep right away. Bella wandered around looking for something she wanted. Finally, she found a model for a red Mercedes convertible. It wasn't exactly the same as Rosalie's but it was close enough and Bella liked it. Now she had a set, hers and Rosalie's cars.
Bella frowned. She wanted to hang them up in her room but she had nowhere to put them. "You okay Bella?" Emmett asked concerned. He had two boxes in his hands. One was his Jeep and the other was some type of motorcycle.
"Yeah," Bella said. Emmett stared at her. "No, it's not that." Bella said figuring Emmett was worried she was missing Rosalie. "I want to display these in my room but there's nowhere to put them. Can we stop at a store to get some shelves for my room?"
Emmett beamed. "Of course Bells," he said happily. Bella mentally groaned.
"Just a few," she said firmly. "I don't want my room covered in shelves."
Emmett snorted. "We'll get as many as you want," he promised. He shifted the boxes into his other hand. It was an attempt to appear more human. But to Bella it was just strange. But they had to keep up appearances. At least in public. "You find anything else?" Bella shook her head. "Okay, let's go."
They made another trip to Emmett's car. "Can we stop for lemonade?" Bella asked, gesturing to the lemonade stand down the road.
Emmett shrugged. "Sure," he agreed. They made their way to the stand where she ordered a strawberry lemonade. Emmett paid and Bella rolled her eyes. She had the money to buy herself lemonade. She really shouldn't be surprised Emmett would insist on paying.
They sat at a small table while Bella sipped her lemonade. "Where next?" Bella questioned.
"How do you feel about Best Buy?" Emmett asked. "There's a couple games I want to pick up. Figured we could find something you like since you don't seem big on Call of Duty."
Bella took a sip of her lemonade. She couldn't say she was thrilled at the thought of going to Best Buy but she wasn't going to say anything. Today was about her and Emmett bonding. She could handle spending time in the store if it made Emmett happy. "That's fine," Bella agreed.
Emmett frowned. "Are you okay Bella?" he asked concerned.
Bella looked up from her drink. She could see the concern in his eyes and she felt guilty. "Sorry Emmett. I'm just tired and the whole Edward thing…"
"Do you want to go back?" Emmett questioned. "We can you know. I won't be mad."
Bella shook her head. "No. We've been looking forward to this. Edward has done enough damage. I will not allow him to ruin this too."
Emmett beamed. "I'm glad you're having fun." His face fell. "You are having fun, right?"
Bella reached over and grabbed his hand. "I'm having fun Emmett. I promise."
"Good," he said.
"Emmett, can I ask you something?" Bella questioned hesitantly.
"Of course Bella," Emmett agreed. "It's not about Rose is it?" he asked nervously. He's been waiting for Bella to confront him about his and Rosalie's relationship but it hadn't happened yet.
"No," Bella responded. But she planned on asking Emmett what he meant later. "It's about Edward actually." Emmett leaned forward in his seat. "I've already talked to Jasper about this, but you've known Edward longer… How far do you think he will go?"
Emmett sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. Six months ago, I would have insisted that Edward isn't capable of something like this." His gold eyes darkened.
"Do you think he would try to kill me?" The thought scared her but at the same time she knew the others would protect her.
"I don't know," Emmett said again. "I think we need to prepare for the possibility. He's gone too far off the deep end. I don't think there's anything we can do to save him."
"I'm sorry," Bella said softly. Emmett frowned at her. "This whole mess is my fault."
Emmett shook his head. "It's not," he disagreed. "We could forgive him for thinking you were his mate. But he should have stepped aside when he realized the truth. As much as it hurt, I loved Rose enough to let her go. Everything that has happened since that night in Port Angeles, is his fault and only his fault." Bella finished up her lemonade. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah, let's do it," Bella said. She threw her trash away and followed Emmett.
"Don't forget to tell me when you get hungry," Emmett said. "Rose will kill me if I don't feed you."
Bella laughed. "I'll let you know," she promised. "Maybe in a store or two."
An hour later Bella's stomach was rumbling. They quickly paid for their things and went in search of food. "Anything in particular you want?" Emmett asked as they drove around the city.
"No, I… there," Bella exclaimed pointing to Emerald City Fish and Chips. Emmett made a sharp turn into the parking lot. Bella's head hit the side of the Jeep and she groaned. "Ow."
"Sorry Bella," Emmett said as he pulled into a spot.
"Not your fault," Bella said rubbing the side o her head. They got out of the car and made their wat to the entrance. "Are you eating?"
Emmett made a face. "Yeah, I suppose I'll to order something. Pick out something you want. We can take it home for you."
The restaurant was a bit fancier than expected. Instead of ordering at the counter they were seated at a table. They both ordered waters and Bella flipped through the menu. "You don't have to order anything, you know," she told him. "It'll be weirder if you do and don't eat it."
Emmett sighed in relief. "Alright, what are you looking at?"
"I'm thinking the prawns and chips," Bella said after spending a full minute staring at the menu.
Bella ordered when the waitress returned. Emmett leaned back in his seat once she left. "Is there anywhere else you want to go?"
Bella thought about it for a moment. She used her straw to stir the ice. She really wanted to go to the bookstore. But that was something she would prefer to do with Rosalie, or Jasper. She knew Emmett would go if asked but he would be bored. "No," she answered. "But maybe we can come back sometime and go to the movies and the top of the Space Needle?" Bella suggested. She didn't want him to think she was trying to rush home.
Emmett grinned. "It's a date," he declared.
The food arrived and Emmett rambled on while Bella ate. "Slow down Emmett," Bella instructed after swallowing a mouthful of prawns. "I can't understand you."
"Sorry," he said with a small smile. "I was saying when we get back, we could start building my Death Star."
"That sounds fun, but I promised I would talk to Esme," Bella said.
Emmett's face fell slightly. "Yeah. Okay." He wasn't mad. Bella deserved to spend time with Esme. He was simply sad their fun day was almost over.
"Maybe after school sometime this week?" Bella suggested, not wanting to disappoint him. She pushed aside her almost empty plate.
"Sure," Emmett eagerly agreed. "We still need to go to the hardware store," he realized. "We can hit that one on the way back."
Bella agreed and after Emmett paid, they headed back to the Jeep.
The trip to the hardware store was quick. They picked out half a dozen shelves for Bella's room, and one for Rosalie's, so Bella could display her new items. Emmett even promised to help install them, after first making a joke about Bella hurting herself if she tried. Bella hit his arm, causing more pain to herself then to him.
When they got to the Cullen house, it was starting to get dark. One look out the window and Bella could see the clouds coming in. She couldn't tell if they were rain clouds, but considering it was Forks they probably were.
"Esme's here," Emmett said when they got out of the car. Emmett grabbed the bags from the back of the Jeep. "She's in the kitchen. Are you going to be okay with her?"
"Are you leaving?" Bella asked.
"I'm going to hunt," Emmett told her. "After spending the day with you and all those humans… I can stay if you want," Emmett offered after seeing her Bella.
"No, no. Go hunt," Bella told him. "I'll be fine."
"If you're sure," Emmett said following Bella to the door. Bella nodded. "Alright, well I'll drop your stuff off in Rosalie's room. The others should be back soon. If you need anything call me."
While Emmett went upstairs Bella went to the kitchen. Esme was cooking. Bella couldn't tell exactly what it was but she could smell garlic and onion.
"Bella," Esme exclaimed. "Alice told me when you would be home so I decided to start cooking. Are you hungry?"
"A little," Bella said honestly. "How…uh… how are you?"
Esme turned to face Bella. "Bella, I feel I owe you an apology as well. When Carlisle stood by Edward, I didn't say anything. But I should have. I should have defended Rosalie, and you. I hope someday you can forgive me."
"Maybe," Bella said. She didn't want to commit to forgiving Esme but the older woman had hurt Rosalie too much for instant forgiveness. "I think… if Rosalie forgives you. Then maybe I can too."
Esme turned away from Bella. She was sad, because she knew Rosalie and it could be years before her daughter forgave her. At the same time, it was more than fair of Bella. Esme deserved it. She took a deep breath before turning back to face Bella. "That is fair," she said.
"I'm willing to give you a chance though," Bella added and Esme beamed. "What are you cooking?" Bella asked curious.
"Chicken parmesan," Esme answered. "Rosalie mentioned it was your favorite."
Bella smiled slightly at the mention of Rosalie. "It is," Bella confirmed. She was eager to try Esme's food now.
"Go on, take a seat." Esme gestured to the bar stool. "Dinner is about ready."
Bella sat down and patiently waited for Esme to finish cooking. The oven buzzed and she set aside the salad so she could get the food from the oven. "When are the others coming back?" Bella questioned. She didn't want to sound too eager about Rosalie's return but she hadn't seen her all day and she missed her.
"I don't know. They don't tell me much anymore," Esme admitted. "I'm sure not too much longer."
Esme served her food and Bella's mouth watered at the smell. "It smells delicious," Bella stated. She carefully took a bite, mindful of the fact that the food was fresh from the oven. She moaned at the taste. "This is the best thing I've had."
Esme beamed. "I'm glad you like it Bella," she said as she started to clean up the dishes. She could have been done already but she took her time so she could bond with Bella more. "Maybe…maybe I can cook again for you?"
Bella looked at the plate for a moment before turning her attention back to Esme. "I'd like that."