Chapter 15
BPOV
"Uhm… I'll have the mushroom-ravioli?" I ordered. The waitress nodded and took all of our menus. For my birthday dinner, Charlie met up with Emmett and me at a nice Italian place in Port Angeles, because Emmett was planning to take me to a movie after we ate. I looked from my dad to Emmett, both of them smiling at me as I did. Charlie's smile was from pure joy. I could tell that he was excited to finally spend a birthday with me instead of belatedly when we took our vacations together with Emmett or over the holidays when he had custody. His joy also could have been the result of his most excellent birthday gift to me: a red Chevy truck. When Emmett and I arrived home sometime in the late morning, there it was sitting in the driveway, teasing me. It wasn't flashy or expensive, but it had character: it was perfect. When I walked in through the front door of our house Charlie—waiting in the living room—tossed me the keys, saying something about a test drive. If I was being honest, I'd have to admit that it was the best birthday gift I had ever gotten.
Emmett's current smile was strained, most definitely because of everything that had happened last night at my birthday party. After having breakfast this morning at the diner in town, the six of us—the boys, Rosalie, Alice, and me—split up and went our separate ways, Emmett driving me home. He and I briefly talked in the car about the previous night's events, mainly reassuring each other that everything would be ok. Accompanying us in the car was the vast amount of presents I had received the night before from my "friends" that I had never actually met. I could tell by the way some of them were packaged that people had mostly gotten me booze. How does the teenage population of Forks get their hands on all of this alcohol! I thought, although I was more than OK with that. I had yet to actually open any of them; I always felt awkward receiving gifts.
"So Bells, how was the party last night?" Charlie asked, interrupting my thoughts. "We never did get to talk about it with all of the truck-excitement and getting ready for dinner."
Although being uncomfortable, surprised, and having my heart-rate kick up a notch, I kept my face composed and didn't meet Emmett's probing eye-contact. I could lie easily with the best of them. "Well, dad, it was pretty rad!" I replied enthusiastically. When I said this, I pictured the parts I could remember so my statement would ring-true. "Alice and Rosalie had me pampered all day which I actually enjoyed, dinner was fun with just the six of us, and we danced a lot at my party. It was a well-balanced day," I said with excitement that I truly had felt the previous day, despite all of the singing and attention. "But, I'm glad it's just us-three tonight," I added, before Charlie could feel guilty for not making a big deal out of my birthday like Alice had. I preferred for it to be this way.
"You? Like dancing?" Charlie questioned with shock on his face. "That's a first!" he chuckled.
I laughed a little nervously, "It surprised me too, dad." I decided that although I had skills when it came to lying, I should probably stick as close to the truth as possible. The three of us chatted easily that way until our food came. My mushroom-ravioli was as delicious as I had hoped it would be. When Charlie was half-way through his chicken-parmesan, his police-pager went off. Charlie jumped—we were all unaccustomed to hearing that particular sound. Due to its infrequent use, Charlie called-into the station to inquire about the purpose of the page. Emmett and I were stunned: Forks never needed their police-chief for emergencies when he was off-duty because there usually weren't any emergencies to warrant the need. This was the first time ever in our collective memories that Charlie's pager had gone off and he had to go running. Emmett and I exchanged apprehensive glances.
"Yeah… really?... You sure?... Yeah, OK, meet you there in," Charlie paused to check his watch, a look of excitement plastered on his face, "about an hour. Yea, I'm still in Port Angeles but I'll use my lights. See ya." Charlie hung up and his face was filled with guilt. He looked at me and smiled sheepishly. "Bells, I'm so sorry to bail out before dessert of your birthday dinner, but I have to go: there's, uh, police stuff to be done."
"It's fine dad, I understand, I do!" I said, trying quell his feelings of guilt. "Everything OK?" I asked a little bit more hesitantly. I thought I knew why he might be called in and it made me quite nervous.
"Oh, yea: nothing for you two to worry about. Apparently some evidence from an anonymous tip checked out so now we have to do a bit of a bust. Don't worry… It's kind of exciting though. I get to take out my bullet-proof vest that I have yet to wear!" Charlie beamed. My stomach dropped the moment he said bullet-proof. Oh shit, fuck, damn! I mentally cursed. My predicament was now causing my father to have to wear a bullet-proof vest… I thought I was about to be sick.
"What?" I almost yelled. I eyed Emmett nervously, he was more composed than I was but I could tell his mind had gone to where mine was. "You need a bullet-proof vest? Don't do anything reckless dad!" I warned, worry drenching the statement.
"Oh, Bells. Really: it's not that big of a thing. It's just a precaution, really. I'll be fine." Charlie comforted.
"OK. Well, be safe," was all I could say.
"Always am," Charlie replied as he kissed the top of my head, saying goodbye. He handed Emmett some bills to cover dinner before leaving. "You two have fun at the movies!" He called to Emmett and me as he was exiting the restaurant.
"Will do," Emmett called to our disappearing father before he regarded me. The curiosity and concern on his face instantly appeared when it was just the two of us. "Do you think that—"
"—James?" I interrupted. He nodded, eyes wide.
"I don't know whether to feel relief that the son-of-a-goddamned-bitch is finally getting busted by the cops, or to feel nervous that it gets back to us. Either way, James will be fucked. We just didn't know how you'd feel about everyone knowing he drugged you…" Emmett trailed off.
"It's fine, Emmett; I trust what your decisions were. I think…I think it's the perfect justice without sending me to therapy all over again," I ended in a darkly humorous way. Emmett understood and quirked a small smile that rapidly diminished in the seriousness of the moment.
"Do you still want to see the movie?" Emmett asked, half knowing the answer.
"Not really. But, we can if you do…"
"I don't feel like seeing it either. Let's just go home." He suggested. I nodded enthusiastically. Home sounded really good right then. "Maybe you can get cracking on opening your presents! I can't wait to see what the teenage population of Forks' got you!" He joked, we laughed easily. Even in the worst moments of my life, Emmett had always brought humor and relief into them.
When finally home, Emmett and I went into the kitchen to eat my birthday cake. Although I nearly-hated birthdays, I loved the cake. The cake Charlie had selected was one of those generic happy birthday confetti-sprinkled, chocolate cakes: perfection. By Charlie just being Charlie, he had made me infinitely happy while being none-the-wiser. Since I was too nervous to just pace and wait with Emmett, I decided upon opening my presents. After sorting, and counting my presents, I had received ten cards with cash, seven bottles of varying kinds of alcohol, one bottle of expensive French perfume, and maybe a dozen American-Express gift cards. The unwrapping, putting away, and cleaning up of the garbage was enough to distract me for all-of (maybe) twenty-minutes. Realizing this, I started to pout. Oh why in god's name did I finish my homework on Friday! I mentally cursed. It was only eight-p.m.: not late enough to attempt sleep, even if I could fall asleep.
I found my thoughts straying to Edward. Edward, I thought, I miss him already. It was strange, I had just seen him this morning, partied with him last night, and seen him previously almost every day since arriving in Forks, and still I was missing him. Due to the dramatic turn the night had taken, I felt like I needed him, even if only through virtual means. So, I texted him.
Dad's on a police raid. Guess who; freaking out! Miss u. It took Edward less than a minute to respond.
On the way. B ther in 10. Open ur window. Open my window? I did as he instructed and looked out at the side of my house: there was a lattice. It looked strong, perfect for climbing. I received another text from him about a minute later: BTW: I miss you more. While trying to pass the time waiting for Edward, I changed into a comfortable v-neck, fitted t-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts. If Edward was scaling my house to see me, than clearly this wasn't a normal social call where dress codes apply. I sat on the edge of my bed, tapping my feet and unable to sit still, while waiting for my boyfriend. Hmm. Boyfriend. I thought. Edward-fucking-Godlike-Cullen is my boyfriend! Holy shit. I was never one of those girls to get overly-excited and girly at the prospects of having a boyfriend or being liked by a boy. I had many crushes, don't get me wrong, it just never made me giddy and—what I considered to be—unreasonable because of it.
My previous and only other boyfriend had been my best friend growing up: Jake. We had met at the park in our neighborhood at age 7; I threw sand at him, and he flung a rock at me. It was an instant soul-mate type connection, really. He had moved away for a few years in middle school, our friendship dwindling to a very few letters exchanged. Then out of the blue, freshman year of high school, Jake showed up (looking hot I might add). Although it had been a few years since I had seen him, it seemed like he transformed overnight: shooting up a few feet, his face losing its childhood roundness. We started dating a week later, and he was my first everything. Well, everything except sex. I hadn't been able to bring myself to that particular base with him yet. I mentally laughed at myself for thinking about it. I haven't thought about Jacob since I broke up with him…I mused. Well, it wasn't that long ago considering I broke up with him two days after the accident.
I remembered it perfectly: I was still in the hospital pissed at the world, connected to IV's and whatnot. Jake had heard I was in the hospital—probably from my mother because I sure as hell wasn't contacting anyone—and came to see me. The minute I saw him I became angered and annoyed with him for reasons unknown to me. He was fussing over me, asking if I was OK. I remembered he had annoyed me so much that I suddenly said, "Jake, our romantic relationship is over. I would like to be left alone now," and just like that, it was over. That was the start of my post-accident man-hating phase that apparently I had just finished.
"What-cha thinking about?" Edward called from my open window, startling me. Shit! He scared me! I thought. What an awkward way to have your boyfriend enter your room: interrupting you from thinking about your ex.
"The past." I didn't want to lie to him, which would start a bad precedent. But, I also didn't want to exactly admit to thinking about Jake.
"Hmm. Interesting. So what's this about a bust?" Edward questioned—his curiosity evident. I told him about dinner and Charlie leaving and confessed my worry and feelings of guilt and responsibility for the bust. That pissed Edward off.
"Bella, are you crazy! You're not responsible for anything that mother-fucker did! It was inevitable that the police would bust James on something, we just helped them along for your sake: getting him off the streets." He took my hand and gently began caressing the back of mine with his thumb. "OK?" he asked, making sure I understood.
"OK."
"So what else did you do today?" Edward asked, actually interested.
"Uhm… my mom called so I talked to her, she can talk a lot. Just that, dinner, and opening birthday presents since I saw you," I stated, matter-of-factly. It felt like we had been doing this forever: the us thing.
"Oooh! Presents! What did you get?"
"I received alcohol, money, and a bottle of perfume. Oh, and a truck—the red one out front—from Charlie!"
"Hmm… none of them are really personalized huh? Though, the truck is pretty sweet!"
"I guess you could say that," I responded, not knowing where he was going with his comment.
"I can remedy that," he said as suddenly a thin, square present appeared in his hands.
"What is that!" I asked pointing to it, full-well knowing it was a gift. I was upset, though, because he knew how I felt about presents.
"Your birthday present. Nothing much, just a little something to help you sleep… its main job is to keep you from being an alcoholic at night." Edward winked. My cheeks were flooded with blood and turned red, I'm sure. Embarrassed, I didn't have a response so instead I took the wrapped package from him and opened it. It was a shiny CD in a clear case. On it was written For Bella, in sharpie. I eyed him cautiously, nervous because we hadn't discussed music yet and I was notorious for being super picky. I didn't want to hate the first gift he ever got me.
"What's on it?" I asked, warily.
"Some instrumental songs I've written. Just piano and guitar. Nothing special." He shrugged. Immediately, I was filled with appreciation for him. It truly was the most thoughtful gift I had received all week.
"Of course, it's special! You composed these songs yourself! This is my favorite present. Ever," I insisted, my face stretched wide with my smile. I threw my arms around him, hugging him as tightly as my little body could manage in my excitement. "Can I put it on now?" I asked, wanting to follow his wishes if he had wanted me to wait.
"Sure," he acquiesced, and I flew to my CD player, fumbled open the case, stuck it into the open slot and pressed PLAY. My room was filled with the soft, but beautiful melodies Edward had played on his piano and guitar. I felt my smile growing in sheer awe of his talent.
"Edward, I'm not saying this because I think it's what you want to hear, but… damn babe, you're good. Like, not just good, but great, excellent even!" I looked at this musical, god-like guy on my bed and felt truly unworthy to call him my own. But, I could call him my own; just this morning we had claimed each other. My entire being was flooded with admiration of him. Slowly, I walked from the CD player to his sitting form on the bed. I lowered myself onto his lap and hooked my arms around his neck, all the while never breaking the eye contact I had started.
"Thank you," I whispered. His lips found mine as mine were searching for them. I broke the kiss for only a second as I murmured; "it so turns me on." That was probably too much for him to handle because one second after I whispered it, he lifted me off his lap and threw me to the bed, climbing on top of me. His urgent kisses caressed the hallow of my neck and visible collar bones. His lips met mine and again our tongues darting back and forth between our mouths. One of his hands held the side of my face and neck, while his other grazed over my left breast, effectively hardening the nipple. Oh shit, I thought, this could get intense… As much as I was turned-on, that's how much more he was as I could feel his arousal against my leg. It didn't disgust or embarrass me. Instead, it only fueled the passion I was feeling for him. Out of no-where, as Edward was beginning to lift my thin t-shirt over my head, we heard Charlie's car door slam. Shit! I thought. Edward immediately pulled my shirt back on over me and leapt up toward the window.
"Goodnight, beautiful," he said as he kissed me one last good-bye, and disappeared through my window as my front door closed. I was left panting in my bed, thoroughly frustrated. I decided to take a cold shower. Before I did, I looked at my alarm clock. Eleven O'clock! I thought, Wow, we made-out longer than I had thought! After my long, cold shower, I re-started the CD Edward had made me. I went to bed, filled with only thoughts of him, and uncharacteristically smiling.
