Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Chapter 1. First Immortal Birthday



“Surprise!” Alice yelled, as I walked down the stairs. Alice skipped excitedly to me and something popped in my face. Colourful streamers came flying everywhere.

“Happy first immortal birthday!” she squeaked. I rolled my eyes. Today is September the tenth. Oh great.

“Alice, do I have to go through this every year for the rest of eternity?” I sighed.

“No silly, of course not. It’s just every other year.” She winked. Giving a quick glance around the room, I saw that it had been decorated with white ribbons and a huge banner that says “Happy Birthday, Bella!” Groaning, I walked over to Edward and slipped my hand into his.

“Happy birthday, love.” Edward smiled and leaned in for a kiss. Gladly, I returned the kiss.

“Ahem.” Someone cleared his throat. Probably Emmett. Somebody giggled in response.

“Okay, enough you two. Presents time!” Reluctantly, I let Alice dragged me to the grand piano, where my presents were waiting.

“Open mine first!” chirped Alice, and she passed me a box wrapped nicely in gold paper tied with a large silver bow. Sighing, I unwrapped her present. What greeted me was skimpy, lacy lingerie. If I still could blush, my skin probably would burst into flames now. Emmett whistled, and Rosalie jabbed him in the ribs.

“Mmm, Alice? Why do I need these?” I asked, thinking of the lingerie that was shoved into the back of my wardrobe back at the cottage. They still had their French price tags on.

“Oh, you will put them to good use. I can see it. You’ll know once you open your next present.” She smiled at my confused face.

“This is from Esme and Carlisle.” Alice said while she passed me their present. I looked up and gave them a smile as I unwrapped a rectangular box. Feeling a bit of Dee ja vu, I vaguely remembering opening a similar present when I was still human.

“Tickets to Paris?” I exclaimed.

“Well, we thought it was time for a second honeymoon.” Esme smiled.

“Oh, thank you so much!” I exclaimed breathlessly and gave Esme and Carlisle each a hug. I grinned widely at Edward, who was smiling my favourite crooked smile.

“Momma, Momma! Open mine next!” exclaimed an angelic voice. I walked over to Rosalie, who passed me my little angel. Renesmee was wearing a white lacy dress with little flowers at the hem of the dress. Her long wavy curls were now waist long, and her warm chocolate eyes were brimming with excitement. She had grown a lot since last year, though the process had slow down, she now looked like a healthy, chubby four year-old. I hugged her gently before giving her a peck on her rosy cheek.

“Aunt Rose went with Nessie to choose Momma’s present.” Nessie said, as Rosalie passed me a small velvet black box before carrying Renesmee so that I could open my present easily.

“Oh!” I gasped when I opened her present. It was a little golden locket, round with a slender vine border carved around the outside edge of the circle. Inside was a tiny picture of our family, with a French inscription on the opposite side. It was the same locket as the one I gave to Renesmee last Christmas.

“Look Momma! Now Momma and Nessie have the same locket!” Nessie fiddled with the collar and pulled out to show me the locket that she was wearing. She threw me a huge grin.

“Oh!” I exclaimed again and gave her a huge hug, feeling the warmth of her little body in my cold stone embrace.

“We went back to the same shop where you bought the locket. The shopkeeper told us that that the locket comes in a pair, but it was sold to someone else before you bought the other one for Nessie. So we went searching and managed to find it in time for your birthday.” Rosalie explained with a smile.

Holding Nessie carefully with one arm, I hugged Rosalie and whispered a grateful “thank you” to her.

Releasing Rosalie, I carried Nessie with both my arms and took a slow glance around the room. Carlisle and Esme were standing at the foot of the staircase, smiling fondly at both of us; Alice was sitting at the piano bench with Jasper at her side; Emmett perched on the edge of the sofa with Rosalie beside him; and finally the best for the last, MY gorgeous Edward leaning next to the wall, looking at me with smiling liquid topaz eyes which completely melted my heart every time I looked into them.

If vampires could cry, there would be a waterfall running down my face right now. I am lucky to have such a perfect caring family like this one. I will never trade anything them for anything else in the world. Ever.

***

11:24 PM