Seismic Shift Chapter 31

Wild moon woman

you were not made to be tame

You are an earthquake

shaking loose everything

that is not soul.

Shake, woman.

Shake.

~Elyse Morgan

Home was…interesting. Home was different, in that blindingly obvious and simultaneously subtle way. I was in Forks, not for the first time in my life, but for the first time I could remember being here with my actual parents. My adoptive parents came, too, of course, to complete the awkward circle. They were happy for me, the Clearwaters, as I knew they would be. If I wanted to cover my body in tattoos, shave my head, and live with the monks in Tibet, Sue would pack me a snack and wish me a safe journey.

Charlie was incredibly stiff and I could tell he wanted nothing more than to be left alone. A house teeming with vampires did nothing to soothe his ruffled feathers, or fur, as it were. Seth had immediately started talking Charlie's ear off the moment they walked in the door, and I thought they might actually wind up having a conversation at any minute. Sue and Harry had greeted my parents warmly, and currently my two mothers were talking—about me. Harry was speaking to Carlisle about counsel business, which I'd chosen to stay out of, out on the deck. Harry never seemed to mind the cold.

Me? I was on the couch between Edward and Leah, the latter of which had decided to grill me about Brazil. Edward was drawing patterns on the skin of my neck, where he'd pushed my hair out of the way. It was casual, but kept my entire body hyper-aware of his presence. Rose was sitting on the ottoman, listening intently to everything I was saying, which frankly wigged me out. The rest of the Cullens were putting together what they deemed guest quarters; from the little I'd overheard, I had deduced that it was a major renovation.

In our absence, Alice had decorated the house to within an inch of its life with all things Christmas. It was stunning, especially as the sun went down and the lights could be seen strung through all of the trees outside. Each door and window had a fresh green wreath with a huge red bow, every eave was lined with white lights, and there were candles and cranberries everywhere.

The word that always came to mind with the Cullens was surreal.

I wanted a bed, any bed, but I'd been asked to wait until Esme and the others came back from their endeavors. Something about Edward's room no longer being suitable, whatever that meant. I tried to ask Edward, but he merely shrugged and grinned, which was its own type of infuriating. I knew he knew what was going on, if for no other reason than he could read their damn minds.

The closest object of my irritation/affection chuckled, and I glanced at him over my shoulder. "They're coming back. Alice is reciting the Battle Hymn of the Republic—in Mandarin."

"What the hell? Who even knows how to speak that language?"

"Vampires," Leah and Rose both answered. I groaned. I was seconds away from face palming.

The talking stopped as Esme came through the double back doors. I swear she jumped from the ground straight to the deck. Alice, Jasper, and Emmett followed swiftly behind her, and I mean in the way that I almost didn't see them coming. They were laughing and talking, and Emmett shoved Jasper in a playful manner that resulted in Jasper flying off the deck and back onto the grass. He reappeared immediately in the doorway right behind the others as though nothing had happened.

"Is everyone here?" Esme asked, gazing around the room. "Good." She beamed and clapped her hands together like a teacher calling the class to order. "Since we have so many guests, we needed to make alternate arrangements, especially since our guests actually sleep."

Carlisle came to stand by her side, and they smiled at each other. They were so cute. "Charlie and Renée, Rose will show you to your room upstairs."

I frowned. The only room upstairs not currently occupied was Alice's sewing room. It was too full of fabric and notions and things to fit a bed in it.

Sure enough, Rose stood up and held her arm toward the stairs à la game show hostess. Charlie reluctantly followed his wife up the stairs behind Blondie.

"Now," Alice squealed, clapping her hands way more enthusiastically than Esme. The Clearwaters all suddenly found the kitchen mighty interesting, so I knew they were in on it.

I heard Edward suck in a breath. "What?" I asked accusingly, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Edward!" Alice huffed, clearly exasperated.

He laughed. "It is not my fault you slipped." He looked back down at me. "Now I have seen it, and I know you will love it."

"Not the biggest fan of surprises, people," I muttered.

Ignoring me, Alice and Jasper started for the back doors.

"Wait, I have to go outside? What did you do, build an outhouse? An igloo?" I grumbled under my breath as I searched for my coat. Going from eighty degree weather with soaring humidity to low teens and freezing rain was not pleasant. To top it off, I was clearly jetlagged and cranky.

"Ready?" Edward asked, and at my nod, he took my hand.

We went outside, and I shivered a little. Edward tossed me onto his back, and I shrieked in laughter. He knew how to lighten me up. We ran through the trees at the back of the property, and soared over the water, which took me off guard. It was exhilarating to be able to fly through the air like that, though. Emmett leaped farther, but Edward was the faster of the two. Esme was delicate and precise in her leap, and Alice was like a ballerina as she gracefully made her jump.

"Now, this was originally going to be a wedding gift," Alice started as we slowed to a walk on the other side of the river. "Speaking of which, Edward, it was about time you asked her. You've been carrying that ring around for ages."

"We are so happy for the two of you," Esme assured me, and I smiled gratefully at her. Emmett started making porn music noises.

I swear Edward would have blushed if he could have, and I kissed his cheek before I slid off his back. "I wanted to make it romantic, Alice. We have not exactly had time for that sort of thing."

"Of course," she agreed. "So after today, you and I have a ton of planning to do," she aimed my way.

"Um, okay. I hadn't even thought that far in advance."

"Which is precisely why you need me."

Jasper was silent as we walked, but I felt a sense of excitement and wondered if he was reflecting Alice's enthusiasm. We came to a stop in front of a tangle of vines.

"Edward," she said, nothing else, and he put his hands over my eyes.

I sighed inwardly and tried not to ruin it for her. I hated surprises, really. Look what the unexpected had meant in my life, after all. Emmett guffawed, and I had no idea what he found that was so funny, but figured it was everything about the situation.

"Emmett," Edward said in a warning tone.

"Stay out of my head if you don't like it there," he replied. He started up with the porn music again.

"Ready?" Alice asked after we'd made it a few more feet, by my guess.

"Yes?" I said, it sounding more like a question.

"Ta-da!" she exclaimed, and Edward removed his hands.

We were standing in the deepest part of the forest that led to the mountain range, in front of what looked to be a fairytale cottage. It was pale in color, with a dark, pitched roof, and the same ivy climbing the walls that was covering most of the trees in the forest.

I gasped when I noticed Jasper holding out a key in my direction.

"Alice allowed me—oof!" He let out a grunt when she elbowed him in the gut mid-sentence. "May I present your house key, Bella and Edward."

Alice squealed, finally bubbling over, and I realized then that Jasper had been doing his best to wrangle her emotions. "It's been remodeled. It was here, buried in the woods for, like, forever, and we stumbled across it shortly after we first moved here, which was decades ago, of course. Nobody ever really thought we had any use for it, but now it makes perfect sense to give to you!"

"Breathe, Alice," I murmured, before remembering she didn't have to.

She merely giggled. "I just want you to like it."

"Don't go breaking any walls down, I spent a lot of time patching them up," Emmett warned. I rolled my eyes.

"No promises," I said, before I remembered Esme. I winced.

She merely snickered and hugged me. Her embrace was cold, but nevertheless motherly. "We want you to be happy, whether that's here with us, or back at college."

"College," I repeated. Had that really been my dream just a few months ago? It felt like a different lifetime. I did miss Angela and Jessica.

"Thank you, all of you," Edward stepped in and brought my wandering mind back to the present. "We are extremely grateful for your thoughtfulness."

I smiled wryly. "That's what I would have said if I weren't so tired. Thank you, guys."

Alice hugged me before she and Jasper took off. Esme pressed her icy lips to my cheek and waited while Emmett punched Edward in the shoulder.

"Seriously. Don't break it."

"You should go give Rose that same challenge," I taunted.

He laughed so hard the mountains shook along with his shoulders. "I just might, Bella. Goodnight."

Emmett gave me a huge hug, and I was grateful for my coat. I watched them disappear in a blur, and I realized I knew what I needed before sleep.

But first, the house.

Edward let me unlock the door, which felt like a formality. We stepped into a cozy living area that was exactly what I would have wanted if I'd known to ask. Warm colors, a fireplace, and so many books. The ceilings were framed with dark beams, and it felt even more like a fairytale from the inside.

"Oh, Edward," I breathed. I ran my fingers lightly over the small Christmas tree in the corner.

When I turned to him, he was grinning. "You do know what this means, don't you?"

"We're alone." I launched myself at him, wrapping my legs around his waist. He kissed me thoroughly, searing my lips with his heat.

I pulled away to breathe. "I need something first," I admitted.

His brows went up. "Oh?"

Sliding down his body, I backed up to the door and started pulling off layers. That cold air was going to be a bitch. "Race you," I challenged.

I sprinted out the door, yelping at the cold bite of wind before I made it far enough. Then I closed my eyes, channeling my wolf. The air rippled as my skin exploded into fur, and Edward blew past me. I chuckled internally, allowing my paws to dig up the earth as I took off after him. My destination was the river, so as I caught up to Edward I passed him, leading him there.

The first leap and splash was invigorating and not at all cold. It was thrilling, and just what I needed. Edward landed a few feet away, and I soaked him with my tail. I barked out a laugh, and gazed at the full moon sitting high in the sky. I'd been given everything I wanted and needed, and I sent up a silent thank you.

We spent several minutes laughing and splashing each other before I jumped to a boulder that sat just on the shoreline and shook out my fur. When Edward landed next to me, I took off again, running as fast as I could for the house in the woods. My fur mostly dried as I ran, but I knew when I phased back I would have a mess of wet hair.

I slowed as I neared the soft glow that came from the outside lights. There was a pretty winter garden, and I wondered what it could become in the spring with blooming flowers. Bracing myself, I thought of human flesh and Edward's touch, letting the electricity crackle as I returned to my body.

"Fuck!" I squeaked, running back into the house.

Edward came in behind me, dripping. "We need a hot shower."

We explored the hallway, finding an empty room and what was clearly the master bedroom with an ensuite. My skin was covered in goosebumps by the time I got the water running hot in the shower, and Edward brought a short stack of towels out of the linen closet.

"Seriously, they did this while we were in Brazil?" I asked around chattering teeth. I stepped into the shower and heaved a big sigh as the water warmed me through. The house looked to be completely stocked, from linens and personal care items, to full furnishings. Only that one bedroom we saw was empty.

Edward came into the shower with me, nodding. "I heard that there is even food in the kitchen."

"When you say heard… "

He laughed. "In Alice's head."

"That's what I thought you meant."

We successfully showered without any hanky panky, but all bets were off once I toweled off and mostly dried my hair. A naked Edward was too hard to resist. I stalked him, watching him back away with a twinkle in his eyes. With movements too fast for me to comprehend, he grabbed me, picking me up and carrying me to the living room. He pulled a blanket and pillows off the couch and dropped them on the floor before lowering me gently down.

"I love you," I whispered.

"Yes. You prove that to me consistently."

He didn't disappoint, covering my body with his own and exploring every inch with his mouth. Trailing down my arms, up my ribs, across each breast. Taking my nipple into his mouth, he nibbled and sucked until I cried out, pulling his hair. He moved, placing kisses on my sternum and moving lower, laving his tongue over the skin of my belly. Liquid fire had pooled between my legs, my muscles turned to jelly.

I felt his fingers first, then his head between my legs. I didn't worry about the volume of my cries as that tongue found my clit and stroked, flicked, and sucked until I was screaming into oblivion.

Edward curled his body next to mine, kissing me languidly. He took my upper lip into his mouth before trading with the lower. He kissed me as though we had forever to do so, and the beauty of it was, we did. When he pulled my leg over his, I angled my hips to allow him access. When he slipped into my waiting pussy, I moaned into his mouth. His hands tangled in my hair as he tilted my head to kiss me deeper. His thrusts were slow and shallow, until he shifted us enough to push deep, connecting us thoroughly.

When Edward came, it was silently, pressed flush to my body as he held me.

"I love you, my sweet Isabella."

And I slept contentedly in his embrace.