Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer [104]
See, I told you I didnt hear a crack. You need your ears checked, Edward.
There was no answer.
Alice made a face. Edwards going to end up ripping Rose into small pieces, I think. Im surprised she doesnt see that. Or maybe she thinks Emmett will be able to stop him.
Ill take Emmett, I offered. You can help Edward with the ripping part.
Alice half-smiled.
The procession came down the stairs then- Edward had Bella this time. She was gripping her cup of blood in both hands, and her face was white. I could see that, though he compensated for every tiny movement of his body to keep from jostling her, she was hurting.
Jake, she whispered, and she smiled through the pain.
I stared at her, saying nothing.
Edward placed Bella carefully on her couch and sat on the floor by her head. I wondered briefly why they didnt leave her upstairs, and then decided at once that it must be Bellas idea. Shed want to act like things were normal, avoid the hospital setup. And he was humoring her. Naturally.
Carlisle came down slowly, the last one, his face creased with worry. It made him look old enough to be a doctor for once.
Carlisle, I said. We went halfway to Seattle. Theres no sign of the pack. Youre good to go.
Thank you, Jacob. This is good timing. Theres much that we need. His black eyes flickered to the cup that Bella was holding so tight.
Honestly, I think youre safe to take more than three. Im pretty positive that Sam is concentrating on La Push.
Carlisle nodded in agreement. It surprised me how willingly he took my advice. If you think so. Alice, Esme, Jasper, and I will go. Then Alice can take Emmett and Rosa-
Not a chance, Rosalie hissed. Emmett can go with you now.
You should hunt, Carlisle said in a gentle voice.
His tone didnt soften hers. Ill hunt when he does, she growled, jerking her head toward Edward and then flipping her hair back.
Carlisle sighed.
Jasper and Emmett were down the stairs in a flash, and Alice joined them by the glass back door in the same second. Esme flitted to Alices side.
Carlisle put his hand on my arm. The icy touch did not feel good, but I didnt jerk away. I held still, half in surprise, and half because I didnt want to hurt his feelings.
Thank you, he said again, and then he darted out the door with the other four. My eyes followed them as they flew across the lawn and then disappeared before I took another breath. Their needs must have been more urgent than Id imagined.
There was no sound for a minute. I could feel someone glaring at me, and I knew who it would be. Id been planning to take off and get some Zs, but the chance to ruin Rosalies morning seemed too good to pass up.
So I sauntered over to the armchair next to the one Rosalie had and settled in, sprawling out so that my head was tilted toward Bella and my left foot was near Rosalies face.
Ew. Someone put the dog out, she murmured, wrinkling her nose.
Have you heard this one, Psycho? How do a blondes brain cells die?
She didnt say anything.
Well? I asked. Do you know the punch line or not?
She looked pointedly at the TV and ignored me.
Has she heard it? I asked Edward.
There was no humor on his tense face-he didnt move his eyes from Bella. But he said, No.
Awesome. So youll enjoy this, bloodsucker-a blondes brain cells die alone.
Rosalie still didnt look at me. I have killed a hundred times more often than you have, you disgusting beast. Dont forget that.
Someday, Beauty Queen, youre going to get tired of just threatening me. Im really looking forward to that.
Enough, Jacob, Bella said.
I looked down, and she was scowling at me. It looked like yesterdays good mood was long gone.
Well, I didnt want to bug her. You want me to take off? I offered.
Before I could hope-or fear-that shed finally gotten tired of me, she blinked, and her frown disappeared. She seemed totally shocked that I would come to that conclusion. No! Of course not.
I sighed, and I heard Edward sigh very quietly, too. I knew he wished shed get over me, too. Too bad hed never ask her to do anything that might make her unhappy.
You look tired,