Turmoil [Emmett Cullen] (3)

[2 -Birthday]

I peered out the car window, and on the porch, were thousands of pink and white flowers. Delicate strings of fairy lights lined the wide stairs up to our front door. Even at four in the afternoon, they reflected a soft radiance on the huge cedars that surrounded the house. Alice seriously knew how to overdo things.

"Eleanor! Emmett!" Esme and Carlisle embraced us warmly. God, I missed Esme's hugs. 

"Alice really out did herself this time," Emmett said.

"How was the trip?" Esme asked.

"Something else," I said, looking up at Emmett.

"Well, I hope we can convince you to stay in Forks for more than a couple of days. I think everyone has missed you two. The house isn't quite as ... loud." Esme's eyes twinkled. Emmett and I did get in spirited debates with just about everything.

Before even unpacking, Emmett and I went straight to our TV upstairs. We had hundreds of games to catch up on; most importantly, the World Cup, which I was devastated to miss out on seeing live.

Nearly three hours later there was a swift knock on our door and Alice came in, pausing the football game.

"Really, Alice! The Dallas Cowboys were just about to-."

Alice cut me off mid-rant. "No time, we can sit and chat later. Ok?" Emmett laughed at her bluntness.

"Bella will be here in less than ten minutes. I need you to put these on," she said, handing us each an outfit and shoes.

"And El, I already wrapped your gift to Bella." Before I had a chance to thank her, she had already left.

For Emmett she picked out a pair of dark wash jeans and a charcoal polo shirt. It was a rare treat to see him in short sleeve shirts since it rarely got that hot in the Pacific Northwest.

Alice knew my style; simple with no frills or fancy patterns. Just plain, solid colors. Today was a navy dress with a square neckline. And of course, in Alice's eyes, no outfit was complete without heels. Unfortunately, these ones looked at least five inches tall.

"Does she really think these are necessary?" I motioned to my heels after I put them on. "The dress is already over the top for a birthday party."

"I think you look beautiful, with or without the heels," he said softly.

"Well there are some benefits to being a little taller," I said, moving closer to Emmett. He wrapped his arms around my waist tenderly. We kissed passionately, my arms draped over his neck.

"She's almost here!" Alice yelled. I rolled my eyes, she could be such a pain.

"Buzzkill," I muttered under my breath, hoping she could hear me from downstairs.

"We'll have to save this for later," he whispered seductively. I took his outstretched hand and we made our way downstairs to where the rest of the family had assembled.

"She's coming!" Alice said excitedly. On her cue, we all sang "Happy Birthday" when Bella entered the living room. She blushed and looked down.

My parents greeted her first, Esme with a careful kiss on the forehead and Carlisle with a hug around Bella's shoulder.

"Sorry about this, Bella. We couldn't rein Alice in," he whispered. She chuckled nervously as her eyes wandered around the room, no doubt taking in the elaborate decorations.