Mortality

An Occasion

Edward guides me to the passenger seat of his car, using his most delicate presses and prods to not mess up the flower on my lapel, the tie Charlie took 10 minutes working on, and the blast-back that Alice showed up an hour ago to put together on my head. And on my right leg, a rather nasty looking cast. All the while, he ignores my hard-set mouth and narrow eyes.

Once I'm settled, his chuckling highness gets into the driver's seat and starts down the long, narrow driveway.

"You gonna clue me in, or do I have to start screaming?" I ask, refusing to look at him. I hear him laugh again, his radio clicking on to an indie band Jessica introduced us to. My favorite song by them, actually. Dammit. We both start singing along with my question not being answered.

"You know," I finally say, "if Alice is going to keep using me as a guinea pig, I may just stay at home on the weekends."

"That'd break her heart and you know it." Edward states, knowing absolutely no one can resist Alice's heartbreaking doe's eyes when she begs. "I'm honestly surprised you, Ms. Detective, haven't figured it out yet."

Well, the fact that he's wearing a James Bond worthy tuxedo isn't helping. We don't really go out much, not since we got back to Forks. Too much Charlie making sure I'm still alive and Carlisle making absolutely sure I'm still human. That either of them are letting me out of their sight is too much of a relief for me care about what Edward is planning.

"You look beautiful, if I may say." Edward says as if it's indisputable fact. "Or, rather, dashing. Alice's magic even brought out the little bits of gold in those eyes." I reach over and playfully punch his arm, my wrist, thankfully, much better than it was just a little while ago.

Carlisle says the venom might have sped up my healing. Only time will tell if it'll last.

My cell phone rings, and Edward stares at it. The contact name is different than he might remember. Not "Charlie" — but "Dad". He smiles as I answer the call.

"Hey Pops, what's up?"

"Well, we have a dilly of a pickle here, Bella. You see, a young man by the name of Tyler was hoping to take you to prom, but I told him you're unavailable tonight. Care to uh," a pause, and then the clear crackle of speakerphone, "care to confirm?"

"Tyler, buddy, I'm MIA tonight. I'm sorry, but it's a no-go on that front. You understand, right?"

"I uh ... well, yeah, I do. I just ..."

"Still feeling guilty?" I wager a guess. His uncomfortable whine answers me directly. "You're sweet, Tyler, but it's a no. Don't let that stop your fun!"

"You're right ... maybe Jessica will want to dance again. See you Monday, Bella!"

"Ta-ta. Love you, Dad."

"I love you too, little witch."

We both hang up and Edward instantly starts guffawing. "Oh, be nice!"

"I am being nice, ma belle. I could make fun, but I'd rather laugh. I think it's cute that he cares so much about what you think." A shadow crosses over Edward's features for a flash, and then he's smiling once more.

I work on getting my pant leg to cooperate with the boot protecting my healing bone when I recognize where Edward is slowly leading us. My blood pressure skyrockets, and I feel the red rushing to my cheeks.

"Y-you're taking me to PROM?"

"Surprise!"

Obvious. So obvious. Charlie's sarcastic little "have fun". Alice obsessing about contour and getting my hair to fall perfectly. Rosalie and Esme taking pictures of the two of us, posing on the stairs and even in front of the fireplace. Emmett and Jasper laughing all the while from the kitchen.