2 new+moon新月-第3部分

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reached　out　and　took　his　hand　firmly。　My　dad　could　deal　with　that　much。　

Charlie　came　in　with　a　pizza　box　in　his　hands。　

〃Hey；　kids。〃　He　grinned　at　me。　〃I　thought　you'd　like　a　break　from　cooking　and　washing　dishes　for　your　
birthday。　Hungry？〃　

〃Sure。　Thanks；　Dad。〃　

Charlie　didn't　ment　on　Edward's　apparent　lack　of　appetite。　He　was　used　to　Edward　passing　on　
dinner。　

〃Do　you　mind　if　I　borrow　Bella　for　the　evening？〃　Edward　asked　when　Charlie　and　I　were　done。　

I　looked　at　Charlie　hopefully。　Maybe　he　had　some　concept　of　birthdays　as　stayathome；　family　
affairs—this　was　my　first　birthday　with　him；　the　first　birthday　since　my　mom；　Renee；　had　remarried　and　
gone　to　live　in　Florida；　so　I　didn't　know　what　he　would　expect。　

〃That's　fine—the　Mariners　are　playing　the　Sox　tonight；〃　Charlie　explained；　and　my　hope　disappeared。　
〃So　I　won't　be　any　kind　of　pany…　Here。〃　He　scooped　up　the　camera　he'd　gotten　me　on　Renee's　
suggestion　（because　I　would　need　pictures　to　fill　up　my　scrapbook）；　and　threw　it　to　me。　

He　ought　to　know　better　than　that—I'd　always　been　coordinationally　challenged。　The　camera　glanced　off　
the　tip　of　my　finger；　and　tumbled　toward　the　floor。　Edward　snagged　it　before　it　could　crash　onto　the　
linoleum。　

〃Nice　save；〃　Charlie　noted。　〃If　they're　doing　something　fun　at　the　Cullens'　tonight；　Bella；　you　should　take　
some　pictures。　You　know　how　your　mother　gets—she'll　be　wanting　to　see　the　pictures　faster　than　you　
can　take　them。〃　

〃Good　idea；　Charlie；〃　Edward　said；　handing　me　the　camera。　

I　turned　the　camera　on　Edward；　and　snapped　the　first　picture。　〃It　works。〃　

〃That's　good。　Hey；　say　hi　to　Alice　for　me。　She　hasn't　been　over　in　a　while。〃　Charlie's　mouth　pulled　down　
at　one　corner。　

〃It's　been　three　days；　Dad；〃　I　reminded　him。　Charlie　was　crazy　about　Alice。　He'd　bee　attached　last　
spring　when　she'd　helped　me　through　my　awkward　convalescence；　Charlie　would　be　fore'ter　grateful　to　
her　for　saving　him　from　the　horror　of　an　almostadult　daughter　who　needed　help　showering。　〃I'll　tell　her。〃　

〃Okay。　You　kids　have　fun　tonight。〃　It　was　clearly　a　dismissal。　Charlie　was　already　edging　toward　the　
living　room　and　the　TV。　

Edward　smiled；　triumphant；　and　took　my　hand　to　pull　me　from　the　kitchen。　

When　we　got　to　the　truck；　he　opened　the　passenger　door　for　me　again；　and　this　time　I　didn't　argue。　I　still　
had　a　hard　time　finding　the　obscure　turnoff　to　his　house　in　the　dark。　

Edward　drove　north　through　Forks；　visibly　chafing　at　the　speed　limit　enforced　by　my　prehistoric　Chevy。　
The　engine　groaned　even　louder　than　usual　as　he　pushed　it　over　fifty。　

〃Take　it　easy；〃　I　warned　him。　

〃You　know　what　you　would　love？　A　nice　little　Audi　coupe。　Very　quiet；　lots　of　power…〃　

〃There's　nothing　wrong　with　my　truck。　And　speaking　of　expensive　nonessentials；　if　you　know　what's　
good　for　you；　you　didn't　spend　any　money　on　birthday　presents。〃　

〃Not　a　dime；〃　he　said　virtuously。　

〃Good。〃　

〃Can　you　do　me　a　favor？〃　

〃That　depends　on　what　it　is。〃　

He　sighed；　his　lovely　face　serious。　〃Bella；　the　last　real　birthday　any　of　us　had　was　Emmett　in　1935。　Cut　us　
a　little　slack；　and　don't　be　too　difficult　tonight。　They're　all　very　excited。〃　

It　always　startled　me　a　little　when　he　brought　up　things　like　that。　〃Fine；　I'll　behave。〃　

〃I　probably　should　warn　you…〃　

〃Please　do。〃　

〃When　I　say　they're　all　excited…　I　do　mean　all　of　them。〃　

〃Everyone？〃　I　choked。　〃I　thought　Emmett　and　Rosalie　were　in　Africa。〃　The　rest　of　Forks　was　under　the　
impression　that　the　older　Cullens　had　gone　off　to　college　this　year；　to　Dartmouth；　but　I　knew　better。　

〃Emmett　wanted　to　be　here。〃　

〃But…　Rosalie？〃　

〃I　know；　Bella。　Don't　worry；　she'll　be　on　her　best　behavior。〃　

I　didn't　answer。　Like　I　could　just　not　worry；　that　easy。　Unlike　Alice；　Edward's　other　〃adopted〃　sister；　the　
golden　blond　and　exquisite　Rosalie；　didn't　like　me　much。　Actually；　the　feeling　was　a　little　bit　stronger　than　
just　dislike。　As　far　as　Rosalie　was　concerned；　I　was　an　unwele　intruder　into　her　family's　secret　life。　

I　felt　horribly　guilty　about　the　present　situation；　guessing　that　Rosalie　and　Emmett's　prolonged　absence　
was　my　fault；　even　as　I　furtively　enjoyed　not　having　to　see　her　Emmett；　Edward's　playful　bear　of　a　
brother；　I　did　miss。　He　was　in　many　ways　just　like　the　big　brother　I'd　always　wanted…　only　much；　much　
more　terrifying。　

Edward　decided　to　change　the　subject。　〃So；　if　you　won't　let　me　get　you　the　Audi；　isn't　there　anything　that　
you'd　like　for　your　birthday？〃　

The　words　came　out　in　a　whisper。　〃You　know　what　I　want。〃　

A　deep　frown　carved　creases　into　his　marble　forehead。　He　obviously　wished　he'd　stuck　to　the　subject　of　
Rosalie。　

It　felt　like　we'd　had　this　argument　a　lot　today。　

〃Not　tonight；　Bella。　Please。〃　

〃Well；　maybe　Alice　will　give　me　what　I　want。〃　

Edward　growled—a　deep；　menacing　sound。　〃This　isn't　going　to　be　your　last　birthday；　Bella；〃　he　vowed。　

〃That's　not　fair！〃　

I　thought　I　heard　his　teeth　clench　together。　

We　were　pulling　up　to　the　house　now。　Bright　light　shined　from　every　window　on　the　first　two　floors。　A　
long　line　of　glowing　Japanese　lanterns　hung　from　the　porch　eaves；　reflecting　a　soft　radiance　on　the　huge　
cedars　that　surrounded　the　house。　Big　bowls　of　flowers—pink　roses—lined　the　wide　stairs　up　to　the　
front　doors。　

I　moaned。　

Edward　took　a　few　deep　breaths　to　calm　himself。　〃This　is　a　party；〃　he　reminded　me。　〃Try　to　be　a　good　
sport。〃　

〃Sure；〃　I　muttered。　

He　came　around　to　get　my　door；　and　offered　me　his　hand。　

〃I　have　a　question。〃　

He　waited　warily。　

〃If　I　develop　this　film；〃　I　said；　toying　with　the　camera　in　my　hands；　〃will　you　show　up　in　the　picture？〃　

Edward　started　laughing。　He　helped　me　out　of　the　car；　pulled　me　up　the　stairs；　and　was　still　laughing　as　he　
opened　the　door　for　me。　

They　were　all　waiting　in　the　huge　white　living　room；　when　I　walked　through　the　door；　they　greeted　me　
with　a　loud　chorus　of　〃Happy　birthday；　Bella！〃　while　I　blushed　and　looked　down。　Alice；　I　assumed；　had　
covered　every　flat　surface　with　pink　candles　and　dozens　of　crystal　bowls　filled　with　hundreds　of　roses。　
There　was　a　table　with　a　white　cloth　draped　over　it　next　to　Edward's　grand　piano；　holding　a　pink　birthday　
cake；　more　roses；　a　stack　of　glass　plates；　and　a　small　pile　of　silverwrapped　presents。　

It　was　a　hundred　times　worse　than　I'd　imagined。　

Edward；　sensing　my　distress；　wrapped　an　encouraging　arm　around　my　waist　and　kissed　the　top　of　my　
head。　

Edward's　parents；　Carlisle　and　Esme—impossibly　youthful　and　lovely　as　ever—were　the　closest　to　the　
door。　Esme　hugged　me　carefully；　her　soft；　caramelcolored　hair　brushing　against　my　cheek　as　she　kissed　
my　forehead；　and　then　Carlisle　put　his　arm　around　my　shoulders。　

〃Sorry　about　this；　Bella；〃　he　stagewhispered。　〃We　couldn't　rein　Alice　in。〃　

Rosalie　and　Emmett　stood　behind　them。　Rosalie　didn't　smile；　but　at　least　she　didn't　glare。　Emmett's　face　
was　stretched　into　a　huge　grin。　It　had　been　months　since　I'd　seen　them；　I'd　forgotten　how　gloriously　
beautiful　Rosalie　was—it　almost　hurt　to　look　at　her。　And　had　Emmett　always　been　so…　big？　

〃You　haven't　changed　at　all；〃　Emmett　said　with　mock　disappointment。　〃I　expected　a　perceptible　
difference；　but　here　you　are；　redfaced　just　like　always。〃　

〃Thanks　a　lot；　Emmett；〃　I　said；　blushing　deeper。　

He　laughed；　〃I　have　to　step　out　for　a　second〃—he　paused　to　wink　conspicuously　at　Alice—〃Don't　do　
anything　funny　while　I'm　gone。〃　

〃I'lltry。〃　

Alice　let　go　of　Jasper's　hand　and　skipped　forward；　all　her　teeth　sparkling　in　the　bright　light。　Jasper　smiled；　
too；　but　kept　his　distance。　He　leaned；　long　and　blond；　against　the　post　at　the　foot　of　the　stairs。　During　the　
days　we'd　had　to　spend　cooped　up　together　in　Phoenix；　I'd　thought　he'd　gotten　over　his　aversion　to　me。　
But　he'd　gone　back　to　exactly　how　he'd　acted　before—avoiding　me　as　much　as　possible—the　moment　
he　was　free　from　that　temporary　obligation　to　protect　me。　I　knew　it　wasn't　personal；　just　a　precaution；　
and　I　tried　not　to　be　overly　sensitive　about　it。　Jasper　had　more　trouble　sticking　to　the　Cullens'　diet　than　
the　rest　of　them；　the　scent　of　human　blood　was　much　harder　for　him　to　resist　than　the　others—he　hadn't　
been　trying　as　long。　

〃Time　to　open　presents；〃　Alice　declared。　She　put　her　cool　hand　under　my　elbow　and　towed　me　to　the　

table　with　the　cake　and　the　shiny　packages。　

I　put　on　my　best　martyr　face。　〃Alice；　I　know　I　told　you　I　didn't　want　anything—〃　

〃But　I　didn't　listen；〃　she　interrupted；　smug。　〃Open　it。〃　She　took　the　camera　from　my　hands　and　replaced　it　
with　a　big；　square　silver　box。　

The　box　was　so　light　that　it　felt　empty。　The　tag　on　top　said　that　it　was　from　Emmett；　Rosalie；　and　Jasper。　
Selfconsciously；　I　tore　the　paper　off　and　then　stared　at　the　box　it　concealed。　

It　was　something　electrical；　with　lots　of　numbers　in　the　name。　I　opened　the　box；　hoping　for　further　
illumination。　But　the　box　was　empty。　

〃Um…　thanks。〃　

Rosalie　actually　cracked　a　smile。　Jasper　laughed。　〃It's　a　stereo　for　your　truck；〃　he　explained。　〃Emmett's　
installing　it　right　now　so　that　you　can't　return　it。〃　

Alice　was　always　one　step　ahead　of　me。　〃Thanks；　Jasper；　Rosalie；〃　I　told　them；　grinning　as　I　remembered　
Edward's　plaints　about　my　radio　this　afternoon—all　a　setup；　apparently。　〃Thanks；　Emmett！〃　I　called　
more　loudly。　

I　heard　his　booming　laugh　from　my　truck；　and　I　couldn't　help　laughing；　too。　

〃Open　mine　and　Edward's　next；〃　Alice　said；　so　excited　her　voice　was　a　highpitched　trill。　She　held　a　
small；　flat　square　in　her　hand。　

I　turned　to　give　Edward　a　basilisk　glare。　〃You　promised。〃　

Before　he　could　answer；　Emmett　bounded　through　the　door。　〃Just　in　time！〃　he　crowed。　He　pushed　in　
behind　Jasper；　who　had　also　drifted　closer　than　usual　to　get　a　good　look。　

〃I　didn't　spend　a　dime；〃　Edward　assured　me。　He　brushed　a　strand　of　hair　from　my　face；　leaving　my　skin　
tingling　from　his　touch。　

I　inhaled　deeply　and　turned　to　Alice。　〃Give　it　to　me；〃　I　sighed。　

Emmett　chuckled　with　delight。　

I　took　the　little　package；　rolling　my　eyes　at　Edward　while　I　stuck　my　finger　under　the　edge　of　the　paper　
and　jerked　it　under　the　tape。　

〃Shoot；〃　I　muttered　when　the　paper　sliced　my　finger；　I　pulled　it　out　to　examine　the　damage。　A　single　drop　
of　blood　oozed　from　the　tiny　cut。　

It　all　happened　very　quickly　then。　

〃No！〃　Edward　roared。　

He　threw　himself　at　me；　flinging　me　back　across　the　table。　It　fell；　as　I　did；　scattering　the　cake　and　the　
presents；　the　flowers　and　the　plates。　I　landed　in　the　mess　of　shattered　crystal。　

Jasper　slammed　into　Edward；　and　the　sound　was　like　the　crash　of　boulders　in　a　rock　slide。　

There　was　another　noise；　a　grisly　snarling　that　seemed　to　be　ing　from　deep　in　Jasper's　chest。　Jasper　

tried　to　shove　past　Edward；　snapping　his　teeth　just　inches　from　Edward's　face。　

Emmett　grabbed　Jasper　from　behind　in　the　next　second；　locking　him　into　his　massive　steel　grip；　but　
Jasper　struggled　on；　his　wild；　empty　eyes　focused　only　on　me。　

Beyond　the　shock；　there　was　also　pain。　I'd　tumbled　down　to　the　floor　by　the　piano；　with　my　arms　thrown　
out　instinctively　to　catch　my　fall；　into　the　jagged　shards　of　glass。　Only　now　did　I　feel　the　searing；　stinging　
pain　that　ran　from　my　wrist　to　the　crease　inside　my　elbow。　

Dazed　and　disoriented；　I　looked　up　from　the　bright　red　blood　pulsing　out　of　my　arm—into　the　fevered　
eyes　of　the　six　suddenly　ravenous　vampires。　

2　STITCHES　




CARLISLE　WAS　NOT　THE　ONLY　ONE　WHO　STAYED　calm。　Centuries　of　experience　in　the　
emergency　room　were　evident　in　his　quiet；　authoritative　voice。　

〃Emmett；　Rose；　get　Jasper　outside。〃　

Unsmiling　for　once；　Emmett　nodded。　〃e　on；　Jasper。〃　

Jasper　struggled　against　Emmett's　unbreakable　grasp；　twisting　around；　reaching　toward　his　brother　with　
his　bared　teeth；　his　eyes　still　past　reason。　

Edward's　face　was　whiter　than　bone　as　he　wheeled　to　crouch　over　me；　taking　a　clearly　defensive　
position。　A　low　warning　growl　slid　from　between　his　clenched　teeth。　I　could　tell　that　he　wasn't　breathing。　

Rosalie；　her　divine　face　strangely　smug；　stepped　in　front　of　Jasper—keeping　a　careful　distance　from　his　
teeth—and　helped　Emmett　wrestle　him　through　the　glass　door　that　Esme　held　open；　one　hand　pressed　
over　her　mouth　and　nose。　

Esme's　heartshaped　face　was　ashamed。　〃I'm　so　sorry；　Bella；〃　she　cried　as　she　followed　the　others　into　
the　yard。　

〃Let　me　by；　Edward；〃　Carlisle　murmured。　

A　second　passed；　and　then　Edward　nodded　slowly　and　relaxed　his　stance。　

Carlisle　knelt　beside　me；　leaning　close　to　examine　my　arm。　I　could　feel　the　shock　frozen　on　my　face；　and　
I　tried　to　pose　it。　

〃Here；　Carlisle；〃　Alice　said；　handing　him　a　towel。　

He　shook　his　head。　〃Too　much　glass　in　the　wound。〃　He　reached　over　and　ripped　a　long；　thin　scrap　from　
the　bottom　of　the　white　tablecloth。　He　twisted　it　around　my　arm　above　the　elbow　to　form　a　tourniquet。　
The　smell　of　the　blood　was　making　me　dizzy。　My　ears　rang。　

〃Bella；〃　Carlisle　said　softly。　〃Do　you　want　me　to　drive　you　to　the　hospital；　or　would　you　like　me　to　take　
care　of　it　here？〃　

〃Here；　please；〃　I　whispered。　If　he　took　me　to　the　hospital；　there　would　be　no　way　to　keep　this　from　
Charlie。　

〃I'll　get　your　bag；〃　Alice　said。　

〃Let's　take　her　to　the　kitchen　table；〃　Carlisle　said　to　Edward。　

Edward　lifted　me　effortlessly；　while　Carlisle　kept　the　pressure　steady　on　my　arm。　

〃How　are　you　doing；　Bella？〃　Carlisle　asked。　

〃I'm　fine。〃　My　voice　was　reasonably　steady；　which　pleased　me。　

Edward's　face　was　like　stone。　

Alice　was　there。　Carlisle's　black　bag　was　already　on　the　table；　a　small　but　brilliant　desk　light　plugged　into　
the　wall。　Edward　sat　me　gently　into　a　chair；　and　Carlisle　pulled　up　another。　He　went　to　work　at　once。　

Edward　stood　over　me；　still　protective；　still　not　breathing。　

〃Just　go；　Edward；〃　I　sighed。　

〃I　can　handle　it；〃　he　insisted。　But　his　jaw　was　rigid；　his　eyes　burned　with　the　intensity　of　the　thirst　he　
fought；　so　much　worse　for　him　than　it　was　for　the　others。　

〃You　don't　need　to　be　a　hero；〃　I　said。　〃Carlisle　can　fix　me　up　without　your　help。　Get　some　fresh　air。〃　

I　winced　as　Carlisle　did　something　to　my　arm　that　stung。　

〃I'll　stay；〃　he　said。　

〃Why　are　you　so　masochistic？〃　I　mumbled。　

Carlisle　decided　to　intercede。　〃Edward；　you　may　as　well　go　find　Jasper　before　he　gets　too　far。　I'm　sure　
he's　upset　with　himself；　and　I　doubt　he'll　listen　to　anyone　but　you　right　now。〃　

〃Yes；〃　I　eagerly　agreed。　〃Go　find　Jasper。〃　

〃You　might　as　well　do　something　useful；〃　Alice　added。　

Edward's　eyes　narrowed　as　we　ganged　up　on　him；　but；　finally；　he　nodded　once　and　sprinted　smoothly　
through　the　kitchen's　back　door。　I　was　sure　he　hadn't　taken　a　breath　since　I'd　sliced　my　finger。　

A　numb；　dead　feeling　was　spreading　through　my　arm。　

Though　it　erased　the　sting；　it　reminded　me　of　the　gash；　and　I　watched　Carlisle's　face　carefully　to　distract　
me　from　what　his　hands　were　doing。　His　hair　gleamed　gold　in　the　bright　light　as　he　bent　over　my　arm。　I　
could　feel　the　faint　stirrings　of　unease　in　the　pit　of　my　stomach；　but　I　was　determined　not　to　let　my　usual　
squeamishness　get　the　best　of　me。　There　was　no　pain　now；　just　a　gentle　tugging　sensation