22. Watching Movies with Superheroes

BPOV

I was sitting on the couch at the Cullens' house, curled up next to Edward, my head resting on his chest. Esme was sitting beside me. Jasper was in the loveseat with Alice, while Emmett and Rosalie were stretched out on the other couch. Alice was the keeper of the remote.

"Please, Alice," I whined. "Everybody is here. We're all waiting. Just press play already!"

Alice smirked at me. "Patience is a virtue, Isabella Swan."

I rolled my eyes at her. "Well, some of us are getting older by the second, so get your rear in gear."

I saw several of them startle at my remark and look at me in surprise. Did they forget I was a human?

"Hello? Human here, remember?" I taunted sarcastically. "I don't have 24 hours every day to accomplish all the things I want. So if you want to sit around doing nothing, kindly wait until I'm asleep, thanks."

Emmett laughed. "She's got you there, Alice. Enough stalling."

Alice sighed and pressed play. The movie started by following the bad guys out of the bar and to the warehouse district. I could tell by the angle that it was shot from the roof. Unlike most home movies, the screen was still. Every time I shot a home movie, my hands would inevitably shake a bit, which was obvious once the video played. It must be nice to be able to hold completely still. The quality was similar to a professional movie. I listened to Rose's and Emmett's 'fight' about Jasper and him sharing his feelings. I couldn't help laughing as Rose told the absolute truth, but in such a way as to make it sound much worse than the reality. After Emmett stomped away, the men made their move. They appeared to be huddled together and whispering. Edward started scowling, and I looked at him in confusion.

"Can you hear them talking?" Edward asked me, noting my expression. I shook my head.

"I can see their mouths moving, but I can't hear their words."

Alice rewound the video a bit and then turned up the volume to the maximum setting. This time, I could make out the words they were whispering. I began scowling as darkly as the rest of the family. When the men suddenly chuckled, we all had to cover our ears, as the volume was so high. Luckily, it was brief. They continued whispering for a few more minutes. Alice quickly turned the volume back down when the men started moving. I watched Rose lure them into the darkness behind the warehouse. She even had the decency to warn them. Then Rose suddenly spun around and turned into Wonder Woman!

I gasped. "How did you do that, Rose? I want to see it in slow motion."

Alice rewound and then began a frame by frame through the transformation. At the slower rate, I could see how she removed her dress, put it into her purse, and removed the lariat and crown. I could see how she settled herself into her new persona before coming to a stop, so the rapists could get an eyeful.

"That was totally awesome, Rose! I can't wait until I'm a vampire. I want to be a superhero too."

"We're not the good guys, remember?" Edward reminded me.

"Hmph, Wonder Woman was one of the good guys," I grumbled.

Alice continued the movie at regular speed. I started laughing when Emmett showed up in the scene.

Alice slowed it down again, without me even asking. I saw how he jumped down from the warehouse roof.

"Batman!" I snickered. "I am so going to be a superhero!"

Edward just rolled his eyes while the rest of his family chuckled. I patted his arm condescendingly.

"Don't worry, Edward. You can be the Flash, since you're the fastest," I suggested.

Alice bounced excitedly. "I'll order him a costume, Bella! It'll be perfect."

Edward growled, glaring at her. She shrugged and turned back to the movie, clearly unintimidated.

I winced as I watched Rosalie deliver her justice. I couldn't watch. I tucked my head into Edward's chest. Note to self—do not make Rosalie mad. I was really glad she was on our side right about now.

I turned back to the screen when I heard the bad guys call 911. I thought the show was almost over. I forgot Jasper was part of the plan. I listened to the list of their crimes as they confessed and was extremely thankful they were now off the streets. I watched the faces of the policemen when the men started laughing about their conquests. I was shocked at first that the men would do something so stupid, but quickly realized it was courtesy of Jasper. Even with the hilarity Jasper sent them though, they wouldn't have joked about the rapes if they contained any decency. No matter how hysterically happy I was, I would never say the kinds of things they said. The mood was Jasper's, but the content of the words they used was all theirs. I did relax and laugh when they told the officers they'd tried to rape Wonder Woman, but she and Batman beat them senseless. The faces of the officers were priceless at their admission. Those boys were going to be out of society for a long, long time.

Once it was over, we were all quiet for a bit, each waiting for someone else to make the first comment.

"Hmmm," Esme began. "I am glad to see those men have been carted away by the police and will receive their just reward. However, I do not think Carlisle will appreciate the methods you used to obtain that justice. I think it would be best if your father never saw this video, don't you agree, children?"

We all nodded. Some things are better left unsaid, and sometimes, ignorance is bliss. Rosalie grabbed the video disc and tucked it out of sight.

"So have you decided which superhero you want to be, Bella?" Alice asked cheerfully, deftly changing the subject as Carlisle entered the front door.

"Superhero?" Carlisle inquired curiously.

"I haven't decided yet. I need to think about it for a while."

"May I ask why you are going to be a superhero, Bella?" Carlisle wondered.

"Well, Rose is Wonder Woman and Emmett is Batman. I want to be a superhero too when I'm a vampire. What's the use of having all those super powers if you can't use them? Oh, and Edward is going to be Flash," I explained cheerfully. Edward growled again, but I ignored him.

"I see," Carlisle responded slowly, giving me an assessing look. I figured he was doubting my sanity.

"It's true!" I insisted. "Ask them if you don't believe me."

"Rosalie, are you Wonder Woman?" Carlisle asked doubtfully. She nodded. "You fight crime dressed in a skimpy outfit using a golden lasso?" She nodded again, enthusiastically. Carlisle appeared confused. He turned to Emmett.

"Emmett, are you Batman?"

"Of course, Carlisle, I thought you knew that," Emmett responded cheerfully.

"You fight crime wearing a mask and cape and utility belt, lurking around on the roofs of buildings?"

"Exactly!"

Carlisle appeared to be getting concerned as he looked around at all the serious faces of his family.

"Edward, are you Flash?"

Edward rolled his eyes. "Of course not, Carlisle. Don't be ridiculous."

Carlisle seemed relieved to receive a normal response.

"Not yet, but he will be," Alice mentioned cheerfully, tapping her temple. "I've seen it."

Carlisle's concern was back in full force. I think he was starting to doubt his own sanity at this point. He turned to Esme in desperation.

"Esme? Are you a superhero?"

"Of course, sweetheart. I thought for sure you already knew," she purred. He looked like he would be sweating if he could. He looked around the room again, as if he had somehow walked into the wrong house. It reminded me of an episode on The Twilight Zone. I was glad Jasper was helping to keep the mood serious. Otherwise, I was sure we'd all be rolling on the floor laughing right about now. I wasn't sure how much longer Jasper would be able to hold out against the humor though.

"Which superhero are you, Esme?" he sputtered. I had never seen Carlisle so discomposed.

"Well, if you don't already know, I'm not sure I want to compromise my secret identity," she pondered carefully. His eyes widened.

"Do you have a costume?" he squeaked.

"Of course I have a superhero outfit, honey. Don't we all?" she responded in surprise. She sauntered over to him and ran her finger down his chest. She leaned into him and murmured into his ear. "I tell you what, sweetheart. I'll show you mine if you show me yours…"

Carlisle's eyes lit up and a wide grin spread across his face. "Deal!" he quickly accepted. He grabbed her hand and pulled her up to their room without even acknowledging the rest of us further. That took away the last of Jasper's control, and we all hit the floor, howling with laughter. Even Edward. After a couple of minutes he winced though, covering his eyes with his hands, as if that would help block what he was 'seeing' in his head.

"Isn't it time to pick up the future dogs yet?" he groaned, eager to get out of the house. I glanced at my watch and jumped up excitedly.

"Yep! I'll head on over there and pick them up, okay? Oh, and I thought of a plan so they'll let us pay for everything without feeling like they're accepting your charity. When I mention the terms of the bet Edward lost to Jasper, just go with the flow."

They all nodded to me.

"Bella," Edward started hesitantly. "I'd like to ask you a favor."

"Sure, Edward. What do you need?"

He held out a set of car keys. "I'd like you to drive this car instead of your truck when you're traveling out of town. It has room enough to hold all the Quileute boys, gets good gas mileage, and has an excellent safety rating. I'd feel much better if you pick them up in this and drive this to Port Angeles."

"You bought me a car?" I shouted in disbelief.

"No, no, of course not," he assured me with a smile. "This car belongs to the family, love. I'd just like for you to borrow it for the 'Make Friends with Werewolves' campaign."

"Oh, okay, sure, no problem," I mumbled, blushing. I felt silly for my outburst. Of course he hadn't bought me a car. What was I thinking? Speaking of thinking. "What about Billy though? He'll want to know why I'm driving this car."

Edward nodded thoughtfully. "Pick the boys up in your truck, but then drive back here and change vehicles."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Jasper, Alice, and I will ride in the Volvo."

I nodded.

"Have fun with the dogs," Emmett encouraged cheerfully. Rosalie elbowed him in the ribs. Those two were going to go hunting instead. We decided to keep the numbers nonthreatening at first, and Jasper's talent could prove useful. Three future werewolves, three vampires, and one human. Oh, joy.

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Hey guys... I just have an itty bit of writers block for all my Fanfics... :/ I try... I'm working on an original story called "The Last Chance".... Anyone in Colorado will know what i mean by Last Chance... ;) I know its a ghostie, but i have a really good plot behind it...

The conest no one really took part in is going to hell... This shout out goes to CassandraLowery! Dedicated to you for your awesomeness... One book i really recommend, is Absolute Contamination. Its here on Watty and its up for the awards... Its horror but it has me HOOKED! Give it a try!

<3 Y