A/N: Hello there! Okay, for anyone who has been reading 'My Unattainable,' I apologise, but I have put it on hold for now, due to lack of inspiration. I will continue it at some point, probably after I finish this story, which I am really enthusiastic about! A little bit of background info: this story starts a few days before Bella's birthday in New Moon, and doesn't involve Edward disappearing. So please sit back, relax and enjoy the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or the characters therein.

Sparkles and Sunshine

Chapter One: Nothing

Bella's POV

I ran through the empty void, with nothing behind me, nothing to the sides, nothing but the encroaching darkness. I gasped for breath, my lungs filling – overflowing - with the nothingness, as I ran towards the one ray of light and hope that I could see, far off in the distance. I didn't know what it was, but I knew I had to get there. Whatever it was, wherever it was, I knew it was the light of my salvation...

"Bella. Bella?"

The nothingness vanished into reality, and my senses were suddenly assaulted with far too much colour and noise after the emptiness of the void in my mind. I blinked, focusing on the heavenly voice, tinted with concern.

"Are you alright?"

Two beautiful topaz eyes gazed down to meet mine. I lifted my head, realising that I had been leaning over the desk, apparently staring intently at the grain of the wood. I met those lovely eyes once more, this time with what I hoped was a reassuring smile.

"I'm fine."

A puzzled expression passed over his face. "The bell went. You didn't hear it?"

I shook my head drowsily, passing a hand over my face in an attempt to focus. I stood up carefully, and Edward handed me my bag. I seemed I couldn't shake these dreams. Weeks, I'd been suffering them now. Months. They used to only haunt my slumber, but now, they were encroaching on my conscious mind too. I shuddered. The nothingness, the emptiness, enlightened by the one ray of hope at the end, the one I never seemed to reach...

I looked up at my one living ray of hope, and took a deep, steadying breath. He gave me strength. As long as Edward was here, beside me, I feared nothing.

We walked slowly and silently out to the car park, stopping by my truck. Edward lingered as I threw my school bag on the passenger seat and sat down in front of the wheel. He looked uncomfortable, almost awkward. I frowned. It was so unlike him.

"What's wrong?" I asked, following his gaze to where Alice was standing by the familiar silver volvo. They seemed to be sharing something, some thought I couldn't be a part of. I hated it when they did that.

"Edward?"

Edward turned back to me, his face momentarily covered with anxiety and confusion. It soon returned to its smooth, pale perfection, and his eyes warmed as they met mine.

"Nothing's wrong, love." He traced a finger over the darkened skin under my eyes. My eyes flickered shut involuntarily at the contact. "You look tired, Bella."

"I'm fine," I insisted.

"You haven't been sleeping."

I sighed. I couldn't deny that. He had seen me tossing and turning, night after night, and it wasn't by any means the first time he had expressed his concern over my nocturnal disturbances.

His hand moved up to my hair, stroking through the strands gently. "Go home, get some rest. Would you like me to drive you?"

"No... I'll be okay."

Edward stiffened a little, and a moment later Alice was peering round his shoulder at me, a similar expression of concern plastered on her lovely face. I could see that what troubled them was much more than my lack of sleep.

"What's going on? What aren't you telling me?" I felt moisture build in my eyes, a mixture of sleep deprivation and annoyance.

"It's nothing, Bella," Alice insisted. "Go home and sleep. I need you at your best for your birthday!"

I groaned. Alice was planning my party. The last thing I wanted was to be reminded that I would be a year older, forever at least one milestone different to my perfect angel, frozen in time.

I knew I wouldn't get any more out of them at that moment. They both looked down at me, both frozen in place, trying to feign contentment, or at least indifference. I sighed, and drove away a little too fast, my truck complaining until I slowed down. I would confront them later. After I had had some sleep.

I got home to find two cars already parked outside our house. One I recognised immediately as Charlie's, but the other I was too tired to try to identify. My truck rumbled to a stop, and I slammed the door as I got out. I did not want visitors. I wanted my warm cosy bed, preferably wrapped in the arms of my significantly colder, bronze haired vampire, but for the moment, the bed alone would have to suffice. After I had been as polite as I had to be to whoever had decided to show up.

I wasn't kept in suspense too long, as the unmistakable booming laugh of Billy Black shook through the house before I even opened the front door. Sure enough, Billy and Jacob were sat in front of the TV with Charlie, a pizza box on the table, almost empty. I couldn't help but smile at the scene. I was glad my dad was spending time with Billy; I hated the thought of him alone here after work when I wasn't around. Which was quite often, nowadays, thanks to Edward's powerful methods of distraction.

"Bella!" Billy greeted cheerfully when he saw me approach. Charlie and Jacob both looked up, and I received a beaming smile from Jacob and a guilty expression from my dad.

"Bella, we... uh... saved you some pizza." Charlie gestured to the remaining couple of slices in the box.

"That's okay, I... I think I'm just gonna go upstairs."

"You okay?" He turned round to face me better.

I was getting irritated at the number of times I had been asked that question. I smiled as best I could. "I am fine. I just need a nap, I guess."

I started up the stairs, to be stopped again, this time by Billy's voice.

"Hey Bella, your dad's just roped you in for dinner up at our place tomorrow; you guys haven't been up in a while."

"Great, Billy," I said in a dry voice, as I dragged myself to my bed and flopped down on my stomach, fully dressed, shoes still on my feet. I fell into a troubled sleep.

Running through the darkening emptiness once more, towards a ray of light far off in the distance. This time, the light started to take form, making itself almost tangible, almost touchable, until the darkness spread through my body and filtered through my lungs-

I woke in a flurry of matted hair and sweat. I found myself pulled into a solid, cold but comforting embrace, wrapped in a blanket with only my socks on my feet. Edward hushed me soothingly. I leaned into his chest, breathing in deep gulps of his scent, trying to calm myself. I eventually managed to regulate my breathing, and huddled closer to Edward's comforting presence.

"I wish you'd tell me what you dream about," he whispered in his velvet tone.

"I don't even know myself," I replied honestly.

Edward sighed in obvious frustration. I knew it hurt him to see me like this, and I wish I could stop the dreams, for his sake. I snaked my arms up to his neck to pull him closer, kissing his collar bone through his shirt.

"I'm sorry," I murmured into his skin.

He pulled me down a little, so we lay on the bed, more comfortably.

"I saw the Blacks' car outside earlier," Edward mentioned, his finger trailing circles over the crescent scar on my hand. "What did Billy want?"

The question took me by surprise. Edward knew that Billy and Charlie were old friends.

"They came down to watch a game, I think."

"They?"

I nodded. "Jacob came, too."

Edward was silent once again, but I could almost hear his mind whirring, ticking over. I wished he'd tell me what was on his mind.

"Um... Billy invited Charlie and me for dinner tomorrow, should be... good?" I finished the statement as a question in response to Edward's piercing stare. "What?"

He sat up, and shifted away from me ever so slightly, still holding onto my hand, his thumb skimming my scar. I sat up too, pulling the blanket with me. Edward looked up from inspecting my bed covers, to look into my eyes. I couldn't look away.

"I don't want you to go to La Push, Bella," he said insistently. "I'll take you to Port Angeles for dinner." A small smile pulled at his lips. "I'll reserve our booth at the restaurant, away from prying eyes..." I smiled. "Mushroom ravioli," he continued. I couldn't help but giggle.

"I can't, Edward. I already said I'd go."

He frowned.

"It's just one meal," I reminded him. "I don't understand, what's-"

"It's nothing," he told me. "Go to Billy's. Have fun." He leaned over slightly to press his lips to mine briefly. "Just... be careful."

----------

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the first chapter, I tried to make it sort of tense and frustrating, I hope that showed through. Please give me your feedback, I love reviews!!!

Thanks for reading.