curls and ruffles.

Ugh.

"Ugh, why?" I asked Alice with a frown on my face. She was somehow fashioning my hair into some kind of concoction with braids and curls all over the place.

"Relax. I'm almost done," she assured me.

"Oh. Yay." My voice was thick with sarcasm.

"Okay. Done."

I immediately lifted my hands to my head to get some idea of what my head was going to look like when I turned to the mirror. I closed my eyes and Alice turned me around. I had no desire to open my eyes anytime soon, so I slowly opened my eyes one at a time, and when they were finally both open, I gasped.

"Oh. Wow."

Alice just smiled.

"It's…" I could think of no words to describe what she had done.

"I know. Beautiful , isn't it?" In reply I just nodded enthusiastically. Beautiful fits, I thought.

"But why?" I finally managed to choke out. With everything she had done, I could barely recognize myself.

"You'll see." As soon as I saw her smirk, I could almost feel the look of fear cross my face. "Relax," she said, "It's a good thing." I wasn't so sure though; I sighed and closed my eyes again.

When, I heard her leave the room at a human pace, I knew it was safe to open my eyes, but I was still hesitant. I first opened one eye and looked around. When I saw that I was alone I sighed and blinked a few times, not believing what I saw looking back at me in the mirror. I touched my porcelain features carefully. It was as though I would break into a million pieces if I were to put too much pressure on my own face. It was a completely new experience to me, and if Alice thought I liked how I looked now she might decide to do this more often. I decided that I definitely didn't want it and shook my head.

I was too preoccupied with my own reflection that I didn't even notice Alice walk back in. Her small frame was leaning against the door frame, and she was grinning from ear to ear. When I whipped around, in shock, she started squealing and jumping up and down – a sight that had become familiar to me.

"Oh. I just—"I managed to say before she interrupted me, as expected.

"I knew you'd love it!" She followed with another girlish squeal, "And Eddie will, too."

Of course, she knew. I had no doubt that she would know exactly what he would love. "Right," I laughed.

* * *

I sighed as I looked at the opaque plastic bag Alice had hung in Edward's room for me. Apparently, I was supposed to put it on, but I wasn't so sure. Knowing Alice, it was probably covered in frills and lace.

I slowly walked over to the bag and unzipped the top until I saw the beautiful royal blue. I continued pulling the zipper down all the way and removed the dress from the bag to carefully place it on the bed. At first, I just sat and admired it. It was much simpler than I thought it would be. Alice knew me all too well. As I put it on, I realized exactly how beautiful it was.

There were a few layers of ruffles ending a few inches above my knees, but that was the end of the frills. I would have to remember to thank Alice later, not that she'd ever let me forget. Just then, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. Before I could say, "Come in," the door was wide open and I was being interrogated yet again by Alice.

"Don't you love it? I knew you would. Edward will love it, too. I love it. Bella, you're beautiful. Why don't you answer me?" She almost looked hurt, but I burst into a laughing fit and nodded my head.

"Yes," I managed to squeak out between giggles, "I love it."

At first, Alice had a look of confusion on her face that quickly changed into looking at me like I was insane but then a smile slowly crept onto her face and she was giggling along with me.

Finally, I had to stop to breathe, and I collapsed onto the bed. That didn't last for long though; Alice grabbed my hands and helped me up just to rush me into a pair of heels to which I protested.

She sighed, and ran to her room, only to be back again crouching down at my feet a few seconds later. I had no idea how she slipped the delicate silver flats onto my feet without me noticing, but they were much more comfortable than her first choice.

I smiled, and we walked down the stairs. I slipped on the third step and realized that these shoes may not be any safer than the heels if they continued to be so slippery. Soon, though, I realized that it didn't matter much, because Edward lifted me into his arms. I was too preoccupied with his eyes to notice that he was wearing a black tux with flowers to match my new dress. Before I knew it, Alice was handing me a beautiful bouquet of royal blue and bright yellow flowers, and we were out the door.

As soon as I was safely seated in the passenger's side of Edward's Volvo, I asked, "Where are we going?"

All he did was laugh.