1. Party

Bella.

I thought of nothing else as my fingers flew across the piano keys, gently and slowly at first, picking up speed and fervor as Bella's Lullaby grew in intensity. The century of practice was clearly evident in the solid movements of my digits. The fact that I knew this melody like the back of my stone-like hand might have helped as well.

The blinking red light on the exceptionally first-rate recording equipment signaled to me that I was in fact recording. My family had been kind enough to step out for the night, although they could have spent the entire evening soundless without any effort. They knew that tomorrow was an eventful day and that hunting tonight was an excellent idea. I couldn't hunt, however, because I need to make this recording perfect. (Alice had already tried to tell me Bella's reaction to my gift, but I insisted on not knowing until I could see the reaction myself. Although, more often than not, it's beneficial to have Alice's gift around, she really knows how to spoil a surprise.)

The Lullaby continued in a series of slower and faster sections, homage to the pattern of Bella's consistent heartbeat, my favorite sound. Ironically, the Lullaby must come to an end, as Alice predicted Bella's heartbeat would too. As much as I wanted to try to stop both of these occurrences, I was starting to see it was a futile battle. I could play forever, as I could live forever. But Bella is human, there is only so long she could listen, as there is only so long her heart will continue beating.

The last few chords, melancholy and sweet, rang out at the touch of my fingers. I knew, however, that I had not finished my recording yet. A surge washed over me as a new wave of notes flooded my being. Another song for my Bella with so many more waiting in line to form.

One would think that it is ironic for a vampire to wish for daylight, but I guess I'm not your normal vampire. Since Bella had come into my existence, I hated the night. It only signaled time when we had to be away from each other. Truthfully, she only needed to be away from me mentally, as humans have a necessity for sleep, whereas vampires never tire. While being physically connected to Bella was a great option, I longed for her thoughts while she slept, craving to know her dreams. Ever the puzzler, she was, with her silent thoughts. At least she talked in her sleep.

As of recent, I had not spent most nights with Bella. Her father was not pleased with me since the whole Phoenix incident. (Honestly, I was not too happy with myself, either.) We did not want to push Charlie overboard, and therefore paid slightly closer attention to the rules. Slightly.

Ahem.

"Alice, people can't mentally clear their throats. If you wanted my attention you could have just said my name." My sister, and one of my best friends, stood in front of me. Although not really related by blood, we resembled each other by our freakish beauty, extremely pale skin, and golden eyes. A look of excitement gleamed in Alice's eyes.

I'm so excited for Bella's birthday! To think, the Cullens celebrating a birthday! How long has it been? Since Emmett, I'd say. I have everything planned out for Bella. She is going to be so mad, I can see the look on her face already!

She then showed me Bella's angry face- a face I already knew so well. Although we'd only been dating for six months, I have already seen much of Bella's angry kitten face. I chuckled at the sight, as I always do. The girl thinks she can be fierce, but the truth is, she would never hurt a flea.

"Alright, Alice, since we're both excited for Bella's birthday, why don't we just go to school now and wait for her there?" She was standing at the door before I could even read her reaction.

Well? Are you coming or not?

I shook my head in response, although my slight grin gave away my true feelings. Alice may be a tiny annoyance, but I have always had a big soft spot for her.

We climbed into my silver Volvo, and within no time, reached Forks High School. The digital clock in the dashboard said 7:30, which meant that there was a half an hour before classes began. I glanced in Alice's direction.

Bella should be here in a minute, she thought, before reaching for the door handle. There were no other students around, as early as we were, so I didn't have to feign human speed, but I did it anyway, as there was no rush. I could feel the excitement and anticipation building inside my hollow chest. The progress I had made in these past six months towards feeling human emotions was all thanks to my beautiful Bella. I owed her everything. She had brought me back from the dead and helped me to find true love, an accomplishment I never thought possible. She loves me back, too, while other humans would run away in fear. Which she should, because I could kill her as easily as I can walk and talk. The thought made me imagine her fragile, silky skin, stretched thinly over her pulsing veins. The monster inside me quietly roared, something that had not occurred in quite some time. I guess I should have taken that hunting trip last night.

Alice stood beside me, and nodded as Bella's truck turned into the high school parking lot. My vampire eyes immediately locked onto Bella's visage. Even after half a year with her, I still couldn't believe that I deserved this degree of good fortune. Especially when it was such a danger to such an angel.

I caught a frown on Bella's face, the pucker between her eyes in place. Immediately, I wished that Alice was not holding Bella's birthday gift where it could be seen. I wanted this day to be perfect, and she knew Bella had specified not to get her anything.

Bella parked and slammed the door of her antique red truck on her way out. Rust particles fluttered down to the asphalt. She walked slowly to us, as if in pain, and I felt a familiar flutter inside, and suppressed the urge to run to her and engulf her in my arms.

Alice, on the other hand, oblivious to Bella's funeral march, skipped forward to meet her. "Happy Birthday, Bella!"

"Shh!" Bella hissed back, clearly agitated. She glanced around, as if to make sure we could not be overheard. The things this girl worried about were in serious disorder- she would gladly be not only in the presence of, but touching and interacting with vampires, but cowered at the possibility of a celebration in her honor.

Alice ignored Bella's anger. "Do you want to open your present now or later?"

A slight change in the wind pattern blew Bella's hair towards me, and I braced myself for the reaction. Her scent hit me, so sweet and flowery. I do not know if I'll ever be able to make up proper words to describe the glorious aroma. Immediately, a dull flame burned at the back of my throat, and venom dripped onto my tongue. Clearly, the past six months had calmed the sensation, but we were not quite there yet. I doubt if I'll ever get to a point where the reaction ceases altogether. The monster growled, but stayed in check.

"No presents" Bella mumbled, her mood radiating out of her in synchronization with her heat.

"Okay… later then." Alice was finally aware of Bella's sourness. "Did you like the scrapbook your mom sent you? And the camera from Charlie?"

This made me smile and Bella sigh. Alice had shown me the presents Bella's parents had gotten her against her wishes.

"Yeah. They're great."

"I think it's a nice idea," came Alice's retort. "You're only a senior once. Might as well document the experience."

"How many times have you been a senior?" At Bella's words, I tensed. I was not able to read Bella's mind to know her thoughts, but I knew her well enough to know where this was going.

"That's different." Bella had caught Alice off guard- an incredible feat. However, Bella is an incredible woman.

As the girls arrived to stand by me, I could feel my excitement brewing. Although we had only been apart for a few short hours, I had ached for my Bella. If I had a heartbeat, it would be racing, perhaps even faster than how I drive my cars. I need to keep control, though, and simply hold my hand out for Bella. Her marked, soft skin felt scorching against mine, but not painfully so. Instead, it was inviting warmth, like snuggling up in front of a fireplace after playing too long in the snow. Being careful to keep my strength in check, I gently squeezed her hand, hoping to reassure her that everything will be fine. My eyes caught onto her chocolate brown gaze, and immediately, her heart rate sped up a couple notches. Another smile crept onto my face.

I lifted my other hand and traced the outline of her lips, wishing to be able to do more. Control, Edward, control is what will keep her alive. I repeat it over and over to myself, a mantra I adopted when I fell in love with a human.

"So, as discussed, I am not allowed to wish you a happy birthday, is that correct?"

"Yes. That is correct." I love when Bella tries to mimic my ingrained articulation. It is amazing how differently people speak in this century- so lazy about their language.

I tried to keep the mirth out of my eyes as I said, "just checking." I ran my hand through my hair; a thoughtless habit that keeps me looking like the normal teenagers around me. "You might have changed your mind. Most people seem to enjoy things like birthdays and gifts."

Alice let out a laugh and chimed in. "Of course you'll enjoy it. Everyone is supposed to be nice to you today and give you your way, Bella. What's the worst that could happen?"

Bella's face darkened. "Getting older."

Her voice wavered a little, giving away more than she wanted to. I tensed again, the vampire reaction to stress. I worked hard to keep the smile on my face. I was hoping it would not be like this today.

"Eighteen isn't very old," Alice said, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't women wait till they're twenty-nine to get upset over birthdays?"

Bella wouldn't give up that easy. "It's older than Edward." The words were barely audible.

My sigh was clearly audible.

I'm trying, rang Alice's thoughts. "Technically," she said to Bella, "Just by one little year, though."

Bella did not fully comprehend the consequence of becoming a vampire. She refused to listen to the fact that she would not be gaining immortality but losing her soul, the very essence of her being. I could not allow that to happen. I could not forever condemn the reason for my existence, as I myself had already been condemned. I can understand how vampirism may appear appealing, especially if we Cullens are the prime example, but it is impossible to simply describe the constant anguish that comes with being a monster, the physical and emotional pain in relentlessly denying who you are when it is so clearly defined.

We were constantly at an impasse.

"What time will you be at the house?" Alice, ever the peacemaker, changed the subject. Edward, if she fights me on this, you have to help me out. Everything is already planned out and we really need this. Even Emmett and Rosalie are back for the birthday. Make her see that.

"I didn't know I had plans to be there." Bella looked at Alice, her eyes suspicious and wary.

"Oh, be fair, Bella!" It almost sounded like Alice was whining, but it was so hard to tell with her tinkly voice. "You aren't going to ruin all our fun like that, are you?"

"I thought my birthday was about what I want."

Edward…

"I'll get her from Charlie's right after school," I broke in, peeking at Bella out of the corner of my eye and trying not to smirk as her eyes narrowed irritably.

"I have to work," she protested.

"You don't actually," Alice smiled smugly. "I already spoke to Mrs. Newton about it. She's trading your shifts. She said to tell you 'Happy Birthday.'"

Although I could not hear them, I could see behind her expressive eyes the gears in Bella's mind shifting, trying to find another excuse. "I – I still can't come over," she stammered. "I, well, I haven't watched Romeo and Juliet yet for English."

An unladylike snort released from Alice. "You have Romeo and Juliet memorized."

"But Mr. Berty said we needed to see it performed to fully appreciate it – that's how Shakespeare intended it to be presented."

Edward, how do you put up with her sometimes? A little help here, please?

I rolled my eyes both at Alice's desperation and Bella's stubborn determination. This exchange did tickle my funny bone, so I decided to let Alice hang in the balance a little longer.

"You've already seen the movie," Alice accused, her thoughts filling with more and more expletives.

"But not the nineteen-sixties version. Mr. Berty said it was the best." I had to give it to Bella; her obstinacy gave her a drive above and beyond any other human being I have ever met. She could do anything she set her mind to, whether trying to get out of a birthday party or losing a vampire who could see the future in order to fight off another vampire who's every intention was to kill her. I shuddered at the thought, so slightly that only Alice could even tell I had moved.

Alice's face dropped into a glare. Losing it here, Edward. Thanks for the help, Alice thought before continuing out loud, "This can be easy, or this can be hard, Bella, but one way or the other – "

"Relax, Alice." I had to cut her off before things got out of control. All this over a birthday party, but I could understand the meaning behind it. "If Bella wants to watch a movie, then she can. It's her birthday."

Even before Bella childishly retorted, "so there," Alice's face softened. I knew she would see the change in the evening's events.

"I'll bring her over around seven. That will give you more time to set up."

Ha. Thanks for leaving me hanging for so long, Edward. Some brother you are. As she thought it, however, Alice laughed out loud. It was always hard for Alice and I to be angry at each other. We dealt with our crooked minds together, which created a bond unlike any other.

"Sounds good. See you tonight, Bella!" Bella scowled, but Alice remained un-phased, since she could see she would get her way. "It'll be fun, you'll see!" Grinning, Alice planted a kiss on Bella's cheek and started off to class, her pace slightly too fast for our human façade in order deny Bella response time.

Bella turned to me, her brown eyes wide and pleading.

"Edward, please-"

Placing my index finger tenderly on her lips, I cut off her sentence.

"Let's discuss it later. We're going to be late for class."

We took our seats in the back of the classroom. No one bothered staring at us anymore. The shock of our relationship had worn off, and our classmates had grown accustomed to seeing Bella Swan with the strange Edward Cullen, who, as rumor has it, convinced Mrs. Cope to put the couple into as many of the same classes as possible. I still caught the thoughts, though. The girls, awed and confused, jealous of Bella, while the predictable boys imagined ways to kill me, each more laughable than the last. That insufferable Mike Newton stole a smile at Bella, all the while imagining himself dangling me out of a sixth story window above a very large, very sharp, and very rusted metal spike. Not very original, in any standard, but still enough to irritate me, if I did not have the satisfaction of knowing that Bella had chosen me. What's more, the boy had taken to styling his hair to try to imitate mine, and clearly had worked on his ability to hide his emotions. It was disgusting, really, to have someone so simple trying to copy me, but flattering none-the-less.

Bella spent the day distracted, and although I had an inkling of what she was thinking, I spent the day wondering exactly what it was. Full of curiosity and impatience, I debated a couple times asking her what kind of excuses she was forming to free her from the party tonight. I knew enough not to push my luck, however.

Also, I had a feeling that there was more to her worries than attention. Bella and her family are not exceptionally financially endowed. The Cullens, on the other hand, have had centuries to make money and very little to spend it on. Having a three hundred year old doctor father and a sister who can predict the stock market can help fatten your wallet. To me, Bella was finally a worthy outlet for my vast finances. Who better to spend money on than the most generous, unselfish, caring and compassionate woman? Bella did not see it this way. No matter how many times I would tell her that her affections for me were the most valuable thing I could own, she would not accept anything from me unless she knew she could give equal value back in return. It was quite frustrating, not being allowed to be the gentleman I had been brought up to be.

The most maddening of all was the fact that Bella would not let me assist her college fund. Part of this was her stubborn thought process on finances, and part of it was her stubborn thought process on her life. I would see Bella go through college as a human; that I was sure of. She, however, had a very different idea of her years after high school.

Alice and I were careful throughout the rest of the day not to bring up Bella's birthday in front of her. She had started to relax as more of the day slipped by.

Lunchtime found the three of us at our normal table. Bella's other friends sat there as well, slightly more comfortable with me and Alice now that there were less Cullens around. The division line that separated the rest of them from Bella, Alice and me was perfectly visible. Although Alice and I were used to being outcasts, the way in which the other kids were close, but in their thoughts leery enough to avoid both physical and verbal contact, reminded me how unsafe Bella was. Her comfort with beings that she knew were outright dangerous was clearly hazardous to her health, something I reminded her constantly and she rejected all the same.

In no time at all, school was over for the day. Hand in hand, I walked with Bella to her truck, but instead of holding the driver's side door open for her, I offered her the passenger's side. Arrangements had already been made with Alice to take the Volvo home. We were not going to take any chances.

Folding her arms, Bella stood stubbornly in the rain. "It's my birthday, don't I get to drive?"

"I'm pretending it's not your birthday, just as you wished." Two can play that game, Bella.

She smiled, thinking she caught me. "If it's not my birthday, then I don't have to go to your house tonight…"

"All right." I shut the passenger door and strode past Bella to open the one on the driver's side. "Happy Birthday."

"Shh," her frown was back, but the shush was weak. She was giving in, defeated.

I played with the radio while she drove to distract myself from the slow speed. The radio was having a hard time picking up any signal.

"Your radio has horrible reception," I pointed out. It was all I could do to keep a smile off my face, since I knew that radio had seen the last of its days.

"You want a nice stereo? Drive your own car." Bella's words came out prickly, more so than she usually is with me. The familiar inquisitiveness hit me again; still I had to press my lips together as the smile threatened closer to the surface. I can never resist Bella's kitten anger.

We parked in front of the Swan residence, and I reached over and took Bella's face in my hands. Although I normally loathe my predatory ability to "dazzle," as Bella calls it, years of using the weapon to my advantage in non-hunting situations set off a knee-jerk reaction. Automatically, my movements became very tender, as I always handled Bella with care. She is especially breakable, and I am made to break things. My fingers swept across her temples, her cheekbones, her jaw line, dancing across the fire.

"You should be in a good mood, today of all days," I whispered, making sure my sugary breath reached her nose. Another predatory advantage, and another reason I hated what I had become- my own bait, a lure for human blood.

Her breathing became uneven, and her heartbeat quickened. "And if I don't want to be in a good mood?"

"Too bad." I was starting to cross the line from controlled advantage to man with wants and needs. As much as I was aware of my need for control, what human emotions were left in my system began to take over. Control will keep her alive.

I pressed my lips against hers. Fire and ice met to create otherworldly electricity. From previous experience, I knew she would forget to breathe. I was hoping for this reaction, hoping for her to forget her worries.

I let my lips linger selfishly. The fact that I was getting better at holding back the thirst did not mean that I should take more risks. I just could not stay away from this irresistible being.

Bella wrapped her arms around my neck and gave more to the kiss than I expected. Her enthusiasm presented my exact feelings at that moment as well, and I realized it was time for the kiss to end. My lips curled upward into a sad smile as I reached back to unlock her grip.

"Be good, please." The words barely came out. I had not realized how far I had actually gotten into the kiss. Reluctant to pull away, I pressed my lips to hers one more time and then folded her arms in front of her.

She put one hand over her heart, listening, as I was, to her heartbeat. "Do you think I'll ever get better at this? That my heart might someday stop trying to jump out of my chest whenever you touch me?"

I smirked, giving into my pride. "I really hope not."

Now it was Bella's turn to roll her eyes. "Let's go watch the Capulets and Montagues hack each other up, all right?"

My girlfriend is such a lady. "Your wish, my command."

Inside, I lay on the couch, waiting for Bella to start the movie. She teetered on the edge of the sofa, but I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her into my chest. Aware that she would shiver beside my cold body, I pulled the worn out afghan off the back of the couch and draped it over her.

"You know, I've never had much patience with Romeo." Not knowing what compelled me to say this to her, I realized the words were true.

"What's wrong with Romeo?" She seemed offended, and I wondered if she had one of those fictional character crushes. If I could only hear her thoughts, I wished.

"Well, first of all, he's in love with this Rosaline – don't you think it makes him seem a little fickle? And then, a few minutes after their wedding, he kills Juliet's cousin. That's not very brilliant. Mistake after mistake. Could he have destroyed his own happiness any more thoroughly?" The words spilled out.

She sighed. "Do you want me to watch this alone?"

"No, I'll mostly be watching you, anyway." That was what I spent all of my time doing- watching my love, and with good reason. A more beautiful creature could never exist. "Will you cry?"

"Probably," she admitted. "If I'm paying attention."

"I won't distract you then." As much as it pains me to watch Bella be upset, I couldn't help but be attracted to her emotions. I kissed the top of her head, taking in a giant sniff of her scent, welcoming the burning.

I spent most of the movie whispering Romeo's lines in Bella's ear. If she did have that crush on Romeo, I was not going to share her. She did cry when Juliet woke to find Romeo dead.

I was amused, in a depressed sort of way. "I'll admit, I do sort of envy him here." I lifted a lock of her hair to dry her tears.

"She's very pretty."

The thought of Bella imagining that the Juliet actress is prettier than she is disgusted me. Bella could never see her extraordinary beauty for what it was.

"I don't envy him the girl – just the ease of the suicide." My tone was teasing, but the words were all true. "You humans have it so easy! All you have to do is throw down one tiny vial of plant extracts…"

"What?" She was horrified.

"It's something I had to think about once, and I knew from Carlisle's experience that it wouldn't be simple. I'm not even sure how many ways Carlisle tried to kill himself in the beginning… after he realized what he'd become…" I realized how dark my voice had become, and tried for something lighter. "And clearly, he's still in excellent health."

She twisted to get a good look at my face. "What are you talking about? What do you mean, this is something you had to think about once?" Her look demanded an answer.

"Last spring, when you were… nearly killed…" I took a deep, burning breath, pausing to try to keep the demons at bay, struggling to keep things light. "Of course, I was trying to focus on finding you alive, but part of my mind was making contingency plans. Like I said, it's not as easy for me as it is for a human."

I saw something flash in her chocolate eyes, and for once, was glad I could not witness what she saw. I torture myself every time I have to leave her. What if I hadn't gotten there on time? What if I don't next time? She absentmindedly stroked the crescent-shaped scar left on her hand by that… thing.

"Contingency plans?" She shook her head, as if in disbelief.

"Well, I wasn't going to live without you." I rolled my eyes, as that fact has been made clear countless times. "But I wasn't sure how to do it – I knew Emmett and Jasper would never help… so I was thinking maybe I would go to Italy and do something to provoke the Volturi."

I imagined what it would be like to die. Carlisle is convinced that vampires, (at least vegetarians like us,) are not as damned as I think that we are. I know better. The change rips away our souls, and we are left a cold, hard shell of our former existence. There is no hope for salvation.

She was livid. "What is a Volturi?"

"The Volturi are a family. A very old, very powerful family of our kind. They are the closest thing our world has to a royal family, I suppose. Carlisle lived with them briefly in his early years, in Italy, before he settles in America – do you remember the story?"

"Of course I remember."

"Anyway, you don't irritate the Volturi. Not unless you want to die – or whatever it is we do." I didn't want to continue this conversation. I had debated this issue with Carlisle until it bored me. Another impasse it seemed.

Bella's eyes widened in horror. She took my face in her hands, and she seemed to be trying to hold it tightly.

"You must never, never, never think of anything like that again! No matter what might ever happen to me, you are not allowed to hurt yourself!"

Again, her selfless caring for a soulless beast made me weary for her. "I'll never put you in danger again, so it's a moot point."

"Put me in danger! I thought we'd established that all the bad luck was my fault?" The horror was morphing back into anger. "How dare you even think like that?"

"What would you do, if the situation were reversed?" I understood her pain, so she should understand mine.

"That's not the same thing."

I guess she wouldn't understand. A small chuckle escaped my lips.

"What if something did happen to you? Would you want me to go off myself?" She hit below the belt with that one.

I fruitlessly tried to keep the pain from showing on my face. "I guess I see your point… a little. But what would I do without you?" She was my reason for facing each new day. Before Bella, my world was cracking, weighed down by an existence I never wanted. Now, I willed the daylight to come, giving me a chance to spend time with her, to protect my seraph.

"Whatever you were doing before I came along and complicated your existence." She was so silly in her ignorance of how my life had changed for the better with her around. It was she who would be better off without me.

The thought made me sigh. "You make it sound so easy."

"It should be. I'm really not that interesting."

I opened my mouth to argue, but decided against it. I had become quite the compromiser in the past six months, but only in certain aspects. "Moot point," I reminded her.

Just then, Charlie's cruiser turned onto the street, his mumbled thoughts about Bella's birthday keeping me guessing. I straightened up, striking a more formal pose. I shifted Bella over a centimeter so that our bodies no longer touched.

"Charlie?" she guessed.

I smiled in confirmation. The cruiser pulled into the driveway, and Bella reached out and firmly took my hand. I braced myself for Charlie's muddled unsavory thoughts of me.

Charlie entered with a box of pizza. Great, he's here. Guess I should have expected that. His thoughts became surprisingly clear; I surmised it was from his strong feelings towards me.

"Hey kids." He beamed at Bella. "I thought you'd like a break from cooking and washing dishes for your birthday. Hungry?"

"Sure. Thanks, Dad."

Charlie accepted my declination. He was used to my lack of appetite by now.

"Do you mind if I borrow Bella for the evening?" I asked him when they had finished their meal.

Bella seemed to be trying to telepathically tell Charlie to forbid her to leave.

Charlie was oblivious. "That's fine – the Mariners are playing the Sox tonight, so I won't be any kind of company… Here." He picked up the camera he's bought for her birthday and threw it to her in a momentary lapse of judgment. She was all thumbs, a fact he knew well.

The camera barely touched one of Bella's fingers, and then dropped towards the floor. Finding an acceptable balance between human and vampire speed, I stealthily got my hand underneath the camera less than an inch off the floor.

"Nice save," Charlie noted, his thoughts wondering how I could have managed it. "If they're doing something fun at the Cullen's 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," I agreed, partially because I had been trying to charm Bella's father into forgiving me for the trip to Phoenix. I handed the camera to Bella.

She turned to me, lifting the camera. The flash burned my eyes for a second, rendering me blind for the first time in ninety years. "It works," she said.

"That's good," Charlie's thoughts were already on the ballgame, his mouth in a slight frown. "Hey, say hi to Alice for me. She hasn't been over in a while."

"It's been three days, Dad. I'll tell her."

Charlie had quickly taken to Alice when she had helped Bella through her injury. Perhaps because Charlie did not have to deal with helping to bathe his teenager daughter, or perhaps it was the same reason other humans found us vampires attractive - they had no choice.

"Okay. You kids have fun tonight." Mentally noting the time, Charlie dismissed us and started edging toward the living room.

I smiled victoriously, and grabbed Bella's hand, pulling her outside to the truck.

At the truck, I opened that passenger door, and this time, there was no argument. I felt relieved, since, in my excitement, I wanted to hurry home, which is close to impossible with Bella behind the wheel.

I drove north, anguished by the speed limit set by the aging Chevy. I pushed it over fifty miles per hour, and the engine let out a constant roar.

"Take it easy," Bella warned.

"You know what you would love? A nice little Audi coupe. Very quiet, lots of power…"

"There's nothing wrong with my truck," she interrupted, as I knew she would. "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." In truth, I hadn't.

"Good."

"Can you do me a favor?"

"That depends on what it is."

I sighed, preparing for yet another fact to tell her to remind her of what the Cullens really were. "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."

She looked briefly shocked, and I got that familiar pang of anxiety. Though she constantly reminded me otherwise, I still wondered when the day would come that she would finally understand the severity of this situation and run for the hills.

Instead, she recovered and said, "Fine, I'll behave."

"I should probably warn you…"

"Please do."

"When I say they're all excited… I do mean all of them."

"Everyone?" Her voice had a slightly panicked edge. "I thought Emmett and Rosalie were in Africa." The rest of the residents of Forks were under the impression that the couple had left to attend college at Dartmouth, but of course, Bella knew the truth.

"Emmett wanted to be here."

"But… Rosalie?" Rosalie resented Bella for many reasons, and had treated her very badly since she stumbled into our lives.

"I know, Bella. Don't worry, she'll be on her best behavior." Or she'll answer to me, I added to myself silently.

Rosalie's bitterness for Bella had assisted in Emmett and Rosalie's decision to take an extended vacation. Wherever Rosalie was determined to go, Emmett went as well. Rosalie's love for Emmett must have beat out her hatred for Bella in this situation, however, and he had convinced her to return home for Bella's birthday celebration. Emmett had immediately taken to Bella, and her clumsiness became subject to his sense of humor. He could never resist trying to make her blush.

I 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?"

"You know what I want," she whispered cautiously, knowing the subject would set off my temper.

My mood soured for the umpteenth time today. Although we had this fight countless times before, today set a new record.

Hoping my deep frown would help stress my point, I replied, "not tonight, Bella."

"Well, maybe Alice will give me what I want."

The boldness of her statement set me off guard, and I temporarily forgot my self-control, letting out a fierce, low, animalistic growl. "This isn't going to be your last birthday, Bella." I vowed that I would never let anything damage her again, and that included eternal damnation.

"That's not fair!" She was pushing, and she knew it.

I clenched my teeth together, trying urgently to compose myself. I focused my thoughts on Alice's work as we pulled up to the house, which glowed brighter than I'd ever seen it before. Japanese lanterns hung from the eaves of the porch, softly shining into the surrounding forest. Huge bowls of pink roses lined the stairway up to the front door. In another life, Alice would have been the greatest party planner of our time. We couldn't risk that amount of exposure, though, so Alice took whatever opportunity she could to live her dream.

I took a few deep breaths, and though Bella's bouquet brought the familiar dull burn, it also had an unbelievably soothing effect. Almost back to my generally calm demeanor, I reminded Bella, "This is a party. Try to be a good sport."

Her gaze dropped down to her hands and her shoulders slumped; I knew she would drop it. "Sure."

I slid out of the car and opened her door, offering her my hand if she wished to hold it. She looked at it for the briefest moment, and then quietly said, "I have a question."

I peered into her eyes, trying warily to determine what she would ask.

"If I develop this film," she said while moving the camera around nervously in her hands, "will you show up in the picture?"

Relieved and surprised, I laughed unreservedly. I pulled her out of the car, careful to keep her steady, and let her up the stairs, laughing while I opened the door and stood aside to let her enter first.

Waiting in the large, white living room was the rest of my adopted family. "Happy Birthday, Bella!" they chorused. Bella again reacted by looking down and slumping, her cheeks tinted crimson. Alice had outdone herself in this room. Pink candles were scattered everywhere accompanied by crystal bowls full to the brim with more pink roses. Next to my piano stood a large table covered in a pristine white tablecloth. On the table sat a towering pink birthday cake, more pink roses, a stack of crystal plates, and a tiny mountain of silver-wrapped packages.

Bella must be in a tizzy.

I tried to encourage her by wrapping my arm around her waist and kissing the top of her head.

Esme came forward and hugged Bella, cautious of being so close to such an alluring aroma. She, too, kissed Bella's forehead in encouragement. Carlisle playfully draped his arm over Bella's shoulders.

"Sorry about this, Bella, we couldn't rein Alice in." Although Alice would have heard him if he really had tried to keep his voice down, he stage whispered for the sake of Bella.

Behind Esme and Carlisle stood Rosalie and Emmett. I gave Emmett a quick pat on the back while Bella was occupied by Carlisle. She was convinced that Rosalie and Emmett had left due to her and she knew Emmett's absence depressed me. I missed you, kid, he answered with a quick pat on my arm. Although I had changed years before Emmett, I was forever seventeen, whereas he held onto his twentieth year. A quick glance at Rosalie showed me that although she did not look happy, she did not glower at Bella either. A stone face was better than antagonism, I guess.

Bella looked up at Emmett, and he took his cue. "You haven't changed at all," he joked in a saddened tone, "I expected a perceptible difference, but here you are, red-faced just like always."

His chiding always made the impossible happen, her cheeks flushing to deeper and deeper crimson. "Thanks a lot, Emmett," she said.

He chortled his deep booming laugh. "I have to step out for a second." He used a moment to noticeably wink at Alice and then continued speaking to Bella. "Don't do anything funny while I'm gone."

"I'll try."

Alice sprang forward to Bella's side, her bright smile glinting. Jasper stayed where he had been at the foot of the stairs, acknowledging his promise to keep his distance. Jasper had been a vampire for much longer than any of us other 'children' but was the newest to 'vegetarianism.' This made him more of a liability. At current moment, however, he leaned casually against the stair post, taking in the joy that filled the room.

"Time to open presents," Alice decreed. She led Bella to the white covered table.

"Alice, I know I told you I didn't want anything-"

Alice interrupted, "but I didn't listen. Open it." She swiped the camera out of Bella's hands and as soon as the camera had left Bella's fingertips a big, silver box replaced it.

Alice's thoughts told me the box was empty. Emmett was currently affixing the shiny new car radio into Bella's truck. Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper had conspired together on the gift, although I had a feeling Rose had not really had much input.

The quizzical expression on Bella's face when she had torn the paper off the box told me she had no idea what the gift was. "Um… thanks."

Bella's stupor made Rosalie actually crack a smile. Jasper chuckled in his corner. "It's a stereo for your truck," he clarified for her. "Emmett's installing it right now so that you can't return it."

Of course that had been Alice's idea. She had seen what Bella's reaction would be.

"Thanks, Jasper, Rosalie," Bella grinned at me, remembering my staged complaints about her radio today. "Thanks, Emmett!" she called to him.

His laughter came booming in the front door, and Bella joined in with him.

"Open mine and Edward's next," Alice said excitedly. She tried to hand a small, flat package to Bella, who turned to me with death-ray eyes.

"You promised."

Emmett saved me a few moments by bounding briskly through the front door. "Just in time!" He slid behind Jasper, who had moved closer to get a better glance at the present.

"I didn't spend a dime," I replied truthfully. A stray strand of hair had fallen into her face, a perfect distraction. I deliberately brushed it away, my fingers tingling as they touched her skin.

She took a deep breath and turned to Alice with a sigh. "Give it to me."

Behind the others, Emmett chuckled, amused.

Bella took the package and rolled her eyes. She used her finger like a letter opener, sticking it under the edge of the wrapping paper to slice open the tape. I could sense it happening before it even occurred.

"Shoot," she muttered. The paper had cut her finger. She pulled it out of the wrapper and surveyed her wound. A fresh drop of blood trickled from the tiny sliver.

It all happened very quickly then.

My senses first went into overdrive, and I shut off my breathing. "No!" I bellowed and flung myself at her, throwing her back and away from the others. She flew across the table, upending the cake, presents, flowers and plates. She then landed in the pile of shattered crystal.

Jasper flew at her, knocking into me with such force the sound that resulted shook the house. His animalistic snarls ripped out from deep within. I was blocking everything from his mind that I could, barely able to think clearly on my own. Jasper tried to get past me, snapping his teeth in my face.

Emmett took Jasper from behind, using his massive strength to help me out. Jasper struggled against him, his dark, wild eyes trained on Bella alone.

I took one look at Bella, and gasped. My senses went haywire as I stared at the steady bright red stream that ran out of the canyon that split the skin on Bella's forearm in two. The scent caught me quickly; my throat seared with pain and the monster under my skin roared to life. Thoughts that had long left my brain swiftly flashed before my eyes, each more gruesome than the next. As I watched them pass, I realized that not all the thoughts were mine. Thoughts from Rosalie, Jasper, Alice, Emmett and Esme all invaded my addled brain, making me more confused and less in control by the second. The combined force of their monsters plus mine left me helpless, the angry growls rising in volume by the second. We were all unanimous.

Ravenous.

My angel was doomed.


I own nothing. The characters, the plot, most of the dialogue, all Stephenie Meyer's. Please review!

Soundtrack for Party- Bella's Lullaby- Carter Burwell

Super Xero (By Myself)- Linkin Park