I waited for her answer. She just looked at me with wide, shocked eyes. Was that wrong for me to say?

Then I internally slapped myself on the forehead.

Of course it was wrong for me to say that! That seems too forward, and I don't even think she's ready. How could I be so dim-witted?

"I'm so, very sorry, Bella," I apologized sincerely. "I didn't mean to pop that question at you. Please forgive me." I looked down, ashamed for what I had said.

I felt a warm finger gently push my chin up so I was facing Bella.

Bella smiled warmly at me. "Don't feel ashamed, Edward. I was just stunned by that question. I do want to meet your family; they seem very benign, but…I just think I might intrude into your home and family. I don't want anyone to think that I'm just some…menace or something like that."

My eyes widened. 'She thought she might be a menace to our family…?' "You're wrong," I stated. "You're the antithesis of a menace. Like I said, Bella, you're practically an angel to me." She stiffened a little at that again. "Everybody will love you in an instant. Trust me." I gazed into her wonderful eyes, showing her that I was being completely honest.

She bit her lip. "…I can't," she finally said. "I'm sorry, but I can't. Horrible events might happen to your family if I even step through the threshold of your home. Believe me—it might happen." She gave me a pleading look.

"The keyword being 'might'."

"Edward, I really shouldn't go. Please grasp that!" It sounded like she really didn't want me to want her to go. That's somewhat confusing.

Then it occurred to me. "Bella, if you don't want to meet my family you can just say so," I said. "You don't have to lie to make me happy."

She narrowed her eyes at me. She's mad; that's bad. "I am not lying!" she protested. "I do want to meet your family. And I already told you why I can't go! Besides, I'm terrible at lying. I've accepted it." She sighed. "Edward, I really, really would go, but I have my reasons—and I've told you my reasons." Her eyes showed me that she really was telling the truth. I felt so horrible for actually assuming that she was lying.

I hugged her tighter, but not enough to break her entire body. I shouldn't risk that. "I'm truly, terribly, sincerely sorry, dear, Bella. It's just that…I really want to show my family this amazing person that I've met…which is you of course. You're so unique, and I want to show you to the world if I had the chance—but I can tell that you wouldn't let me…"

She giggled. "That is very true."

Absentmindedly, I took a quick whiff of Bella's scent. Wow. She smelled of freesias and strawberries—perhaps a mixture of them both. That's hard to find on humans.

If she's a human.

"Did you just…smell me?" I heard Bella ask. She was looking up at me curiously.

"Oh, I just wanted to know how you smelled like, and so…I took a whiff of you…," I said shyly. Have I ever been shy? What is becoming of me?

She stared at me for a moment. Then she grinned. She buried her face in my chest—she somehow fitted in there—and I heard her take a huge sniff of me. She looked back at me, still grinning.

"You smell good, like cinnamon!" She beamed at me, blushing.

I chuckled softly. 'Bella…'

I stared at her beautiful chocolate orbs. She stared right back at me. I feel this strong emotion for her, and I don't even know what it is. It's a mixture of happiness, affection, warmth… What do they equal to?

"I must go now…," I murmured unwillingly. I smiled at Bella apologetically. "Well, my mother, Esme, gave me a curfew now." 'Which is absolutely ridiculous—but that's Esme.' "I would stay, but…"

She smiled at me reassuringly. "It's fine. You need to go back anyways. Don't stay for me, Edward."

"But I want to…" I said that as quietly as possible.

She blushed hard. "Really? Y-You do?"

"You heard that?" I can't believe she had heard that. I was sure I said that very low.

"Um, yes…" Her voice sounded very nervous. "I clean my ears, you know." She blushed after she said that. "Just to let you know," she added.

I laughed at her. Loudly. Bella's so amusing!

She glared at me. She looked so adorable when she's frustrated. "That—that wasn't funny!" she yelled, her cheeks pink with annoyance. "I tend to blurt weird things out at times."

"I can tell," I said, chuckling. "But it's a cute trait. It makes you unique."

She blushed harder. I wonder what will happen if I keep on complimenting her?

"You should go now," she announced. "We wouldn't want your mother scolding you now, would we?"

"No."

She let go of me. I was surprised we stayed hugging each other. I didn't even seem to notice that.

"Truth be told, I don't want to go at all. I want to stay with you," I confessed softly. "I don't know what I'm feeling for you, Bella. It's a strange emotion, but I like it."

"I feel the same way, Edward. Being with you just makes me happy," she replied, her eyes swimming with an unknown emotion. "Now, go—go back to your family."

I looked at her sadly. I leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"I'll see you…," I whispered against her soft cheek. I felt her cheeks become warm as I did so.

"Yeah…"

I walked away, and headed towards my car. My body was aching to run back to Bella and hold her in my arms. But I knew I couldn't—and that really saddens me. I got in my car and started it. I quickly zipped out and headed home.

I was inside the house at exactly 12:00 am—the time Esme told me. It's easy being a vampire—at times.

I immediately was confronted by Carlisle and Alice. They were both thinking, 'What happened?', except Alice thought it in a rude way, unlike Carlisle's calm, mature way.

"She couldn't come," I answered simply. "She thought that bad events might occur if she came. She sounded like you, Alice, except not irritating."

Alice glared at me. "Enough with the immature comments, Edward. Why isn't she here? I wanted to see her!" she said childishly. 'Hypocrite,' I thought. I felt like a hypocrite by just thinking hypocrite.

"I'm sure she felt uncomfortable," Carlisle told her. He looked at me. "Have you found any clues about her…species?"

"She has very good hearing," I said, laughing a bit as I remembered her humorous statement.

"Why are you laughing?" Alice asked. "You don't laugh that much."

"Oh, I was just remembering the time Bella suddenly blurted out a strange comment when I questioned her about her hearing." 'Bella…'

"What was the comment?"

"I believe it was 'I clean my ears, you know.' Then she added, 'Just to let you know.' She seemed embarrassed for she was blushing. Her blush is so wonderful…"

Alice was gazing at me with a thoughtful expression. Then she smiled. 'Keep her, Edward—don't let her go.'

"What do you mean?"

She smirked. "You'll see."

"Well," Carlisle began, "I want to meet her someday—not only because she seems strange, but for she seems very important to you, Edward." He smiled warmly at me. "She seems like a very good person."

"She is." I smiled as her face appeared in my mind. Carlisle was right—Bella is very important to me.

Then I froze. We all froze. I sensed someone coming. Their scent was familiar…

"Who are they, Alice?" Carlisle asked.

"I don't know—I can't see!" she shrieked. 'I hate being blind!'

Carlisle looked at me. "Edward?"

I tried reading their mind. Nothing.

"I can't read their mind."

The person was coming nearer. Then…I smelled it. Freesias and strawberries. I smiled widely. Bella!

"It's…it's…Bella!" I announced with joy. "It's Bella!"

Carlisle and Alice looked at me. "How do you know?" they both asked

"I know her scent quite well. But…how does she know where I live?" I was mostly talking to myself.

"Well, let her in!" Alice shouted, impatient. "Stop slacking off! Go, you imbecile!" Alice needs anger management classes. Her yelling can be so aggravating.

"That's okay!" I heard Esme yell. "I've got it, dear!" I heard her open the front door. "Welcome!" she greeted. 'Oh, my… I shouldn't have done that, right, Edward? I should have waited until she rang the doorbell… How foolish of me.'

"It's all right, Esme," I said, knowing she could hear me using normal tone.

"Why, hello," Esme greeted warmly. "Are you by any chance 'Bella'?"

I could imagine Bella smiling shyly. "Yes. And are you by any chance 'Esme'? That is, if I'm allowed to call you that."

Esme laughed. "Oh, yes, you are, my dear! Come, come—you must be shivering! The climate at this time of month must be extreme." Trust Esme to be so motherly.

"Oh, I—I don't think—I mean, I might be intruding—," she started blabbering.

"Nonsense, my dear—I don't want you to stay out here," Esme interrupted. "Now come along. I can make some hot coffee for you—you do drink it, right…Bella?" 'Her name is astounding!'

"I do, but you don't have to—"

"I'll make it nice and warm!" I heard Esme walk to the unused kitchen.

Carlisle thought, 'Go to her, Edward. Don't you want to see her? And remember to introduce me to her.'

I smiled and nodded.

Alice thought—or, rather, shouted, 'Get your moody butt up-and-going, stupid! I want to meet her!'

I rolled my eyes at her, and then I headed towards Bella. I saw her looking around the house with awe planted on her face. I smiled. She suddenly whipped her head to me.

"Edward!" she cried with pure happiness. "I really like your mom! Oh, and your house!" she added.

I laughed. "She likes you, too." I stopped just a few feet away from her. "Now, don't think I'm being rude but what are you doing here? I thought you couldn't go, because 'bad events might occur.'"

She smiled sheepishly at me. "Well…I sort of felt guilty for declining your offer. You even gave me the guilt trip! And…I don't know. Something convinced me otherwise."

I hugged her. "Thank you," I whispered.

She hugged me back. "It's nothing."

"Monopolizing the guest is very rude, Edward. I taught you well, didn't I?" I heard Carlisle's voice from behind. 'I couldn't wait. The minute I heard her voice…well, let's just say you were right about her being an angel.'

I let go of Bella. "Carlisle, this is Bella," I introduced. "Bella, Carlisle."

Carlisle smiled at Bella. "Hello, Bella. It is a pleasure meeting you." His eyes showed politeness, but underneath were suspicion.

Bella smiled back. "You, too…Mr. Cullen."

"Oh, please call me Carlisle." 'She's so polite, Edward. And very beautiful! Perhaps my theories were correct…,' Carlisle thought.

I looked at him, feeling confused. What theories?

Alice bounced over to us, smiling with excitement. She hugged Bella, and then pecked her on the cheek.

I glared at her. Bella was surprised. Carlisle was calm, as always.

"Hi, I'm Alice!" Alice greeted. "And in case you're wondering, I'm a much better friend than Edward here! Or are you guys…dating?"

Bella blushed. "Oh, we're not dating…"

"Alice," I growled.

She ignored me. "You're so beautiful! I can tell we're going to be great friends, and leave Edward in the dust!"

Bella giggled. She liked her. "I hope." Then she looked at me. "A-About the 'great friends' part, not the 'leaving you in the dust' part," she quickly added for my benefit.

"It's okay," I said, smiling at her.

'You guys make a beautiful couple, you know,' Alice thought to me. 'I really like her.'

"Who doesn't?" I absentmindedly said.

"What are you talking about?" Bella asked, her eyebrows knitting in confusion. She looks so adorable.

"I have your coffee, Bella," Esme announced, coming out of the kitchen. She held out a black mug over to Bella. "Be careful, honey—it's hot."

Bella smiled at her. "Thank you, Esme. You didn't have to, you know." She sipped the coffee. "Mmm! It's delicious!"

"Thank you! And I wanted to make you coffee anyways, dear. You're such a caring person, and caring people should deserve a nice cup of coffee," Esme said happily.

Bella blushed.

"Edward was right!" Alice exclaimed. "Your blush is wonderful! Everything about you is wonderful!"

"Oh, I don't know about that…"

"Don't be modest, Bella! Poor self-esteem is so overrated, you know. I'll help you shape up. It's a promise!"

"Thank you, Alice."

"Hey, is that her?!" a loud voice boomed. Emmett came running down the stairs, grinning with excitement. He stopped in front of Bella. Then he scooped her up in a tight hug.

Bella was surprised by the sudden gesture.

"Um, I—I can't brea—breathe!" she yelled, struggling to come out of Emmett's strong hold.

"Emmett!" I shouted. "Let go of her!"

Emmett quickly set Bella down on her feet. He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Sorry, Bella," he apologized. "I like to hug things tightly—other than men."

Bella giggled, "It's all right… What's your name?"

He grinned. "I'm Emmett—Edward's much better-looking brother. I'm stronger than him, too." With that, he flexed his muscles. Idiot.

Bella laughed again. "Hi, Emmett."

"So you're the infamous Bella, eh? Edward likes to talk about you. Don't you think it's unfair that he likes to monopolize you all the time? I mean, we would've met earlier, but no this stingy person right here"—he pointed his thumb towards me—"just kept you to himself. That's just downright rude, right?!"

Bella nodded. "I agree with you, Emmett. I think it's time we scold Edward now, shall we?"

Emmett laughed at her. 'She's so humorous! I like her a lot! Hey, Edward, she's perfect for you, man! She'll loosen you up a little more,' Emmett thought to me.

Jasper suddenly appeared beside Alice. He didn't seem to be having trouble with his bloodlust. It's a good thing that Bella was different—in a good way—so that she wouldn't get hurt.

"Hi," Bella greeted meekly to Jasper.

Jasper smiled. "Hello, Bella. I'm Jasper. It's nice to finally meet you. And I, too, agree with you and Emmett about Edward monopolizing you."

I glared at him. I just hate it when Emmett and Jasper like to go up against me. Now they're making Bella do it, too!

"Where's Rosalie?" Esme wondered. "Doesn't she want to meet Bella?"

Emmett sighed sadly. "She doesn't want to. I don't know why, but she thinks Bella might be a menace to our entire family." He looked at Bella apologetically. "Don't mind her, Bella—she'll probably warm up to you in time. I mean, who wouldn't, right?"

Bella looked at me. She gave me a look saying, "I told you."

The rest of the night went by, and suddenly it was already 3:00 am. I can't believe we kept Bella all this time. I offered to drive Bella to her house, but she just wanted to walk.

"Bella," I began, "how did you know where I live?" It was probably best to ask her now.

She stiffened, and stopped walking. She bit her lip.

"Bella…?"

"I…already knew where you live. I already know who you are. I already know your family. I already know you're wary of me. I mean, I'm sometimes not good at hiding things. I know everything. I even know—" She stopped.

"You even know?" I pressed.

"Edward, you know what I am, right?" she asked seriously.

"No—but I think Carlisle knows."

"Carlisle does know—he already knew before. But do you know?"

"No, I'm sorry."

"Don't be." She sighed. "Well, I might as well tell you, huh?"

I nodded, not knowing what to say.

"I'm an angel."

"I already know that, Bella."

"No, I'm an angel. Literally. I'm literally an angel. You know the ones up there in heaven." She pointed up the sky.

"You mean you're really an angel? The one that serves Him?"

She nodded. "Yup."

"Wow," was all I could say.

Bella giggled.

"That's…amazing. That's really amazing. That's beyond amazing." I looked at Bella straight in the eyes. "Then, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be up there where you belong?"

She suddenly turned sad. "I don't even know why I'm here. I'm bound to earth for a while—at least that's what He says. He told me that I needed to fulfill something first. I needed to accomplish something. Right now, I'm human, but it's only a façade. I'm supposed to have wings, but he took them out for now. I feel so lost without them…," she mumbled.

I was still astounded. All this time I've been with an angel? I've never even knew they actually existed. I guess if there's a world full of vampires and werewolves, there's bound to be angels.

"Where's your family?" I asked.

"Dead. I died a long time ago. I don't remember when, though. I've never asked Him. I don't even remember how I died, but whatever." How lightly she speaks of her death.

"Ah. So…how does this angel routine work?"

"I have good hearing. I sometimes hear prayers in my head. I'm immortal. I'm assigned to be a guardian angel at times. I'm not a perfect kind of angel." 'Doubt it,' I thought. "I pretty much help people who need guidance. I'm mostly up there."

"I've never knew how you could be an…angel," I whispered. "I knew you were something good, not something bad."

She smiled at me.

Then I remembered our promise—the promise we made official by pinky promise. I have to tell her my secret. It's only fair.

"I have to go…," Bella murmured. "Even though I'm bound here, I still have to do my duties, but I have to befriend them first—you know the human way." She pecked me on the cheek, and then started leaving.

"I'm a vampire!" I yelled out.

"I know!" she yelled back without looking at me. "And no, I'm not afraid of you!"

* * *

Well, here's the awaited chapter. I'm sorry I didn't post it up earlier—I had a huge project to do. It's sort of like a science fair, except I'm doing food. And my internet and cable has been down, which is totally suck-ish.

Please, please review! Some people are just pressing "Favorite Story"! But I really, really want to know you're thoughts! I don't even care if it's ":)" or "Wow."

Monica-san