Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight! I do own 2 tubs of Ben & Jerry's though……

Bella

I sat in my room waiting for Edward to finish in the bathroom, still chuckling to myself intermittently about his shenanigans in the kitchen. I honestly couldn't wait to show his family the photos of the mess he had made, and how sheepish he'd looked. But while I was imagining Emmett's reaction, my face fell. How long until that will be able to happen though?

I felt a wave of sadness hit me at the hole in our lives that not being able to see the rest of Edward's family was going to leave. If I was honest I was beginning to view them as my family as well, and I loved every single one of them. Well, maybe love is a bit strong for Rosalie, like despite the utter contempt she always shows for me maybe covers it better…..

I looked out of the window. I was sitting on the bed in a stream of sunlight and outside it was a beautiful late summer's day, one of the sunniest we had had for a while. Most of the summer had been cloudy and grey, perfect for Edward, but it was as if today the sun had come out in celebration for us.

We had been planning on spending the day with the rest of the Cullens, avoiding the sunlight that Alice had already foreseen along with the rest of them. I was wondering what we should do instead when Edward's cell phone, which he had left on my bedside table, began to ring. The caller display simply said "Alice".

I picked it up, certain that she knew that I would be the one to answer.

"Hello Alice."

"Bella! How is he?"

"Ok I think, he seems quite clumsy at the moment though, there was just the most enormous crash in the bathroom and he's been in there ages…." I guess it is all a bit new for him though….

"Don't worry he just had…... a bit of a surprise. He'll be out in exactly four minutes. Have you tidied up the kitchen?" She giggled down the phone at me, and I realised she had seen the mess he had left me downstairs.

"Yes, I honestly don't know how he wasn't sick; he's eaten me out of house and home Alice!" I whined, then I grinned as I realised how many other people I'd heard say similar things about feeding teenage boys.

"He'll be fine Bella. Listen, I need to tell you something. I know you're missing us, and wondering when you can come and visit, but I meant it when I said to wait for him to do it when he's ready." Her tone became serious and I frowned. Are we really on our own then?

"Alice, I don't know what to do, I mean…. I don't know what I mean really." I felt quite overwhelmed; Edward had seemed almost lost earlier, looking to me to look after him. How was I supposed to do that without anyone else to help me?

"You'll be fine, nothing's really changed Bella, enjoy Edward as he is for now, he'll be back to his usual controlling ways soon enough. Just make sure he remembers how different all of his reactions are today, it's going to take some getting used to for him. Going shopping for a bit today will be fine, but take an umbrella." I looked outside at the glorious sunshine and scowled, I knew it was too good to last.

"Alice," I was suddenly curious, "Did you see this happening?"

"I did, yesterday evening; it came out of nowhere. I was with Jasper at the time but I didn't tell him what I'd seen. By then it was too late to stop it even if we'd wanted to, and I'm fairly certain Edward wouldn't have wanted to."

"Did you see why it happened? How has he suddenly become human?" I paused for a moment, thinking, "We really need to find out what happened sooner rather than later, if only to try and work out if it's permanent or not." God I hope it's permanent.

"No, I just suddenly saw him that way, waking up in bed with you today. I avoided the house until this morning; by the time I got home Carlisle was already on his way to see you."

"How is everyone? How's Esme taking it?" I suddenly realised that to his family Edward could be almost completely lost. If he were unable to be in the same room as Carlisle without wanting to make a run for it, how would he cope with Emmett? I couldn't resist grinning as a mental image of Edward appeared to me, warm and soft and human.

"Esme's a bit upset, but to be honest it all feels so unreal right now I don't think any of us quite know what to make of it. Only Carlisle's actually seen him of course, but he's been very quiet since he got back." She still sounded her usual cheery self, but I knew Alice would be terribly hurt if she lost Edward from her life.

"Is it permanent? Do you know?"

"I can't see him waking up anytime soon and suddenly being a vampire again, but I can't see him as clearly now as I used to, now he's human."

"Oh…"

"You'd better go Bella, he'll be out in a minute and you don't want to miss that. Remember, I'm just a phone call away."

"Bye Alice."

The phone went dead in my hand and I put it back down beside me. I chewed on my bottom lip as I stood and walked out onto the landing. What had happened yesterday evening?

I heard the bathroom door open and looked up, only to be met by Edward wearing nothing but a towel. His hair was dark and wet, curling loosely across his forehead, his skin was flushed from the heat of the shower and looked ruddy and damp. My eyes travelled down to his chest, which despite his new humanity was still muscular, with a soft smattering of bronze coloured hair running down to his navel. The towel was hanging low around his waist, revealing his hipbones and as my eyes reached them I gulped improbably loudly.

"I… I didn't think to take any clothes in with me." He looked nervous, and I realised I was staring at him.

I tried to move but I was rooted to the spot. I had never seen Edward in any state of undress at all. The very idea had always been so far outside of the boundaries he had drawn up for our physical relationship that it had never even occurred to me to mind. Now I realised that I really should have minded. God he was beautiful, I wondered for a moment if I was actually drooling?

I closed my eyes and shook my head slightly "Sorry, I… Do you want to come in my bedroom? I mean to get dressed….. I mean…." Even with my eyes closed I could still see Edward's gorgeous naked chest and stomach in front of me, the vision seemed to have been seared onto my eyeballs. My breath caught as my mind focused on the trail of fine hair leading down from his beneath his navel to under his towel… Bella, get a grip!

"Uh…. just let me grab some clothes and I'll change in the bathroom." He shuffled about in the case in front of me for a second, but it was only when I heard the latch on the bathroom door close again that I was able to open my eyes.

Without thinking I made for the stairs and ran down them heading for the kitchen, as far away as I could get from the irresistible naked boy in my bathroom without actually leaving the building.

I pottered around aimlessly, waiting for Edward to come downstairs. I hoped I hadn't completely embarrassed him with my undisguised ogling before, but to be quite honest the part of my brain that usually allowed me to be around other people seemed to have gone into meltdown at the sight of him. I felt myself flush a bright red when I remembered my reaction to him in only his towel. What on earth must he have thought of me? The poor guy's going through something completely insane and all I can do is gawp at him. I shook my head and tried to dismiss the images still seared into my brain; just pretend it never happened Bella….

I decided that getting out of the house would help distract me, so I busied myself with writing a shopping list while I waited.

"Bella?" He appeared in the doorway a few minutes later, a shy smile on his face. He had dressed in dark jeans and a tight white T shirt. I tried not to notice quite how sexy his hair looked, still damp from the shower.

"Edward," I wanted to walk towards him, but I made myself stay where I was. I didn't want him to think I was crazed, even though today, I decided, I seemed to be. "Are you ready to head out; I really need to do some shopping…. You might even enjoy it this time."

His grin told me that he thought that this time he just might.

"You might want to take a jacket though; Alice says it's going to rain."

"You spoke to Alice?" A mixture of emotions crossed his face, and I reminded myself to tread carefully.

"Yes, she wanted to see how you were doing."

"Did she…" He paused for a moment and I waited for him to continue, "Say anything interesting?" He looked nervous and I wished I had more to tell him.

"She saw this happening, but only yesterday evening…. She doesn't know why." I shrugged my shoulders slightly and watched as he thought through what I'd said.

After a few moments his demeanor changed suddenly, "Shall we go?"

"Ok. I can't really leave Charlie this evening with nothing for his dinner but some cheese and a partially chewed cucumber." I couldn't help but grin as the sheepish look returned to his face.

"I'll drive." Edward called over his shoulder as he headed for the door.

"I know." I muttered, before I realised that this time he probably hadn't heard me.

My poor truck had suffered a lot of Edward's driving over the summer, I was fairly certain he was trying to kill it. I made a mental note that at some time we really ought to go and get his Volvo, if only to save my truck from any more abuse than necessary. I picked up my shopping list and followed behind him.

I found him standing in the shade of the porch, peering out into the sunlight.

"Do you think I'll still…… sparkle?" He turned to look at me with his eyebrows raised as I walked straight past him into the sunlight.

"Do you think there's any reason that you should Edward?" I grinned at the dubious look on his face; he was just so…cute.

"Well….. I suppose not. But we ought to just be sure there's no one else around. Just in case." We both looked up and down the street in a very conspiratorial manner.

I met his eyes again and raised my eyebrows expectantly, I desperately tried to not giggle at the worried look on his face, but I couldn't hold back a small snort. "I think it's all clear Edward, you're going to be ok you know."

He seemed to take a deep breath, before stepping out into the sunlight. We both hesitated for a moment, before giving a simultaneous sigh of relief. I walked back towards him where he was standing examining his new skin in the daylight.

"You still shimmer ever so slightly, but I think that's just how you're supposed to be." I reached out and touched his hand, running my fingers up and down the back of his; he quickly flipped his hand over and grasped mine firmly. "You're perfect."

"As are you." He caught my eyes with his and gently raised my hand to his face, before kissing my palm and holding it against his cheek for the moment.

I marveled again at how warm his skin was, and couldn't help but gently stroke the soft stubble on his jaw. I noticed a tiny cut on his chin and I ran my thumb over it, before pulling my hand away from him. Up until this morning our physical relationship had been restrained to chaste kisses and delicate touches, due to his constant worry over my welfare. With the rules changed so suddenly overnight I no longer knew quite where I stood.

He smiled as he turned away, but I thought I saw something in his face for a moment before he began to move towards the car.

Edward

Since our incongruous meeting on the landing and my return downstairs I had been worrying about Bella's reaction. She had seemed rather shocked by my appearance half naked in front of her, not that I blamed her, and at the time I had cursed myself for not thinking beforehand to take clothes into the bathroom with me.

But my inner insecurities were truly coming to the fore now. Didn't she like what she saw upstairs? Is she upset that she now seems to be trapped babysitting someone less than she wants? What would I do if she decided I was no longer enough for her? God I'm turning into such a teenager!

Without speaking we walked towards Bella's truck, I opened her door to let her in, but she declined my hand as she sat down. Have I upset her in some way? I ran through my behavior so far this morning recognising my many indiscretions and sighed as I made my way round to the driver's side of the truck. Not good Edward.

We had mostly used my Volvo over the summer. My dislike of Bella's truck had amplified since our return from Phoenix, and I had been very vocal on the subject. I simply did not understand why she wouldn't allow me to procure her something more suitable. A shudder ran down my spine as I glared at the monstrosity sitting in front of me in the driveway. I will have to ensure I drive her to school every day this year, who knows what would happen if she ever had an accident in it.

A broad smile broke out across my face as I realised that with no more need to hunt or to avoid the sunlight I had no reason to ever be apart from her ever again.

As I got into the Truck I spotted another one of Alice's little yellow post it notes on the steering wheel.

Do you really think this is a good idea today Edward?

"What's that?" Bella leant over me and pulled it off of the steering wheel, reading it then looking at me warily. "She's probably right Edward, you have had a lot to deal with today, maybe this isn't such a great idea. I could drive…." She gave me a rueful smile.

I scowled and looked down at the steering wheel, only to be confronted by another post-it.

What she said.

My inner Alpha male kicked in at this point. No fucking way am I being told that I can't even drive anymore! Humans drive cars every day, I am still clearly going to have a massive advantage over them with all of the experience I have on the road!!! In the back of my mind another little thought popped up - and to admit any more weakness in front of Bella today than I already have….? No thank you.

"I'm sure I'll be fine Bella, in fact I think a drive might be just what I need!" I jammed the key into the ignition and pulled out of the driveway, slamming my foot down hard on the accelerator in my irritation.

Before I knew it we were barreling along the street away from Bella's house. The truck, which had always seemed so slow to me before, was moving insanely quickly, the trees and houses a blur as we passed them. I eased off the accelerator immediately; trying to see clearly where we were going.

"Edward, are you ok?" Bella sounded worried, but I didn't dare take my eyes off the road to look at her. Moving at such a pace was terrifying and I was still trying to slow down enough so I could follow what we were passing.

"Yes, just give me a minute to get used to the speed, it's a bit different." Oh God, I really should stop…...

"Erm…. If you keep going like this we're going to get pulled over."

"You know me Bella, built in radar detector." I tapped the side of my head and tried to smile, but it turned into a grimace.

"Edward…… you're only doing 15 miles an hour……"

"What!" Shit, it can't be. I looked down for a second to confirm what she said, but when I looked up again the distance we had travelled while I'd looked terrified me. I slammed on the brakes, jumping when a horn blared and an old red Ford overtook us.

I sat still in my seat for a moment. How can my perception of the world be quite so different? I knew Bella didn't enjoy travelling at speed, either with me carrying her or in my car, but I'd never realised quite how slow the human mind really was. I'd forgotten it entirely. How on earth am I ever going to get anywhere ever again? My God! Humans driving at speed can't be able to see where they're going at all!

Bella seemed to sense my turmoil and scooted across the seat a little towards me, but still out of touching distance.

"This is all still new to you Edward; I think that maybe you're trying to run before you can walk."

"Hmm….." If I punch the steering wheel I will only upset Bella, and probably quite hurt my hand…..

"Would you like me to drive?"

"Ok…" I jumped out of the driver's side and ran around as Bella scooted across into the driver's seat. I tried my best to calm my annoyance at myself, not wanting to upset Bella by letting her see how angry I was.

The rest of the drive to the store was nothing short of terrifying. Despite Bella's obvious efforts to keep to a reasonable speed, my heart pounded in my chest for the entire journey, the blur of the passing houses and trees making me feel dizzy and sick in equal measure. More than once she suggested that I close my eyes for the journey, but I was determined to get over this bizarre issue with speed as quickly as possible. The best way to do that seemed to be by suffering through it.

To distract myself while we drove I watched Bella more than I watched the road. My new eyes did not see her as clearly as I was used to, the precise detail I was used to was gone. In its place I found a warmer, softer vision, undoubtedly inferior to that of a vampire, but somehow it suited Bella. I watched as she bit her bottom lip as we drove, and remembered our kiss from this morning. I remembered how she tasted and how her tongue felt against mine, and suddenly I found myself overwhelmed by the urge to kiss her again.

I rolled my eyes and forced myself to look back out of the window. It seems that Edward the human is not so much one for self control.

After what felt like an eternity, but which was only actually a few minutes, we arrived at the store, and Bella began to collect items in the trolley. I had done this with her before, but previously I had been trying to ignore the various smells with little to distract me from my general disinterest in the task. This time however I kept holding her up as she walked, examining various items of food, and adding any to the trolley that I wanted to try. I was intending on paying for the groceries anyway, to make up for the havoc I'd caused in the kitchen this morning, so I had no compunction about picking up as much as I wanted.

"Edward, when exactly are you planning on eating all of this stuff anyway?" Bella said as I added a bag of M&Ms to the already overfilled trolley.

"I don't know, tonight?" I'd not really thought about it, but before we could continue our conversation we rounded a corner and bumped into Mike and Jessica, clearly having an argument in the middle of the store.

As soon as they spotted us both of them stopped arguing and smiled.

"Bella, how are you? Are you working on Monday?" Mike grinned as he walked towards Bella, oblivious to Jessica glaring at him as he drooled. I was fighting a sudden urge to punch him in the face, and I wasn't sure I was going to win. "Cullen." He nodded to me curtly, before returning his gaze to Bella.

"Hi Mike, yes I'll be in Monday." Bella had been working in Newton's store over the summer, doing a five day week, giving us only the weekends free. She had insisted she needed to do so to create some kind of college fund, despite the fact I had practically begged her to allow me to fund her college education instead.

I knew that this was simply Bella being Bella, wanting her independence and not wanting to take anything from me. Nevertheless, at the same time I had wondered if it was also a way of not spending the entire summer with me. None of this had helped my feelings towards Mike Newton, and I had found myself fantasizing about injuring him, almost as much as he seemed to fantasize about Bella in my presence.

As I had been walking around the store I had noticed that I wasn't hearing any of the humans' thoughts around me, but I hadn't really been focusing on them. Standing beside Mike and Jessica however while Bella chatted, I decided to really try and read their minds, to see if I was able to if I made the effort. Suddenly living without the ability to know another's thoughts, after ninety years of thinking nothing of it, did pose some potential issues I had decided.

I focused on Newton for a few seconds, opening my mind up to him, searching for his thoughts. He seemed the lesser of two evils; Jessica's mind was never a pretty place to be.

……Cullen……freak…….different…….……. work done?........ is Jessica looking at him…. maybe she'll fuck off and stop bitching at me…. Bella……

As I focused on Mike I found I was able to decipher his thoughts, without the pain I'd felt hearing Carlisle's. It wasn't as effortless as when I was a vampire, but I was happy to find I could still hear them if I tried. That was until I was suddenly assaulted by a vivid mental picture of him having sex with Bella on the counter of Newton's store, with Jessica watching and crying. I could feel the testosterone pounding in my veins, as I went from calm to enraged in what seemed to be the blink of an eye.

"God Newton, what's wrong with you, you utter asshole!" I couldn't help my outburst, which came in the middle of Mike telling Bella about the new fall range of equipment which was coming into the store next week.

"What… Cullen, what's your problem?" Mike looked shocked, as did Bella and Jessica. I didn't care though; I was trembling with rage and had decided that I definitely was going to punch him in the face.

"You're my problem! How dare you….how can you even….." In my anger I was unable to form a coherent sentence, and I found myself taking a step towards him, my hands balled up into fists by my sides. Before I could get near him however, Bella swung between us the large golf umbrella which had been resting on the trolley, and Jessica grabbed hold of Mike's arm and began dragging him up the aisle.

"Edward! What the hell?" Bella hissed at me, I was still trembling, but I had noticed the looks from other people around us in the store and was trying to restrain myself.

"You have no idea what he was thinking Bella, it was…. Obscene." And I really need to hit him right now.

"So? Isn't it always? You're going to have a tough time at school in a couple of weeks if you can't cope with Mike Newton!" She was scowling at me furiously, and a feeling of uncertainty started to creep over me.

Was that entirely appropriate behavior in public…..? I groaned as my temper calmed down and I realised what I had done. I couldn't believe I was really about to hit somebody……. even if it was Mike Newton.

"Oh my God…... I'm so sorry Bella. That was totally inexcusable!"

"I know you've not got your 'super vampire control' thing going on anymore Edward, but you can't carry on like that too often. Anyway, it isn't me you should be apologizing to but Mike!"

"You have no idea what he was thinking about Bella…."

"And he can't be held accountable for his own private thoughts. If you don't like what people are thinking, keep out of their heads." She looked down at the full trolley and I could see she had turned bright pink in her anger with me. What I had once thought of as kitten anger today seemed a much more palpable force. "Come on; let's get out of here before you get arrested."

As I had planned I paid for the groceries, and Bella did not protest as I had expected she might do. I gave her a sidelong look as I paid, and she just grinned at me. I wonder what that was about?

As we made our way home we were mostly quiet, and I worried about how much I had upset her. I wasn't quite sure what had come over me when we'd met Mike, all I knew was that my mouth had seemed to engage before my brain did. And that I really was going to hit him. Maybe there was a lot to be said for vampire control after all?

Bella had been right of course, really what Mike had been imagining was nothing new compared to what I was used to seeing everyday at school, teenage boys minds were very creative, if only on one topic. As I was beginning to discover for myself…..

When we pulled up to the house Bella was still being quiet, and I found I was becoming more and more anxious. The last thing I wanted to do was upset her, and I began to wonder what she was thinking to keep her so quiet. Is she fed up with me as a human already? Is she still coming with me tonight?

She looked over towards me and gave me an uncertain smile. I wondered suddenly, would I still be able to 'dazzle' her in this new human body? I scooted over towards her, taking her hand in mine and looking deep into her eyes. I leant in close to her, so our faces were only inches apart, and hoped for the best.

"Bella, I am truly sorry about what happened earlier, can you ever forgive me?" I focused on gazing at her, and I noticed her pupils dilate as her breathing picked up; maybe this was one thing that did still work…….

"Uh… sure." Her voice was unsteady and for a moment I thought I had successfully dazzled her, until I realised that she was inching closer to me.

Without thinking I closed the distance between us and crashed my lips onto hers, and our mouths began to move together with enthusiasm. I groaned as I felt her tongue against my lips, and I opened my mouth, meeting her in the middle.

I reached for her and pushed one hand into her hair, and winding it around my fingers I pulled her face closer to mine. I felt a shiver run down my spine as she pushed both hands into my hair and tugged on it gently, running her fingers over my scalp. I put my right hand on her waist and pulled her body flush against mine so we were sitting tightly together, side by side in the car.

Gasping for breath I moved away from her mouth and ran kisses down her throat and across her collarbone, gently pulling on the collar of her shirt to allow me access. The little bit of exposed skin drove me wild, and my breathing sped up as I began to run my hand down her side, tracing each of her ribs until I reached her waist, and the hem of her shirt. Her warm breath came in sharp pants against my throat as my hand moved, urging me on in my explorations.

Our lips met again and our tongues worked together frantically as I played with the hem of her shirt, longing to find just a little more bare skin. She moaned into my mouth as I ran a single finger across the sliver of skin I exposed as I moved her shirt, and as my finger crept underneath she put her hand on my chest and pushed gently.

"Edward…" She whispered my name softly against my lips, sending a shiver of excitement from her hand down my chest and into the pit of my stomach. I could feel a coiling sensation lower down, and my heart began to race as I slid my hand further across the bare skin of her side.

"Bella…" I moaned as I moved my lips down her throat again, but I suddenly realised her hand was pushing more firmly against my chest.

"Edward. We're outside my house…" She pulled away from me, her face was flushed pink and she was breathing heavily.

"Sorry, I…. uh…." I moved my hand reluctantly away from her silky skin, and started to sit back in my seat, realizing I had leant into her so she was pushed quite firmly against the driver's door.

She caught my hand as I moved, pulling me back towards her. "You really have to stop apologizing for doing that you know" she said, kissing me softly on the lips, before pulling the keys out of the ignition.

"Well, if it helps, I'm not really sorry." I grinned as my mouth kicked in before my brain again. What's wrong with me today? Oh yeah….

She grinned back at me and winked, before she hopped out of the car.

As I got out of the passenger side, I couldn't stop thinking about the wink.

A/N – Hit the green button and tell me – are you sorry Edward didn't get to hit Mike?