Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. I just like to play a little Cullen chess.

Chapter 3- Plans to Party

Alice was just as surprised as Edward and I were with the Volturi's visit.

"I don't know what is wrong with me! For some reason, I did not see this coming! What's wrong with me?" she whined.

"Alice, it's not your fault. You have no control of it. Just relax," I tried to assuage her.

"Bella is right, Alice. Nobody can be totally omniscient," Edward added.

"I know, but still. It feels like I'm slipping away," Alice complained.

"Hey, Alice, can you do Edward and me a favor?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Sure, Bella. Anything."

"You know that Nessie is turning seven next week, so I was wondering if you would like to do the planning for her surprise party..." I asked her.

"Of course I'll do it! I saw this one coming though, so I've already started!" Alice laughed.

"Thanks, Alice. I knew I could always count on you," I said, pulling her into a hug.

After a minute, Edward motioned for me to follow him into the other room.

"That was really nice of you to do that. I know you hate parties, but Alice definitely needed that," Edward complimented.

"Well, I think we can all use a little celebration."

"That is very true," he said, pulling me into his arms and kissing my forehead. I stood on my toes to reach his lips. Within seconds, we were oblivious to the outside world.

--------One Week Later--------------

The week passed by quickly. Alice would not tell anybody what she was planning for Nessie's party, which made me a little apprehensive. Alice even did an excellent job of blocking out Edward when she was around him. I hated surprises even more than I hated parties.

However, two days before the party, Alice slipped and forgot to block her mind from Edward. Unfortunately, she was only thinking about the guests. That part didn't really matter to me. All of our family, Jacob, Carmen, Elezear, Tanya, Kate, Garrett, Zafrina, Senna, Kachiri, and Nahuel would all be attending our celebration. Edward also heard that Kate and Garrett had some surprise for us all. Ever since the almost-fight with the Volturi several years ago, the two had been together.

Edward and I had our own surprise for Renesmee. We decided that it would be safe enough for her to attend high school especially since we would be with her. We would enroll her in the local high school for the spring semester and would ensure that at least one member of the family would be with her at all times, just to ensure that no accidents occurred. The local story would be that Renesmee was Edward's niece, and she would be staying with us since her parents had died in a fire.

I could only imagine what Alice was up to with all of the other preparations for the party. She was even picking out our outfits. I tried calming myself by remembering her previous parties. My 18th birthday, the graduation party, the wedding ceremony, my small surprise celebration of my 19th birthday...I shuddered as I remembered my eighteenth birthday. That was not a very happy occasion. The graduation party and the wedding ceremony had been perfect. My mind lingered on my vague memory of the wedding ceremony...what a perfect day that had been. I could not even believe anymore that I did not want the wedding ceremony. I was crazy before, and now I saw the light. I only wished that I had my vampire senses that day, so the image in my head would be crystal clear, rather than the fuzziness I had to see through now.

Edward suddenly came up from behind the couch I was sitting on and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

"Yes, that day was perfect. If you want, we could have another wedding and recreate our first. That way you'll always remember it the way you want..." Edward suggested. I hadn't realized that I had pulled my shield back. It seemed that whenever I was deep in concentration, it slipped away involuntarily.

"Hmm...that's an interesting idea. I was just reminiscing my memories of Alice's parties. I don't want her going too overboard on this. I hate how she isn't telling us any of her plans. You know how I hate surprises. Well, for the most part, I do..."

"Don't worry, love. Alice has everything under control," Edward reassured me.

"I'm guessing she slipped again today. Yesterday you definitely were not this calm!" I laughed.

"Maybe, maybe not. You'll never find out!" he teased back, coming around to sit on the couch with me. I positioned myself to rest my head on his chest, but Edward picked me up and sat me down on his lap. I surely did not mind the repositioning.

"Well. I guess I'll find out what she is planning in two days."

"What? You're giving up just like that? I was planning to enjoy tormenting you a little over what I know. Don't you want to know?"

I laughed. Yes, my curiosity was intense, but I definitely wanted to play this out a little bit. "And what exactly were you planning to make me do?"

Edward leaned forward and kissed the top of my forehead, the bridge of my nose, all the way down my face, until his lips found mine.

"You could have just asked for that. No need to torment me," I taunted him.

"Well, then, Mrs. Cullen. Will you do me the favor of kissing your husband?" he laughed back.

I waited a few minutes to make him start panicking. I gave him the impression that I actually had to think about it, when really in mind, he didn't even have to ask. Then, I locked my hands around his neck, knotting my fingers into his hair. I pulled back my shield as I kissed his lips and thought, "Wow, I guess Rosalie and Emmett are really rubbing off on us..."

Edward murmured into my jaw, "I certainly do understand their point of view now..."

And without a doubt, so did I. Being with Edward was the most magical feeling I had ever experienced. It was true euphoria.