Toni's P.O.V.

I entered my house after a long day at school and threw my bookbag to the ground. I took my shoes off and made my way into the kitchen to eat an after school snack. When I walked through the doorway, I was surprised to see my father sitting at the kitchen table; usually he was at work until after long after I was asleep.

"Hey, dad. Not working at the station today?"

"Thought I could spend some time with you. I feel like I've been spending too much time at work," my dad explained.

"What did you have in mind?" Toni asked.

"We could go up to Port Angeles and eat out tonight, maybe watch something on the TV," he suggested.

I suddenly felt bad. I must have forgotten to tell him about the party Alice was throwing.

"Aw, dad, I'm sorry. Alice is throwing me a belated birthday party tonight," I told him sheepishly.

"A belated birthday party?"

"Yeah. She was upset that I didn't spend my birthday here in Forks, so she wants to celebrate tonight."

"Well," he said, "I guess that's okay."

I felt bad because I knew he needed some family bonding to take his mind off of everything going on at the station. He was working hard lately, and all he had was work on his mind. It would do him some good to think about something else.

"We can still get dinner!" I rushed to say. I didn't like how disappointed he looked.

"Edward's picking me up around eight, so we have plenty of time," I continued.

"You sure?" dad asked.

"Yeah," I replied. "We can go to that new restaurant that opened up a few months ago."

"Only if you're sure, kid. We can leave in an hour."

"Okay. I'm gonna go upstairs and get ready."

I went upstairs to my room and closed the door. I turned around and was greeted with the sight of my boyfriend, Edward. I smiled at him and gestured for him to sit in the seat at my desk. At first, I wouldn't let him in my room. Ever. I felt a bit weird with the idea of him popping in and out of the room without notice, but I slowly came around to it. He was only allowed to climb through my window during the day, though. I really didn't want him staring at me while I was sleeping.

"How's the house looking?" I asked him as I laid on my stomach on the bed. Alice was going to go all out, I was sure of it, which is why I needed some inside details to ready myself.

"Decorated," Edward answered with mirth dancing in his eyes.

"Sounds like your prediction was right," I said with a grumble.

"Hmm," Edward hummed. "I could say 'I told you so', but I feel like that just won't do."

I rolled her eyes and cupped my face with both hands so that they were supporting my head.

"So," I drawled out, "what did you get me for my belated birthday?"

I'd been curious since they mentioned they had gotten gifts and I felt like I couldn't wait a few more hours until they were unwrapped.

"You'll have to wait, love," Edward told me.

"C'mon. Not even a little hint?"

"Nope," he said, imitating me by popping the 'p'.

"No fair," I whined.

"'All is fair in love and war,'" he recited.

"Yeah, yeah. I have to go out to dinner with my dad, so I'll see you later?"

"Of course, love. I'll be here to pick you up around eight."

"How do I look?" I asked Edward. We were standing in the threshold of the front door of the house. I was wearing a short-sleeved, green dress covered with lace and black flats. My hair was styled into a donut bun with tendrils falling to frame my face. I wasn't going to dress up, originally, but I knew Alice would kill me if I didn't. Besides, I didn't get many opportunities to wear the dresses in the back of my closet.

"Perfect," Edward responded with an intense look in his eyes.

I smiled and, to my dissatisfaction, blushed under his gaze. Then, I looked back at my dad, who was watching us interact.

"I'll be home before eleven."

"Go. Have fun, Toni," he said.

I closed the door behind me and followed Edward to his car. He held the door open for me and shut it after I got in the car. He hurried to his seat and started the car.

When we pulled up to the Cullen's house, my mouth gaped open. I was astonished by how far Alice went. There were lights strung through the trees lining the drive way and there were lights lining the front of the house. It was almost as if they were leading the them to the door.

The inside the house was dimly lit by long, white candles and a floral scent lingered throughout the house due to the amount of fresh flowers decorating the room. All the Cullen's were standing in the living room and greeted us when we entered.

"Happy belated, my dear," Esme said. She was wearing a knee-length, pink dress with frills at the top, along with black heels. Her hair was straightened and a smile adorned her heart-shaped face. She, along with Carlisle, walked up to me and enveloped me in a hug.

"I'm sorry we couldn't reign Alice in," Carlisle apologized.

"It's okay, Carlisle," I assured him. "It looks nice."

"I told you she would like it," Alice said, addressing every one in the room. She was wearing a purple dress held up by thick straps and black flats. She walked up to me, gave me a hug, and shoved a present in my hands.

"Happy birthday!"

I opened the box curiously. Inside, I found a beautiful, burgundy dress with a very expensive price tag.

"Alice, it's beautiful, but when am I ever going to wear it?" I asked. I wasn't the type of person to dress up every day.

"Don't worry about that, just enjoy our gift," Alice ordered, referring to Jasper and herself.

"Here you are, Toni," Rosalie said as she walked up to me. She was wearing a strapless, black dress with black heels. Her hair was curled and swept to one side of her neck.

Rosalie handed me a small, rectangular box. I opened it and found a necklace, which I picked up and held in front of my eyes. It was made up of a silver chain and a small pendant that looked familiar.

"The Cullen Crest?" I asked surprised.

"You are a part of this family now," Rosalie said, "so I thought it best that you had something with our trademark on it."

"Thank you, Rosie," I said emotionally. "It means so much to me that you accept me into your family."

"Well, it wouldn't hurt to have one more sister," Rosalie said with a smile playing at her lips. My relationship with Rosalie was amazing. She reminded me of a big sister from a TV show; she was supportive, likable, and she cared for me as if her life depended on it. I was glad that we had such a positive relationship with one another.

"Now for Esme and Carlisle's gift," Alice said, interrupting.

Carlisle handed me an envelope with my name scrawled on the front in neat handwriting.

"Edward mentioned you wanted to meet to some of our friends, so we thought you could meet our cousins, first," Esme explained.

"The one's in Alaska?" I asked excitedly. I had never been to Alaska, and I was eager to meet the extension of the Cullen's. They talked about the Denali's frequently, and so, I was curious and wanted to meet them. Edward was cautious, as he always was, with me meeting new vampires, but I assured him that if the Cullen's trusted the Denali's so much as to call them family, then it would be fine.

"Yes. We informed them that you would be stopping by in a few months."

I opened the envelope hurriedly; I wanted to actually see the tickets first to make sure they weren't joking. In my haste, I accidentally sliced my finger open. It automatically started stinging, and on impulse, I stuck my finger in my mouth.

"Shoot. Paper cut."