Okay, okay! I know it's been a few days but now that it's summer my boss has had me working from 8:30a.m. to 7:00p.m. and I only have like an hour tops to work on this story every day by the time I get home and stuff. So please bear with me, I promise I haven't fallen off the wagon and this story WILL be finished, but it's probably going to be down to one chapter a week from now on. I'll try to update as much as possible but my job and horse back riding come first, so one a week is going to have to do for now!

Disclaimer: Like the horses at my stable, I do not own Harry Potter and Twilight, I just enjoy taking them for a ride!

Chapter 6

"Mike I'm going to kill you!" Bella shouted as she stalked out of the changing room, her eyes blazing, face aflame with indignation. Oh, he was so going to pay. "How dare you peek you pervert! Did you think we wouldn't notice? I should chop off your balls and feed them to you! I swear, you are so bloody immature! Tell me, have you grown up at all since you were five or are you like some child in a teenagers body? Ugh, I swear you boys are so predictable! All alike in immaturity!" she shouted, the door open behind her as she prepared to take her leave, still glaring daggers at him even as the door closed but as soon as he was blocked from view she burst into laughter, holding her knees to support herself so that she didn't fall over.

"Wow Bella, that was some serious generalization you made there. Are you saying I'm immature too? I am technically still at the maturity level of a seventeen year old male you know. At least physically, I am," Edward teased from behind her. Not only had he heard her whole tirade he had also had the pleasure of reading the poor bastards thought's. The boy was scared shitless.

"That was so much fun! He reminded me a bit of some guy friends I had back home for a minute there. The look on his face was priceless! And yes, just because your like a century old or whatever does not exempt you from that rule. You're just better at hiding you're immaturity. You know what they say; practice makes perfect."

"Yes love, I'm sure you are absolutely right," he acquiesced, humor shining forth from his smiling face and eyes.

"Don't 'yes love' me. I'm sick of this place, let's go," and with that they were gone, Edward's driving getting them to her 'home' in just a few short minutes. The house was empty; Charlie was at work. The shutters were drawn and the house dark, lonely, she didn't want to spend the whole rest of the afternoon by herself.

"Do you want to come in? Charlie won't be home for hours yet," she said, smiling up at him sweetly as he pulled her from the car.

"Is that an effort to seduce me Miss Swan?" he teased, his messy copper hair hanging in front of his eyes, teasing her; begging to be swept back and out of the way. His stance was relaxed as he held here there at the door, his arms to her sides, trapping her in front of him. He was so beautiful it was hard to keep herself from jumping him right there for all the world to see, but she managed to restrain herself.

"Not exactly," she teased before capturing his lips with her own and moaning softly as he pressed her up against the door. It was like morning all over again as her back arched into him and she grabbed him firmly, pulling him even closer, taking time only to breathe and even then she managed most of that without ever disconnecting their lips. He was not warm or soft, but she honestly didn't care. He smelled amazing, like spice and cider and pine and a musky sort of scent that was uniquely Edward. He tasted like spring rain and a shiver of pleasure ran down her spine as he slipped one hand beneath her shirt and began stroking her stomach, the other still firm against the door. She was lost, drowning in sensation as suddenly the world became more clear; the bird calls more sweet and pronounced, the soft drip of the ever present moisture of forks as it fell from the tree just to the left of the porch, the harsh grain of the wood against her back and the individual hairs at the nape of Edwards neck. Being with Edward never seemed to block out the world like all of her storybooks, both muggle and magical; being with Edward instead made her more aware. When she was with him the world came to life and seemed to be rich with meaning. She liked the way she saw the world with Edward, and she liked how right it felt to have him press her up against the wooden door of her 'father's' house. Yes, Forks was turning out to be much better than she ever could have hoped or dared dream.

Still connected at the lips Edward reached over her head and pulled the spare key down from the eave, opening the door and sliding her back against it on the other side, out of the cold.

"Edward, how did you know the key was there? I've never used it in front of you," she said, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear him say it. Their snoging session was now officially over.

"Well, um, you see… I might have kind of been spying on you," he said awkwardly, looking like the child that got caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar. It really was quite endearing and she almost lost all control and kissed him again.

Almost.

"Spying? For how long?" she asked, feigning shock.

"Uh, since the first day of school. I'm sorry, I was curious," he replied, begging her with his eyes not to turn him out for being a peeping tom. She smirked. This is so much fun!

"You know if you wanted to watch me sleep you could have just asked. My window's always open," she said with a wink before sauntering into the living room and collapsing in fake exhaustion on the couch.

"You little-" he started but was cut off.

"Minx, yeah I know. Now come over here and kiss me you big, ferocious, evil vampire. Seek redemption in my waiting lips," she mocked, almost sounding like a modern day Juliet. She could imagine the scene now 'and palm to palm is holy palmer's kiss' Sometimes she amused even herself. Okay, make that most of the time. Must come from being an outcast for so long. She had no more time to deliberate as his lips crashed down onto hers but she pulled away before he had the chance to deepen it and, walking into the living room, she collapsed against the couch feigning exhaustion.

"Oh come on, you're not really tired are you?" he teased, having followed her into the room he now sat on the arm of the couch by her shoeless feet.

She didn't answer; instead she started fake snoring, trying her hardest not to laugh like she was dying to do. She could just imagine the look on Edwards face an was sorely tempted to cheat and have a look for herself.

"Now now Bella, I've been spying on you remember? And I know you don't snore," he mocked, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he reached down and tickled her feet with his freezing fingers. She jumped so high off the couch she toppled off the other side, hitting her bum hard on the floor, her indignant gaze glaring daggers into his as she had to restrain herself from turning her hair red, a reflex she had had since birth whenever she got mad. Sure he could have easily caught her, but the look on her face was so worth restraining his instincts.

"Oh you are so not getting any," she said, flipping her hair over one shoulder and making her way into the kitchen where she began the early preparations of lasagna for dinner later that night. Edward followed, the look on his face silently begging forgiveness. She sighed and let up on her cold demeanor inviting him to say something.

"You and your father aren't really close, are you?" he asked for seemingly no reason. Her hands tightened on the counter as she closed her eyes tightly, reason telling her he meant Charlie but reflex making her automatically think of a tall, overbearing man with long blond hair and grey eyes like tempered steel.

"No," she managed, though it was a barely audible release of air from her lips. A single tear slid down her left cheek. "My mom and weren't much better either," she croaked. He pulled her to him, prying her fingers away from the counter and placing them around her neck before wiping away the lone tear that had escaped.

"Oh Bella, I'm so sorry, I never should have brought up such a sensitive subject. I'm so sorry," he murmured into her hair as she clung to him.

"It's okay," she replied, pulling away and unnecessarily wiping her eyes. "You didn't know. What about your family? What were they like?" she asked, looking up into his beautiful topaz eyes.

"I was born in Chicago in 1901. My father was a lawyer so I didn't really see him much and my mother stayed home, as most women did at the time, and raised me and took care of the house. I honestly don't remember much about them. When you are changed into a vampire you tend to forget a lot about your human years. I wish I could remember more, but I can't," he replied earnestly.

"Why were you changed? Surely Carlisle wouldn't have just taken your life away from you?" she asked, curious.

"When I was seventeen the Spanish Influenza hit Chicago. My father was the first in my family to contract it, and for a while it looked like he would be okay, that he would make it against the odds, but he died a few days later. My mother and I were the next to get it; most likely from him. Mother was hit first and two days after she was hospitalized I followed. It was her dying wish that Carlisle do everything in his power to save me, and when he knew I wasn't going to make it he bit me, and in the confusion of the overworked hospital he smuggled me away. I guess for all intents and purposes he's my father now," his expression was slightly pained, his eyes echoing a look similar to that of a wounded animal who continued to have shocks of pain even after the wound had healed. She hugged him tighter.

"I'm sorry Edward."

"It's okay. That was a long time ago. Besides, without my past I never would have met you, and that's worth a thousand days of flame and pain in my eyes," he replied earnestly. Their conversation was swiftly growing in depth and had changed course to a path she was not yet ready to tread. Not yet.

Instead of furthering the conversation she turned in his arms and began to prepare dinner, meticulously doing everything just so. She felt a bit OCD around Edward, it was just something about his presence that made her want to do everything just so. Oh well, at least he had the excuse of being cute. She smirked.

"And what are you so smug about all of a sudden Miss Swan?" he mocked, pulling her close as she placed the last layer of noodles into the glass pan. A shiver ran up her spine from his proximity and she found herself pressing herself further into him involuntarily as she let out a contented sigh. This was not good; she had it bad.

"Oh nothing really," she replied, "just thinking about how odd I seem to act around you."

"I know, it must be my rugged good looks," he teased with a wink.

"Something like that," she agreed, laughing before putting the lasagna in the oven and setting the timer. Charlie would be home soon and she really wanted to talk to Ginny again but the last thing she needed was for Edward to catch her using a two way mirror. Instead she turned to him, looked up at him from under her lashes, and addressed him once more.

"So are you planning on spying on me again tonight or do you think you could handle letting yourself in? It can't be comfortable to sit in a tree all night even if you are a vampire," she teased, secretly using the question to learn of his whereabouts.

"Actually Alice has plans this evening to buy an anniversary present for Jasper, them being married and all, and unfortunately as the only sane male in the house who isn't working or the aforementioned husband, is me; so I'm afraid I'm going to be dragged along to Seattle with her. Crazy little pixy that she is you would think she would take Emmet since they could easily spaz out together but no, she wants 'a man's input, not a moron's snide remarks.' Her words, not mine," he replied.

"Awe, tell them happy anniversary for me!" she said, smiling in relief and earnest affection. She thought it was so cute how close Edward and Alice were, even if he refused to admit it. The way his eyes lit up when he joked about her made it apparent they were as close as any two siblings could be.

"Why don't you? You could come over for their party Saturday. It's obviously just a family thing, but I'm sure everyone would love to have you. I know Alice especially has been dying to meet you," he suggested, looking down at her with the most hopeful expression she was sure she had ever seen cross his face. At that moment he was simply too adorable to refuse and she automatically accepted his invitation not even batting a lash at the fact she would be in a house full of vampires. Alone. Human. It was a good thing she could mask the scent of her blood. Besides, she was already dating one. Why not plunge head first into a freezing pool? The shock of the water was always half the fun, and she had never been one for slowly wading in.

"Sure, I'd like that."

"Good, I'll see you tomorrow for school, love. Charlie will be here soon and I'd rather not have to explain myself," he teased, kissing her briefly before heading for the door. His parting note was a wink, and then he was gone. Was it strange that after so short a time she didn't fell quite whole when he wasn't around? Probably. Oh well, she was a witch after all, she had never really been someone you could classify as 'normal.' So with that she walked up to her room, checked the wards to make sure he was really gone, and called Ginny's name into her two way mirror.

"Hey Bella!" Ginny cried upon answering her end of the mirror. She was all ready for bed in a tank and sweats with her hair in a French braid and still wet from the shower. There was a certain haggardness to her appearance but mainly she just looked a strange cross between annoyed and elated.

"Well are you happy to see me or not? You look like you can't decide weather to fling the mirror across the room or reach out and hug me!" Bella asked with a laugh, confused by her friends behavior but not really surprised; Ginny was weird like that.

"Of course I'm happy to see you silly! I wish you were here so the mirrors weren't necessary but I'm not mad at you or anything. Your brother on the other hand is about to drive me insane! Every five minutes it's 'where's Bella? I know you know where she is! Please can I just talk to her?' and on and on and on for ever and a freaking half! I'm about to shove my wand up his pale, bony little arse hole if he doesn't cut it out! Did you know he has sat vigil outside the portrait of the fat lady since we got here? Bloody annoying is what he is!" Ginny ranted, her face almost going as red as her hair as she struggled to keep the volume down. Of course, since she had a silencing charm around her bed that was a bit unnecessary but whatever.

"I want to talk to him," Bella said after a moments deliberation.

"What? Are you crazy? What part of 'the death eaters are looking for you' do you not understand? Are you trying to get yourself killed? Knowing him he would just run with the news to daddy like a good little boy searching for praise! Sometimes you really are quite thick, Bella" Ginny warned, her tone disbelieving as she looked at her friend with what could only be a gaze questioning her sanity.

"He's my brother, Gins. I know you don't like him, and lets face it most of the time I don't either, but he wouldn't rat me out like that. He never has, and he never will, just because we disagree about which side of the war is worth fighting for does not detract my love for him or vice versa. I want to talk to him Gin, trust me when I say he's just worried," Bella reasoned, her eyes beseeching her best friend to understand.

"Damn it, Bella, you know how much I hate that stupid look of yours! It's not like I don't trust you! I don't trust him! He is just in way too tight with Voldie's lap dogs. I don't like it that he want's to know where you are, not at all."

"He needs to know Ginny. I know my brother, he always had a weakness where father was concerned but he has an even bigger weakness with me. He would never even dream of doing me harm, even if we haven't spoken in months. I need this Gin, and so does he. Please?" Bella begged, knowing it was ultimately Ginny's decision. She was the one in position of the second mirror after all.

"Oh all right, I'll let you talk to him, but I swear if he tells I will personally hunt his skinny ass down and hex him into oblivion understood?"

"Yes mother, now when are you able to give it to him?" Bella asked mockingly, trying her best to hide her eagerness. It had been so long since she had talked to her brother. Sure, he was a prat, but she knew it was a front spurred first by her absence on the first day of school and soured by their father's influence.

"I can give it too him later tonight, he is right outside the common room after all, but for now I think I'll let him squirm a little longer. How are things with lover boy?" Ginny teased.

"Wow Gin, real mature," Bella mocked. "Things are good I guess, I'm going to meet the family this Saturday so that could either end up hell on earth or the best day ever. I'm putting my money on the former."

"Oh come on Bells. You always act like this," Ginny groaned.

"Like what?"

"Like people aren't going to like you when it's nigh on impossible for that to happen. You have self confidence issues bad," she said, though there was a hint of humor in her eyes.

"Whatevs, we'll see. Anyway so that's Saturday. Can I please talk to my evil twin now? Please? I'll love you forever," Bella begged, trying so hard not to laugh wile Ginny toppled off her four poster in a fit of giggles.

"Yes, yes, of course you can my dear, please hold while the subscriber you are trying to reach is located…"

"You aren't even muggle!" Bella said through her laughter.

"No by I had to endure most of your training too! Well, that and I'm dating Harry but that's completely beside the point," she finished, now walking through the common room. All Bella could make out was a jostling of scenes and stone walls before Ginny handed the mirror to a confused Draco. Bella heard the portrait hole close behind Ginny as she walked back inside before directing her attention back to her brother.

"Bella?" he asked, drowsy and confused.

"Hello Draco."

Does that count as a cliffy? Ha ha, I don't know, anyway as I prepare to post this I am sitting up at 1:30am now completely finished packing and determined to get this chapter up before I leave for Vermont at 5:30am so enjoy it because the next one won't be up until sometime next weekend probably. I hope you liked this chapter even if it was mostly fluff and I hope you let me know of any thoughts you might have.

Great Wishes for an Awesome Summer-A