A/N I can't apologize enough that it has taken soooo long to get this chapter out. You can thank my good friend Mrs Northman for this chapter as I agreed to post if she would post her smutty Carlisle/Bella one shot (Barriers), go give her some lovin'!

Last time….

"Oh my God, Bella! They are so perfect you have to tell me everything!" Alice said, bouncing around the room gathering pajamas for the both of us.

I had a feeling, sleep would not be coming anytime soon.

I changed into the pajamas Alice picked out, not really caring which ones they were. My mind was moving a mile a minute and I couldn't process everything that had happened since this morning.

Once Alice finished dressing she sat on her bed facing me with a wispy look on her face. "Oh Bella, I can't believe how wonderful Jasper is. He is such a gentleman, so sweet and very handsome."

"I know what you mean, but Alice, my mind is really scrambled right now, would you mind terribly if I begged off the time honored girlfriend gossip for tonight? I really need to wrap my head around everything that's happened today."

Alice tried to mask the surprise look on her face but said, "Okay….I'll let you off the hook, as long as you answer one question for me."

"OK, shoot" Oh Lord what have I gotten myself into?

"Are you two….official? As in boyfriend/girlfriend?" she asked.

"Um, ok, shit Alice, I know it's waaayyy too soon for this kind of thing, but yes, I, at the age of 22 now have my first official boyfriend. Happy?" I retorted.

The squeal she let out could break glass and eardrums from a mile away.

"Now we really MUST go shopping tomorrow to celebrate! You'll need boyfriend appropriate clothing now" she replied, bouncing on her bed.

"Nope, not gonna happen Alice, besides, I have plans with Edward tomorrow"

She looked visible deflated and looked up at me with the puppy dog eyes AND the pout. No fair! She knows I can't resist the puppy dog eyes AND the pout!

"No, Alice not tomorrow. Now put that lip in before you trip on it."

She huffed in defeat as I stomped off to the bathroom to brush my teeth to get ready for bed.

As I finished up my mind wandered over to Edward's lips and how they felt pressed against mine. My heart skipped a beat and my face flushed. What was going on with me? I did not react to guys this way. I was the shy, nerdy girl who always imagined I'd end up a lonely old lady with too many cats all named after famous movie stars. Who was I to think I could hold someone like Edward. The thought of being without him pained my heart.

Feeling lightheaded I made my way over to bed and curled up under the blankets as Alice made her way to the bathroom for her nightly ritual.

"Don't think you're going to get out of the girlfriend talk later missy" she said as she closed the door. "And the shopping too!"

I closed my eyes as I laid in bed, the only thing I could see was Edwards face, those piercing green eyes as they looked into my very soul. Could I have really found my soul mate, just like that? It certainly couldn't be that easy.

Visions of a future with Edward flashed in my head:

Flash: wearing a white wedding gown watching him as I walked down the aisle towards him.

Flash: sitting in a doctor's office looking at an ultrasound of our first baby.

Flash: bringing that baby to school on the first day of kindergarten in pigtails.

Flash: watching her walk down the aisle to her soul mate, holding the hand of an aging but still very handsome Edward in the front pew of the same church we were married in.

Flash: Sitting on the front porch of a country house in a porch swing watching the grandchildren play in the front yard, those same green eyes smoldering at me, looking in to the depths of my soul.

Could we really have such a future? Why on was I even thinking about a future with a guy I had literally known for a few hours? What is wrong with me?

While my so called future was flashing in my head, Alice had turned out the lights and was already deeply asleep. How long had I been daydreaming for?

I looked over at the clock and noted it was well after 2am. I felt oddly restless. I should be dead tired but I couldn't seem to shut my brain off. I needed to take a walk to clear my head. I felt an odd pulling sensation in my gut, like something was missing in me trying to pull me in that direction.

I got up, slipped on some flip flops and grabbed a sweatshirt. My pajama pants would just have to do for now. Who was going to see me anyway? I grabbed my cell phone and my key and slipped out the door quietly as not to awake Alice. Normally she is a very sound sleeper but I wasn't taking chances.

I made my way outside and located a bench under a tree some distance from the front door. Close enough to still see the building, but far enough away that the lights weren't bothersome. The moon was out now and I was enjoying the soft glow through the leaves on the tree deep into my own thoughts.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when someone sat down beside me.

"HOLY SHIT!" I screamed.

EPOV

Jasper and I walked back to our room in silence. I liked that about him, no male bonding bullshit necessary. If he had something to say, he said it and was done with it.

"Edward, I never thought I'd say this to you or about you, but damn man, you sure can pick them. I've never known you for a ladies man, hell I've never even seen or heard about any girl you've dated or even liked, but when you finally man up, you do good." He said as he punched me on the shoulder walking past me to the bathroom.

"I'm just as surprised as you are. I take it everything went OK with Alice?"

"Oh, yeah" he said with a smirk, "I hope to be seeing a lot of that pretty little lady."

I stripped down to my boxers and decided to call it a night. By the time Jasper came out of the bathroom I was under the covers with my eyes closed with visions of Bella dancing in my brain.

I couldn't believe how lucky I was. She was perfect. Finally, a girl- no a woman- with a brain, beauty to rival any professional model, and morals to boot. How she had not been snatched up before now was beyond me. I could listen to her talk forever. She could read a cookbook to me and just the words coming from her lips would sound like sweet music to my ears. Uggg, those lips….so soft and warm. My lips tingled with the memory of those lips on mine. I have never wanted someone so much. Not just in the physical sense, but wanted, as in forever. Don't get me wrong, little Eddie wasn't unhappy with the prospect of a physical relationship, but I was raised a gentleman. He'd just have to wait until the timing was right.

I don't know how long I laid there thinking of Bella and how she felt in my arms dancing, or just holding her, but Jasper was out like a light. His breathing was even and he was snoring softly. I groaned as I looked at the clock. It was well after 2am and I was no where near sleep yet. Maybe some fresh air would do me some good. I got up, grabbed the first pair of sweats I could find and a shirt, slipped on my shoes, grabbed my keys and I was out the door. Jasper slept like the dead, a bomb could go off and he'd never wake up.

I made my way downstairs, briefly toying with the idea of passing by Bella's room but that just seemed stalkerish. The outside air was cool but not too cold and the moon was out. I walked down the path a ways and saw the figure of someone sitting on a bench under a large tree. My heart skipped a beat as I walked towards this person. I felt something in me pulling me over there. I noticed long hair blowing around, must be a girl. God, I hope she wasn't crying over some dork who broke her heart…just as that thought crossed my brain the breeze hit me full in the face. Strawberries and freesia. Bella. That was my Bella. I got closer, she never heard me coming. I hoped even more that she wasn't crying but she seemed calm and thoughtful. I just stood there like a pervert watching the moon light dance across her skin as the light breeze made her hair float about like an angel.

My angel.

I could not resist her any longer. I quietly sat down next to her.

"HOLY SHIT" she exclaimed, jumping back almost falling off the bench.

"Sorry Bella, it's just me, I didn't mean to scare you" I calmly told her.

BPOV

After I calmed down my racing heart, my mind finally caught up with me, Edward was here, with me, in my pajamas, in the middle of the night.

"um, not to be nosey or anything, but what are you doing out here?" I asked.

"I couldn't sleep, what are YOU doing out here?" he asked with a smirk?

"Same reason" I shrugged. "I couldn't turn my brain off, it's been a pretty eventful day"

"I know what you mean." He said. We just sat there in silence, together under a tree, in the middle of the night, in our pajamas watching the moonlight filter through the leaves.

"This is nice" he whispered, "but this would be nicer" he said.

Before I could ask him what he meant, he reached over and wrapped his arms around me, bringing me into his side into a hug. I laid my head on his shoulder and sighed "yeah, that does make it nicer".

"Aren't you tired?" he asked.

"Exhausted" I replied "But like I said, I couldn't turn my brain off to go to sleep. I thought coming out for fresh air would help me relax"

"Is it working?"

"No, not really. I have a million questions running through my head. It's a lot to process."

"Care to share?" he asks looking down at me with a hopeful look on his face.

"It's pretty embarrassing" I blushed.

"You can tell me anything, you know that don't you? "he said turning slightly to look into my eyes.

"Yes, I know that. I don't know why I know that but I do, with everything I am I know I can trust you and that is strange to me. I've never, ever felt this way before." I paused, realizing I was rambling "Am I making any kind of sense here?"

"Yes, Bella, you are making perfect sense. I feel the same way. I don't know what draws me to you so strongly. I've never felt like this before either. So was that so embarrassing?"

"No, not really, I mean….OK shoot, I'm just going to lay it all out here before I chicken out" I took a deep breath and steeled my nerves "I really don't know what to do, I mean I've never had a boyfriend before, I don't know what your expectations are…." I blushed furiously here, thanking the heavens it was dark enough so he wouldn't see "I mean physically, I have absolutely no experience….in that way" there, I said it, I laid it out there like a Thanksgiving turkey, hoping I wasn't going to have to explain it further.

He stiffened up for a moment and cleared his throat a little. Oh God, I've scared him off already. Well that was a short relationship….

"Oh Bella, see, that's where we have something in common. I am just as "experienced" in that department as you are. I don't know where things might lead later on, but I know that I was raised a gentleman and I would never force you to do anything you are uncomfortable with. I have always believed that….certain stuff should only be shared between man and wife"

"Stuff?" I snickered.

"Um, well you know.......Oh don't tell me you haven't had 'the talk' yet?" he teased as he nudged my shoulder. "See, when a man and a woman really love each other they…."

"STOP! Oh God, it was bad enough getting this talk with my dad and his diagrams….please don't go there!" I blushed four shades of red thanking God for the darkness around us.

"All joking aside," he began "I'm not 'expecting' anything more than getting to know you better. I'm not sure what draws me so strongly to you, but it feels like I've known you much longer than just hours"

"I know what you mean, Edward" I sighed and leaned against his warmth. It was chilly outside and even though I was dressed in a sweatshirt I was still feeling the cool damp night air. "I guess I should go back in and at least try to get some sleep."

He tightened his arms around me and leaned his head down into my hair, "I guess we should but I really don't want to let you go." His voice sounded so sad.

"Morning will be here before you know it. Are you going to tell me what we're doing tomorrow, or I guess it's later today?"

"I told you it's a surprise, but if you give me another goodnight kiss, I may be persuaded to give you a hint" I looked up at him and he had a very sexy crooked smile on his face.

"Who could deny you a kiss with that smile?" I whispered as I reached up intending to deliver a chaste kiss to his cheek but he had other ideas. He turned his face at just the right time and our lips met. At first I was a bit surprised but surprise quickly took a back seat to desire as those warm soft lips caressed mine like they were meant to go together. His lips are so soft and warm under mine moving with mine like we've been together for years. Neither of us wanted to part, but unfortunately, we both needed to breathe. We broke apart out of breath, his forehead leaning against mine. "Wow" was all he said.

EPOV

"Wow", oh how articulate of me. But that was all I could manage as all the blood rushed from my brain to 'other' parts of my body. I shifted slightly so as not to alert her to my present condition.

"So do I get my hint now?" she asked.

"After that kiss, you deserve much more than a hint." I paused, I wondered if she would think where I'm taking her would be lame. "Remember how I told you about playing the piano for the kids at the hospital?" She nodded.

"Well tomorrow is my usual day to do so. If you don't want to go, I understand" I quickly added at the end, giving her the option to back out if she wanted to.

"Really?!" she practically squealed. "That sounds wonderful, I'd love to hear you play, and I just love kids. Do you think they would like me to read a story too?" her eyes sparkled with unexpected excitement. This woman was made just for me. I know that now.

"They'd love it!" I answered. "Now let's go inside before you catch cold." I stood up, now that certain parts of my anatomy have calmed down, and took her hand still unwilling to let her go for even a moment.

"I guess you're right" she sighed, "but can we just sit in the lounge for a little while, I really don't want to go up to bed yet…" she trailed off has she bit her lower lip.

"That sounds good" I replied, swiftly looking away before that part of my anatomy woke up again watching her nibble her lip. I wanted to be the one doing the nibbling!

We found a well worn sofa in the lounge near the vending machines and sat down. Not quite as close as we were outside but still touching.

"So tell me" she began "What made you choose music as your major?"

"Music is such a big part of me I couldn't see myself doing anything else…."

Third person point of view….

And so it began. Bella and Edward talked well into the early morning hours, learning more about each other, each feeling more and more comfortable with this new found feeling they have discovered.

Dawn arrived to find them sleeping wrapped up in each others arms each dreaming of the other.

Alice awoke early to discover Bella already out of bed.

'Hmmpppfff if she thinks she's getting out of spilling the goods she's got another thing coming' she thought as she trudged off to the bathroom rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

Once she had completed her morning ritual she decided since Bella ditched her she'd call Jasper to see if he wanted breakfast.

"This better be good dude 'cause it's barely light out, where the hell are you anyway, Edward?" Jasper answered his phone without bothering to check the caller ID.

"Um, Jasper, it's Alice." Jasper immediately shot up in his bed, now fully awake at the sound of her voice.

"I'm sorry, Alice, I thought you were Edward. He must have gotten up early this morning and I thought you were him calling…."

"Hmmmm, Bella is missing also, I'm beginning to put two and two together and I'm not coming up with four. Are you thinking what I'm thinking Jasper?"

"I think you may be right darlin', so what do you suppose we do about it. They are both of age you know."

"I can't think this early in the morning without my coffee and bagel. Are you up for some breakfast?" Alice asked, holding her breath. She didn't want him to think her too forward but she really liked this one.

"I'll meet you down stairs in 20 minutes!" Jasper replied. He was excited to see her again also.

"Um, better make that 30, I'm not even dressed!"

"I'll see you then." Jasper replied before hanging up his phone. He quickly showered and dressed in the first clean clothes he could get his hands on. He performed a once over in the mirror running his hands through is blond hair once more trying not to appear too eager, and went downstairs to the lounge area to wait for Alice.

When he got there he stopped cold and smiled. Before him were Bella and Edward sound asleep in each others arms on the sofa.

Very few students were up at this unholy hour so there was a very small chance they would be disturbed any time soon. He tiptoed down the hallway a bit and took out his phone.

The phone rang only twice when she picked up. "Hey, anxious are we? I still have 10 minutes ya know?" Alice teased.

"No rush Alice, but you wouldn't happen to have a camera would you?" he asked.

"Yeeessss, why?" she answered, puzzled by this request.

"Well, I found our missing room mates and if you bring your camera, we'll have enough blackmail ammo for months!" he quipped.

"I'll be down in 10!" she squealed and hung up.

Alice flew around her room finishing up the last details. After all she can't show up looking frumpy. Once she was satisfied with the results she grabbed her camera, making sure the battery was charged and there was plenty of memory should she need the video functions.

She went downstairs and found Jasper standing near an old worn sofa shaking.

She went up behind him and placed her hand on his arm, trying not to make any noise or startle him. She soon discovered why he was shaking; he was trying to hold back his laughter.

Bella and Edward were wrapped up together, it looked like their limbs were tied in knots but that wasn't the funny part. Apparently they were dreaming and apparently they both talked in their sleep. She got out her camera and quickly took a few still shots before turning on the video.

"Oh this is good" she mouthed to a still shaking Jasper.

Edward: No, not the pink striped one.

Bella: Why not? I happen to like pink stripes.

Edward: Zebras are not supposed to have pink stripes. Why do you want that one?

Bella: Because it's cute and it goes with the flowers.

Edward: You know I'll always give you what you want, but before we decide can we look at a few more?

Bella: Yes we can, but I want that pink striped zebra!

At this point Jasper couldn't hold back any longer and a loud guffaw followed by Alice's high pitched giggles woke both Edward and Bella up.

A/N I not a beggar of reviews, but they do make me write faster......