I'm really sorry if there are errors, I kinda rushed this so I have something to post for tonight. I felt like I left for too long.

By The Lake

Chapter Six: Birthday Reminders

I woke up earlier than usual the next morning, Saturday morning, making this an unusual start. I didn't know what else to do because everyone's still asleep. I decided to make breakfast instead. Since I will be staying here, might as well help around.

I almost had a heart attack when I saw Alice sitting on the other side of the counter sipping her...was it hot chocolate or coffee?

"Bella, where were you last night? You weren't in my room." She asked me with her knit brows and her head shaking slowly.

"Ummm..." Why couldn't I just tell her that I slept in Edward's room...with Edward? But nothing happened, I swear!

"I'm guessing you were with Edward?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Ummm..." I gulped. Just say it, Bella!

"Just say yes. I'm not going to get mad at you. Just be careful, though. I don't want to lose a bestfriend." She rolled her eyes at me.

I laughed nervously. She can get so scary sometimes.

"So? Why are you up early? Don't you want to spend more minutes with my brother?" She smuggingly said.

"No." I tucked my hair behind my ears. "I came here to make breakfast." I told her truthfully.

"Fine. I'll help." She got off the chair and stood beside me. "You know, I think you're cute together." She smiled.

I looked at her questioningly.

"Oh come on! Stop denying, Bella." She said. "What are we even supposed to make?"

I blushed. "Berry Pancakes."

"As in blueberry? and cranberry? and raspberry? and maybe even cherry?" She asked like she was 4-years-old again.

"Yes." I nodded then smiled.

She would run around the kitchen helping me out. She would suddenly give me a can of berries which I thought was weird because I never thought that their cupboards would be filled with groceries. Our cupboards at home were always empty. I guess I have to get used to that soon since I'll be here more often. It was good, though, that she helped me. We didn't mess up which I was afraid, too, about Alice. She's got a lot of energy in her.

"All set." I said after we finished everything. We made plain pancakes topped with whip cream. Then we laid out in different bowls the different berries so they can pick whatever they want for toppings. We've also set the table and cleaned the kitchen. I'm a little proud that we finished earlier than we thought. An hour and a half and, yet, nobody's awake.

"I'm going to go and get everybody." She turned.

"Alice, wait. Please. Don't say anything, yet, about me and...Edward." I pleaded her. Yes. I had to plead.

She nodded then skipped off to wake everybody up.

Esme was the first to get to the kitchen. I felt satisfies when her eyes glowed and the motherly smile was plastered on her face.

"We have coffee, hot chocolate, orange juice and water for beverage choices." I told her.

"I'll have a cup of coffee, sweetie." She smiled still amazed at what we've done. She took her seat.

"Wow, Bella." Carlisle entered the dining.

"Not with Alice's help." I smiled for the little pixie.

"Can I also have a cup of coffee?" He requested.

I poured the coffee from the coffee maker into two separate cups for Esme and Carlisle.

"Here you go." I served.

"Yum! Smells delicious Bells!" Emmett inhaled and I thought his mouth watered.

"Thank you. Alice helped me out."

Just in time, Alice skipped back into the dining. Where was Edward?

Alice and Emmett took their seats.

"Always the slow poke. EDDIE!!!" Emmett shouted.

"Stop calling me that! Mmmmm...Mouth watering." He said. "Goodmorning, Bella."

Alice stood up. "Bella, take your seat. You've done your job. My turn. Coffee, hot chocolate, OJ or water?" She asked in general.

"Alice..." I almost whined.

"No, Bella. Take your seat." She glared.

HOLY--!

When I finally sat down on my usual seat, in front of Edward. Her face eased up and everybody laughed. Including me but I joined at the latter moment.

Everybody enjoyed breakfast, including me, I admit. Edward kept winking at me and telling me it was delicious and that they were the best pancakes ever. Emmett said 'yummy' about a hundred times. Carlisle and Esme didn't say much. They were too busy eating.

But the joyous breakfast was broken when Alice brought up my birthday. I didn't even remember it until she mentioned it.

"Bella! Do you have any extravagant plans next weekend?" She chirped. I know chirping is for birds but she did chirp.

"No. I don't have any 'extravagant' plans next week. Why? What do you have planned, Alice?" I asked her a little worry showing in my voice. Edward reached for my hand on the table.

"Stop faking it, Bella. Next Saturday is an important date." She shook her head.

What's next weekend? Has she already planned a date for me and Edward? She's scaring me. Plans with Alice were always terrifying. You'll probably go shopping or waxing (ouch!) or shopping or have your nails done or shopping or get a haircut. Have I mentioned shopping?

I shrugged my shoulders.

"It's your birthday, silly." She giggled.

It is?! How could she have known?! I never told her my birthday...wait. Maybe I have but how could've she remembered it while I didn't even know it was my birthday next Saturday. My smile slowly turned to a frown. I really didn't want to celebrate.

Emmett bellowed a laugh. Esme's eyes glowed and Carlisle was...all on his food, still. Edward had knit eyebrows.

"You really didn't know?" Edward asked me.

I shrugged again.

"Good. I've got a whole lot planned for next week. Just you wait. It will be grand." Alice rose from her seat and danced around the kitchen.

Uh-oh. Please, NO! Grrrr...Fine!

"Alice. No cotillions, okay? Please." I almost begged.

"But it's your 18th. This will be the last time I can do this. I already turned 18. No more next chance for me." She said, pouting a little then returning to her usual excited face.

"Please." I literally begged this time.

"Okay." She pouted then walked away.

Esme offered to clean up the kitchen so Edward was able to pull me up into his room.

"Are you okay?" He asked me once we were alone.

"Yes. I'm just worried about Alice. She might get carried away with the preparing and all." I let out a sigh.

"Come here." He said patting the empty space beside him on the bed.

I climbed next to him as he waited with his arms wide open. He hugged me tight the moment I settled next to him. He rubbed my back up and down. I instantly calmed down.

"So...About us..." He trailed off.

"Yes. About us?" I looked at him.

"I think we should let this stay like this for a while. I like you, Bella, Hell! I love you so much. But let's just go slow, okay? This isn't my first but I want you to be my last and forever." He told me with care and seriousness in his voice.

I couldn't think of anything to say. I mean...I nodded. "I think I love you too." I smiled. I could feel that something tug my heart.

"Good." He placed a chaste kiss on my lips.

"Are we telling them?" I asked him.

"If you want to." He smiled.

"Anything's fine with me as long as I will be with you there." I told him.

"Let's surprise them on your birthday?" He asked.

"Sure. Now about my birthday--"

"Ah yes! My present for you..." He trailed off again thinking.

"Strictly no spending." I shook my head.

He laughed. "I think I have the perfect present for you." A smirk is a bad sign if it's plastered on Edward's face...or maybe not. The last time, though, was perfect. But he had it again.

I sighed. Something tells me that this is going to be...good. Hopefully.

So...how was it? Thank you for your reviews. Love it!