A/N: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight... I just play around with her characters.

Thanks to PTB ginginlee and aleisha for making my words flow so much better and making sure my commas are in the right place... I will never get those stupid things right on my own.

To my other betas Sam1Am and Scarlett71177 for reading and fixing and all the encouragement!

To all my readers, thank you from the bottom of my heart, hope you enjoy!

Love Come Last

Chapter Six

Going Public...and Crazy

Edward and I spend the next few weeks doing everything we can to look like a loving couple.

At home, we allow ourselves to get caught standing way too close, have fake wrestling/tickle fights-which I think Edward enjoys just a little too much-and spend way too much time alone in each others rooms. Do Carlisle or Esme say a word? NO! Nothing! It is like they are oblivious to what we are trying to portray.

The classes I'm taking in Port Angeles, are only Monday-Thursday, most days ending by two-thirty. I have always come right home from school, or called if I was running late. Granted that was high school, but still. Now, I come home within seconds of Edward, regardless of what shift he is working.

We coordinate schedules so that if he works day shift he's usually done by four in the afternoon, the evening shift, eleven at night. I hang around school, usually in the library getting schoolwork done, then sometimes we meet for dinner, so people see us together. Sometimes Edward goes to see Tanya so, I stay at school until he calls me, and then we meet and arrive home within a few moments of each other. If Edward works an overnight shift, I get up early and bring him breakfast. You'd think someone would question this, right? Wrong, no one says a word.

I'm getting a little frustrated with it all. Edward has an unexpected weekend off so, on Friday night we decide to get semi-dressed up and go to dinner. We leave together, and again nothing is said.

We arrive at La Bella Italia, one of the best Italian restaurants in Port Angeles. It's fairly upscale and the food is amazing.

We finish our meal and are talking about how no one has mentioned our new relationship.

"Maybe they think we are like you and Alice," I tell Edward. "You know, like brother and sister." I'm pouting now. "I told you no one would believe we are a couple."

Edward laughs and runs his fingers through his hair. "You could be right."

He gets a very determined look on his face. "What?" I ask.

"I think we have to step it up a notch." Edward says, leaning in over the table.

My eyebrows shoot up. "Really? What exactly did you have in mind?"

"I'm not sure," he responds. "Let me think about it. Are you ready to go?"

I tell him yes, a little worried about the look on his face. I need to use the ladies room, so he offers to have the valet get the car so it will be warm, and he'll meet me out front.

I don't take long in the restroom, and as I make my way to the front of the restaurant, I see Edward talking with a very distinguished gentleman, around Carlisle's age, and an elegant woman, who I assume is the gentleman's wife.

I approach slowly not wanting to interrupt, but unsure if I should go to Edward or meet him out front. I'm trying to make a decision when Edward's eyes catch mine and he gives me his beautiful, crooked smile, the one that makes my heart skip a beat.

He holds his arm out, telling me it's okay to join him. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close.

"Gerry, this is Bella Swan. Bella, this is Dr. Gerald Snow and his wife, Lorraine. Dr. Snow is one of the top heart surgeons in the country. He was born and raised in Forks, which is why it was so easy for Carlisle to convince him to work for Cullen Medical."

I shake hands with both Dr. Snow and his wife. "Swan?" Dr. Snow asks. "Wait, are you Charlie's daughter?" I nod, as he pulls my into a huge hug then pushes me back and takes a good look at me. I look at Edward nervously.

Finally, Dr. Snow says, "Your father was a good man. I spent many an afternoon out on the lake fishing with Charlie. Terrible loss for Forks, but I'm sure an even greater loss for you."

"Yes, it was. I still miss him," I answer.

"Well, I can tell you this young lady, your father thought the world of you. He was thrilled when you moved here to live with him, but heartbroken over the circumstances," he said, letting me know he knew about my mother's death as well. He let go of my shoulders and looked at Edward.

"Edward," he says, "this is a beautiful young lady, you better treat her right. If Chief Swan was alive, and you hurt his little girl there would be hell to pay. Just remember there are enough of his old friends around that would be more than happy to take up that payment, if you let this little one down." Dr. Snow slaps Edward on the shoulder, and from the sound of it, it hurt.

Edward laughs and pulls me tight to his side. "Oh, believe me, Gerry, I don't doubt that for a minute. You have my word, I will take very good care of Chief Swan's daughter." He looks down at me. "She's a very special person."

Dr. Snow smiles at us. "Good! Well, I will let you two young people go, enjoy the rest of your evening. Good to see you Edward, and a pleasure to finally meet you, Bella."

We say our goodbyes and Edward pulls me toward the front of the restaurant with the biggest grin on his face. He doesn't stop at the valet station, just pulls me toward the dock that wraps around the side and back of the restaurant.

"This is perfect, Bella." Edward laughs, as he pulls me tight to his side. I wrap my arm around his waist because it is the only way I can walk without tripping. "Gerry and Carlisle are thick as thieves. They have lunch together at least three times a week. But, the best part is that Lorraine Snow is the hospital's biggest gossip."

We walk about half way down the dock when he stops and pushes me back against the fence, leaning in so both of his arms have me trapped. He smiles down at me. "The Snows have a routine. I've eaten here with them, and my parents enough to know." He glances toward the back deck of the restaurant.

"They will order a drink and their dinner, and then come out onto the deck to for a cigarette while they wait for their meal." He looks toward the deck once more, then smiles at me. "And, there they are."

He seems a little nervous as he takes my hand and brings it up kissing it gently. "Show time, Bella. This is something we are going to have to do a lot, so don't freak out."

He drops my hand and pulls me close to him. He places his hand on my cheek and bends down to gently kiss my lips. His fingers go to the nape of my neck as he pulls me closer and kisses me again, this time slowly licking my bottom lip until I open my lips and allow him access. I can't help responding, as my tongue dances with his. He pulls me even closer and my hands find their way into his hair, as I tug trying to get even closer which believe me, is impossible, unless I crawl inside of him.

I feel him pull back, and then he places three more light kisses on my lips. My eyes stay closed as I hear him whisper in my ear, "Breathe, Bella."

My eyes fly open and I feel my face heat up. I lean into his chest and hold on tight because I am not sure my legs will hold me. I have been kissed before, but let me tell you, I have never been kissed like that.

Edward's fingers lift my chin up so I am staring right into his beautiful green eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Mm hmm...! I think so." I tell him, leaning back on the fence. I glance up at him and he's smirking at me. "So, Edward, is there anything you don't excel at?"

"Oh, was that a good kiss?" he asks innocently. I glare at him and try to wiggle around him, but he grabs me and looks down at me smiling. "I think I can do better."

He does. I actually feel faint. As our lips part, I swear the earth stops spinning for just a moment. I hear my brain yelling, You are in so much trouble! For once my heart agrees.

I glance up toward the restaurant deck and notice it is empty. I nod toward it with my head, because I don't have the ability to speak right now. Edward looks over and takes my hand.

"Mission accomplished," he tells me as we start to walk toward the valet station. "I guarantee, by the time we get home, Esme will know everything."

Edward gives the ticket to the valet and turns to me. "Are you alright, Bella?" he asks quietly.

I look up at him and frown. "Sure, why?"

He gives me a lopsided grin and runs his finger lightly down my cheek. "Well, you're a little flushed, and you haven't said much since we left the dock. Plus, you seem a little wobbly on your feet."

I glare at him and cross my arms over my chest. "I am just fine, thank you."

He starts to laugh just as the car pulls up, and he opens the door for me. As I settle in, he leans down, takes my face in both of his hands and kisses me, deeply. I once again forget how to breathe, or talk. He gently drags his finger down my cheek, while all I can do is stare at him like the idiot his kiss has turned me into. He smiles and says, "Just checking."

He walks over to the driver's side of the car and gets in, fastens his seat belt, and drives off with the biggest smirk I have ever seen.

I'm trying to remember how to breathe and get my heart rate down to normal. Neither of us speaks for a while. I glance out of the corner of my eye at Edward, who has the biggest shit eating grin on his face.

I take a deep breathe and say, "I never realized you were so cocky, Cullen."

He looks over at me with a huge smile. "I don't know what you are talking about. Besides, I'm not cocky-just confident."

I shake my head and look out the window, suddenly realizing I don't know where we are. "Hey, where are we going?"

"Oh, we are so not going home until very, very late," he says to me with a grin on his face.

"Why not?" I ask.

"Because Bella, Lorraine Snow has probably already called Esme to fill her in on what she saw. She is also Cynthia Mallory's best friend, so I am sure she has phoned her. I bet the wires are burning up between the three of them." Edward laughs out loud as he looks at me.

I frown at him. "So, we're not going home because we don't want to interrupt their phone conversations?" I ask him confused.

He laughs again. "No, we are not going home so Mom and Carlisle have plenty of time to discuss the news of 'Bella and Edward were kissing' and what exactly that means. I want them to have time to think about everything they have seen over the last few weeks."

He reaches over and grabs my hand; bringing it to his lips and kissing it. "We aren't going home until I am sure they are asleep." He looks over at me. "You don't need to get up early tomorrow, do you?"

I shake my head. It's quiet as Edward drives. I close my eyes and wonder what the reaction will be when everyone finds out we are a "couple."

I feel the car slow, and come to a stop. I open my eyes and see we're parked on what seems to be the edge of a cliff. The ocean is spectacular, lit only by moonlight.

"Where are we?" I ask, sitting up straighter in the seat.

"La Push," Edward answers. "It's one of my favorite places to come at night, especially when the moon is full and the clouds aren't covering everything."

I look around puzzled. I've spent a lot of time at La Push. My father's best friend, Billy lives here, but I don't remember ever seeing this.

"Is this a different area of the beach?" I ask. "Because I don't think I've ever seen this."

Edward opens his door and comes around to my side of the car. As he opens my door I feel the cool wind rush in. It isn't freezing, but it feels much cooler that it was in Port Angeles, and all I have is a light jacket.

"Come on," Edward says, grabbing my hand. "You have to see this, it's unbelievable."

He holds my hand as we walk very close to the edge of the cliff. "See over there?" He points across the water. "That is La Push Beach, the area you know, where all the kids go to swim. If you look really hard, you can see Jacob's house, right over to the left, see the red?"

I look where he is pointing and can barely make out the red of Jacob's house.

"You know Jacob?" I whisper.

He looks down at me and pulls me tight against him, so my back is to his chest. "Everyone knows the Blacks, Bella. They are like a symbol of Forks and La Push. Their tribe is legendary."

I feel him rest his chin on the top of my head, as he wraps his arms around me tighter. "I also know he was your father's best friend, and you grew up playing with Jacob, every summer."

It's very quiet, then Edward asks softly, "Have you even seen them since Charlie's funeral?"

I swallow the lump that is forming in my throat. "Once or twice."

It's like Edward knows not to push the conversation. He squeezes me a little tighter as we stand and stare at the water. I'm not sure how long we stand there, but I feel myself shiver and Edward's hold on me loosens.

"Come on, it's getting colder. Let's get back in the car," Edward tells me as he takes my hand.

Edward starts the engine to get the heat going since it has really cooled off.

"Do you really think your parents will know when we get home?" I ask Edward, trying to make conversation.

He smiles. "Oh, no doubt. It could be very interesting in the morning."

Then Edward Cullen snickers! I burst out laughing because it's so out of character to see Edward snicker. He is acting like a little boy who is about to get caught doing something naughty.

It gets quiet again, and I look over at him. "Do you really think Carlisle will find me acceptable wife material?"

Edward looks over at me with a stunned look on his face, and then his face breaks out into the biggest smile. "Oh, yeah. I don't think we'll have any problem convincing him you're in love with me," he laughs as he pokes me in the side. "Especially if you react the same way you did earlier whenever I kiss you."

I reach over and smack his arm, and he starts to laugh. "I'm sorry Bella, but it was priceless. I thought you were going to pass out for a minute."

He continues to laugh while I glare at him. I fold my arms across my chest and stare out the window. I feel him try to reach for my hand, but I pull it away from him, which only makes him laugh harder.

"Are you sure you've been kissed before?" he asks between fits of laughter.

"Yes!" I shout. "Maybe I have only been kissed by boys, and you are the first man I've kissed. I can't help it if you have so much more experience than I do."

This time he does grab my hand and brings it to his lips. "It's okay, Bella. I think it's sweet that I make you react that way."

I look over at him and I can tell he is trying not to laugh. I snatch my hand away from him. "Stop making fun of me," I pout.

He slides his seat all the way back and pulls me into his lap. Bringing my chin up so I have to look at him, he tells me very seriously, "I would never make fun of you, Bella. You are a sweet, beautiful, woman. I am honored that you are willing to do this for me. Honestly."

I really don't know what to say to him, so I just lay my head on his chest and breathe in the scent that is Edward. I don't know how long we sit there, but I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I know, Edward is lifting me up and placing me in the passenger seat.

"Sorry," he says. "I didn't want to wake you up. I think it's safe to go home now."

I fasten my seat belt and curl up in the seat as I feel myself falling back asleep. I wake up when I feel the car stop and hear the garage door closing.

"Hey, sleepyhead," Edward says as he runs his fingers through my hair. "Think you can make it up the stairs, or would you like me to carry you?"

"I'm okay," I tell him as I open my door. He's at my side, as I stumble into the house. I stop in the kitchen and grab a bottle of water. He takes my hand and guides me up the steps. We stop outside of my bedroom door; and he bends down and kisses my forehead.

"Good night, sweet Bella."

"Night," I mumble and close my bedroom door.

I have finished brushing my teeth, and changing into my night clothes when I hear a soft knock on my door. I hear Edward ask softly, "Bella, are you asleep?"

I open the door so he can see I am still awake. He's standing there wearing a navy blue pair of sleep pants and nothing else. My eyes freeze on his beautiful chest. I shake my head and pull my eyes up to his face, raising my eyebrows.

"Um...," Edward stutters, looking down at the floor. "How do you feel about sleeping with me?"

Okay, I am wide awake now.

I look at him, my eyes as wide as they can get. I open my mouth several times, but nothing comes out. Suddenly, he gets a shocked look on his face.

"No, God, no Bella, I don't mean sleep together... I mean sleep in my bed." He is talking so fast it's hard to keep up with him. "I'm thinking, maybe, Esme will check on you in the morning and if you aren't in your bed, she will check my room. What better way to let them know we're together." He finally takes a breath and I stare at him.

"Oh... okay, if you think that is a good idea, and it won't give her a heart attack," I answer him when I'm finally able to talk.

His face breaks out in a big grin. "Great," he says. "Oh, and put this on." He throws me the pajama top that matches his bottoms and turns to go into his room, leaving the door open.

I close my bedroom door and put on the pajama top. Thank goodness he is tall and it comes down to mid thigh on me. I keep my boy shorts on and timidly walk into his bedroom. Edward is lying in bed, under the covers. He throws the covers back on the other side of the mattress and pats the bed.

"Come on, let's get some sleep." He smiles at me.

I climb into his bed, trying not to stare at his chest which is right in my face. I pull the covers up to my chin and snuggle down into the blankets.

He laughs at me. "Relax, Bella, we're just going to sleep." He reaches up and turns off the light and I lay there trying to breathe. I feel his hand touch my arm, over the covers. "Goodnight, Bella." He whispers.

I can't speak because I'm in bed with Edward Cullen.

XXXXXXX

I'm somewhere between being asleep and awake. I'm not ready to wake up yet, but I keep feeling this annoying itch on my side. I brush my hand down my side trying to get rid of the fly, or loose thread, or whatever is waking me up. After rubbing my side several times, I flop over on my back and push the blanket down. My eyes are still closed, as I stretch my arms out and yawn loudly. I feel my fist contact something hard and I freeze.

"Ouch!" I hear Edward say.

My eyes fly open and I gasp. I had forgotten that I had fell asleep in Edward's bed. I look over at him as he rubs his nose. "Oops... sorry," I whisper, as my face heats up.

He laughs quietly. "This is a first. I don't think I have ever had a woman punch me in the nose after sleeping with me." He smirks at me.

Edward is lying on his side, looking down at me. I reach for the blanket when I realize I'm only wearing his shirt, and it has ridden up over my waist. I'm afraid to look at him, embarrassed beyond belief. I feel his fingers brush my hair away from my face, so I glance up at him.

"Good morning," he says grinning. "Did you sleep well?"

"Surprisingly well, once I got to sleep. I'm not use to sleeping with anyone, so it took me awhile to fall asleep." I tell him, knowing my entire body is several shades of red. "How about you?"

He laughs. "I slept pretty good. In shifts."

I frown at him. "In shifts?"

He grins and runs his fingers through his hair. "Do you know you talk in your sleep? It's very entertaining."

"Oh, God!" I throw my hands over my face, totally mortified. My mother used to joke about how loud I was when talking in my sleep. "What did I say?" I ask through my fingers.

"Most of it didn't make a lot of sense, just a few disjointed words here and there." He smiles at me. "However, you did say my name quite a few times. It took me a few times to realize you were asleep."

He didn't say anything for a few minutes, and then he leaned in very close to my face and ran his fingers down my cheek. With a smirk on his face he asks, "Do you dream about me, Bella?"

I smack his hand away and throw the covers off, sitting up. "You know, Edward, you can really be a jerk sometimes. Just because I mumble your name doesn't mean I am dreaming of you. Sheesh... ego much?"

He grabs me around my waist and pulls me down. "I'm sorry, Bella. You are so cute when you are angry." He's laughing at me, which only makes me angrier. I struggle to get away from him, but he is too strong. I give up and glare at him, while he laughs.

I lay there and let Edward have his fun. He looks so young and carefree, who am I to ruin it. He finally looks and me and grins. "Are you ready for the inquisition?"

I grimace, "I don't know. I never have been one for confrontation." I tell him.

Edward frowns at me, "Confrontation? Why do you think there will be a confrontation?"

"You don't think they will question us about everything?" I ask him.

"Sure," Edward tells me as he gets out of bed. "But, I don't think it will be confrontational. They love you, Bella. If anything negative is said, it will be about me. They will question my 'intentions' where you are concerned." He grins at me as he pulls on a t-shirt.

I get caught up in his silly mood. I walk over to him, grabbing hold of his t-shirt, I look up at him and in a very dramatic voice, I ask. "Oh, please Dr. Cullen. What exactly are you're intentions toward me?" I bat my eyes at him, trying not to laugh.

He takes both my hands in his and presses them to his chest. In a deep southern accent, he plays along. "Why, Miss Bella, I only have the best intentions toward you. I promise to keep your virtue intact and never have unclean thoughts of you."

I can't help laughing until tears run down my cheeks. I smack his chest as I tell him, "Keep my virtue intact, really? You're no fun." I turn to leave the room, telling him over my shoulder, "I need a shower, I'll see you downstairs."

Edward grabs my wrist as I turn from him and pulls me tight to his chest. He looks deep into my eyes and very seriously tells me, "Bella, I'm stealing so much from you and your future, I will not steal that from you."

I frown up at him, not understanding the look in his eyes. He blinks and releases me. "Go... take you shower. I'll see you downstairs."

I slowly open Edward's bedroom door and peek out into the hallway. I don't know what I expect to see; Esme never comes up to the third floor, so I began to question Edward's reasoning about sleeping together. I had been so tired last night I just agreed.

I feel so much better after my shower. I dress in an old, comfortable pair of jeans and a tee shirt and make my way downstairs. I notice Edward's bedroom door is still closed, so I assume he hasn't made his way downstairs yet.

I walk into the kitchen and see Esme sitting at the kitchen island, reading a newspaper. "Good morning, dear. Coffee is made," She tells me, just glancing briefly at me.

I pour myself a cup of coffee and open the refrigerator pulling out sausage and eggs to make breakfast for Edward and myself.

"You and Edward were out late last night," Esme says, still not looking at me.

I slice the sausage and place the slices in the frying pan. "Um... yeah, we were just talking and time got away from us." I felt my face flame, lying did not come easy to me.

I hear Edward coming down the steps and I busy myself at the stove.

"Good morning, Mother!" Edward says brightly, bending to kiss his mother on the cheek. He smirks at me over Esme's head. "Morning, Bella." He winks at me. I turn around and smile.

"Someone slept well last night." Esme tells Edward.

"I slept great. How about you, Bella?" Edward asks.

I glare at him. "I slept fine." I hear him laugh.

"Are you hungry, Edward?" I ask him, as I flip the sausage.

"Famished!" He exclaims.

I turn to grab a bowl out of the cabinet to scramble the eggs in, and I see Edward's and Esme's eyes on me.

"What?" I ask. They both shake their heads and grin.

I finish cooking breakfast and place a plate in front of Edward, along with a mug of coffee. He grabs me around the waist, causing my eyes to go wide. "Thank you, babe," He says with ease.

I ask Esme if she would like a plate, but she says no, explaining that she ate earlier. I slide onto the stool next to Edward, keeping my eyes down as I eat.

I hear Esme clear her throat and glance up as she is laying aside her newspaper. She stares first at Edward and then at me. She folds her hands together in front of her. "You two seem to be getting quite close."

I look at Edward, but he is looking at Esme. He turns and smiles down at me then says to Esme,"Yeah." He goes back to eating.

I want to slap him upside his head. That's it? That is all he is going to say?

I glance at Esme, whose eyebrows are raised as she looks between the two of us. Well, if he isn't talking, neither am I. I finish my breakfast, and start to clean up. I am standing at the sink rinsing the dishes, when Edward leans over me to hand me his plate.

"Well, ladies, I'm going to enjoy this beautiful morning and take a run," Edward says, and just like that his is gone, leaving me with Esme.

Note to self: Kill Edward!

I busy myself loading the dishwasher, and wiping down the counter tops-anything to avoid the conversation that I know is coming.

"Bella, dear," I hear Esme say and I cringe. "Come sit with me. It has been so long since we've had any girl time."

With my back still towards Esme, I grit my teeth, take a deep breath, put a smile on my face and turn to her. "Sure," I tell her as I sit across from her.

"How are you, dear?" Esme asks.

"I'm good. Everything is good," I answer.

"School going okay?"

"Yeah, really good." I wonder when she is going to get to the point.

Esme reaches over and takes my hand. "So, tell me about you and Edward."

I swallow and try to sound nonchalant. "What do you want to know?" I ask innocently, while inside my head I am contemplating how many different ways I can torture Edward for leaving me to deal with this.

Esme stands and grabs the coffee pot, filling both our mugs, before sitting back down and looking me right in the eyes. "Are you in love with him?"

Wow, she goes right for the jugular. I look down and take a deep breath. I barely manage to whisper, "Yes."

There I said it, it's the truth so I'm not worried about being caught in a lie. I don't know why I am afraid to look at her, except for the fact that she is Edward's mother, and I'm just an interloper that has been dropped into her family. While Esme has always accepted me and loves me almost as much as she loves her own children, this is her son we are talking about.

I feel her arms go around my neck and she hugs me tight. "Oh, Bella, that makes me so happy." Esme exclaims.

I look up at her in shock. "You... you're okay with this?" I stutter, feeling the tears form in my eyes.

"Of course, Bella. Why wouldn't I be thrilled?" Esme gushes, "I have seen such a change in Edward these last few weeks. I wasn't sure what the cause was, but I'm not blind. He seems to be so much happier and less stressed, and I have you to thank for that."

The tears start to fall and I can once again breathe. I hug Esme and wipe the tears from my face. "Thanks, I've been a little nervous, you know, about how you and Carlisle would feel."

Esme sits back down but keeps my hand clasped in hers. "Can I be completely honest with you, dear?"

"Of course," I tell her.

She looks deep in thought for a moment before she continues, "I love my son. Edward is an incredible man, who I am so proud of, but he is old beyond his years."

I frown at this, not sure what she means. She seems to notice. "Edward's entire life has been school or work. He never truly had a childhood; he never got to experience the joys of being a teenager. I can't tell you how many arguments Carlisle and I have had over the way he pushes Edward." She shakes her head as she seems to be remembering unpleasant things.

"I can count on one hand how many times I have seen Edward really let his guard down and enjoy himself. He always feels he has to prove himself, to whom, I'm not sure. His father, I suppose." She stops and once again stares out into space.

"Bella, I want my son to know what happiness is. True happiness, the kind of happiness that comes from unconditional love. I see how you look at him, Bella. It fills my heart with so much joy, knowing that someone loves him the way you do." Tears are now filling Esme's eyes and I have to look away.

Esme squeezes my hand and I raise my eyes to her. "I have to admit though, I worry about you." I frown at her, but she continues. "You're so young, so innocent yet so much has happened to you in your short life. I see the way my son looks at you, and it fills my heart with hope. Just be careful, please. I don't want to see you get hurt."

She stands and takes her coffee cup over to the sink. She smiles at me as she looks at her watch. "I have to go. Lunch with the ladies," she says and she rolls her eyes. "This gala is taking up way too much of my time, but it's for a good cause." She kisses my cheek and starts toward the stairs. "Oh, Bella, you are going to the gala this year, aren't you? I know you don't like these events but I really hope you will think about attending, since Alice isn't here."

I nod my head. "Edward asked me to go," I tell her. "I'm not sure what's involved or what I can do. I don't even know what I can wear."

Esme smiles brightly. "Oh, honey, don't worry about that. We'll go shopping one day next week. You will be the star this year." She runs over to me and hugs me tightly, pats my cheek and dashes up the stairs.

I hear the back door open and a hot and sweaty Edward walks through the door. He opens the refrigerator and grabs a bottle of water and drinks it down in no time. I stand there glaring at him.

"What?" he asks all innocent.

"What? Really? What?" I yell at him. "You left me here... alone, to deal with this. Never pegged you for a coward."

He gives me that beautiful crooked grin, he has mastered to melt all female hearts. "Don't even try it Cullen, that is so not going to work with me," I tell him.

"I'm sorry, Bella." He laughs, and then he looks at me seriously, "So, how did it go?"

"Oh, you want to know how it went? Well, maybe you should have stuck around and you would know how it went." I tell him as I stomp off and go up the stairs, pretending to be mad.

He follows me up the stairs. "Come on, Bella, don't be that way. What did Mom say?"

"Nope, not telling. You can go through the inquisition yourself." I slam my bedroom door right in his startled face.

I flop down on my bed and try to silence my laughter. The look on Edward's face when I slammed the door was priceless. I think he really thinks I'm mad. Hell... I am mad. He left me alone to deal with Esme.

I hear the door creak open, slowly. I turn over on my side so I am facing away from the door, still trying to keep from laughing.

"Bella?" I hear Edward say. I hear the door close and he sits down on my bed and runs his hand down my back. I try not to shiver from his touch. "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have left you alone with Mom. I just thought maybe it would be easier for her to talk to you if I wasn't around. Forgive me?"

I don't say anything for a moment. Let him suffer for just a few more minutes. Then I slowly turn over, look at his face, and I can't help it, I start laughing hysterically.

"I'm sorry," I say, as I try to stop laughing. "But, the look on your face is too much."

He stares at me, but doesn't say anything.

"Oh come on, you better not be mad at me," I tell him, pulling myself up into a sitting position. "You're the one who left me to deal with your mother."

"I'm not mad," he says softly. Then he grabs me and starts tickling me. "You think it's funny, slamming doors in my face." He laughs as he continues tickling me, until tears are running down my cheeks, and I am begging him to stop.

He finally stops, but he has me pinned down on my bed with my hands above my head. I get my laughter under control, and look up at him, scrunching up my nose. "You stink," I tell him laughing as I manage to pull away from him.

"Hey, I ran five miles, you would stink too," he answers. "Seriously, what did Mom say? Was it bad?"

I sit up and shake my head. "No, she seems to be really happy. Seems to think that I'm good for you." I tell him, rolling my eyes.

"I told you." He smirks.

"Yeah, well she also warned me to be careful," I say, lifting my eyebrows at him.

"What do mean 'careful'? he asks.

"She's afraid I'll get hurt." I tell him, keeping my eyes down.

"So am I," he says softly.

My eyes flash up to him. "I know what I'm doing, Edward. I'm not going into this blind. Besides, I may look like a weak, little girl, but believe me, I am tougher than I look."

"Don't I know it," he answers with a smile. "I need to take a shower." He heads toward the door, as he opens it he turns back toward me. "I think this is going to work, Bella. I really do." With that he gives me that panty melting crooked smile, and is gone.