Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or its characters.

AN: Thanks so much for reading and for your reviews! I love getting your feedback. And please feel free to still let me know your opinions on whether you'd like to see an Edward POV in this story, as a separate story, or not at all—right now it seems like the preference is to have an EPOV in this story, which I'd be more than happy to include if that's what the majority of readers would like to see. I'll just have to figure out the best place to put one (or a few even) that won't disrupt the flow of the story. And now, without further ado, onto....

Ch. 9

I couldn't decide how to greet him.

I was staked out by our front window, waiting for their car to pull into the driveway.

I could barely contain myself.

Honestly, I wanted to pounce on him the moment he stepped from the car, finishing that kiss that he had almost started.

But I realized that would be a bit much. We needed to talk first, and I needed to figure out where his head was at. Hopefully, he was on the same page as me.

I squealed when I saw the familiar black SUV turn the corner down the road.

They're here!

I jumped up, grabbed his present and shoved it in my jacket pocket, dashed past an amused Charlie, and rushed out the door. I crossed the grass that divided our driveways and stood at the edge of the pavement just as the car pulled in.

Alice jumped out before the car had even stopped, practically throwing herself at me. I hugged her tight, and in that moment, realized how much I'd missed the little pixie.

"Bella!" She shrieked in my ear, causing me to wince as I pulled away. "I missed you so much! You really should have come. And skiing was so fun. Did you have a good Christmas? Did you miss me as much as I missed you? I have so much to tell you," she gushed, grabbing my arms in excitement while my head spun at all of her questions. You'd think I'd be used to it by now.

Suddenly, Alice was plucked away, deposited a few feet to the right of me.

"Hey!" She protested, folding her arms and pouting. "I wasn't done!"

Edward.

"Later Alice. Leave some of Bella for the rest of us," Edward said, grinning, before he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me tight against his chest.

My heart fluttered at his warmth, and I realized how perfect our bodies melted together. I vaguely recalled the other Cullens greeting me on their way into the house, but I was too focused on Edward to utter more than a hi.

After what could have been hours, he pulled back, placing a tender kiss on my forehead.

"I missed you Bells."

His husky voice sent shivers down my spine.

He noticed, and mistaking it for the cold, grabbed his bag, wrapped an arm around my shoulder with his free hand and steered me toward his house.

"Let's go catch up. I have something really important to tell you," he said softly, as he stepped onto his front porch and through the door.

My eyes sparkled with happiness.

"I have something to tell you, too," I whispered, feeling suddenly shy.

Edward turned his head to smile back at me as we climbed the stairs and reached his bedroom. He shut the door behind him.

I took this as a good sign.

We sat side by side on his bed, and I blushed when he just continued to stare at me.

"I really, really missed you Bella. I couldn't wait to get home to see you again."

"I missed you too Edward. I counted the days until you got back."

Our eyes locked, and I was amazed to see how happy he was. A huge grin swept across his face and his eyes were positively shining. I couldn't remember seeing him so ridiculously exultant before.

Although I'm sure my face mirrored that emotion.

Edward shook his head slightly, as if snapping out of a trance.

"Right. I got you something Bells." He hopped off the bed and turned to ruffle in his bag a bit. He found whatever he was looking for and spun to face me, hiding whatever it was behind his back.

"Close you eyes," he said softly.

I complied without argument.

I felt the bed shift beside me with his added weight and tried to figure out what he was up to.

But I didn't peak. Bella Swan was not a cheater.

I felt something light settle against my wrist, and Edward gently moved my arm and draped it across his lap.

"Okay, you can open them," he whispered, close to my ear. His warm breath tickled my neck, sending another shiver down my body.

I opened my eyes and automatically looked down at my wrist.

On a simple but beautiful silver chain, lay an intricately designed heart locket. It was exquisite.

I held the silver heart in the palm of my hand, tracing the delicate design.

"Open it."

I pried the sides apart and smiled.

On each side of the heart was a tiny picture of us together. One from when we were about 7 or 8, the other from last year.

My eyes brimmed with tears at his thoughtful gift. I would cherish it forever.

Edward looked over my shoulder at the pictures too, grinning.

"Now, when we're apart, you can look at these and remember that we'll always be together. That nothing can tear us apart."

I twisted to face him and threw my arms over his shoulders.

"Thank you Edward," I whispered in his ear, willing myself not to cry, "It's beautiful. I love it."

I sat back, swiping at a few rogue tears on my cheeks.

Edward reached over and caught one with his thumb that had slipped past my fingers and rolled down my cheek.

Raising my tear-filled eyes to his, I smiled at the warmth radiating from his tender gaze.

"Don't cry. My present wasn't supposed to make you cry," Edward said, his crooked grin in place.

I laughed at his words, wondering when I had turned into such an emotional crybaby. I took a few more seconds to collect myself, before reaching into my pocket and pulling out a slender, wrapped box.

"Your turn," I said, handing him the package.

Edward tore off the blue paper and opened the box.

Nestled inside lay an iPod nano.

"I know you have an iPod," I said, explaining, "but I made a special playlist for you. 200 of our songs from over the years. Or songs that remind me of us."

I didn't mention that Taylor Swift's "I'd Lie" was one of the first ones on the list. He could figure that one out for himself.

A wide grin stretched across his face as excitement lit up his emerald eyes.

"Thanks Bells," he said sincerely. "I can't wait to hear what you picked."

"Merry Christmas Edward," I said as I pulled him in for another hug.

"Merry Christmas Bells."

We pulled away at the same time.

"So, there's something—"

"I've got to tell you—"

We both paused, looked at each other, and broke out into laughter. We always seemed to do this.

"Ladies first," he urged, nodding in my direction.

"No, I went first last time. You go." Although I was dying to tell him how much I was in love with him, I was curious as to what his news was, hoping it was the same thing as mine.

"Well," Edward said, blushing. This was a good sign. "I-I think I've fallen in love."

My heart swelled so much I thought it might burst from my chest. I couldn't believe it! Here it was, what I had only dreamed about, happening in real life!

"Really?" I asked, sounding as excited as I felt.

"Yeah," he said, starting off quietly. "She's this wonderful girl who's so smart and kind and we like all of the same things," his voice sped up the more he continued to talk.

I nodded my head encouragingly, not trusting my voice to say anything but those three words to him. And I really wanted him to finish.

"I've actually known her for quite a while now. And I should have realized it right away, but it sort of just snuck up on me."

"Mmm-hmm," I managed, trying to squelch my excitement.

"And I can't wait for you to meet her."

"Oh Edward, I—wait, what?"

What was happening! This wasn't supposed to happen! This was all wrong.

Edward's eyes had a dreamy, faraway look to them. So faraway that he hadn't noticed my obvious confusion.

"Yeah, I can't wait for you to meet Tanya. I think that she might be the one."

I completely froze. I couldn't even breathe. It felt like someone had sucker punched me, repeatedly. My heart, which had been pounding earlier, now felt like it was being crushed in a cold, hard fist. I couldn't function; all I felt was panic and dread.

What…what is Edward saying??

Edward was still oblivious to my reaction, as he continued talking about her.

Tanya.

But I had tuned him out, not hearing a word past she might be the one.

The second I felt like I had control over my body again, I leaped from his bed, threw open the door and dashed from the room.

I vaguely heard Edward shout my name in confusion, but I ignored it. I had to get out of this house. I flew by Alice, who had just opened her door when she heard Edward's shout.

"Bella, Bella wait!" She yelled at my passing figure. I heard her take a few steps in my direction before she stopped.

Flying down the stairs, I pulled open the front door and threw myself over the threshold.

Instead of heading home, however, I ran to the wooded area that ran behind our houses. I darted between trees until I was deep within the forest, numb to the scratches left when branches snagged at me as I raced by.

I collapsed to my knees, my arms pulled tightly across my stomach as if trying to physically hold myself together. I doubled over and finally let the tears flow unchecked down my cheeks. I gasped for huge gusts of air between my sobs and let out a wail of anguish.

My worse fear had come to life.


Poor Bella. Things just never seem to work out like we'd planned. And kudos to bellaklutz2010 for seeing this one coming. And sorry it was a bit shorter, but that was just the best place to end the chapter. Thanks so much for reading! Have a wonderful evening!

Until next time,

Western