Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight Series.

Recap

I walked down the stairs, finally ready. I couldn't believe I was actually going out with him, me of all people. He could most definitely have someone like Jessica Stanley, or Lauren Mallory. But me? It was an unfathomable idea.

Ding, dong! There was the doorbell. I sighed, and walked over to the door, thinking of the day ahead of us.

Edward POV

To say I was nervous when I woke up this morning would be the biggest understatement of the century. Today would be the day I would tell Bella how I truly felt about her. It scared me, honestly. Here I was, getting ready for my date with the love of my life, and she didn't even know it.

Mom was ecstatic when I told her I had asked Bella out on Wednesday. She assured me and reassured me that nothing would go wrong. So did Alice. How did she know? Its not like she was psychic or anything.

As I made my way downstairs I checked myself for the millionth time in the mirror closest to the door. My hair was a mess, as usual. Absolutely no hair products I used that claimed to tame even the wildest hair could help me. I was a last cause when it came to my hair.

I waked out and closed the door behind me, heading towards Bella's house. I could see the outline of Bella's figure in the window, looking through the curtain. It made my heart soar to know that she was looking for me.

I practically ran all the way up her stairs and rang the doorbell. I hoped it didn't sound too eager. The last thing I needed right now was to lose it. I heard the lock clicking on the other side of the door and out stepped Bella. She looked beautiful, even if her clothes weren't brand name. That's one of the things I loved most about her - she never did anything to impress anyone. She was just herself, and that was enough to make anyone crazy in love with her.

"Good morning," I said. I had to clear my throat a couple times in order to be able to speak with letting out a squeak. She laughed. God, I lover her laugh…

"Good morning, Edward," I loved the way my name sounded rolling off her tongue.

"Ready to go?" I asked. She grabbed the keys that were on the table next to her.

"Yeah, lets go," she said. She walked out and I followed her to the car. Since she was ahead of me, I ran to open the door for her before she got to the car. She giggled and thanked me. I walked over - more calmly this time - to my side of the car. I tried to open the car door, bur I found that it was locked. I reached into my pockets to find the keys when I heard tapping on the window. I looked down to see Bella holding up my keys, laughing. I scowled and she unlocked the door. I cold still hear her laughter when I got in the car, turning on the ignition and setting the gear shift in reverse to get out of my driveway.

"I'm sorry, but it was just too funny and I couldn't resist the temptation." she apologized. I looked over to her and saw a repentant smile on her face. I sighed and smiled.

"Don't worry, I probably would have done the same thing, had the roles been switched. No hard feelings," I said.

"So," she said, changing the subject. "Where are we going?"

"Alas," I said, making my voice sound extremely dramatic. "That, I cannot say. You will have to wait until we get there to see what it is,"

"Aww, no fair. You know I don't like surprises." she argued.

I smirked. "I have a feeling you'll like this one," I promised. Truly, I had no such feelings. I just prayed that Mom and Alice were right about how Bella felt about me. We settled into a comfortable silence for the rest of the dive, once in a while asking random questions.

Not long after that, I pulled up to the end of the road. I turned the car off, stepping out the car. Bella followed suit. It was getting warmer, so Bella pulled off her sweater and hung it on her waist. I noticed that she was wearing dark blue - my favorite color on her. I smiled.

"So, what now?" she asked. I smiled again.

"We have to walk a little. Don't worry, its just about a mile, two at the most." I assured her. I reached for her hand - heaving a sigh of relief when she didn't pull it away - and began the hike. Once in a while, we would ask a question or comment on the weather, or the forest.

She did trip a couple times, but, luckily, I caught her each time. After about half an hour, I we reached the clearing. I instantly stopped and turned to face her, so abruptly she ran into my chest.

"What's wrong, Edward?" she asked. I could hear the concern in her voice. I smiled for what seemed the umpteenth time today.

"Nothing, I just need you to close you eyes for me," I said. Her eyes were suddenly curious.

"And why would that be?" she asked suspiciously.

"Because this is a surprise, and I don't want you to see it until we are in a specific place. Do you trust me?"

"Of course I do," she said.

"Then, please, just close your eyes. I promise I wont let anything bad happen to you." she sighed and closed her eyes. I moved over to stand behind her, covering her eyes with my hands.

"Okay, that wasn't so hard, was it? Now, just walk straight ahead. There's nothing to trip on, so don't worry," I said. She started walking slowly.

"Yeah, in case you haven't noticed, I am very capable of tripping over air. So, even if there's nothing in front of me doesn't mean I won't trip." she stated.

I rolled my eyes. "Just walk, Bella,"

After about another five minutes of walking, we reached the middle of the meadow. I let go of her face and stepped in front of her.

"Can I open my eyes now?" she asked impatiently. Again, I smiled.

"Yes," I said. "Now."

She opened her eyes and I heard her intake of breath. Bella looked around the meadow, taking everything in. She spun once and turned to look at me again.

"Edward…this is…wow, seriously, wow." she said, breathless. "How did you find this place?"

"When we just moved here, my parents gave me the Volvo, so I took it for a ride and I found the path we just took. I was curious, so I started walking, and it led me to this place. I've been here a couple times, and I heard it would be nice this weekend so I asked you to come with me. Do you like it?"

"No, I don't like it. I love it. Its magnificent. Thanks for bringing me here." she smiled at me and sat down on the ground. I followed her example.

"I'm glad you like it," I responded. We did nothing for a while. Bella just looked around the meadow, and I just starred at her. Here, sitting in the meadow in the sun with the light shining off her hair, I could picture nothing that could possibly compare to her beauty. She finally caught me looking at he and blushed. I did, too, for that matter.

"What is it?" she asked me. I sighed.

"Bella," I said, my tone noticeably more serious than before. "I have something I need to tell you. I've wanted to tell you this for a long time now, but it was never the right moment. That, and I didn't know how to tell you. Honestly, I still don't know, but I'm just gonna go out and say it."

"Edward, your scaring me. What is it? Is it something bad?" she said. I could see the concern and a trace of fear in her expression.

"I don't know, Bella. I think its good, but you might not. Before I say anything, I can understand if you don't feel the same way. Please, tell me if you don't, and I promise you'll never hear me speak of this again."

She waited, apparently patient but I could see in her eyes her immense curiosity and worry.

"I love you, Bella." I said, meaning every word. "Very, very much. I have loved you for a long time now. Almost instantly, I knew there was something about you - something that no other girl I've met has - that drew me to you. I didn't realize until very recently that I loved you. But I do. I love you, Bella, and I can't help it. I wouldn't want to, either."

She was shocked, that much was clear. As the moments passed, the suspense of what she would say consumed me. What if Mom and Alice were totally and completely wrong? What if they misinterpreted Bella's actions, and only saw what they wanted to? What if-

"Edward, I…I love you, too." she said. My heart skipped a beat. Did she seriously just say what I think she said?

"What?" I asked stupidly. She blushed.

"I love you, so much. Too much, I think," she giggled at the last part. I still couldn't grasp that information.

"Are you serious?" I asked. I knew Bella wasn't the type of person to lie to me - or anyone, really - like this, but still…

"Yes, I am. Actually, I think this is the most serious I have been about something in a long time." I could hear the sincerity in her voice, and it calmed me immensely.

"Wow," I said. It was quiet for a few moments, and the silence was getting a bit awkward.

"Why me, Edward? You could have any girl in the school - of that I'm sure - so, why did you pick me?" she said. It shocked me that she could truly not see how magnificent she was.

"Bella, you really don't see yourself clearly, do you? You have no idea how important you are to me, to everyone. You're the most selfless person I know, always putting everyone's needs before your own. You are incredibly beautiful, both inside and out. Besides, I don't think I had much a choice. I think it was fate for us to meet, to love each other." I answered. I sat up straighter and moved forward, towards her.

"You are intelligent," - I put my hand in her cheek, caressing it - "sweet," - I moved my hand from her cheek to her nose - "caring," - under her eyelids - "the list goes on and on. There is nothing about you that I would change."

I looked into her eyes and she looked back. My eyes - completely off their own will - moved down to her lips. I vaguely noticed that her eyes went down to my own. We both moved closer, our noses softly brushing against each other before our lips met.

In the moment our lips met, I was sure there was no greater feeling in the world. The earth stopped moving, time froze. There was nothing more except for Bella and me. My hand fell down her cheek to the side of her throat and to the nap of her neck. She placed her own soft, warm hand on my cheek. Our lips moved in a soft, slow -sweet yet passionate - kiss. This was my first kiss, and I was sure I could not have had a better one. I was in Heaven.

A/N: Whew, that's the date. Well, part of it, anyway. The next half will be up soon. Again, I am so sorry for the long wait, I truly am. I know its no excuse to say that I've been busy, but it's the truth. Please keep reviewing, and I promise I will try to update sooner. Thank you so much for reading even though I haven't been the best author. Love ya!

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