a/n: so this chapter is something that I'd been planning for a while, except some of it came out a little cornier than I wanted it to. Any who, no there is no lemon in this chapter, but soon enough there will be. Remember that I did say this story was a little OOC and I think that in this chapter, the characters aren't all perfectly in Stephenie Meyer's design. But anyway...I've officially gotten 100,000 hits on my story "A Never Ending Romance" the very first FanFic I ever wrote. I'm really really happy about that. If any of you want to see how my writing has progressed since I first started, then take a look at the first chapters and you'll all understand how much my writing has improved since April. Lol. Anyway, that's about all the news I've got to share with you at the moment :) Oh, wait, if any of you want to check out my myspace, go and look at my profile and click on my webpage or homepage or whatever the link is and send a friend request...i've had it up there for, well, forever, and i've just decided that I want more friends lol...okay, i'm done now, please read.

WAIT! ONE MORE THING! This chapter changes POVs a couple hundred times, so i'm really sorry, but I thought you would all like to catch little tidbits of it from Alice's and Rosalie's and Esme's POVs too...

BELLA'S POV

"Get up, sleepy head," an all too perky voice nearly screamed in my ear.

"God, I hate morning people," I moaned, stretching. The bed was soft and fluffy, the sheets smooth and the quilt plush. The pillows were stuffed to the max and my head melted into their depths. "This isn't my bed," I muttered in confusion, still not having opened my eyes. Alice giggled from somewhere in the room and I opened my eyes, spotted her tiny frame, and threw a pillow in her direction.

It missed terribly and knocked my cell phone off the desk.

"Nice shot, Shaq," Alice said sarcastically.

"Yeah, yeah. What time is it?" I asked, after remembering we were in the hotel because Emmett and Rosalie would need some 'alone time' after the engagement was official.

"Eight thirty," she answered.

I slipped out from under the covers and my feet him the tan carpet floor. I scurried over to my suit case in the corner of the room and pulled out the clothes I had packed for the day. I grabbed my toiletries next and went toward the bathroom. "What are you even doing here anyway?" I asked her after I was safely behind the locked door. "I would think you and Jasper would be getting a little busy in your own room."

She laughed. "I think I wore him out a little last night," she said. I couldn't help but laugh earlier. Alice was a tiny ball of super energy. She had more energy than a thousand cans of Red Bull. I didn't know how Jasper ever kept up with her, but so far, he'd managed.

"That's a first, Pix. How did you manage that?" I asked. She actually began answering, but I cut her off. "I don't actually think I want to know. Really, I don't want to hear it. I heard enough last night." I grimaced as I recalled some of the things I heard from 'the little cowgirl and her horse' last night before I finally managed to fall asleep, sounds blocked from my ears behind the safety of two very big pillows.

Alice laughed again and I turned on my shower. I could hear the TV turn on in my room and the theme song for one of the many shows on the Style Channel. Alice would be kept happy for the next half hour while I got myself ready for the day. The warm water beating down on my tense shoulders soothed away the shackles of drowsiness that had still tied me down heavily.

I was washing the strawberry shampoo from my hair when something hit me.

"Shit!" I cried out as I recalled that Doctor and Missus Cullen would be arriving this afternoon.

"Bella? Are you alright in there?" Alice called, knocking on the bathroom door.

"I'm fine Alice, I think. No physical injuries that is…just a mark from the mental head slap," I called back and I could hear Alice's tiny laugh as she abandoned her 'save Bella' campaign.

I was glad I had remembered this when I'd packed for today. I finished washing the shampoo out and conditioned. After I dried off, I threw my hair up into a bun and put on my clothes for the day. Next, I let my hair back down and dried it with the hair drier – I'd have Alice style it when I was done. When finally it was dry enough, I opened the bathroom door and walked out into my hotel room.

ALICE'S POV

"That dress is absolutely terrible. What the hell were they thinking?" I questioned the TV.

Only half of my attention was on the TV as I drifted off into memories of last night. Jasper was always incredible, and having been deprived of intimacy for a few days due to utter exhaustion, last night was even more astounding than usual. I sighed and sank back into Bella's unmade bed as I dreamed about my wedding. It was going to be perfect. I'd been planning it since the day I first met Jasper, and it would be undeniably magnificent. And now, Rosalie would be getting married too. Could life be anymore perfect?

I sighed. It could.

How?

Well, I'd just like to say this: two down, one to go.

"Shit!" I heard Bella's voice shout from in the bathroom and ran to the door, afraid she'd hurt herself.

She assured me she was fine, and so I returned to my seat on the bed and continued my thought processes as one of my shows continued to be broadcast.

Soon, the shower turned off, the hair dryer blasted, and then finally, Bella stepped out of the bathroom in a beautiful, deep blue sundress. I had no idea when she'd gotten it, but it was absolutely stunning and I was glad she was dressing up. As to why, I wasn't sure, but anything was better than her worn out jeans and plain shirts.

"Don't we look lovely this morning…" I commented as I grabbed the curling iron from out of her duffel bag.

"It looks good, right? I don't look slobbish or ugly or fat or stupid or frumpy or—"

"Shut it, Bella," I said, pushing her down onto the bed near the wall as I plugged in the curling iron. "You look absolutely wonderful as you always do. Of course, today you look even better considering you're wearing something that actually accentuates your feminine figure." The iron heated up quickly and by the time I had finished speaking it was almost hot enough to start. I handed it off to Bella for her to hold while I rummaged through her duffel to get some hairspray.

"There's some freesia scented hairspray in there at the bottom, underneath my big night shirt," Bella told me.

"Thank you," I said, finding it exactly where she told me it'd be. She hadn't worn that to bed last night though. I had found her this morning in her boy short underwear and the top she'd worn yesterday evening. She wasn't even embarrassed that she had no pants on, which was odd for her. Usually she'd be bright red, but already I could see small changes in Bella. Even this morning, just speaking to me about what she'd heard last night from mine and Jasper's room, not a tint of pink touched her cheeks. I was very impressed.

The two of us talked for a while as I put gentle curls into that mahogany hair that any girl would envy. The hairspray had little hold, but just enough to keep her hair curly while still looking like it was naturally that way. I was dying to ask her about Edward, but I supposed it would have to wait for another time as she had already rushed off to get her shoes and put on her make up, once again behind the locked door of the bathroom.

I once again drifted off into thoughts off my wedding, wondering if I would prefer red or pink rose petals to be mixed in with the white ones.

"Already, let's hit the road," Bella said. She threw everything she brought with her into the duffel bag and zipped it up. The back didn't even bulge at all. I looked down, not even having had the chance to see her shoes earlier. They were white sandals with wedge heels.

That's a disaster waiting to happen, I thought, but kept that to myself as I had been the one to purchase those shoes for Bella. She packed up all of the rest of her things into her purse and threw both over her good shoulder.

"How is your shoulder?" I asked Bella as we left the room.

"Good. I don't have to worry much about it anymore. I can actually change clothes without help now," she said, although the look on her face was more disappointment than happiness. She obviously enjoyed teasing Edward. I grinned mischievously as I thought of all the tactics for torture that I could teach her. We'd have to go lingerie shopping later. And maybe we could—

"Alice? I know that look, and it never brings anything good our way," Bella said, stopping in front of the elevator and looking down at me nervously.

I just laughed and pressed the down arrow, summoning the elevator to bring us down to the lobby for breakfast.

EDWARD'S POV

I stepped into the elevator, buttoning the last of the buttons of my black dress shirt. I rolled up the sleeves, as I always did, to my elbows and left the top two buttons undone, allowing some of my chest to show through. My hair was its usual mess and I didn't even bother trying to fix it, afraid of mussing it further. My jeans were the ones that Alice had gotten me to buy, as were the Steve Maddens and the dress shirt I wore. The woman had great taste. And not just in clothes either. She was smart to choose Jasper.

The elevators began their descent to the lobby and I dropped my duffel back to the floor, but it stopped after only two floors. I could hear a voice muttering something and as the doors opened, I was met with the intoxicating appearance of my Bella.

Not your Bella, Edward, I reminded myself. Not yet, at least.

Her luminous hair was in loose curls, falling around her shoulders and just over her chest somewhat. The deep blue sundress she was wearing was form fitting and accented her silken skin, giving her a glow that even the dark couldn't dull. Her chocolate brown pools that were her eyes sparkled in delight and she wore a light gold shimmer over her eyelids. She had deep blue eyeliner on and her lashes were long and dark. Her smile was radiant, her lips sparkling with a small glimmer of lip gloss. Her legs looked toned and endless in her white sandal wedges and I wondered shortly if I'd need to keep an arm around her all afternoon to keep her from making acquaintances with the floor.

"Morning ladies. Would you like some help with that, Bella?" Bella nodded as she stepped into the elevator and handed the duffel bag off to me. I took it and placed it on my right shoulder, placing my arm around Bella's waist and pulling her close to me. She just looked too beautiful. I wasn't sure I'd be able to let go of her at all, even when my parents were here.

"How did you sleep?" she asked as Alice moved silently and contentedly over to a corner. I smiled at the tiny woman and she just grinned back.

"Like a rock," I answered. "Although, there were some…interesting…noises coming from two floors down all evening."

Bella laughed, shooting a mocking look over at Alice. "I know exactly what you mean."

As Bella laughed, her small frame shook against me. She leaned further into me and I smiled at the feeling. She fit almost too perfectly. One puzzle piece to another. The elevator began its decent and I got that exhilarating feeling in my stomach when you dropped faster than your body was ready for. Of course, my stomach was already in knots just from the contact from Bella.

As the doors dinged open, I picked up my duffel bag from where I'd dropped it on the ground and slung it over the same shoulder as where Bella's was. We all moved from the elevator into the small breakfast nook of the hotel and took our seats, Bella moving with surprising grace, not even stumbling once over her own feet.

We went over to the small buffet and I got a doughnut, waffles, eggs, bacon, and coffee. I wasn't a pig, but I was strangely hungry this morning. Bella and Alice each settled for cinnamon muffins and coffee. Jasper joined us in an unsurprising good mood.

"Someone enjoyed their evening," I teased.

"How many times did our little cowgirl ride you?" Bella asked, daring him to be anything but embarrassed. You could see two things play out in Jasper's face. One, the surprise and shock as to what reserved little Bella had said to him. Two, embarrassment that all of the rest of us knew about everything that went on behind closed doors.

"I…I…I'm, uh, just gonna go and get some, er, breakfast?" Jasper said, more as a question than statement, before he dashed off for the food.

I couldn't help but chuckle. If only Emmett were here. He'd be shaking down the entire hotel with his booming laughter.

"Bella," Alice whispered. "What in the world has gotten into you?" She seemed more curious than upset. Actually, judging by the smile, she was nothing other than jubilant and curious.

Bella whispered something back which I couldn't quite catch and Alice grinned like I'd never seen anyone grin before.

"So, my parents will be getting to the house around noon, which means that we won't have much time to clean up the mess," I said, digging into my meal.

"Carlisle and Esme are coming?" Jasper asked, taking his seat and dragging Alice's right up next to his. She picked up the fork on his plate of various breakfast foods and began feeding him scrambled eggs.

"Umhm. I called them the other day and they got it all set to fly out here. I offered to pick them up, but they wanted to take a car service instead."

"And they're bringing some sort of necklace or other," Bella added, causing Jasper to go into a coughing fit before finally gaining control again and shooting me a look that was a mix between 'congratulations' and 'are you sure?'.

I just nodded subtly.

Thirty minutes later we were all checked out and on the road back to Forks. Jasper drove, Alice once again in the passenger seat, and Bella and me in the back. She was looking dazedly out the window and I willed myself to hear her silent thoughts. When finally I couldn't take it any longer, I asked, "What are you thinking?"

She broke out of her trance immediately and blushed that beautiful shade of crimson. "Nothing," she murmured.

I was even more interested now in what she had been thinking, but didn't push it further. Soon we'd arrived back at the house and I decided it'd be best if first we were to call and make sure the two are decent.

"Future Missus Emmett Cullen speaking," Roses voice said over the line.

I laughed. "This is the future brother-in-law of the future Missus Emmett Cullen calling to ask if the both of you are decent enough for all the rest of us to come back inside and clean up before the rest of your in-laws get here…"

"Emmett and I are, um, getting decent." I could here clothes rustling and Emmett cursing as he hopped around, trying to put on what I would assume to be a pair of jeans, considering he always had trouble with jeans.

"We'll see you in a few." I hit end on my BlackBerry. "They'll be a second," I said, opening the back of the car and pulling out both mine and Bella's duffel bags. Jasper grabbed his and Alice's.

Bella went up to the door and pulled a set of keys from her purse, inserting them into the lock and turning it until the tumblers allowed the door to open. She took a few steps inside and looked around. She came back outside and whispered, "the coast is clear…no naked Emmett or Rosalie insight."

I laughed at her ridiculous antics and I could see her smile threatening to break through her serious expression. The four of us made our way inside and dropped the bags onto the floor in the foyer. We would bring them upstairs when we were sure that the coast was truly clear.

"We're engaged!" Rosalie exclaimed and I turned to see her at the top of the steps wearing smeared make up, her hair a mess, boxer shorts, a t-shirt, and the goofiest grin she could ever produce.

Alice and Bella squealed, though they already knew, and ran up the steps to hug their best, newly engaged friend. The three of them jumped around excitedly, wrapped in each others' arms.

"Congratulations, Rose," I called up to her. The three stopped and she ran down the steps toward me. She hugged just as enthusiastically.

"Thank you so much Edward," she said into my shoulder.

I laughed as I hugged her back. "What for?"

"Emmett was waiting for you and I to meet, I just know it."

I was stunned. "I, um, guess you're welcome."

"Now, there's a load of crud all around this house and we have less than an hour and a half to get it spotless before Doctor and Missus Cullen get here," Bella said. Rose just smiled and Emmett came up behind from out of nowhere and encircled her in his arms, leaning his head onto his shoulder as he listened for Bella's instructions.

"Rosalie, you're job is to get yourself cleaned up and perfectly presentable, as you always are. I got you a pretty pink blouse to wear with your favorite white jeans for today. You've got some serious scrubbing to do, missy, if that's the lipstick you had on last night." Rose nodded. "Alright, Emmett, you get both your bedroom and Rose's cleaned up." Emmett nodded and pressed a kiss into the side of Rose's neck. He was grinning like he did on his thirteenth birthday when Mom and Dad bought him the game system he'd been begging for.

"Alice, Jasper, you two need to get start in on the garage. I'm going to get started on the kitchen. Edward, you make sure your piano is cleaned up and then you can either help me or Alice and Jasper." The rest of us nodded at our assignments, aware that they were nonnegotiable. "Hands in," Bella said as she placed her right hand into the middle of our small huddle. "On three. One, two, three."

"Break!" we all cried in unison as we threw our hands into the air and laughed.

Everyone headed in their separate directions, and I went for the garage with Alice and Jasper, already knowing my piano was fine and that the garage would require the most work with all the strung up lights and the stereo speakers we'd placed, not to mention the things we'd moved around.

BELLA'S POV

I cleared everything at the table first. I put the candles away and placed the rose blossoms on a small clear plate in the middle of the table, adding a small amount of water to the center. The table cloth was folded and put away and the water that had once been ice in the ice bucket was dumped down the drain of the seat. The dinner from yesterday hadn't been cleared at all so I immediately dumped all the uneaten food into a garbage bag and put into the trashcans out back. I washed the silver ware, glasses, and dishes and tossed the rest of the wine as well, considering that bugs or something else could be in it by now.

When finally that was done, I cleaned the rest of the kitchen until it was spotless, doing all the pots that I hadn't been able to do before leaving. I put the dishes away from where they were in the dishwasher and put all the recently rinsed dishes into the empty shelves.

"I love watching you work in the kitchen," my favorite voice said, and I turned to see Edward sitting at the counter on a stool. His crooked grin had me melting in my sandals and I wanted to kiss that smile off his face.

"Watch away, then," I answered, turning toward the refrigerator to look for something to make. "What do you think they'd want to eat?" I asked as I heard Edward getting up and walking toward me. I bent forward, sticking my head into the fridge in search of something that looked especially delicious.

Arms wrapped around my waist from behind me and Edward's body pressed against me completely, his upper body leaning over top of mine as his lips brushed against my ear. "Anything you make they'll be sure to love."

I shivered involuntarily as his breath rushed against my ear and I heard his low chuckle rumbling from his chest, vibrating against my back. I looked in front of me and grabbed the thin sliced chicken breasts as well as three eggs, Edward still clutching onto my body. I moved to back up and pressed my behind against him further to move him out of my way. I could feel a bulge in his pants and smiled to myself. Serves him right.

He released me and I placed the contents of my arms onto the counter. I went to a cabinet and grabbed bread crumbs, canola oil, a glass bowl, and a large serving plate. I went to a utensil drawer and grabbed a whisk, a large knife, a spatula, and a fork. I grabbed a regular plate and a large frying pan.

I slipped each slice of chicken into the beaten eggs in the bowl using the fork and then placed it onto the regular plate, which was covered in bread crumbs. I coated each piece in bread crumbs and then put them into the scorching oil in the frying pan. Not long later I pulled each piece out and laid them on twenty sheets of paper towels which absorbed all the oil.

EDWARD'S POV

I watched enchanted as Bella cooked up a lunch for my parents and the residents of our house out of what I would think to be the most random ingredients. When she was finally finished, she set it all out on the serving platter and handed them to me. I placed them out on the dining room table and Bella went to get plates and silver ware. She placed those items on the counter and I began setting up the table. She went to the cabinet and pulled out two bags of chips: regular baked Lays and cool ranch Doritos.

She pulled out large glass bowls and filled them with the chips. She set those out and then began pulling glasses, setting those around at each place as well. When finally she was satisfied with her work, she went back into the kitchen and grabbed a small piece of breaded chicken that she'd left, split it in half, and handed the half to me.

"Milanesa," she said. "Try it."

I did as I was told and found it delectable, as I always did when Bella cooked for me thus far. "All hail the queen of the kitchen," I said.

She laughed and went to the fridge, pulling out lemon juice, lime juice, ketchup, honey mustard, spicy mustard, and a few other condiments. Those were placed throughout the table.

When Bella was finally finished, she went to the mirror in the hall and began fussed with her hair and make up. I walked up behind, as I had multiple times today, and grabbed her hands.

"You look incredible, Bella. Stop worrying," I told her. I knew my parents would love her. How could they not? I kissed her soft cheek and I could feel the heat rising in them as she blushed. I smiled to myself.

BELLA'S POV

Edward gave my cheek a tender kiss and I couldn't help but blush as I was caught in my nervous state. Edward grinned crookedly to himself and I turned as Rosalie and Emmett arrived down stairs.

Just as Alice and Jasper emerged from the garage, a car could be heard rolling up our driveway. I stood unmoving as Edward, Emmett, and Jasper made toward the door. Rose and Alice seemed as frozen as I, and we just looked at each other in worry.

Emmett and Edward's parents were as close to their sons as they were to Jasper, and so we knew that meant that this meant as much to Alice as it did to Rose and, hopefully, it would mean for me.

The door was opened and the men stepped out onto the porch to great the couple. Alice, Rose, and I grabbed hold of each others' hands for support, and by some miracle, we were able to bring ourselves out onto the porch.

A man and woman, looking to be in nothing more than their early thirties, stepped out of the back of the black Lexus.

The woman walked up to Edward and hugged him, saying his name in greeting, and then proceeded to do the same with Emmett and Jasper. She had caramel colored hair and a light skin tone. She was probably around my height, though I couldn't quite be sure. Her eyes were a grayish green, no where near as pure or vibrant as Edward's, but had that same, lively sparkle I saw in his. She had a delicate smile and a petite nose, her face overall elegant. She was absolutely beautiful.

The man who stepped out behind her was tall, blond, and gorgeous. His eyes were bright blue, like Emmett's, and the lines in his face were strongly set. His smile was like Emmett's as well, but his voice was smooth like Edward's as he greeted his sons and nephew. His build was similar to Edward's as well, strong and fit and toned, but not over the top and obvious. He looked highly intelligent and wise. He looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place him. All I knew was that he was without a doubt Edward's father. The guy had a heaven-sent gene pool.

"Mom, Dad, this is my fiancée, Rosalie," Emmett said, taking her from mine and Alice's grasp and wrapping an arm around her waist to let her know he was there.

"Finally, someone who will put up with my son," Edward's mother joked dramatically.

Rose laughed, beginning to loosen up already. "I'll gladly put up with him any day."

"You don't know how happy I am to here that, dear. I'm Esme," their mother introduced herself.

"Pleasure to meet you," Rosalie answered.

"The pleasure is all ours," the man replied. "Carlisle Cullen."

Rose smiled and sank back into Emmett's hold, seeing how much the two already loved her.

"Welcome to our family, Rosalie," Esme said.

"Thank you. You can call me Rose, by the way."

"Rose," Esme mused. "My favorite flower."

"Mine, too," Rose giggled.

After a moment of silence, Jasper stepped up and pulled my last bit of strength away from me as he spun Alice into his arms. He rested his chin on top of her head, having to bend over a little to do so.

"And this would be my fiancée Alice 'the all fashionable' Brandon."

Esme laughed. "Lovely."

"I wish could have met sooner," Carlisle said, knowing that the engagement had occurred over a month ago.

Alice shrugged. "Life is busy. All that matter's is that we were able to meet. Jasper constantly speaks of you."

"Is that right…" Esme began. "We speak often of Jasper as well. He's such a good boy, done so well and accomplished so much."

"Indeed he has," Alice answered. She placed her hands on top of Jasper's and he kissed her head quickly.

"Have you decided when the wedding will be?" Esme asked.

Alice instantly perked up and bounced up and down, nearly knocking her head into Jasper's jaw. "Not yet. I'm thinking in a year or two, maybe a spring wedding. In a tent outside just as the flowers begin to bloom."

"She's quite the planner," Jasper commented.

"I think that sounds wonderful Alice. Maybe later we can discuss the details further."

Carlisle turned to look at me. "Ah, Isabella. It's been quite a while, hasn't it?"

Well, that threw me for a loop. "You look familiar, but I can't recall from where."

Edward looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement.

"The summer you spent in Chicago a few years back. You were quite the klutz," Carlisle said with a laugh.

"Oh my god!" I cried in realization. "Doctor C. I can't believe I forgot." I felt the heat in my cheeks as I blushed what I'm sure was a bright crimson.

He chuckled. "That's alright, Bella. You were 15 or 16, but you still look much like that girl I'd treated time and time again in my office. Your looks have surely matured though."

"What's going on here?" Edward finally asked.

I laughed as I walked over to him and grabbed his hands in mine as I began to explain. "Remember when we talked about my parents on Thursday in the car?" He nodded. "I told you that my mother lived in Chicago at one point. That was one of the times I spent a month and a half with her over the summer. I was a total klutz and broke my leg pretty badly. Doctor C, I mean Carlisle, happened to be the doctor I went to for all my appointments. I saw a lot of him."

Edward chuckled and placed a kiss on my forehead. I blushed again as I turned to see his parents looking at the two of us. Esme was holding onto Carlisle's arm and leaning into his side while Carlisle had his other hand over top of one of hers. "You and your spastic ways," Edward muttered.

"Let's go inside," I offered. Edward released me and went to go retrieve one of his parents' bags while Emmett got the other. The wind blew past me and my hair blew off my shoulders.

"Oh my," Esme said.

I turned to see my shoulder was bare of everything but the small strap that held my dress up, the stitched up part of my shoulder still very visible.

"What did you this time?" Carlisle asked teasingly.

I blushed, as I had done so many times since this morning that I was afraid I'd turn tomato red permanently. "Minor accident. Edward did a great job fixing it up."

"Make sure you apply Vitamin E. It will heal faster and scarring will be unlikely," Carlisle said.

"Will do," I answered, opening up the front door and holding it open for everyone as they passed through.

I flipped my hair back over on top of my wound and closed the door behind me, watching as the Lexus drove off back to the airport.

"Something smells delicious," Esme commented.

"Thank you," I said, walking toward the dining room. "I wanted to have lunch ready for when you guys arrived in case you would be hungry."

"I'm starving," Esme answered with a laugh.

"Me too," Emmett agreed, jumping into his seat at the head of the table. No one could help but to laugh as they took their seats.

"What can I get you guys to drink?" I asked.

There were requests for water, Sprite, and lemonade. I got the pitchers of water and lemonade out of the fridge and set them on the counter, then pulled out two cans of Sprite. Edward came into the kitchen and picked up the pitchers.

"Told you they'd love you," Edward said.

"Yes, yes. You are the all knowing Edward and I bow down to your knowledgeable status," I said mockingly.

He smiled crookedly at me and then left the room to enter a dining room full of laughing people waiting to begin their lunch.

- - - -

ESME'S POV

"…So then afterwards, I had to spend an entire hour on the phone explaining to her friend that she was perfectly fine. He was more worried than her own mother," Carlisle said, telling the story about Bella's trips to see him that summer. "How is old Jake?" he asked.

Forks stopped midway to mouths, the sounds of chewing were silenced, and everyone froze in place for a moment before turning to look at Bella, whose fork and knife had dropped to her plate with a loud clank. She looked down at her lap, her face hidden behind the wall that her hair formed and she twisted her napkin around in her hands where they rested in her lap.

"I wouldn't know," she replied softly. "We haven't spoken since he called off our engagement two years ago."

I froze then, too, and could feel my maternal instincts trying to pull me over to her in order to comfort her. Still, I remained seated and watched as Edward, who sat beside her, took her hand in his and rubbed soothing circles into the back.

"Oh," was Carlisle's ever intelligent answer. I shot him a look, though I knew it wasn't his fault as he hadn't known. I loved the man, but we all knew where Emmett got his 'open mouth, insert foot' quality from. Carlisle was always in grand control of it, but he had a knack for asking the most innocent things that ended up having a terrible answer at the most inopportune times.

"Bella, dear, would you show me to a restroom?" I asked, hoping to allow her a moment of escape.

"Sure," she answered looking up from her lap. She appeared composed, but I could see the small pain behind her eyes. I knew how painful it was to have an engagement broken off. Had it not been for that, though, I would have never met Carlisle.

I stood from my seat and placed my napkin to the side of my plate. Edward leaned over and whispered something into Bella's ear and then she stood as well. Her hand slipped from his slowly and reluctantly and then I followed her as she led me into the kitchen.

"The bathroom is right through that door," she told me, pointing to a door in the back corner.

I laughed. "I don't honestly need to go. On the other hand, I know you needed an escape."

She smiled weakly at me. "Thank you."

"My pleasure. Believe me, I know your pain. All too well, honestly."

She looked at me in question.

"Yes, I know. You'd think Carlisle and I had been together all our lives. Well, that's not true." I decided I'd share with her the lowest moment of my past. I could see the way that Edward had looked at her all throughout lunch. I could see the way that he spoke to her and held her in his arms and smiled every time he heard her laugh or speak or every time she smiled. I knew that she was the only one who had ever done this to Edward, and without a doubt, the only one who would ever do this for Edward.

"I'd spent all of my high school years dating a man named James. He was quite a lovely, intelligent, friendly boy. After high school the both of us went to college and the day of graduation we were engaged, so sure the both of us were in love. Well, soon he became estranged from me, indifferent, distant. Numerous times I asked him what was troubling him, but every time he blamed it on his job. Months later, he finally told me he'd fallen out of love with me. And not only that, but he was in love with one of his co-workers, Victoria. I handed him my engagement ring, packed up my bag, and left to my best friend's house. She took me in without a fuss and tried her best to comfort me, but everyday I grew more and more upset. Then, I did something unspeakable…" I paused taking a deep breath. This was never something I would share with anyone, especially not the day I met them, but I knew that this would help Bella, and the poor girl seemed so pained.

"I attempted suicide. There was a cliff not far away from where my family's vacation cabin laid, a place I spent much of my time at as a little girl during the summer. I was stupid and hurting and wanted to get away, so I jumped. I was fortunate that I landed on soft ground, something that I hadn't known would happen, and was only knocked unconscious with a number of broken bones and gashes. I awoke to the face of a beautiful blonde angel, and I was absolutely positive I was in Heaven. Then I learned I was in the hospital being treated by Doctor Cullen. Carlisle was my angel, and I was immediately thrilled to learn I'd survived as I experienced true love at first sight."

Bella smiled at me. "It's a shame what some people must go through," she said to me. "That was a beautiful story. You really have some good luck on your side."

I laughed, patting Bella's hand which rested on the counter. "So do you, dear. So do you."

I walked back into the dining room and took my seat beside Carlisle, taking his hand in my and giving it a tender squeeze, he looked at me and smiled that precious smile that I fell in love with all of those years ago.

EDWARD'S POV

Bella came back into the room and I smiled at her, having overheard what my mother had said to her in the kitchen.

You could say I was an eavesdropper.

I'd say I was merely curious.

My mother had told me that story a few years ago, my brother a few years before that. I didn't know how many other people she'd told, but I knew it was few. She was never proud of what she'd done, only unashamed of how it turned out.

Taking her seat beside me, Bella smiled back. I took her hand and placed a kiss on the back and then placed it back in her lap. I could see that delicious blush forming in her cheeks and I chuckled to myself as I resumed eating.

Conversation had moved to Emmett's plans for his gym. Apparently he had found the perfect place and had the money to buy it now. He was planning on getting his realtor to start working on the papers this week. He'd have to do a lot of construction to make it the gym that he wanted, but at the moment, he felt it was absolutely perfect otherwise.

"If there's anything that we can do to help, just let us know, son," Carlisle said after listening intently to every detail Emmett spewed. I was only paying attention to half the things he'd said, as more than fifty percent of my attention was on Bella. She sat so still beside me that I wasn't sure if she was alright or not. She wasn't smiling, but she appeared calm. I wondered if my plans tonight would help at all.

After more conversation about the gym, everyone began moving out to the living room to continue talking. Mom and Dad would get the grand tour later. I decided to stay and help Bella clear the table and do the dishes. At the moment, I didn't feel like leaving her alone for a moment, not that I ever wanted to leave her side.

ALICE'S POV

Conversation flowed nicely and I knew that Esme and I would be best friends, even if she would always be in Chicago.

"How are your designs coming, Alice?" Esme asked.

"Wonderfully. I've finished an entire winter line that I'm really hoping I can launch this year. I've got part of the attic set up as a studio for my designs. A lot of them are still drawings, but I've actually brought a few of them to life. I'd love to show you if you've got a moment."

"That would be splendid," Esme answered, standing up. I stood as well and held out my arm for her to take. She took it and we walked up the stairs giggling as she began telling me stories of Jasper and moments in his childhood. "…And I swear, it took me hours to get the dirt out of all their mouths after that. I never gave them gummy worms ever again."

I practically keeled over laughing as we made it to the steps of the attic. I opened the door to my half of the attic. It was my prized possession, my studio. The floors were a light, almost white, wood, like in a dance studio, and there were mannequins that held a few of my designs. The walls were painted white and one side of the room was lined with mirrors so I could get a good view of everything I worked on. On the other side of the room, papers with drawings of my favorite creations hung on the wall in frames. My notebooks and drawing pads were in a book shelf on that wall too. A stereo sat on the window sill of the large window and I listened to the rain tinkling against the glass.

"THIS is my studio." I stood in the middle of the room, held out my arms and spun around.

"It's lovely. Did you design the room?" I nodded, and she smiled. "I don't think I could have done better. If you want, I'm planning on expanding to add another branch to my company that will work outside of the Chicago area. If you're interested…"

My mouth dropped open at the offer. "Heck yeah!" I cried out, jumping over to Esme and wrapping her in a hug. She laughed as she hugged me back. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you."

Laughing even more, Esme replied, "My pleasure. I would definitely need someone as intelligent, dedicated, perky, and, of course, talented as you to run this branch."

I loved my job, but I preferred doing everything from scratch. Being a personal shopper was never my dream job, merely something I was good at. Plus, being the boss meant I was under my own schedule and I could work on my designs with my greater free time. Interior designing was always fun, something I had done throughout the entire house, or at least had started.

"Do you want to see the plans I have for the unfinished rooms?" I asked. Esme nodded. I walked over to my book case and pulled out one of my notepads. "These are all of the rooms and hallways in the house. Some of them are already done, others are in the process of being done or still being figured out."

She scanned through each page, carefully scrutinizing each image, color choice, set up, and overall design. "You have a real knack, Alice. You've certainly found everything you want in life."

I smiled. "And it all started when I found Jasper."

ROSALIE'S POV

Emmett, Carlisle, and I discussed a variety of things. My job, Emmett's job, Carlisle's job, Forks, Seattle, family, friends, aspirations, mine and Emmett's relationship, the house, life… the list was endless. After a while, Bella joined us and Edward went upstairs to find his mother, my future mother-in-law, I thought with a smile, and Alice. He soon came downstairs holding a box in his hand and I recognized it immediately.

I nudged Emmett. "Is he going to do what I think he's going to do?" I asked.

Emmett looked at me, then at Edward, then at Bella, then back to Edward, and then to Carlisle, who nodded, and finally back to me. "Yup."

I smiled. This was good, very, very good.

"Bella?" Edward asked, offering her his hand to help her from the sofa. "Come with me?"

She nodded and stood up, unable to see the box as it was being held behind his back. He led her out onto the back porch where they could have some privacy.

"No way," I finally let burst from my mouth. I grabbed the necklace that was around my neck and kissed the pendant. "Bella doesn't even have any idea."

Emmett's arm, which was around my waist, pulled me closer and I placed a quick peck on his neck as he began speaking with his father again.

EDWARD'S POV

I found myself too restless to wait until tonight, and so after finishing the dishes and cleaning up in the kitchen, I led Bella into the living room and then went in search of my mother.

I looked in every room on the second floor and couldn't find her or Alice. I was about to go down to the first floor in case they had returned to the living room when I heard laughing from upstairs. I could easily recognize them as Alice's and Mom's laughs.

I went up to the attic, remembering that Alice's studio was up there, and made my way in through the open door.

"Mom? Do you have the necklace?" I asked anxiously.

She looked up at me, startled by my sudden appearance and then pointed over to her purse before turning back to Alice's drawings.

"Oh, I love this one," she said.

"I can make one for you if you'd like," Alice replied.

"I'd love that!"

I left them to their bonding and traveled downstairs to retrieve Bella. She sat timidly in the same spot that I had left her. I held the box behind my back as I offered her my hand, asking to come with me. She complied and I led her out to the back porch, my hand on the small of her back.

It was raining, but the sound of the rain drops was always music to me. Some evenings I would try my hardest to stay awake as I laid in bed, listening to the drops on the window pane.

I sat her down on the porch swing and I took the seat beside her. The white wooden seat swung back and forth for a few minutes as the both of us enjoyed the peace and the music of the rain.

"Why did you ask me out here?" Bella finally asked in curiosity.

I smiled, withdrawing the long, dark blue box from behind my back with the silver scrawl on it that read Edward in a beautiful script.

"What's this?" she asked, examining the box I placed in her hand.

"Open it," I answered, looking into the deep pools of brown that didn't appear to have a bottom.

She did and looked inside. Gasping in surprise, she removed the necklace from where it's sat since my parents found out I'd be a boy.

"Edward," she said softly, examining it. I carefully removed the locket from her hands and motioned for her to turn her back to me. She did so, lifting her hair of the back of her neck, and I put the necklace in place. It was a silver heart locket with an E on the heart in a script imprint. A small diamond was set into the silver where the bottom line of the E curved off and down, right at the very end of the curly line.

"Bella, I know this sounds a little, grade school, but will you be my girl friend?" I asked once she turned to face me again.

She looked me straight in the eye, staring deep into the depths of my soul. I awaited her answer, but she said nothing, sitting in stunned silence and almost waiting for me to retract my offer. I didn't. I just waited.

After what felt like an eternity, she nodded. "Of course, Edward." I smiled and leaned in to her, pressing my lips to her.

She responded, standing up and pulling me with her, her lips never once leaving mine. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her up against me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and her fingers twisted in my hair. I slid my tongue along her lips, begging for entrance, and she separated her lips. My tongue slipped into her mouth slowly, savoring every taste I received. Hers ran along mine and soon they were dancing together as I pulled Bella to me tighter.

Her mouth tasted like heaven and I knew that if I died here and now, I'd die a happy man.

It wasn't long, though, before the need for oxygen overtook the both of us and we had to separate. I rested my head on her shoulder, kissing the exposed collar bone. "You are absolutely incredible, Isabella."

"And yet I still have nothing on you," she answered.

"I doubt that," I muttered into her skin, the vibration of my lips causing her to involuntarily shiver. I laughed and she swatted my back. "What?"

"Nothing," she replied with a small giggle.

When a crash of thunder and a bolt of lightening were added into the current rain, Bella and I decided to reenter the house.

When Rosalie saw Bella wearing the necklace, she ripped her from my grasp and ran her upstairs, most likely to Alice and Mom in the studio. I looked to Emmett and he just shrugged. "Women," he muttered.

BELLA'S POV

I'm Edward's girlfriend, I'm Edward's girlfriend, I sang cheerfully in my head.

Rose was pulling me up the steps to the attic at an unbelievably fast pace.

"Look, look, look!" Rose shouted at Alice who was on the floor beside Esme, flipping through notebook.

Alice looked up to see Rose pointed at the necklace around my neck and Alice dropped the notebook she held. "Oh. My. God!" She jumped up and wrapped me in a hug, jumping up and down so much that I was afraid she'd break through the floor if she were to weigh a few pounds more.

"Welcome to the club, Bella," Esme said.

"What club?" I asked.

Esme, Alice, and Rosalie each demonstrated a necklace identical to mine, though only Rosalie was exactly the same as mine. Alice's had a J and Esme's had a C.

"It's a tradition in the Cullen family," Esme said. "If you give birth to a boy, the day you learn he's male, you order the necklace. You have to know the name first, of course, but that's beside the point. You get the first letter of the name put onto the silver locket and a diamond as well."

"When the guy finally meets the girl, he gives her the necklace with the promise that she'll be his," Rose continued.

"So has he ever given this necklace to anyone else?" I asked.

Alice laughed. "No, silly. Didn't you hear Rose? The girl. The guy, namely Edward in this case, only gets one chance to ever give the necklace to anyone. Edward gave to you because, at least subconsciously, he feels that you're the one. You'll be the only girl to ever where that locket, and it's understood that you never take it off."

"And then, two pictures will be placed inside," Rose continued. "The first is of your engagement, and the second is of your wedding."

"You're kidding me, right?" I asked, totally caught off guard by the story and meaning behind the beautiful locket.

"Nope," they all answered in unison. I looked up at them and smiled, a tear slipping from my eye.

"Thank God, because if you were joking about that, I'd be really pissed at you guys."