AN:

Alrighty, my beta's state of delusion, Batgirl8968, and onlybythenight1 are terrific for working with me through this. My validation beta WutheringBites is as well. Okay, I'll talk to you down at the bottom.

I own multiple copies of the Twilight books. However, I don't own any of these characters. I just like playing with them. When I'm done they have to go back into the box. *pouts*

Tip of the Iceberg

Welcome back winter once again

And put on your warm fuzzy sweater

Cuz you'll feel much better when,

The snowflakes fall gently to the ground.

The temperature drops

And your shivers freeze all the rivers around…

Snow drifts build up and enfold us,

As we wait out this winter storm.

So we'll snuggle close in the darkness,

And keep each other so warm.

-Owl City

BPOV

The pure white snow crunched beneath my boots as I made my way through the gardens. Everything was coated in its stark white. There was maybe four or five inches on the ground, and the tall, stately trees were burdened with either snow or ice. The statues, benches, and fountains were covered as well. It was oddly quiet. I was the only one out in this cold, wintery paradise. I would be sick of all this in a couple months, but for now, I was enjoying it. It was fresh and new, and since it didn't seem that anyone else was out here, I got it all to myself.

The gardens were individual plots of about fifty to sixty square feet each. They were separated by rows of hedges and trees. Each garden had something different; some had statues of cherubs and Greek gods, and others had fountains or little ponds. Normally all the gardens would be covered in flowers and bushes of all shapes and colors, but the gardeners had either pulled them up or covered them in thick black tarps to protect them from the snow. The ponds were iced over and the fountains turned off to prevent them freezing. To most it would have seemed stark or bland merely covered in white, but I thought it was pretty.

I carefully made my way through the snow, across the front garden, and into the lane that ran between the hedges dividing the gardens. The easiest way to get to the garden you wanted was to go through here. The hedge rose high above my head and was broken only by the occasional heavy looking wooden gate. From here you couldn't see into the gardens so you had to know where you were going. Deep shadows from the old towering trees feel over me. The simple grey coble stone walk was covered with the snow that had made it down between the trees. When I was a child, I used to run through here trying to find a hidden door that would lead to my own secret garden.

I might have never found my secret garden, but I did find a favorite amongst the many that my family held. It was set toward the back, which meant it was up against the mountain side. In the middle there was a wide fountain surrounded in the spring and summer by bright colorful flowers. A single tall oak tree was the only other defining feature. Between the large tree and overshadowing mountain, the garden had a tendency to be dark and gloomy. It also wasn't as wildly decorated as some of the others. As a result of these factors this garden wasn't visited as much, which meant I could be alone here and not be bothered.

I headed down the lane and took several turns before I found myself in front of the last door in this part of the lane. Turning the handle I pushed the door open with a gentle squeak. Inside I found, unsurprisingly, everything covered in snow. The fountain was off but looked like there was still water in the base that had turned into ice. The great oak's branches hung low under the weight of the snow and ice. There was a bench on the other side of the tree, which was hidden from view when you first walked into the garden.

I set off across the garden planning to enjoy a few moments of being truly alone before Alice, Jasper, and Rosalie showed up. Needless to say, when I rounded the corner of the tree, I was surprised to see someone sitting on my bench. Though, as soon as I noticed his wild copper hair, I felt a smile blossom across my face. Edward was wearing a thick wool coat with a wide black velvet collar. I had a feeling that if he were standing the coat would reach to his knees. He was leaning down so that he was facing his lap, and I couldn't see his face. His black gloved hands were scribbling in a notebook in his lap. He must have come through the back entrance, because I hadn't seen any tracks in the snow from my end. I was surprised that he had found the old gate which was heavily overgrown from lack of use.

I stopped walking when I saw him sitting there alone, content just to watch him for a moment. Whatever he was working on, it had his complete focus. He never looked up from his lap and his right hand continued to scrawl something in that notebook. His left hand would occasionally tap against his thigh. I had a feeling that he was playing an imaginary piano. More than ever I wanted to know what he was doing. I suspected that he was composing without a piano, and if he was, I was extremely impressed. That couldn't be easy.

Something must have finally alerted him to the fact that he wasn't alone, because he suddenly stiffened and raised his head so that he was looking directly in front of him. After a moment he turned so that he was looking directly at me. His beautiful green eyes widened when he caught sight of me watching him. I bit my lip and waved shyly, which made him smile and laugh.

"I'm not somewhere I'm not supposed to be am I, Princess?" he asked.

"Bella," I reminded him. "And no, you're allowed anywhere in the gardens." I moved away from the tree and went to sit next to him. I saw now that the notebook was in fact music notation. I had been right. "You just happen to be in my favorite garden. Lucky me."

Edward grinned. "Funny, I was just thinking the same thing."

I looked away from his glorious face before I could get myself in trouble. My eyes settled over the snow covered gardens, when something odd about what he had been doing struck me. "Why are you here writing music when you could be inside?"

He smiled bashfully, and I was surprised to see a hint of chagrin enter his face. He looked like I had just called him out for some kind of sin. "I was hiding from Emmett. He decided he needed to bug me about everything this morning, so I figured that the one place he wouldn't be willing to go was out here. You're sure I'm not in the way or anything?"

"No, I'm the only one who usually comes out here anyway," I told him. "What was Emmett bothering you about?" The last I had heard about him was when he and Rosalie disappeared together just before Edward and I started dancing.

Edward shrugged looking down at his lap. He had closed his music book and placed it on the bench next to him. He was now twisting his fingers in his lap. It was odd to see him so self-conscious. He had been so confident and self-assured last night. I wondered what had happened since then to turn him this awkward. I wanted to make him more confident again. He had no reason not to be.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," I told him. "Just forget I asked."

His tense posture dropped suddenly and he laughed. Just a low chuckle that sent warm shivers up my spine. "No, it's not that. I just wasn't sure how you would take it."

What was it Emmett bugging him about? And why would it bother me? "Trust me, I don't think you would bother me." I grinned. Not like that anyway.

Edward studied me with his sharp emerald eyes. I wasn't sure what he saw there, but he must have found something in my face that was good because he said, "Emmett seems to think that I like you and was trying to get me to confirm or deny."

I swallowed a lump in my throat and fought to keep my eyes on his face. I wasn't sure how I wanted him to answer me. Did he like me or not? Yes, I wanted to know. I didn't know what it was about him. I hadn't been able to stop thinking about him all day. He had always been in the background of my mind. I had even gushed about him to Renee. I wanted to know that I was as ever present in his mind as he was in mine. "What did you tell him?" I asked, trying to keep from turning red. It was no use though.

Edward's thin lips pressed together into a tense line. He seemed to think for a moment, studying my face again before he answered, "I didn't answer him."

My stomach dropped, making me sick. I ducked my head so that he wouldn't be able to see the sudden tears that threatened my eyes. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up. Of course he didn't feel anything like that toward me. There wasn't anything special about me, except for my title, and I didn't even like that. All I had was boring plain features that you could find on anyone. I had been stupid to think that I could even begin to mean anything to someone as beautiful or talented as Edward.

I was surprised to feel a gloved finger underneath my chin, pulling my face up to meet his gaze. He was smiling gently, and his eyes were thoughtful, holding a hint of compassion and warmth in them. "I didn't tell him anything," he said softly, still holding up my head with his finger. "Because I wasn't sure if I should have those feelings. I was worried. I do know this though; last night was one of the greatest evenings of my life, Bella"

I smiled, my spirit immediately lifting. "It was mine too," I whispered. "And you know, it's not the Dark Ages anymore. There's nothing keeping us apart if you feel that way. Some people might not like it, and I can't promise it will be easy. I would understand if you thought it wasn't worth it. But if you're willing to give it a go, then I am too."

He grinned and said, "Why don't we take it slow and see where it goes?"

I nodded in agreement. We had just met after all. Still, I couldn't refuse the connection I felt with him. Sitting next to him on this bench felt more like home than my own bedroom. I had to resist the urge to reach out and grab his hand, which was weird because I had never been much for cuddling or public displays of affection. With Edward it just felt natural to be touching him in some way. Hell, we had danced all night. I shivered and rubbed my hand on my arms trying to chase away the goose bumps.

"Are you cold?" he asked. His eyes studied me worriedly as I shivered. I felt oddly cared for as he reached out to wrap his arm around my shoulder. "You've been out here for quite a while without a coat, and I don't want you to get sick. You can have mine if you need it."

I shook my head and snuggled myself deeper into his warm side. "I'm alright. Alice is supposed to bring me my coat anyway. She and Jasper should be here any minute."

He welcomed my closeness and even tightened his arm around my shoulders. The sweet, almost woodsy scent coming off his skin made me want to cuddle closer into his warmth. I just managed to keep from closing my eyes and going back to sleep. Edward didn't seem to find the need to speak or do anything either.

It was the peals of giggles coming from the other side of the tree that alerted me to the fact that Alice and Jasper had arrived. Just a few moments later, the tiny black haired sprite came into view followed shortly by Jasper. Alice saw Edward and I curled up together on the bench and her eyes went wide with shock. Whatever she had expected to find, it clearly wasn't this. After her shock wore off, she grinned.

"There you are." She danced over to us and handed me a bright red jacket. Slightly unwilling, I pulled out of Edward's arms and stood up to slip on the coat.

"Alice, Jasper, this is Edward Cullen," I said as I snapped up the buttons on my coat. Of course Alice already knew who he was, but they hadn't been properly introduced. Jasper's stormy grey eyes studied Edward as well. "Edward, this is Alice Brandon and Jasper Whitlock. Alice is one of my Ladies in Waiting, and Jasper is my bodyguard and Chief of Security."

Alice wasted no time getting to know Edward. She promptly sat down on the end of the bench after I again claimed the seat next to him. She leaned over me and began interrogating him about anything and everything. I think she was impressed when she heard that he was from New York and made him describe the city in detail. Unfortunately for her, his description for the places she really wanted to know about, like 5th Avenue, were lacking in her eyes. He wasn't likely to go wander through a bunch of women's clothing shops. This seemed to disappoint her, but she recovered and continued to ask him more about the city.

While they talked, I studied Jasper. He looked much more relaxed today than he usually did. No doubt that was a result of spending the morning with Alice. He was dressed in a simple pair of dark blue jeans and a hunter green coat, rather than his usual uniform. He was leaning casually against the tree and watching us, but not as intently as he usually did, even though he was technically on duty since we had sent Alec away. I enjoyed seeing him this way. It wasn't often that I got see him so relaxed and easy going. It was nice.

I refocused on the conversation going on around me. Edward had taken hold of the conversation and was asking about Edelweiss. We hadn't spoken much about my home country last night, so now he was getting the information from Alice. I decided to leave them to their own devices. Secretly, however, I was thrilled that the guy I liked and one of my best friends were getting along so well. I would have to ask Alice's opinion of Edward later.

In the meantime, I went to join Jasper by the tree. His eyes never left Alice. It was cute. "It's good to see you so happy, Jasper," I told him.

He slowly turned to face me, though his grey eyes still seemed a little clouded over. "Am I not always?" he asked confused.

"Maybe I misspoke." I considered. "You're always happy, or most always. You're rarely this relaxed. You should take some time off more often. It's good for you."

He shrugged. "It's not the time off that relaxes me," he told me. "It's the time I get to spend with Alice. Besides, there is no one in your security detail I trust to leave you with for an extended period of time."

I pouted. "I'm not a child, Jasper. Besides I don't really think I'm in a lot of danger here."

He shrugged. "It is my duty to you and the crown to make sure you survive to reign after your mother, Bella. It's not something I take lightly. In the process, however, I also get to protect Alice, who is the love of my life. That's something not many people get to do."

We were both silent and content to watch Alice and Edward laugh about some story Alice had just told. I felt a pang of regret and worry as I watched Edward. I knew Alice would never leave Jasper, but what if Edward decided I was nothing next to someone as smart and charming as Alice, or worse, as beautiful and slutty as Tanya. As if sensing my anxiety, Edward looked up at me, his emerald eyes shining with mirth and amusement and something else just underneath the surface that I couldn't quite read. Maybe it was adoration, or sympathy, or just plain and simple understanding and reassurance. He smiled, his white teeth flashing as he grinned at me. I couldn't help but smile back. He was infectious.

"Would you stop following me?" The screech pierced through the peaceful moment followed by the booming, "Aw, come on babe, you like it and you know it."

"I do not!" Rosalie appeared around the tree first, her normally pale face flushed red, and then came the massive form of Emmett behind her. He was grinning and laughing, obviously amused with the situation. "You're moronic and pushy, overgrown, and completely idiotic!"

Emmett just seemed to laugh harder at her outburst. I glanced at Edward who had placed his head in his hands and was rubbing his eyes with his long fingers. He looked exasperated with his best friend. If I had still been sitting next to him, I would have told him he had nothing to be worried about. Sure, Rosalie looked pissed, but the fire that lit her violet eyes wasn't anger, it was excitement. Rosalie had a volatile personality and it came out in many different ways. Last night she had been unsteady and worried, and something had changed overnight. Now she was strong and confident, standing on her own and putting on a show. She knew what she wanted and she wasn't going to take no for an answer. Unfortunately, her object of affection wanted the same thing so she was going to make him work for it, and play hard to get. It was classic Rosalie.

Alice glanced my way and clapped a hand over her mouth to hide her grin and stifle her giggles. We had seen this a hundred times. Rosalie loved playing games with men, she always had. She was playing pretty hard with this one though. I was momentarily surprised she had let this go on so long. She usually got through the night and was done.

"Emmett, what are you doing?" Edward asked, staring at his friend with baleful eyes. I wasn't sure he really wanted the answer. I would really have to explain Rosalie to him later. Although, I thought she may have met her match with Emmett.

"Ah, come on, Eddie." I tried not to giggle at the nickname. Edward shot a glare at Emmett which only made him smile larger. "I'm not doing anything but walking."

Edward rolled his eyes and turned to Rosalie. "I'm sorry if he's bugging you. He has a habit of doing that."

Rose shrugged and took the empty seat next to Alice. "It's really not that unusual for me. Besides, I've seen far better. Most at least try to be inconspicuous about following me around." She glared at Emmett again before shooting a pointed look at me. Then her eyes quickly darted to Edward before turning back to me with a smirk. Of course, she would have put two and two together.

"Um, Rose, this is Edward Cullen. Edward, this is Rosalie Hale." Rose shot me another one of those knowing looks. I resisted the urge to flip her off and make her stop. She already knew I was crushing on him, she didn't have to rub it in.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Edward told her. "Though I do believe you've already met Emmett." Rose scowled at Emmett while he just grinned and slouched against the tree next to Jasper and I. Jasper studied him for a moment before nodding and turning his attention back to the three on the bench. It seemed Emmett had passed the test, whatever it was.

"So, Princess," Emmett turned his baby blue eyes on me. "I couldn't get any information out of my friend over there." He pointed at Edward. "But I know he was with you when I left last night. So, tell me, did Edward behave himself? I need to know so I can tell his mother."

I grinned at Emmett and decided to play along. "Well, first, call me Bella. Second, yes he was with me till two in the morning, dancing. He was very well behaved, the prefect gentlemen. You should tell his mother she did a very good job with him."

A truly mischievous twinkle entered his eyes, and I was suddenly afraid of what I may have unleashed. A quick glance at Edward confirmed my suspicions with a worried, if not sympathetic, look. It seemed whatever I unleashed I had brought on myself. "Dancing, huh?" Emmett grinned wickedly. "Tell me, was that as satisfying for you? He seemed to enjoy it, if you get my drift."

It took me a moment, but as soon as I realized what he meant, about dancing and satisfying, and how Edward had "enjoyed" it, I blushed beet red. I was no stranger to sexual innuendo, but I still never failed to blush. The fact that I had just met Emmett, and that I certainly had had those kinds of thoughts about Edward, only intensified it. I ducked my head down to stare only at my feet and not have to look at anyone.

I was surprised to hear a sudden giggle from the bench. It wasn't the rich, chuckle I had already encountered with Edward, nor was it Alice's high pitched almost squeal. I had to look up to confirm my guess. Sure enough Rosalie was giggling at Emmett's joke. I wasn't the only one who was studying Rose. Everyone else was also looking at her in shock. She must have forgotten that she was supposed to be mad at Emmett. When she noticed that we were all watching her, she abruptly stopped laughing and fixed a sharp look on her face. It was no good though; we could all see the amusement hiding underneath.

"Yes!" Emmett exclaimed. "I knew it. I knew you weren't really mad at me." Rosalie tried to scowl at him, but it was obscured by the grin threatening to overtake her face. She just loved to make fun of anyone. Yes, I was afraid she had met her match in Emmett. When they got together, and it was a matter of when not if, they would be a force to be reckoned with.

We laughed at Rosalie, who gave up fighting with her expression and winked at Emmett, who grinned back at her. Oh God, we were in so much trouble. I may have only just met Emmett, but I could already tell from the way he grinned mischievously that he was a prankster and a joker. When combined with Rosalie's natural snark, they would be the terror of the Palace. I shot a worried glance at Edward who merely shrugged and sighed. It seemed he had no control over Emmett. I couldn't blame him.

This was oddly comfortable, Emmett and Rosalie teasing everyone mercilessly, Jasper calmly watching the rest of us, Alice being her usual bouncing, bubbly self, and Edward and I trying, and often failing, to keep everyone in line. We ended up staying out for the rest of the afternoon. At one point, Emmett threw a snowball at Edward, who threw one back at him, before Alice joined the fun. Within minutes we were all running around the garden, chasing each other and throwing snowballs. Even Jasper was, for once, not trying to protect me. In fact he was doing nothing but laughing as Edward chased me around the fountain, not that I minded in the least.

Edward finally did manage to grab me around the waist and drag me onto the wet snow on my back. He grinned down at me, propping himself up on his arm. His bronze hair was more misplaced than normal and his pale cheeks were flushed a light pink from the cold and exertion, but It was his eyes that took my breath away. They were the deep green that I had grown to expect over this short period, but the usual mystery, that sense of something else taking place just under the surface, was gone. Those emerald embers were open with mischievous humor and life. It was by far the most beautiful I had ever seen him. His crooked grin was merely icing on the cake. I couldn't breathe for a moment as I stared at his exquisite face.

"I haven't done something wrong, have I?" he asked. His rich voice washed over me, making me slightly dizzy and not helping with the sudden bout of light headiness at all. He didn't look worried. He looked more relaxed, happy really, than worried. I liked it much more than I should have.

"No," I gasped, trying to force air into my lungs. "At least, it's nothing that I wouldn't have minded."

He pressed his lips into a firm line and rested his head in one of his pale hands. "Hum, I have a feeling I could do anything around you and get away with it. I'm not sure that's a good thing."

I shrugged, laying my head back to stare up at the clear blue sky and not his face in an effort to keep my mind clear. I suspected he knew what I was doing, and the effect he had on me, because he scooted across the snow so that there was less than an inch of air between us. The right side of my body tingled in anticipation of the fact that I might get to touch him again. Stupid, treacherous body. "It's all in who you know," I told him airily.

"I can see that," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Unfortunately, I have never been good at networking."

I shrugged again and closed my eyes. I imagined that I could feel the warmth seeping off him. It was a wondrous feeling and I secretly hoped that this wouldn't be the last time we ended up laying side by side. I resisted the urge to close what little bit of space was between us and curl up at his side. As it was, we were so caught up in our own bubble that I, at least, forgot there was anyone else in the garden.

"You two had better get up from there," Alice pretended to scold us. "Otherwise you run the risk of getting sick."

I sighed and sat up. She did have a point. Being wet and cold was not a good combination. Still, I didn't want to give up my moment of peace and fantasy. Edward had already made it to his feet so he offered me his hand to help me stand up. Feeling a slight thrill as I took his gloved hand, he pulled me up and we were again standing so close that there was little room between us. I was a head shorter than he so I had to crane my head up to look at his. His eyes were back to that deep, mysterious state that they usually were. They were just as beautiful as before, but I couldn't help but miss the openness from before.

"Thanks, Edward," I muttered.

"You're welcome."

"Bella, it's getting dark." Alice bounced to my side, breaking the intense bubble Edward and I seemed to be wrapped in. "Let's go inside and warm up and get some dinner. I'm starving."

"Okay," I told her. She went to tell Jasper and Rose we were fixing to leave, and I turned back to Edward. "I guess I'll see you soon?"

"Of course." He nodded. "Besides, I don't think Emmett and Rosalie will make life easy on us for a while."

"Probably not," I agreed and laughed.

We stood awkwardly for a moment, neither of us sure what to say or do. Saying one last good-bye, I followed Alice, Jasper, and Rosalie out through the gate. I took one last look behind me at Edward, standing forlornly beside a frozen fountain. I swear my heart skipped a beat when he waved and winked at me.

AN:

Awwww, aren't they just cute! I love them. LOL Next time we'll have to see what Phil had planned for for dinner with Bella, Renee, and Jacob.

As always teasers and stuff over on my twitter everydaybella89.

Drop me a line and let me know what you think!