EPOV

We all would've stayed all night (and possibly all week) partying on the girls' living room, or just anywhere in particular, but Bella was starting to feel drowsy. It was nearly 2 am plus she already have had a couple and some beers.

After dancing and laughing, we sat on the couches to continue sharing anecdotes and stories. Alice and Jasper sat side by side in one couch, while Bella and myself shared another one. She was a little tipsy, sleepy and tired, so she laid on my chest as if it was the natural thing to do (Which it was... for me). I felt warmth in my chest, but I had to keep it calm, because tonight I had an epiphany.

Maybe the best way to turn Bella is by showing her all the amazing things a vampire can do, and how filled with love our family is. Wanting to turn Bella by hoping she wants to spend her eternity with me was selfish and not a very smart strategy.
Not that she doesn't love me, or not that she didn't love me before; I have all the time in the world to court her, to show her my undying love.
But if me and my family work as a team, we can achieve our goal even better, and hopefully, faster.

Maybe we just needed patience to turn ourselves into her reality again, entering her life step by step. To become so important to her, even more than Jacob Black... and if possible, even more than the ones she knows as her parents.
For now, as she said, no weird stuff. Alice, Jasper and me, we are just her college friends. When she asks for answers, she will have them. But for now, her personal space must be respected.

As I continued pondering these ideas, I noticed Bella was already asleep in my chest. I could stay like this for the rest of the night... and I was dying to, but I needed to act like we were just friends. My wife was just someone I met two days ago.

"I like seeing you two like this." Alice sighed as I brushed Bella's hair with my fingers. She inhaled deeply, as if she entered a deeper state of sleep.
"Yeah... I do too. But she said no weird stuff, so I have to take her to bed and get going."
I stiffened up, wrapping her in my arms and carefully placing her head on my shoulder. I placed her arms around my neck, so she could grab herself if she woke up.

I opened the door, and placed her on her bed; but when I tried to straighten up, she wouldn't let go off my neck.
She mumbled in her sleep.
"Bella..." I whispered "you're in your room now. You need to sleep."
"Edward, don't go" she mumbled. "stay"

She was talking in her sleep. She always does. I know she wants me deep down, but I can't act on what she says while asleep.

"Bella, you're asleep. I'd love to stay but..."
"I'm not asleep."

My heart stopped.

"What? Why do you want me to stay?"
"Because I'm drunk and I like you. Not as the vampire, not as the mysterious guy... I like the Edward in my living room and I'll never forget him."

I just stared at her closed eyes, as she was still mumbling. What should I do? Should I respect her relationship? A gentleman would... but I had no time for that.

"Bella, are you sure you want me with you, tonight?"
"As sure as a drunk girl at 2 am can be"
"... I don't know if that's a yes or a no."
She giggled and she kept her arms locked in the back of my neck.
"What about Jac-"
"Shhhh..." she said, while placing one finger on my lips... I was dying to kiss that finger. "Don't ruin it. Stay"
I obeyed. "Ok, but Bella, honey, I am going to place you on your bed; I need you to cooperate. I want to look for some extra blankets in your closet so you don't feel cold, okay?"

She never answered, but I guess she was deeply asleep. I placed her on her bed, and did as I said. I covered her in some blankets, and laid next to her. She climbed up my chest and continued sleeping.
I was so hypnotized by her breathing, that I panicked when she got up two hours later.
She went to her closet and took out a hanger with my sweater covered in a plastic bag. She uncovered it and wore it, and came up again to bed.

"Why is it in a plastic bag?" I whispered.
"So the scent wont fade away" she sighed, after half a minute of deep breathing.
I hugged her closer, while my heart melted, and her breath deepened.
I heard Jasper's thoughts about feeling Bella's emotions. Even while asleep, she felt protected and at home. She felt in love, but her human thoughts made her believe she just had a crush on me. I'd try to make her understand she was in love, but I just had promised myself to work with my family as a team. She's family first, for now, the most urgent part to work with.

I could just bite her here and now. Change her and have it my way, but I wouldn't want her to give up on her life like this. She should feel ready.
She must have complete closure with her human relationships. I owed her at least that.

So I'm going to get hard machinery. Our secret weapon.

Yay, Emmet's coming! Alice thought.