Authors Note: Hi everyone! I'm really sad I've had only 7 reviews (Thanks so much to the people who did), I really want to know if the some 200 people who've read this story actually enjoy it. You don't have to right a book as a review--just tell me what you think. Good, bad, corny-- I DONT CARE! Okay...also, my writers block is somewhat better, thanks to the reviews. Though i'm having trouble with the storyline. I can't think of a way for Bella to be in trouble (We all know she always gets in trouble, don't we?). Maybe I'll just go ahead and bring James and Victoria, and have them both killed. What do you think? BTW, I love this chapter, even though my favorite part is kinda short

Chapter 9- Gifts

Bella Swan

"Alice," I groaned. She still held me in her iron grip—pulling me through her house. Countless streamers and balloons were spread among the masterpieces, and a big banner hung across the farthest wall that said 'Happy Birthday Bella!'

I had decided: Alice had a dark side.

"Of course it won't be much of a party, because only Jasper, Edward and I are the guests—but you're twenty! That's a big step!" She went on, waving her hand to a pile of presents. The only thing worse than parties were presents. Ugh!

"Alice, you didn't have to do this…I've only known you for about a month. This is completely unnecessary," I urged. But knowing Alice, once she's thrown a party—she can't stop.

"What's with the aversion to parties, eh Bella?" She stuck her bottom lip out in a pout. "I thought humans like them…"

"Well, according to your brother," I flashed a smile at Edward, "I'm not your every-day human. Now, let's get this party over with," I groaned, sluggishly walking to the pile of presents.

Before I could even reach for a present, Edward stood next to me, swiftly taking his hand in mine. He pointed to a roundish present wrapped in purple paper. "That one's from Jazz," he whispered. His lips were nearly touching my ear, his cool breath making my breath swirl.

"Okay," I murmured as I picked up the present. I ripped the wrapping paper off, not thinking about whether if Alice wanted to save it. I'd apologize later.

Once all the paper was off, the round shape now was a pillow. It was a beautiful shade of brown, the threads seeming to be laced together by angels. The varying colors formed a cactus. It automatically reminded me of Phoenix.

"Jasper," I whispered, glancing up to him. He had I slight smile on his face—like it was forced. "This is wonderful. Thank you," I assured him. He nodded slightly. Edward's grip on my hand tightened, so I set the pillow down so I could unwrap the rest of them

"Which one now?" I asked them. Alice pointed to the pile, smiling a devilish smile.

"All those are mine," she prompted me proudly. As if I already didn't know what was in them.

The next half hour showed much aggravation towards Alice and her gifts. I was correct on what the twenty medium-sized packages held—my new winter wardrobe. With every sigh at shirts and pants—came a chuckle from Edward. He held his arm around my waist, as if trying to restrain me from attacking his shopaholic of a sister.

"Finally," I moaned as I flopped down on the couch next to Edward. I leaned on his shoulder, and his hand entwined with mine. "I can't believe you intentionally brought me here to be tortured!" I feebly smacked his arm, which would probably end up leaving a bruise on my hand instead of his.

"Well I couldn't deprive you of a twentieth birthday party," he retorted, but rather than hitting me, he lifted me into his lap.

"But you know what, I do appreciate one thing," I whispered, looking deep into his golden eyes. They flickered with interest. "You didn't get me a present." His lips curled over his teeth. He was holding back a laugh. "No, no, no, no! Not you too!" I complained.

"While, my gift is far too big to wrap." He smiled slyly. I frowned at him.

"Do not tell me you got me a car! I swear, if you got me some ridiculously fast sports car so that you can drive me around in style…Well—I—" He put his finger over my mouth.

"Calm down, love," he whispered. "I know you well enough never to buy you a car." I sighed in relief.

"What did you get me then?" I asked, growing impatient. He smiled widely, and then threw me over his shoulder. I gave up on trying to make him put me down once he stopped moving. He gently sat me down, my feet hitting the unfamiliar hardwood floors with a thump.

I looked around, and the first thing I saw was the grand piano sitting on an evaluated floor in the center of the room. I gasped.

"I hope this isn't mine," I moaned as I gave Edward an accusing look.

"No, Bella. This is my gift." He took my hand, leading me across the room. He moved with such grace, and I was focusing on not falling flat on my face.

He sat down on the long wooden stool. He patted the seat next to him, and I carefully sat by his side. His place his fingers on the keys, his perfect pale hands tracing them. Then he put just enough pressure to play.

The music was beautiful.

It echoed in the dim-lit room like magic, like it was being played by a professional. No doubt Edward was, but it didn't sound like someone who looked seventeen could be playing this.

His finger slid across the keys, never missing a beat. What was amazing was there were so many rhythms, melodies, and cords intertwined—that it sounded like there were at least ten different people playing. But the only two people in the room—and for all I cared, in the world—were Edward and I. And he was the one doing all the playing.

My mouth dropped in awe as the melody faded, the lullaby ending. Edward bowed his head, and then looked over to me.

"Do you like it?" he asked, prompting me out of my wordless trance.

"Yes, I love it," I said emotionlessly. "This is by far the best gift anyone's ever given me," I whispered. Edward's hand moved from the keys to mine. He held it up to his cheek, his cool, sensational skin making my bones feel like rubber.

"Don't worry, I won't break the news to Alice," he whispered with a smile. "And by the way, you inspired it."

"Me?" I asked. I couldn't think of any way Edward's musical mind could translate me into by far the most beautiful melody I'd ever heard on the piano. I was no muse, I was just Bella. But for some reason, he saw me as much more.

"Yes, love. You are everything, the most important thing ever," he told me. He moved my limp hand from his face, to his waist. As soon as he let go, I found that my hand was clinging unintentionally to him. He cupped my face in both of his hands, inching closer and closer to my face.

"Don't move," he whispered. I remembered the fact that he could kill me at any second, and kept as still as a statue. His lips didn't go directly for mine, instead the started at my jaw. I couldn't find the will to breathe, knowing that any moment that his lips would find mine.

And then they did.

I kept as still as I possibly could, keeping my arms on Edward's waist. His lips moved slowly on mine, very hesitant—but passionate too. Then, all of a sudden, a heat wave sent my arm flying around his neck, and then I found my fingers tangled in his curly hair.

My lips moved with his, cold but at the same time warmer than anything I'd ever felt. Every where my body touched his was tingling with excitement—feverishly wanting more.

But when Edward's lips stopped moving—mine did too. My hands dropped from him, sliding them down his chest. His face released from mine, but I didn't want to see if he was angry so I locked my eyes closed.

"I'm sorry," I whimpered. He tilted my chin up with his finger, I then opened my eyes. He had my favorite crooked smile plastered on his face. "You're…not mad?"

"No," he assured me. "That…is nothing for you to be sorry about—or for me to be mad about. That was one of the most amazing experiences in my existence." Amazing? Could he have truly found that moment as amazing as I did.

"It was pretty amazing," I murmured. Edward bent forward and kissed me on the tip of my nose, and seconds past where my heart didn't even beat.

"You really need to get your heart checked out," he chuckled. I shook my head smiling.

"Or maybe you should just stop dazzling me," I corrected. He smiled even wider.

"I love it when your heart beats so wildly—for me."

"Well, my heart never did anything like that until I met you," I said quietly. He leaned me into his chest, and I tightly wound my arms around him. I kissed his chest through his sweater—feeling him exhale.

"I wish I could make my heart beat for you," he said into my hair. "I feel like it's the least I could do after all you have given me." I tilted my head up, trying to see his face.

"What did I give you?" I asked.

"You know what you have given me, love." He smiled a little. "You." I sighed.

"You see, I thought it was the other way around," I said quietly. He shook his head.

"Out of all the men in the world, you chose a vampire. That, I find that luck turned in my favor."

"The way I see it, is that there are plenty of beautiful women out there, human and…non-human. And you chose an average human girl who happens to smell really good," I laughed. "I find that is the most amazing form of luck."

"Bella, when will you ever see yourself for what you are?" he complained. "You are intelligent, beautiful, selfless, caring, compassionate, gentle, and most importantly—accepting. You are more than I could ask for, and far more than I should ever deserve."

"Thank you, Edward. I love you," I said with a smile, putting my head back into his chest.

"Thank you, for giving me a reason to live. You are the one, Bella. I belong to you," he whispered.

For the next few hours, Edward and I lounged on the couch in his room. It wasn't much of a "bed room" since there was no bed. Edward reminded me that he doesn't sleep—but this was indeed his room.

It was bordered with countless and surround-sound stereo speakers that I was afraid I'd break in one fall. Edward held me in his arms as we listened to music, mostly Debussy. I was stunned to find it was one of his favorites instead of mine.

"What is your family like?" he asked as he held me in his arms.

"Well, my mother, Renee' is a lot like me. I think she's prettier though."

"I find that impossible," he whispered. I felt myself blush a deep red.

"Well, you can do that. But she loves to feel young, which is probably why she went crazy for someone so young. Phil is about 5 years younger than her. He plays baseball," I told him.

"Ah, I remember you telling me about him."

"Well, yeah. At first, he wasn't really a permanent member on a team—so Renee' thought they'd be moving around a lot. But after we moved to Jacksonville, we stayed. She's still there. Renee'…is quite the character. She's loving, but a child at heart."

"That explains why you're so mature," he mused. "You probably found yourself taking care of her."

"Sometimes," I muttered.

"What about Chief Swan?" he asked.

"Ah, Charlie. He's a lot like me, you could imagine. He's a good Dad though. I haven't seen him in forever. I'm glad we're going this weekend."

"You want to go see him now? I can get us there in good time," he suggested. I rapidly shook my head.

"No, you can't unless you drive like the maniac you are," I laughed.

"True."

"We can go early, if you want. Just please keep the speed limit under eighty," I posed.

"I could do that," he moaned, helping me off the couch. "Alice saw this coming. That's why she bought all those…wintry cloths. The weather is supposed to be really cold this weekend." He smiled widly.

"Remind me to thank her." I sighed. I sat down on the passenger's side of Edward's Volvo, seeing the presents stacked in neat piles in the backseat. Then, on the front porch of the Cullen's house were Alice and Jasper, both waving erratically—Jasper's hand being waved against its will. I smiled, and just lifted my hand in the air before Edward took it in his, pressing his cool lips to my palm.

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