Hey peeps!

I'm sorry about the delay! I had a small problem... I kinda broke my tooth... yeh, and now I need to have a small surgery to fix it... not nice. So yeah, I was a bit preoccupied this weekend.

I also watched New Moon, and OMG, I loved it! It was so truthful to the book. I absolutely LOVED Alice and Charlie. I mean, seriously! They were the best ones. And the best part was that everyone was in complete silence during the whole movie... Not one squeal. I left the theater very happy. (Btw, that scene showing Alice's vision was so cheesy! OMG! LOL). I'm watching it again this weekend *-*

Anyways, this isn't the best chapter ever, but I hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything =(

Enjoy!

Chapter 10

Edward spent the rest of the day with me, and just left to get ready for school. He picked me up, and I knew there was something up when I saw his guilty smile.

I groaned, "Alice went overboard, didn't she?" I asked. It was more of a rhetorical question, but he answered anyways,

"Sorry. At least there's no cake." He tried to lighten the mood. It barely worked, though. The rest of the ride to school was made in silence, the only sound coming from the CD player.

"Chopin?" I asked. He nodded,

"I love his nocturnes. They're soothing." He explained.

He turned off his car as soon as we got to the school's parking lot, but didn't make a move to leave. He took a deep breath and looked at me.

"I know you said no presents." He started. I was about to complain when he held a hand up, silently asking me to stop. "I swear I didn't spend a dime on it." He said. He reached inside his backpack, and took out a small parcel. I eyed it narrowly, but took it from his hands.

I opened it slowly and carefully, afraid to use too much strength and damaging it. I gasped when I saw what was inside. It was a small diamond pendant. It was heart-shaped and absolutely beautiful.

"It was my mother's." He explained. "I was able to rescue a couple of things from my old home before we left Chicago, and this was one of them. I want you to have it. So you'll know that you have my heart." He whispered the last part, which took me by surprise. "You're my best friend." He gave me that crooked smile of his, and I was momentarily dazed.

"Thank you." I whispered once I came back to my senses. "It's exquisite. Would you help me put it on?" I asked, turning my back to him so he could unlock my necklace. He did so, and slipped my new addition swiftly in before clasping it closed.

I turned back, and gave him a hug. It was sort of strange, seeing as we were both sitting in the car and all, but he got the meaning.

"There's something else." He said, once we broke the hug. "But that's for after the party." He winked at me. I smiled and sighed contently, resting my head on the back of the seat.

"We should go. Rosalie is threatening to total my Volvo if I don't let them have their Bella time." He said with a chuckle, exiting the car.

I let out a giggle while Edward went around the car to open my door. He was raised in the early nineteen hundreds, and was always a gentleman. He insisted on always opening my doors and doing all other gentlemanly things. I wasn't complaining.

We made our way to the rest of the gang. Alice was really excited, she couldn't keep still. I was really shocked, though, to see Jasper's arm around her shoulders. He noticed my look and winked at me. I gave him two thumbs up, and smiled. Guess we wouldn't need to meddle after all.

As soon as I was within reach, Rosalie launched herself at me. If we weren't both vampires, I was sure we'd be lying on the ground right now. As it was, I locked my arms behind her back, when hers went around my neck, and squeezed hard.

"Happy birthday, baby." She whispered, tightening her hold on me. It was a good thing I didn't need to breathe.

"Thanks, Rose."

She had barely let me go when I was pulled into another hug. Jasper. He squeezed me hard as well, before letting go and giving me a small kiss on my forehead. He and Rose stayed in front of me, Rosalie handing me a parcel.

They were looking at me expectantly while I tore the wrapping paper. Inside was one of the best presents I'd ever seen. I was very partial to handmade gifts, and they knew that.

It was a wooden picture frame. In one corner, there was a rose carved. On the one opposite, there was a freesia. On one of the lower corners, there was a chamomile flower. And on the last corner was written 'Forever' in a cursive, elegant handwriting. I knew Jasper had carved it himself, and Rosalie had painted it.

There was already a picture of us placed in it. It was one we had taken a few days ago. We were all in the woods after hunting. Jasper was giving me a piggyback ride. I had my arms around his neck, my chin resting on his left shoulder. He had just grabbed Rosalie by the waist, carrying her on his right side. I was laughing really hard, and there was a smile on both their faces. Alice was the one that took the picture.

"It's absolutely amazing." I whispered, gently running my finger through the carved flowers.

We each had one. Rosalie was a rose, because she was the most beautiful and delicate creature I'd ever seen. I was a freesia; according to Rose, that was the way I had always smelled. And Jasper was the chamomile flower, because he was always able to calm us down. He had protested a lot about being compared to a flower, but I knew deep down he liked it.

"I carved it myself." Jasper said.

"And I painted it." Rose finished.

"This is the best present you guys could have given me. I loved it. I love you both so much." I said, looking up at them. They gave me another hug before releasing me to the rest of the group. Alice was bouncing on her feet, a huge smile on her face.

I handed my frame to Edward right before almost being tackled by the pixie. She almost made me fall over.

"Happy Birthday, Bella!" She practically yelled.

"Thanks, Alice." I said in a normal voice, returning her enthusiastic hug.

She also handed me a parcel, and I opened it gingerly. It was a dress; dark blue, reaching mid-thigh. The fabric had small, black flower pattern. It was beautiful.

"I designed and sewed it myself." She told me. I smiled at her, she really loved fashion.

"You have to wear it to the party tonight." She told me; or more like ordered me. I just nodded, handing it to Edward as well.

Lastly, I was given a bear hug by Emmett.

"Happy Birthday, little sis!" He boomed. I couldn't help but laugh. He put me down, and handed me his gift.

It was a journal. The cover was made of leather, and the pages were probably made of recycled paper. They were a bit rough and thicker than normal paper. On the cover, written in Rose's handwriting, was my name.

"I made it myself." He said proudly. I smiled at him; it was a really sweet gift. "Rose told me you like to write." I nodded.

"Thank you, Em. This is amazing." I was in awe; they all went out of their ways to make sure I enjoyed my birthday.

"You didn't have to do this, you know?" I told them. They all rolled their eyes at me.

"We wanted to. And we knew how much more you'd appreciate it if the gifts were handcrafted and all." Rose said.

"Yes, I do appreciate it." I said. "Thank you, all of you." I finished.

Edward took my gifts and put them on the trunk of his car, before walking me to my first class.

My first two classes were a bore, and I couldn't wait until English. I was not one for gossips, but I needed to know about my brother and Alice. So when the bell rang for my third period, I all but ran to it. Jasper was already there, and probably felt my curiosity.

"So…" I said, sitting down next to him. He raised an eyebrow at me. "You and Alice?" I asked.

He broke into a huge smile, his eyes sparkling.

"I finally got the courage to ask her on a date." He bragged. I smiled.

"That's awesome, Jazz. Where are you taking her?"

"To the movies. It's not like I can take her out to a restaurant." He shrugged.

"Nice. Just go slow, okay? I don't want to see any of you hurt." I told him in a whisper. The class had just started.

"Don't worry, Bells. I will be careful, I promise. She's far too important for me to mess it up." He replied.

I gave him a grateful smile.

During fourth period, Alice drilled on and on about Jasper, and how handsome he was, and how much of a gentleman he was. Let's just say I was glad when the bell to Lunch rang.

In the cafeteria, I just took my seat next to Edward. Jasper greeted Alice with a peck on the cheek, and smiled sheepishly at me. I winked back, and spent my lunch hour talking to Edward, and picking apart my food.

The rest of the day passed by quickly. Edward drove me back to my house, where I got ready for the party. I put the dress on, and some silver ballerina flats. My jewelry matched the outfit perfectly, so I didn't add anything else on. I did curl my hair slightly and put on some make-up.

Once again, Edward picked me up, and drove me to their house. Everyone was waiting for me in the living room. It was nicely decorated with blue and white balloons and streams. There was a cake in the table and I eyed it curiously.

"It's fake." Alice answered my unasked question. I chuckled. "It's just for the pictures." She explained. I nodded, still looking around.

My eyes landed on Esme. She was patiently waiting for me to finish my little inspection before greeting me. I smiled at her, and closed the distance between us.

"Happy Birthday, Bella." She said while hugging me.

"Thanks, Mom." I replied. It was the second time I called her that, and I could see it had the same effect as two nights ago. She beamed at me, before kissing my forehead and letting me go.

Carlisle also wished me a happy birthday, hugging me gently and kissing my head as well. They handed me yet another gift, and I opened it excitedly.

I nearly fainted when I saw it.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. First edition. A rarity.

"Oh my gosh." I exclaimed. "This is… amazing. Where did you get this?" I asked.

"It was mine. Or rather, my grandfather's. He had the honor of meeting Mr. Shakespeare." Carlisle informed me. My eyes widened. "I was born a few decades after he died." He finished; I just nodded. "And I have another copy, so don't bother complaining." He smiled. I squealed and ran to him,

"Thank you, Daddy." I said without thinking. And a second later I realized what I said, clamping my mouth with my hand. Carlisle just chuckled and kissed my hair.

"You're welcome, sweetheart." He was smiling so much, I couldn't help but smile back.

The party went on, the eight of us talking and laughing. I totally crushed Emmett on Mario Kart when we played the Wii, and then Jasper. Alice informed me that she had inconspicuously added to my closet. I groaned, but didn't complain. At least she didn't take me shopping with her.

At midnight, Edward stole me away and took me to the music room. There was a grand piano in there. He had said before he had another gift, and I was just figuring out what it may be.

He grabbed my hand and gently guided me to the piano bench, and I sat down next to him. He started playing a very complicated piece. I closed my eyes, resting my head on his shoulder, while listening to his playing.

The song was beautiful. Like nothing else I'd ever heard before. It held some sadness to it at the beginning, but as it progressed, you could hear the sadness be replaced by happiness. It held a bit of a longing as well. All in all, the most splendid thing I had ever heard.

After a few minutes, the song came to an end. I sighed contently before opening my eyes. They met Edward's. He was staring, probably waiting for any kind of response from me.

I smiled up at him, never removing my head from its place on his shoulder, and whispered,

"It was absolutely breathtaking." I told him sincerely. "I loved it, what's it called?" I asked.

He took a deep breath, and replied,

"Bella's Lullaby."

My smiled grew bigger. And I really, really wanted to kiss him right now. His luscious lips were in touching distance. I knew I was staring, but I didn't care. That was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done to me.

Last night I had had an epiphany, I knew I liked Edward as more than just a friend. I was still trying to figure out my feelings, or if he even returned them, though. I was really scared. Mostly of rejection, or a heartbreak.

"Bella?" Edward brought me out of my thoughts. He was used to me spacing out by now.

"Thank you, Edward. It's the sweetest thing you could have done for me." I told him sincerely.

He kissed my forehead, his lips lingering a little bit more than usual. I sighed contently, and snuggled closer to him. He put his arm around my torso, and started playing a different tune.

I just sat there, silently admiring him. The way he pursed his lips when he was concentrating was endearing. Sometimes he stuck his tongue out a bit, and he looked so cute.

His fingers moved lithely through the keys, making the most amazing sounds. Anyone that saw him could tell how much he loved playing music.

We stayed like that till dawn. Alice had warned us it would be a sunny day, so we didn't bother changing clothes. Eventually we moved to his room, and spent the whole day discussing all sorts of topics.

All in all, the best birthday I had ever had.

No cliffhanger... I'm not as evil as Chris Weitz... seriously, leaving the movie in a cliffy like that (even though we know what happens in Eclipse and BD) is soooo unfair! LOL

Reviews are better than free New Moon tickets... xD