Short chapter but I couldn't put the next part in or would have taken way longer to post so sorry....

Chapter 10: In Denial

EPOV

Australia was wonderful. We were three days into our small vacation and things were turning out fantastic. I knew Bella more – what made her angry, how the corner's of her eyes crinkled when she laughed, and her 'don't mess with me' death glare.

I loved all of it. A light streak of morning sun streamed through the window, hitting the spot between us perfectly. The glow was enough for me to make out her features - every curve of her face, looking more glorious than ever.

She was an angel.

Bella's nose scrunched up and her hand came to slap me across the face. It was a soft clap but nonetheless, shocking. Her hand rested there. Slowly, her hand trailed to the back of my head where she grabbed a fistful of my locks.

A smile threatened to grace her face and I instantly knew she was awake. She trailed her hand down my ear, leaving a tingling path behind it.

I grabbed her hand and started to tickle her. Her eyes flew open and she began to beg for mercy. I tickled her mercilessly until she fell off the front of the bed. I sat up and glanced to my feet where Bella was rising slowly, rubbing her hair that resembled a haystack.

Then she did something that I never thought I'd see her do.... she growled.

Bella pounced back onto the bed, gracefully might I add, and stalked toward me on her knees and hands. Even in my moment of shock, I could register how cute she looked in my boxers and my t-shirt.

That was her recent sleeping attire, now that Alice had replaced all her comfortable sleep attire into more Victoria's Secret type lingerie.

Once she reached me, Bella placed her manicured fingers on my lips. She smiled like a temptress and I was scared. I knew this was payback and I had to stop myself from falling into her trap. Bella, being Bella, made me to lose my entire train of thought.

Her hand tingled its way up to my heated ear. Then she grabbed hold of my ear and yanked me up off the bed. I followed her in my own dreamy state as she hauled me into the bathroom. Only when she let go off my ear, did I return to consciousness.

By then, it was too late. I was drenched in ice cold water, by her. She pranced out of the room, clearly happy about her payback. I gave up and took a shower, since I was already drenched.

BPOV

I quickly changed my clothes into something more princess-suitable and rushed over to the door, where Alice was threatening to knock down the door. I released the door from its lock and Alice came bouncing through the door and went straight to the wall-sized window. She threw it open and sunlight came streaming through the window.

"Bella, let's go shopping!" Alice begged. Shopping? Was she kidding herself? We had our own personal designers' for Pete's sake!

"Alice! We have plenty of clothing! No need to extend the already colossal and completely unnecessary wardrobe."

"But... but!" Alice gave me her super-cute, super-sad, 'pretty please' face.

I gave in myself to the torture with a sigh as Alice bounced with glee. Edward came out of the shower smelling fantastic. He was clad in dark jeans and a Country Road shirt.

"Edward, mother and father want to discuss something with you. They're sending their limousine to pick you up in five minutes," Alice instructed. What would Carlisle and Esme need Edward for, now?

"Okay! Bye Alice, Bella!" Edward graced out of the room. Alice quickly dragged me out to our limousine in which Rosalie was already waiting. The chauffeur opened the door when we had reached our destination.

Only when the door opened did I realise that we weren't in a normal shopping mall. It was a large grand designer store. The door was opened for us as we stepped into the air-conditioned, perfumed boutique where designers twirled around beautiful models, adjusting their clothing.

T.V screens showed models from Paris wearing their line of clothing. Only when I got a full look of the place did I realise that it wasn't only a clothing store but also had a beauty and hair line. My eyes were twice their normal size when I contemplated the amount of time we would be spending in here.

"Alice... umm..." I stumbled, "Can we leave in an hour?"

"Three, at least!"

"Two and we've got a deal!" I extended my hand and sealed my deal with Alice. We turned back around but, this time, only to be fussed over by designers. They had a gold plated tray with elaborately designed glasses. There was also the choice of soft drinks, juices, coffee and tea.

I politely declined the offer of a beverage and so did Alice and Rosalie; Alice because she wanted to shop and Rosalie because she wasn't too well lately.

"Hello! I am Princess Alice, this is Princess Isabella, and this is Prince Emmett's girlfriend – Duchess Rosalie," Alice said, extending her small palm for the manager to shake, "Can we get measurements done, please, and a choice of clothing that isn't out in stores, yet? We would like a selection of pastel colours that can be worn in normal occasions like garden party's and meetings with the parliament and so on..."

By the look on the manager's face, I was sure she had plenty of experience with important people. Alice had thing for intimidating people on their first meeting. She didn't do it on purpose but her perkiness and straight-forwardness, added with the fact that she was a Princess, scared people.

The manager got her crew straight down to work. I was fussed over, twirled, prodded, measured, threatened – by Alice -, and then, finally, we finally left.

I sneaked a glance at the receipt and was overcome with shock at the six thousand dollars spent in this place alone. We didn't leave with any bags because they would be delivered directly to our current residence.

Five Hours Later

Alice and Rosalie had mercifully returned me back to my apartment in one piece. After shopping they had dragged me on a personal cruise. Jasper and Emmett had joined us and I had worried that Edward still wasn't present.

Alice had reassured me that he would be home shortly after me. Putting faith into their words I'd had a very enjoyable evening. We saw the city and waved politely at the ferries passing by. People fought for a view from the window to see us.

The guard outside let me into my room and I was surprised to see Edward sitting on the edge of the couch. His hair was dishevelled and he looked really tense; on edge. He rose the second he saw me entering and came to my side. He placed me down on the couch and sat next to me, turning me around to face him.

His nervousness was really trying me after the long day. What could he possibly be so worried about? Except...

Our marriage deal!

Would he want to break off our marriage? Panic froze my heart in the form of cold ice. I knew this would happen someday. I shouldn't have gotten emotionally attached –

Wait! Did I say 'emotionally attached'? I wasn't emotionally attached! No, no way!

You're in denial. The more rationally thinking part of me stated.

"Bella, we need to talk."

Oh, crap! No one say's 'we need to talk' unless they want to... to...

I was tossing between throwing a hissy fit and crying yet the Princess in me took control and maintained a completely calm facade, waiting for the worst to come.

Mwahaha! You'll get over it, or maybe not. Oh, well! You'll just have to beg.

Happy New Year!!