A/N: Hello everyone! I realized I messed up my tenses in the last chapter, so sorry about that, and thanks to layla nightshade for pointing that out. I'm no good at writing anything in a caffeine deprived state:P Thanks to wendemyre and layla nightshade for reviewing!

Keep readin ppl! And press that review button for free virtual brownies!

And for all those ppl waiting for the volturi, they will make an appearance in the next chapter.

Disclaimer: everything belongs to stephenie meyer (and maybe brain if he succeeds in taking over the world;))

Chapter 10:

EPOV:

The week I spent with Bella was the best week of my existence. Everytime she walked past me or stirred the air with her hand, I felt the venom leave a fiery trail down my throat but I endured it just so I could be with her.

I was getting ready for my first date with her and was jittery as hell, when Emmet walked in the room and saw me fiddling with my shirt collar.

"Well, well. Never thought I'd see the day that Edward Cullen lost his cool," he said, grinning at me. Before I could do the honours, Rosalie's hand shot forward and hit him at the back of his head.

"Ow!" he said, rubbing his head and pouting. "What was that for, babe?"

Rosalie sighed and said, "That's for bugging your brother who has his first date in a 114 years(A/N: he was 109 in NM, this is 5 years later). Cut him some slack."

I thanked Rose and went down to my car and drove to Bella's house. When I rang the doorbell, I heard her shout "Coming!" followed by a loud thump and a groan.

Before I could open the door using my mad breaking-and-entering skills, Bella opened the door, rubbing her head gently.

"Hello, love," I smiled at her, "Fell down the stairs again?" Bella's lack of coordination was a constant source of amusement for Emmet and he once asked her how she managed to be an agent for so long without killing herself by tripping over thin air. She claimed she hadn't had this problem for a very long time, and blamed me for dazzling her too much.

"Hello to you too, and I'm sorry but not all of us can have impeccable balance and inhuman grace." She practically growled at me when she said that, looking like an angry kitten with her nose all scrunched up. She looked stunning today in a midnight blue, silk dress.

I took her hand and kissed her on the forehead. "Sorry, sweetheart. Shall we leave and commence our first date?" She nodded and I led her to the car.

"Where are we going, Edward?"

"It's a surprise."

"But I hate surprises!" I chuckled at that.

"I'm sure you're going to love this one, darling."

She looked at me, giving me a coy smile. "You're too self-assured for your own good, Cullen. Someone needs to deflate that enormous ego of yours."

I laughed. This was our usual form of bantering. She always claimed I was the proudest vampire she had ever met, and I always said she clearly underestimated herself while vehemently denying her previous claims.

I was taking her to my meadow, where I had spent the better part of the day arranging everything perfectly. She was so busy teasing me that she didn't even notice the direction in which I was driving. When we reached the dirt path that led to our destination, I could sense Bella's surprise as I opened her door and took her hand.

"Edward, where are we going? This is the middle of nowhere," she asked, confused.

"Bella, do you trust me?" I asked.

"Of course I do. You know that."

"Then climb on my back, and I'll show you how I travel. We'll get there faster, and I don't want you to ruin your dress by splattering mud all over it."

She nodded and got onto my back. "Are you ready?" I asked her. I felt her nod and I took off.

BPOV:

Running with Edward was the most liberating and exhilarating experience of my life. I had never felt so free and laughed at the feel of my hair blowing in the wind. When Edward stopped, he reached back with one hand to stroke my face and asked, "How was it?"

I jumped off his back and hugged him and said, "You just gave me the best experience ever, Edward! It was so much fun! Can we do it again sometime?" He laughed at my enthusiasm and said he would take me wherever I wanted, using whatever form of transport I preferred.

He led me by the hand towards an opening in the canopy of trees. We stepped out into a circular meadow that was filled with wildflowers. The beauty of the place was indescribable, but it was what Edward had placed inside it that took my breath away. He had filled it with countless candles, and in the center was a grand baby piano and a picnic laid out for two.

I stared at him in shock. "Edward...this is...it's..." I blabbered, completely speechless.

He gave me a crooked grin and sat me down on the blanket.

"I thought you might appreciate the seclusion and would prefer it to a crowded restaurant." he said, opening the picnic basket and laying out what seemed like all of my favourite food. There was mushroom ravioli, a raspberry filled chocolate cake and a bottle of cold champagne.

"Its amazing, Edward. Everything is just perfect. How'd you get the piano here anyway?" I asked, my curiosity overpowering my awe.

"Vampire, remember?" he said, pointing at his chest.

"Like I could ever forget." I laughed.

The rest of the night was as amazing as the beginning. Edward played his composition for me while I ate, and told me about how I had inspired it. The night eventually came to an end, as all good things usually do. It wasn't until we were back in the car that Edward told me we were in Forks.

"Edward," I asked, chewing on my lip nervously, "Do you mind if we make one more stop?"

"Not at all, love. Where do you want to go?"

"My parents' house, please." I said, unable to meet his eyes. "I wanted to go but I don't want to do it alone. I'm scared Edward. I need you with me." I gave up the fight against my tears and let them fall freely.

Edward hugged me and said, "I'll be there whenever you want me to, Bella. You are my life now."

I nodded, and brushed my tears away. He was far better than I deserved.

We drove to my parents house in silence. When I got out of the car, Edward held my hand tightly. I walked up to the porch and used the key under the eave to open the door. Edward walked in after me, turning on the lights.

It was so cold, and seemed so empty despite the sheet-covered furniture that hadn't been moved an inch since my parents died. Tears started making their way down my face when I entered the living room. This was where my parents had died, their bodies lying cold and lifeless as their eyes stared up glassily.

Edward held me as I broke down sobbing into his chest. I thought I was ready for this, but I guess I was wrong. It still hurt like hell to be here, even after five years away.

EPOV:

"I wish I was there." Bella said, her voice cracking. "I wish I could know who killed them. That was why I started working as an agent, so that I could find out who did this to them and I thought that as soon as my training was finished, I'd hunt them down and kill them. But I never found them. Why didn't I find them, Edward?" She continued sobbing in my arms and I felt her pain ten-fold due to the guilt that it was my kind that had caused her this grief. I wanted to tell her but now was not the time. She needed to heal and I knew I would be there for her whenever she needed me.

"I don't know, Bella. But I swear to you, I will never let them hurt you." I vowed.

A/N: reviewww!:)