Thanks for all the reviews so far!

This chapter follows on from Getting There.

Chapter: Keeping Secrets

"Okay, but seriously now, what do you want to do?"

We had been driving for about 15 minutes, not heading in any general direction. We talked about cars for most of the time. Edward seemed really surprised about my love for cars; that's one thing we never knew we had in common.

"I really really don't mind, Edward." I said half laughing since it was about the third time he had asked.

"I would drive around with you all day Bella, but do you know how expensive petrol is these days?" he sounded serious, but I could tell he was exaggerating a little bit. After all, he owned a Volvo, as if he couldn't afford petrol (gas).

I laughed at his comment and looked out the window for the first time to see where we were. There were a few houses and open grassy areas, and further back there were trees that got thicker and formed a small wood.

"If you're so concerned about petrol why don't we walk?" I asked, proposing a serious option.

"Okay, but then where do we go?"

I laughed at him, "it wouldn't really be kidnapping if the girl I was kidnapping told me where to go." I said, mocking his smooth voice the best I could.

He smiled at me, "okay, you're right." He pulled over on the side of the road and got out.

"What are we doing?" I asked, opening my door just as he came around to my side of the car.

"You're not doing anything, I'm kidnapping you." He replied calmly. He scoped me up in his arms much like the way he did Friday afternoon.

I laughed, "Hmm this brings back memories." I smiled at him as sweetly and innocently as I could. He met my eyes and just stared, a smile playing on his lips.

"What?" I asked through my smile, amused by his face.

"Nothing, I'm just glad I'm not the only one that has thought about Friday almost every minute since."

He broke eye contact and locked his Volvo, leaving me to wonder.

-000-

"Do you even know where we are going?" I asked Edward as he leaded me by hand into the woods. It wasn't scary or anything, I could still see the road, but he looked like he was going in a certain direction.

"I told you, I want to show you something." he said, laughing at my seemingly childlike question.

He carried me from his Volvo to the edge of the park, where we sat and just talked. Then out of nowhere he jumped up and said he wanted to show me something.

That's what got me here, holding his warm strong hand, and being led somewhere.

"Okay, now this feels like kidnapping." I said, smiling at the thought.

He stopped and turned back to me. "Well, just to clear things up, I don't plan on holding you hostage, I just wanted to show you this." He walked a few more steps forward and brought me up next to him.

It was beautiful.

All of a sudden the trees fell away to reveal a small meadow, no bigger than my living room.

There were wild flowers and the grass looked soft and luscious.

"Wow." I stated, still staring at the little meadow.

Edward smiled; he seemed pleased with my reaction. He squeezed my hand and led me to the centre.

"Its awesome isn't it?" he said, smiling at me.

"Yeah, I guess you could say it's awesome." I said, smiling at the term he used to describe this little hideaway.

I reluctantly let go of his hand to touch the grass with both of mine. It was so soft. I assessed the ground quickly before falling onto my back and letting the soft ground support me.

I heard Edward laugh and sit down next to me.

I had my eyes closed, just relaxing. "How did you find this place?"

I felt him lay down next to me and I could hear his breathing.

"Well I used come and explore these woods when I was little, and one day I found this place. Its where I come when I need to think." He explained.

"And do you need to think now?" I asked, being the annoying 'play-on-words' person.

"Well yes actually." He stated, sitting up.

I sat up too, pulling my knees up and loosely wrapping one arm around them, while my other unconsciously pulled out grass.

Even though my body was doing other things, my eyes were looking straight at Edwards.

He took a deep breath and looked away into the distance for a second.

"Bella," he started, letting out a long breath, "I want to ask you something."

"Yeah?" I asked calmly.

"Will you go out with me?" he asked in the most honest voice and looking into my eyes.

I couldn't grasp what he said. It was all too fast, too unexpected.

He found my hand and held it ever so gently

I closed my eyes and looked down, pulling my hand away from his and shifting my body so I was sideways to him. "Why Edward? Why me? I'm nothing, you have all those pretty girls that would just burst at a look from you."

He was shaking his head before I finished.

He took another breath in. "Bella, do you know how much everyday that I wish I could hug you, that I could just spend time with you? I mean, you are just amazing. You don't care what people think, even though everyone loves you. You don't spend your time doing your hair, it looks great anyway, or reading magazines or any other 'fake try-hard' thing. You're just you. You are smart, god. I can still remember you getting every award in primary school and you still get awards. But not just achedemic. You can play every sport and you win the best and fairest all the time. I don't think I have ever heard you say one thing that has put someone down or discouraged someone. You just enjoy life, but you care about where you are heading. I mean, you are perfect. And I mean it. But it's not just that. It's the way I feel when I see you. You call me Edward. And when you say my name, I just-" he looked away from me. "I just melt." He said reluctantly.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This cant is true.

"Edward," I breathed out.

He felt the same as me, I realised. Except he faced the truth first.

"Bella, this isn't some high school crush that's going to end by the end of the week. I already know I'm in love with you. In fact I have known for a while, I just needed to be sure."

I turned to look at him, and saw his face was completely sincere.

"So will you?" he asked again.

I pieced all my emotions together and smiled. I leaned forward from my sitting position and gave him a quick sweet kiss on the lips. Its funny. Another guy would have tried to deepen the kiss, but Edward; he just enjoyed the quick kiss. He was not a physical person.

I pulled away I few centimetres and looked into his eyes. "Yes." I smiled at my situation. The hottest, nicest most amazing guy just asked me out. Me!

I sat back down comfortably and held his hand in both of mine. We were silent, staring at the sky.

After a minute I heard Edward chuckle. I looked at him, confused.

"So what now?" he asked with a smile. I laughed back.

"Impatient are we?" I asked mockingly.

"No, I could sit here all day." He said, and I honestly think that if I asked him, he would sit here with me until the morning.

"So could I."

I leaned my head on his shoulder, enjoying the closeness. "But I think we should move off." I sighed, stretching and standing up.

He was up in a flash with his hand still in mine. I looked up and he just gave me a big hug. "Bella, do you know how happy I am right now?" he asked, his voice muffled in my neck.

"Pretty happy, I'm guessing." I replied through a smile. He released his hold on me.

"Yeah, pretty happy." He replied casually as if not caring at all, and started to walk away.

"Oi!" I grabbed his arm and pulled him back. Punching him in the shoulder pretty hard.

"You know you're pretty tough for a girl." He said, rubbing his shoulder.

"Thankyou?" I said with a confused look. His face fell a little.

"Well I mean, you, well… it was a good punch… I mean, you… I-" he was stuttering.

I laughed and, catching him by surprised, pulled him close for another quick kiss.

"Thankyou." I said more convincingly.

He grabbed my hand and we started walking back through the trees towards his car. It was surprising how far we actually were into the woods.

We walked in silence, just holding hands. And I liked it. Its funny how when you hold hands with someone, everything stops and all of a sudden words don't exist. Its like you're silently talking.

As we came up to the car I looked up at him. He was looking straight ahead and didn't notice I was staring at him straight away.

"What?" he asked, amused.

I smiled, "nothing. I just think I could get used to this."

He smiled back and gave my hand a quick squeeze. "You know wha-"

His voice was cut off by the sound of my mobile going off. The ring tone was 'Cath' by Death Cab For Cutie.

I looked at him, showing him I was sorry about interrupting. He just shrugged and smiled. I found my phone in my pocket and pulled it out: Alice.

Crap.

"Hey"

"Yo homie." Alice replied, doing her best to sound gangster.

No matter how much I was annoyed that her phone call disturbed us, I had to laugh at her. "Alice, your not gangster, don't act like it."

"I can dream, Bella" she replied, taken aback by my comment.

"You dream of being a gangster?" I asked sarcastically.

"Yeah Bella, who doesn't." rose yelled from what must have been away from the phone.

"Oh hey rose." I said in greeting, since I didn't know she was there. I heard Edward stifle a laugh and I looked up at him with a questioning look. He just shook his head and raised his hands mouthing, 'nothing'.

I stuck my tongue out at him and continued to concentrate on my phone call.

"Hey bells. Dude, you missed out." Rose began.

"Yeah it would have been better if you came though." Alice chipped in.

"Why, what did you do?" I asked, confused.

"We went to the movies and shopping and stuff, remember?" rose said. She was louder now, so I assumed she had the phone.

"Yeah, but you were busy." Alice said from the background.

"Anyway, are you still there?" rose said, before I could talk.

"Still where?"

"Down at la push." She said as if I was stupid.

Oh no. I'm meant to be. Shit. Blacks. La push. But. Here. With. Edward. What do I say… I'm stuffed. Think quick!

"Oh, um yeah, but I'm just leaving." I said, a little quicker than I thought.

Once again I glanced up at Edward, but this time, he had the questioning look. I think he could hear what they were saying. But like a good boyfriend would… wow boyfriend, I need to get used to that…he just remained quiet and got my silent message. He made his way to the driver's side and got in his Volvo. I followed, going to the passenger door instead.

"Oh, do you want us to pick you up?" rose asked innocently.

"Umm nah its cool, ill just drive my truck." I said as convincingly as I could.

"Umm…" rose hesitate and pulled away from the phone, whispering something to Alice I think. "…Ok then." She said seriously.

"Hey Bella!" I heard Alice shout, followed my banging sounds as the phone was passed to her.

"Yeah?" I asked. The tone of her voice sort of made me nervous.

"We are your best friends right?"

Her voice actually sounded uncertain but not really serious. I mean, of course they are my best friends…well now plus Edward. But he doesn't count yet.

The three of us have been through everything together. I tell them the truth about everything. Well except for Edward… but that's different! For me anyway.

"No I hate you all." I said, sarcasm heavy in my voice. "Of course you are, why would you need to question that?" the last part I said seriously.

"Oh don't worry, we will see you soon." Alice finished.

"Oh…kay." She sounded different. It wasn't anger or anything, more like a… knowing sound? "I love you guys." I said seriously.

"We love you too bells." They both said.

I hung up, and just sat in the Volvo.

After a minute, Edward leaned over and placed his hand affectionately on my leg. "Bella, what's going on?"

I looked at him, pleading and asking for an apology all in one. "Edward," I said placing my hand on his, "I really like you." I looked into his eyes to make sure he understood.

He smiled but gestured for me to go on.

I bit my lip, giving him a cheeky half-smile. "But… I sort of haven't told my friends about any of it and when you asked me if you wanted to do something today I was so excited but then they called and wanted to take me out and then I didn't know what to say so I said something about going down to la push to visit friends and… yeah. That's it, I think."

He didn't say anything but just stared. I think I spoke really fast.

Without warning, he gave me a quick peck on the lips.

"Your so cute when your confused."
I don't like being called cute. And Edward knows that.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "your face wont be cute anymore if you don't shut up." I was joking… but serious.

He just laughed. "You are definitely one of a kind, Bella." He said, shaking his head.

"Just drive." I said, releasing his hand and crossing my arms.

He started the car and pulled out onto the road. "So what's going to happen with the Alice and rose thing?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the road.

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "Well, they don't know about me… us. So how are we going to tell them?"

He had a point. I'll give him that. "What? Have you told our whole school?" I asked mockingly.

He didn't say anything.

"Well? Who knows?" I prompted.

"I haven't told anyone either." He said reluctantly.

"...Hypocrite." I mumbled.

"Okay, whatever. But still, what do we do?" he asked, ignoring my comment.

"Isn't this the part where we say 'as long as we have each other, nothing else matters' or is that only in the movies?"

He looked at me with a 'you cannot be serious' look.

I just shrugged.

It was silent again as we thought. The only sound the quiet purr of the Volvos engine.

"Well there's the obvious answer." I said, turning to look at him.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" He asked. I smiled.

"Well that depends on if your thinking that I'm thinking what you're thinking at the exact same time that you're thinking it." I said seriously.

"Don't make me try and beat you at word games. Because I will smash you." He sounded sure of himself.

"Oh really?"

"Okay! No more sidetracks!" he laughed at our competitiveness.

"We could keep it a secret." I said, looking into his eyes.

"You know when I asked you if you were thinking what I was thinking?"

"No Edward, don't start unless you're prepared to lose!" I warned.

"No, no. I was just saying that, that was what I was thinking."

"If I was blonde, I would be confused right now."

Edward laughed as he indicated down a street that I didn't know the name of.

"So a secret?" I asked, clarifying our confusing conversation.

"Well what else can we do?" he asked.

"Just go out and tell them." I suggested.

He looked at me, raising one eyebrow, "somehow, I don't think that will end well."

"Yeah, me neither." I agreed. "Besides, this could be fun." I said, once again grabbing the hand that wasn't being used for driving and holding it in my own.

We were coming up to my street now, "stop before my street."

Edward was on the same page, "in case someone sees?"

"Yup."

He pulled over just before my street.

So now I say bye.

Well I know I would see him on Monday - tomorrow - , but I loved being with him.

We looked at each other for a minute. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow." I said, making a move to leave, knowing that if I didn't I would have stayed there forever. But what do I do? Kiss him? Hug him? Just wave? After all, we've only been officially going out for about 2 hours and I have already kissed him about 5 times. I know they weren't much but it's just not what I do.

Seeming as though he read my mind he said, "hey Bella, I know you're a slow mover. I don't want you to be worried about that sort of thing. But I want you to know that, I love you." He didn't break eye contact.

I kissed him on the cheek - it seemed appropriate.

"I'm sorry I can't jump into this."

"Bella, I completely understand." He said honestly.

"But, I want you to know that, I've been feeling it for a while." I looked into his face, searching. "Make sure you see me Monday." I said.

"I will be waiting."

Reluctantly I got out of his car, and with one last look, turned into my street.

-000-

are you happy they are finally together!? I am :)

Please tell me if you liked it or not :)