Stephenie Meyer owns everything

I don't know if anyone noticed, but I accidentially uploaded the wrong chapter 10 just now, selecting chapter 9 again, instead of this one... anyway, I deleted that, and this is the real chapter 10.

Yay, new chapter! I have to be honest with you - I'm surprised I've been able to finish it this week. Work has been overwhelming, but I just love writing this story, so I do try to cram in some writing time any chance I get, and here we are!

Okay, you know the drill - read it and please review! I love hearing your thoughts, and they help me write. So come on, show me some love!

Chapter 10: Realisations

EPOV

Something strange was happening to me. It was new – uncharted territory so to speak.

I had come to a new realisation.

This realisation hit me in early June, the same day that school ended for the summer. The graduates were all out partying together, and the rest of us had decided to have a little beach party in La Push to celebrate our vacation.

I was standing in the hallway, twirling the car keys in my hand as I waited for Jasper to come down. We were going to go pick up Bella and Alice at her house before driving to La Push.

"Isn't Jasper ready soon?" my mother asked as she walked by.

"I hope so – we're picking up the girls in five minutes, so we need to leave now."

She nodded and threw a glance up the stairs. "Well, you know him; he's always been a bit slow to get ready," she said in a matter of fact voice that made me snort. She smiled at me knowingly and then she suddenly laughed a little to herself, as if thinking of something funny. "And it's gotten worse now that he has Alice – maybe she's rubbing off on him?"

I laughed at her question. "It wouldn't surprise me if she has."

She smiled gently. "I'm glad he has Alice – she's exactly what he needs. They balance each other out so well."

I nodded in agreement, having seen a kind of transformation in Jasper myself. He seemed so much happier now than he had been before, more… peaceful?

God, I sound like such a girl.

And the rest of us were also reaping some of the benefits – Jasper was the perfect anecdote to Alice's never-ending energy as he had some kind of mystical power that calmed her the fuck down.

"You need someone like that too, honey," my mother said, snapping me out of my thoughts. She looked at me sympathetically.

"I need what?" I asked her, furrowing my brow at the undeserved sympathy she was apparently feeling for me.

"Someone to balance you out – you need an 'Alice', or 'Rosalie'," she explained, smiling a little apologetically for her choice of words.

I cleared my throat and looked down at the floor. "Uh…," was my brilliant response. What the hell was I supposed to say to that?

"Maybe you-." She abruptly stopped herself, holding up a hand. "No, you know what? I'll just let you figure it out on your own." Then she smiled at me, as if she knew some huge secret that she wouldn't tell me.

"Wait, what? Maybe me what?" She didn't answer, just turned away from me and walked to the kitchen. "Mom! You can't just say stuff like that and walk away!"

She laughed airily. "I'm your mother – I can do whatever I want."

"What? No!" I said indignantly, but she was already gone. I huffed irritably, wondering what she had meant.

'Or who,' an amused voice said in my head.

My chin dropped slightly as I realised she might already have an 'Alice' for me in mind. But that seemed like a stretch – all she had said was 'Maybe you' and that didn't give me many clues as to how her sentence could have ended. I shouldn't jump to conclusions.

But I had to figure it out on my own? Gee, thanks mom. What did that even mean, 'figure it out on your own'? She made it sound so easy too, as if whatever it was that I should be figuring out was right in front of my face.

Mothers. I decided to forget she had even said anything.

Yeah right, like that would work.

Did she really think I needed a girlfriend? And did she already have someone in mind? Maybe that was what she thought I should be figuring out after all…

I had half a mind to go after her and harass her until she told me, but right then Jasper appeared at the top of the stairs, still trying to arrange his hair.

"Okay, let's go! Alice will kill me if we're late," Jasper said as he bounded down the stairs.

I gave him an annoyed face. "It's your own fault for standing in front of the mirror for so long – I thought you were aware of the fact that you aren't a girl."

He flipped me off quickly as he walked past me and out the door.

I chuckled a little as I followed him.

Five minutes later I pulled up in front of Alice's house. She and Bella were standing by the side of the road, waiting for us. Bella had dressed for the occasion in cut off jeans, ending just over her knees, and black low-top Chuck Taylor's. I couldn't see what her t-shirt said, but since I knew her, it was bound to be funny. A brown zip-up hoodie against the slight chill in the air completed the outfit.

Jasper got out of the car to open the door for them.

"Kiss-ass," I mumbled as he made a show of bowing down to them and waving his arm in a grand gesture towards the backseat. I laughed at the dumbfounded expression on his face as Bella completely ignored him, instead sliding in next to me. I stared at her chest without even so much as a 'hi'.

She saw me looking and turned towards me, flaunting it.

"And your father smelt of elderberries!" I yelled in a ridiculous French accent. Bella laughed joyously and put her hand up for a high-five.

Alice looked at us like we were insane, which we weren't – Bella's shirt said 'Your mother was a hamster!'. Obviously I had to finish the sentence.

Bella turned to look at her as Jasper, with a resigned sigh, got in next to his girlfriend. "What? Haven't you seen Monty Python before?"

Alice shook her head. Bella and I gasped in shock, only half-kidding. Alice directed an annoyed frown at us as we stared at her.

"You don't have to act like I just told you I keep the hacked and rotting body parts of former lovers in my basement!"

A very weird mix between a groan and a snort came out of Jasper, which he unsuccessfully tried to cover up as a cough as Alice turned on him, slapping his arm.

Bella turned away from her friends in the backseat and gave me an incredulous look which I returned. We both shook our heads at Alice – how could she not have seen Monty Python?

We spent the relatively short drive to La Push quoting our favourite moments from all their movies and series.

"Now stand aside, worthy adversary," I said to Bella.

"'Tis but a scratch," she answered.

"A scratch? Your arm's off!"

"No, it isn't."

"What's that then?"

Bella paused. "I've had worse."

"You liar."

"Come on, ya pansy!"

"God, will you two shut up! I can't take it anymore! We get it – you like Monty Python," Alice exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.

Bella and I laughed at her irritation but kindly refrained from quoting anything else. As soon as I parked the car, Alice threw herself out of it, dragging Jasper with her and stalking away in the direction of the beach. Bella giggled mercilessly at the sight of her tiny enraged friend, stomping across the parking lot with Jasper in tow. I joined in her laughter when it appeared that Jasper was trying to calm Alice down, putting his hand up and everything.

That didn't work. He soon had to forcibly stop her by planting his feet firmly to the ground and yanking her to a full stop. He twirled her around to face him, rubbing her arms in a calming manner.

That didn't work either. Alice started yelling, her face pure irritation as she jabbed her finger at Jasper, emphasising whatever point she was making. She stomped her foot angrily as she suddenly pointed towards our car, seething. She saw us through the windows, laughing at her. She stuck out her tongue in a childish manner and then continued yelling.

Although the sight was funny as hell, I didn't really get why Alice seemed so angry; sure, having two people quote a movie you've never seen is annoying, but did she really have to yell and shit? Maybe she was having a bad day or something. I unbuckled my seatbelt as I continued watching Jasper working his magic.

Making it easy on himself, Jasper simply put his hand against Alice's mouth to shut her up. He seemed to be trying to talk some sense into her, lifting her chin so that she would look at him. He was probably doing a good job, because Alice's anger appeared to deflate by the second. After a minute he bent at the knees to come down to her level, grabbing her around the waist and rocking her gently back and forth a few times. A reluctant smile broke out in her face and she nodded at him, apparently agreeing with his line of reasoning. He leaned in to give her a quick kiss before straightening up.

She still didn't seem completely satisfied though, crossing her arms and looking down at the ground with a pout, but at this point it was just an act. She wanted something.

Jasper apparently knew what it was, because it only took a few words from him before her face suddenly lit up like the sun and she nodded enthusiastically. Jasper then turned around, allowing Alice to jump onto his back. He proceeded to give her a piggyback-ride down to the beach, playfully slapping her on the thigh as she kissed the side of his neck.

Bella laughed joyously at the sight as she got out of the car, walking around it to join me. I thought about asking Bella if she thought Alice's reaction was a bit off, but it didn't seem like that big of a deal, so I let the subject drop from my mind as we walked.

Bella and I met quite a few of our classmates on our way down, both coming and going. No one was surprised to see the two of us together anymore – nowadays it was more surprising to see us alone – and they all greeted us happily, some carrying coolers with beer and sodas.

We could hear everyone long before we saw the faint glimmer of the bonfire – music, laughter and the indistinguishable hum of a mass of people talking reached us in waves. The smell of burning wood accompanied the sounds, completing the scene unfolding up ahead.

An involuntary smile broke out on my face as I took in the scene on the beach when Bella and I finally walked out on it. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, either sitting around the fire with a beer or running around, dancing one minute and throwing rocks into the water the next. That utter joy you feel at finally being free, if only over the summer, had settled in all of us, and everyone needed to celebrate. Bella and I made our way over to where Angela and Ben were sitting by the fire.

Bella leaned down to give Angela a quick hug as I gave Ben a light punch on the arm in hello.

"Hey guys," Angela said happily. "Do you want something to drink? I have some wine here, I'd be happy to share," she offered, holding up a bottle.

"I can't – I'm driving," I explained with a smile. "But thanks anyway."

She nodded, smiling back at me, and turned to Bella. "How about it?"

Bella pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling in thanks. "You're sure you don't mind?"

"No, of course not! Here, I have another cup here somewhere…" she said, looking around.

I sat down on a rock next to Ben, asking him about his plans this summer while the girls searched for the elusive cup. After telling me about the various places he and Angela were travelling, he asked me what I was going to be up too. The only thing I had planned was our trip to Edinburgh, and Bella, listening to us, shone up with excitement as I told Ben about it.

"Oh, cool! Bella, you're going too?" Angela gushed.

"Yeah, Esme and Carlisle invited Rose, Alice and I to come with them," Bella said, smiling hugely.

"Wow, eight people? Guess you're gonna have to bunk up with Alice and Rosalie then," Angela stated in a thoughtful tone. Before I could intercept, a slightly startled and then stumped expression crossed Bella's face.

"I-I don't know… we haven't really discussed it at all," she said hesitantly before looking at me. "Edward, how are we… I mean, are we sharing rooms and stuff? I never thought to ask," she said, shrugging a little apologetically.

I chuckled softly. "Ah, no, we don't have to share. There are seven bedrooms in the house." I laughed at the expression on my friends faces, having sort of anticipated it. "Mom and dad have the master suite on the second floor, and Jasper and Emmett's rooms, where I am sure Alice and Rosalie will be sleeping, are on the third floor."

I pointed a finger at Bella. "You have a few options available though; there's are two more rooms on the third floor, but I honestly wouldn't recommend those, seeing as the lovebirds will be nesting up there – you never know what you might hear, if you know what I mean…" I said, clearly hinting at the possible noises she would have to endure. Bella grimaced at that, which I took as a 'no, thank you' on those bedrooms.

I laughed. "Well, then it seems like you and I will share the lower ground floor. It's like one of those self-contained apartments, with two bedrooms, a kitchen, living room… you name it." Bella blinked in shock. "I won that in a very intense battle of rock, paper, scissors with Emmett and Jasper 10 years ago," I added with a proud and smug smile.

Bella laughed, as I knew she would. "I bet Emmett really wanted that one, being the oldest and everything." I only nodded with an evil grin on my face, making her giggle.

"Wow, that house sounds amazing," Angela sighed. "I wish I could go with you!" she added with a laugh.

"Yeah, I'm so excited!" Bella smiled goofily. "I've never travelled that far before – it all feels very 'I'm-off-to-see-the-world!' and stuff," she said. "And we're leaving so soon too; I'm already making packing lists in my head," she confessed with a laugh.

Angela and Ben continued to ask questions about our trip for a while before the conversation shifted to other topics. All around us, the spirit of summer was in full bloom, making everyone feel very happy and trouble-free. The general atmosphere on the beach was reflected in the music being played – very up-beat and happy, with 'summer' being an obvious theme. Bella sat swaying to the music as we spoke, sometimes quietly singing along to her favourite parts.

When Ben and I sort of took over the conversation about an hour later, having a discussion on our favourite kung-fu movies, the girls looked a little bored. Angela huffed a little impatiently before finishing up her wine in two large gulps. She then jumped up from the log next to Ben and put her hand out to Bella.

"Come on; let's ditch these dorks and go dance!"

Bella smiled hugely and finished her own cup of wine before grabbing Angela's hand and walking towards the group of people dancing by the speakers farther down the beach. A small part of me wished I could go with her, but I wasn't that much of a dancer really, so it would probably just be awkward for me.

Besides, I could appreciate the view of Bella swinging her hips just as well from where I was currently sitting. I kept stealing glances at her as I talked to Ben – I was completely enthralled and captivated by the sight; the way her hair moved as she danced, how she put her hands in it sometimes in an unconsciously sexy manoeuvre, the way her hips and ass swayed with the music… everything. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen.

But I wasn't the only one looking and admiring her. I had to choke back a growl as I saw a stumbling Mike Newton, beer in hand, approach her and Angela. The look on his face was pure lust as his eyes lingered on Bella.

He wouldn't dare.

But he did. He started dancing next to her, too fucking close, putting his free hand on her back. Ben halted in the middle of a sentence I hadn't heard a word of and stared at me in bewilderment. Perhaps my murderous expression was somewhat confusing. He noticed my gaze and quickly turned around to see what I was looking at.

"Oh, shit" he stated simply. He then turned back to me, an irritated frown on his forehead. "Guess Newton didn't get the message."

"No, guess not," I ground out between my teeth, getting angrier by the minute as the shithead continued his drunk-dancing, moving his hand from her back to encircle her waist and pull her closer. I could see how uncomfortable Bella was – her movements before had been so free and uninhibited, the joy she felt radiating off her. But now she was barely moving anymore, her limbs stiff as she tried to get away from the fuckface. I saw the panicked look she shot at Angela when he wouldn't let go.

I almost leaped up from my seat as Newton bent his head to whisper something in her ear, trying to turn her around to face him fully. But then Bella put a hand on his chest and leaned away so that she could look at him. She said something to him with a warm smile, which he returned as he nodded. Then – finally – he let go of her and stumbled away down the beach, heading towards the coolers filled with beer. As soon as Mike turned his back on her, Bella grabbed Angela's hand and urgently pulled her away, walking quickly back to us.

"I asked him to get me a beer so that I could get away from him," she said as she came back to the fire, letting go of Angela and instead pulling me up from the rock where I had been sitting. "Can we leave please? I really don't want to deal with Mike right now," she practically pleaded with me, the panic in her voice making my heart squeeze.

"Of course; come on." I grabbed her hand and with a quick wave to Ben and Angela we set off down the beach. I pulled her up to the trees lining the beach and walked in a few yards. I ushered her behind a bush.

"Stay here while I go and find Jasper and Alice – he'll probably look for you, but I don't think he'll find you in here," I said, smiling at her in reassurance.

She nodded her head, smiling back. "Yeah, best to play a little game of hide-and-seek. Besides, he's so drunk he's probably forgotten all about me already." She touched my arm lightly. "Thanks Edward. I'm probably overreacting, but he was just so pushy… very determined. I don't know, I just don't want to have to deal with him right now."

"Don't worry about it Bella. I've told him to leave you alone once before, and I don't mind saying it again," I said, unable to stop the grin on my face as I thought about it.

Bella laughed a little before she pushed me away. "Come on, go find Jasper and Alice and see if they want to leave."

I hoped they did. Maybe they could find a ride with someone else if they wanted to stay a while longer? I stepped out onto the beach, scanning the crowd for my brother and Alice. I couldn't see them right away, so I began to wander around, asking a few people if they'd seen them. I had no luck.

Finally I decided I had to call Jasper's phone – I didn't want to leave Bella alone for too long, just in case Mike actually found her.

I walked farther away from the crowd while I pulled out my phone and called Jasper. As soon as it started ringing, a faint but familiar noise reached me. I walked towards the source of the noise and soon recognised Jasper's ringtone. It seemed to be originating from behind the huge boulder in front of me. I lowered my phone from my ear as I walked closer.

As I approached it I heard heavy panting and the rustling of clothes. Oh god.

"Maybe I should answer?" Jasper said in a tone that suggested that he really didn't want to.

"Leave it," Alice breathed.

"It could… be important," my brother said in a strained voice.

"Leave it," she repeated. They then went back to… whatever they were doing.

I snapped my phone shut and cleared my throat. Loudly.

Complete silence from behind the boulder.

"Uh, guys – it's just me. I really hate to… uh, interrupt, but you wouldn't by any chance be open to going home now?" I asked quickly.

The silence dragged on for a few seconds, in which I assumed they were silently discussing what to do.

"Uhm… yeah, sure," Jasper then said, coughing in an embarrassed manner. "Could we, uhm, meet you by the car in a few minutes?"

"Yeah, no problem – I have to get Bella anyway," I said quickly, already walking away from the uncomfortable situation. "See you in a few."

I hurried away, really not wanting to stay in that close proximity to my brother and his girlfriend after what I had just heard.

I made my way across the beach, aiming for the place where I had left Bella. I had an eye out for Newton as I walked, but I couldn't see him anywhere. I tried to tell myself that just because I couldn't see him it didn't mean that he had found Bella. He could just be… you know, farther away.

I stepped into the trees and instantly felt all the blood in my body being replaced by boiling hot fury at the sight before me.

Newton had found her. He stood with his hands on her shoulders, drawing her closer to him. She fought it, leaning away, panic and disgust clear on her beautiful face.

"Come on, don't be like that," he said to her, stepping closer. "You're so fucking hot."

"No, Mike – please, will you let go?" Bella said angrily, yanking on her arms to try to get them free from his grip.

"Why would I do that? Then you'll just run away again…"

I approached them, so incredibly ready to just grab the vile fuckhead and beat him to a pulp. What the fuck did he think he was doing!

Bella's eyes suddenly snapped to me over Newton's shoulder. A relief so sweet filled her eyes as she saw me and she relaxed in Newton's grip, reassured that I would take care of her. As I saw this, some of the seething fury in me subsided. Beating the crap out of Newton would only help me, not Bella. And I needed to help her.

I made a quick decision and reached up to grab Newton's shoulder, ripping him away from Bella. I then took hold of her hand and drew her behind me as Newton turned his glare on me, anger flowing from his eyes.

"Oh, come on! Would you give it a fucking rest, Cullen!"

"I told you to stay away from her," I growled at him menacingly.

He snorted obnoxiously, swaying slightly. I could smell the beer on his breath. "That's not really your decision to make, is it?" He swivelled his blood-shot eyes to Bella, and a leer grew on his face. "You should have seen the way she was dancing – practically begging me for it. I'm just giving her what she wants, and that is obviously a good, hard fucki-"

He didn't get any further than that, because Bella's palm connected with his face, the smack echoing between the trees. She had jumped out from behind me just as I was about to step forward and hit the little fucker.

Guess she beat me to the punch.

"Listen up asshole; I don't want anything from you! Get it? Anything! So stay the hell away from me! You fucking disgust me," she yelled into his face before she turned around and grabbed my arm. "Edward, let's go."

I was just about to follow her when Newton, outraged, took a step forward. "You little bitch! What the hell is your problem? You can't just go around acting like a little slut and a tease and then pretend like you didn't want it!"

I couldn't stop myself this time.

I didn't want to.

My fist hit him straight in the jaw, making him stumble backwards and fall to the ground. Bella shrieked behind me, slightly shocked. I stepped forward to where Newton lay sprawled on the ground and grabbed his shirt, lifting him up slightly.

"I'm getting really tired of your fucking attitude," I growled at him. "Get it into your thick skull – Bella has never wanted you in any way, and she never will. I fucking told you to stay away from her, because a shit like you doesn't deserve to even talk to her. Leave her the fuck alone! Get it?" I pushed him back to the ground and turned around, walking away without another word. Bella followed, walking close beside me.

Not until we reached the parking lot, empty of people, did Bella begin to cry. Silent tears welled up in her eyes without warning, and she didn't resist me as I pulled her in for a hug. There was no sobbing or shaking – she barely made a sound except for a few deep breaths now and then. I guessed it was mostly just a bit of shock over the whole situation that was getting to her.

"God, what's wrong with me? I can't stop crying!" she mumbled, laughing dryly. She pulled away from me and wiped her face, taking a deep calming breath. She closed her eyes and sniffed, breathing slowly. After a moment the tears stopped, and slowly a tightening in her shoulders disappeared. She slumped, relaxed.

"Okay… I'm good now. The shock is over," she said, laughing lightly, opening her eyes to look at me as she spoke. "Ugh, that was so disgusting," she added, referring to Newton. A repulsed tremble went through her.

"Well, I hope he got the fucking message this time," I said, rubbing my knuckles absentmindedly. She looked at my hand and laughed.

"So do I. You've got a nice punch by the way – very impressive," she told me with a smile. "Does it hurt?" she asked then, pointing to my fist.

"No, not too bad. It's totally worth it though – I've wanted to punch him for a very long time now," I told her, winking conspiratorially in a way that made her giggle.

As we walked over to the Volvo I told her about what I had overheard when I found Alice and Jasper, at which she burst out laughing. She did it again when the couple in question walked out on the parking lot, both of them blushing when they saw me grinning at them.

Bella almost doubled up with laughter when Jasper came to the car to open the door for Alice. "Hey Jasper, your shirt's inside out," she told him. He looked down with horror, grabbing at his shirt – only to find it with the right side out. He quickly looked back up, rubbing a hand over his face.

"That's not funny, Bella," he reprimanded her as she and I practically collapsed on the ground at the look on his face.

"Can we just go home now?" Alice asked impatiently as she got into the car.

Alice didn't say a word the entire drive home. When I pulled up to her house, she leaned into Jasper and whispered in his ear. He nodded with a warm smile and unbuckled his seatbelt.

"I'll be home later, okay?" he told me before getting out of the car. He walked around it to join Alice, taking her hand as they walked towards her house. Bella only smiled happily at the sight of them.

"They're lucky they have each other," she said simply.

"A perfect match," I agreed before pulling away.

As I stopped outside Bella's house she began to unbuckle her seatbelt, but then she stopped and laughed before turning to me.

"Wanna come inside and watch a movie or something? Charlie's car isn't here – seems like he's still on his date with Sue Clearwater," she said with a smile, both eyebrows raised.

I glanced at the time – it wasn't that late really, and it wasn't like we needed to go to school tomorrow or anything.

"Sure, why not?" I told her, getting out of the car.

"You know…," she said slowly, "I'm feeling in the mood for some Monty Python. How about you?"

I laughed and nodded as we walked up the steps to her door. "Sounds great."

20 minutes later we sat on the couch, popcorn, chips and sodas on the table, as the theme song for 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' started up.

When the movie was over, the end credits beginning to roll, I was slumped back against the couch with my feet up on the table. Bella was asleep, her own feet lying in my lap and she lay with her head on the armrest. She looked so peaceful that I didn't have the heart to wake her up.

Instead I just looked at her, admiring the beautiful waves in her silky hair as it spread out around her, studying the arch of her full lips, her long lashes that rested on her cheek. My gaze travelled down her graceful neck, lingering on the collarbone that I could see through the neckline of her shirt.

Further down, the swell of her breasts, the flat plane of her stomach, the dip of her waist, rising up to her hips, curving around to her ass. Her long, beautiful legs and silky white skin… She was so perfect. Everything about her was just perfect.

"Mom, I'm fine…" she suddenly mumbled. My eyes snapped up to her face in surprise – mom?

Her eyes were still closed, moving beneath her eyelids. She was talking in her sleep…

My breath caught in my throat and my entire body froze, afraid that my smallest movement would wake her up. This could be interesting.

"I'm fine...," she repeated, in a very convincing tone. "Edward's here," she added, as if that explained everything, a beautiful and reassured smile spreading on her face. I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Was that really how she saw me? As the reason behind her present well-being?

I could feel something beginning to swell inside me. Pride, joy, a sense of responsibility – I didn't know. It was just slightly strange… a new feeling, unlike anything I had felt before.

This girl was the cause of so many emotions in me – she made me feel protective of her, she made me laugh and I missed her when she wasn't around. She made me want to open up to her and tell her things about myself I had never told anyone else. I felt a bit more impulsive around her, and in a weird sense, I felt more like myself. And, as long as I was being honest, she also turned me on. A lot.

I looked at the sleeping girl beside me, feeling my heart beating almost painfully hard with this new emotion inside me. I had a feeling I should know what it was, but I couldn't quite figure it out. It was strong and burning, making me deliriously happy.

I felt so stupid that I couldn't figure it out! It seemed as if the answer was just in front of me…

What was currently just in front of me?

Bella.

Who was causing this feeling in me?

Bella.

And what did she really mean to me?

… Everything. That was the simple and honest answer. This girl – this girl – meant everything to me. Kind, loyal, funny… innocent, trustworthy, beautiful, sexy – the list goes on. The longer I looked at her now, the stronger the feeling grew. It was taking over me, in a good way. I should know what it was… it seemed so simple, so why couldn't I figure it out?

Then Bella suddenly moved, just slightly, a soft sigh leaving her sensuous lips. And it just clicked within me. I realised what the feeling was.

My new realisation hit me like a bullet straight through my heart: I was in love with Bella Swan.

You know what I want... and all you have to do is press that little button right down there...tell me anything and everything: what was Esme talking about? Do you also love Monty Python? And what about Edward's huge realisation? Did you like it? Tell me!

And in case a few of you thought that Alice's outburst seemed a little exaggerated, let me ask you this: do we actually know what she was yelling about...?

.... hmmmmm... you'll find out what her deal is in a later chapter, I promise.

So, next up is the flight and landing in Edinburgh!

Thanks for reading - you guys are awesome!