Disclaimer: As always I own only this telling of the story, but not the characters. Thank You.

Chapter Eleven:

Gifts

The ride home seemed to take no time at all. I suspect it had to do with the fact that I was so lost in thought. Alice had said some things, that I could not fathom coming from Edward. I knew that he felt that he was taking me from a human existence. But, did he really not know me, that much.

Then again, I guess kids were not a subject that we would ever talk about. But, did he really not realize that that was never a fork in my road. I knew that what Alice said was true. He wanted me to have all normal human experiences. So I was going to have to talk to Edward. Alice said that things would be okay. I wouldn't want her to get into trouble for telling me this.

"What are you thinking about so hard?"

"Edward!" I jumped as I realized that he was sitting beside me. "Where did you come from?"

"I have been sitting here for five minutes. What is the matter, Bella?"

"Can we go for a drive? I don't think that we want to be overheard."

"Of Coarse," There was worry in his beautiful eyes. In an attempt to reassure him I smiled and kissed his cheek. He picked me up and placed me in the Volvo. He did not look placated, in the least.

"So, where are we off to?" He asked as he wound down the driveway.

"Just drive, we aren't headed anywhere. We just need some privacy." I had to find the right way to say this. And I would have to make sure that Alice would not get into trouble. As we drove down the highway I watched the forest pass us by. We stopped on a cliff face, overlooking the ocean. It was a breathtaking sight.

"Bella, please tell me what is the matter." Edward pleaded

"First, I need you to make me a promise." I said taking my eyes off of the oceans calming waves. Edward's eyes were so sad and worried. I told myself that that look would be gone soon, never to return.

"Promise what exactly?"

"That you will not be mad at Alice,"

"What did she do now?" He was completely unsuccessful at hiding his rage.

"Nothing bad, just promise, please."

"Fine, she is safe." He growled.

"Thank you, Edward." I took a deep breath and started. "As you know, we went to get the tuxedos today." He nodded his head. "Well, on our way back to the car we were talking about setting a date. And Alice let something slip. No, that isn't true. I pulled something out of her. I am so sorry, but, you know me. I have a one track mind. So I forced her to tell me."

"Bella, you are rambling. What is going on?"

"She told me that you won't change me until after the wedding, because you want me to have a human wedding; and that, you are sad, about the fact that we can never have children. So I told her that you are crazy. You always talk about me being different than all the other human teenagers. But, you don't realize that this is one of the items that falls into that category?" I said this as fast as possible to make sure I got it all out without any interruptions. Then I took another deep breath and looked into Edward's eyes.

"I can not believe that she told you that." He was stunned, but I couldn't tell if it was completely Alice, or part of my ramble that he was reacting to. "Bella, my love, I have told you many times, that I don't want you to miss out on the human things, that I can not give you. Are children, and a family, really something that you can so easily give up?" He was definitely sad now.

"Edward, you and your family, are all the family I will ever need. And, honestly, have I ever given you reason to believe that I would want to be a mother. I can't believe any of you would think that that is something I could do. I can't even fathom the thought. Edward, would you please finally believe me when I say that I am giving up nothing when I marry you and become a vampire. Nothing! I am, however, getting the world. I wish that you could see it from my point of view. Unfortunately, you will just have to trust me, when I say that you are all I will ever need or want. Your family is just the icing on the cake for me. They complete that package that your love starts."

There was silence for a long time. Edward was facing the ocean, thinking, so I did the same. I hoped with all my might that he would believe my words. That he would realize that I was not just saying this to ease his mind. Though I did want to ease it, I would never do that through subterfuge.

"Bella," I looked at him as he raised his hand to my face, and started stroking my cheek. "You really never cease to amaze me. I will ask you this just once then." He paused for a second, staring into my eyes. "Are you absolutely sure, about all of it? You know that I never want to lose you. But if you do want, all those things that I can never give you, I will let you go."

"Edward, I am so positive, that it hurts my heart to even hear you say those words. I am yours. I have been, since the first time our eyes locked. And I will be, until the world ends."

Edward smiled down at me and pulled me into a passionate kiss. We stayed parked there watching the beautiful setting of the sun. Once the sun was completely gone, and the sky was dark, we headed back home. The trip was silent, but it was a comfortable silence; a silence that spoke volumes of our love for each other, and our relaxation in each other's company.

When we got home Alice was waiting for us on the porch. She had a huge grin on her face. I was momentarily petrified. Edward pulled me from the car and up to the porch. Then he let me go and gave Alice a bone crushing hug, had she been human, it would have killed her.

"Thank you Alice." He said to her.

"I told you that you should have talked to her in the first place. But, now that that is all taken care of, we have some surprises for you two."

"What did you do Alice?" I asked worried, again.

"Well, it is customary to get wedding presents for the happy couple. And since you will not be able to enjoy them until after the change, we thought we would give them to you early."

"What did you get?"

"Come in and find out."

When we entered the house everyone was in the living room. Edward sat down in a plush arm chair and pulled me onto his lap. Carlisle was the first to speak.

"Since I am told that the wedding will be on Sunday." He said almost questioningly. I nodded and Edward gave me his crooked grin. That is when it dawned on me. I had forgotten to tell Edward that I had set the date. "And Edward will be changing you afterwards." Again it was almost questioning. This time Edward nodded and I beamed as he tightened his arm around me. "We have decided to bestow your gifts upon you now." As he finished he stood up and made his way over to us.

He handed me a purple wrapped package. It weighed, maybe five pounds. I handed it to Edward. I didn't want to take any chances. Everyone laughed as I turned red. Edward then handed me back a see-through box with a giant red cross on it. It was a first aid kit. I went a shade redder and the laughter filled the room. "So that you will never be unprepared," Carlisle said as he gave me a hug.

Next Esme came to me with a small rectangular package. I handed it straight to Edward. He pulled off the green paper and handed me back a beautiful book. It had a red satin cover with black flowers embroidered onto it. "It is a diary. As a woman, you have many intrusive thoughts that you can not run away from. This fact is only heightened when you can never sleep. This will help you get your frustrations on page so they are not crowding your mind."

"Thank you both." I said as I gave Esme a hug. As they went to sit Alice bounded forward. She gave me a giant hug and her impish smile, my stomach dropped.

"I am afraid that you will have to wait for my present. It hasn't arrived yet." I groaned and Alice laughed.

Jasper was the next one to get up and come over to us. I was surprised, to say the least, he had been even more hesitant of me since their return. He bent down and gave me a quick hug. I was so happy, and I could tell that Edward and Alice were also. Then he handed me a small envelope and said. "This may come in handy." He then winked as he took his seat again, Alice sitting back next to him.

I opened this one myself. Inside was five little cards, each one a different color. I pulled one out and stared at it for a second. Then I burst out laughing. "Read it out loud." Edward said. He had obviously read it from over my shoulder, for he was shaking the both of us with his laughter. So I read the six tiny words that were typed on the card.

Get out of shopping free card

Everyone joined in laughing with Edward and I. Everyone, except Alice of course. She quickly turned and punched Jasper in the arm. "Sorry, my love, but I had to do what I could to save my little sister." I stared at him in shock when he said that. I had always hoped that we could have that kind of relationship, but to know that he desired that too, made me swell with pride. He looked back at me and smiled then winked again. I smiled back at him.

"Our Turn!" Emmett boomed. He and Rosalie got up and walked right past us. "Come on you two. Our gift is already upstairs."

We got up and followed them all the way up to Edward's room. They stopped at the door and turned to look at us. "This is something that we felt you will be needing." Emmett said with a giant grin on his face. Then Rosalie threw open the door.

Inside the room there was now a huge four poster bed. It had thick dark blue curtains and a black comforter. I stared in disbelief. This was the biggest bed I had ever seen in my life. Emmett elbowed Edward in the ribs and said. "It's a king." For some reason, I could not contain myself any longer. I ran from Edward's arms and jumped onto the bed. It bounced me a little before I settled in the direct middle. I laid there with my eyes closed and my hands behind my head.

"Thank you Emmett and Rosalie. This is the most beautiful and most comfortable bed I have ever been on." Suddenly Edward's arms were around me. My eyes shot open and I looked into his. They looked so hungry, and not for my blood. I quickly crushed my lips to his. His hands started to caress my body, as mine caressed his. I only vaguely heard Rosalie say, "We are out of here." as Emmett chuckled and they left.