This chapter took me awhile to write and I'm not sure why, so if isn't up to par I'm sorry. I just have to say you reviewers and readers are amazing, I really mean that. I got over 50 REVIEWS last chapter, it helped me get through my essay.

Falling in Love - Falling Up

"Bella," Edward said his voice full of panic. I tried hard to push those thoughts to the back of my head, it just wouldn't happen. Of course I loved Edward, he was my best friend. He's more than that, the snide little voice in my head told me. I wished I could argue back with the snide voice, but sadly it was right. The conviction of the truth struck me hard and I gasped in shock. Who wouldn't love Edward? He was perfect in every aspect of the word, somedays he was beyond perfect I felt insignificant and unworthy. With a small smile I accepted my feelings, finally, after god knows how long, I accepted how I felt for Edward.

Pulling myself from my thoughts I felt Edward's hands on my cheeks his nose only centimeters from mine. My surroundings slowly came back into focus and I realized we were still standing on the top of the stairs.

"Bella," Edward said again his voice strained. I looked into his eyes and saw the worry I could hear in his voice.

"I'm fine I just had a…epiphany…I think." I told him as much as I could without giving it away. I don't think I could handle the rejection I would get if Edward found out about my feelings for him.

"What was it about?" He asked curiously, like I knew he would.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out." I whispered in his ear before walking towards his room, my legs shaking slightly.

"Wow, slow down Bella." Edward said before grabbing my hips with his hands. "You're going to fall if you don't slow down." I felt his warm breath against my neck, raising the small hairs and making me shiver. I felt a warmth spreading through my veins from the place on my hips his hands were holding. Without warning Edward picked me up and cradled me to his chest before walking the rest of the way to his room.

"I can walk." I told him.

"I know you can but you don't walk well." He said laughing, I felt his chest vibrate and I leaned my head against his shoulder enjoying the warmth. I smiled when he placed me gently on his bed and walked over to his stereo system.

"What would you like to listen to?" He asked turning back around to face me.

"Anything," I replied spreading myself across his bed. I listened closely when I heard the CD player start to spin and let out a soft laugh when I heard Beethoven fill the room. Opening my eyes I saw Edward standing over me a small smile on his lips, his green eyes full of mischief. I sat up and cocked my head at him, worried slightly at what was on his mind.

"Can I have this dance my lady?" Edward asked extending his right hand for me. Smiling I placed my hand in his hand and allowed him to pull me up from the bed. Laying my hand delicately on his shoulder a placed my body in the waltz position. Edward's hand rested softly on my lower back and he squeezed my hand.

"You do know a waltz is in three/four time?" I asked Edward as he took a step back forcing me to move forward.

"I actually do know that, I guess we'll just have to make do with this." He whispered in my ear as we box stepped around his room.

"I never did ask you, how was school?" Edward asked as he spun me effortlessly away from his body before drawing me back into the enclosure of his arms.

"It was fine, slow but fine." I told him my hand tightening on his shoulder when he took a sharp turn. I scowled at him as he lifted me up and placed me back down on my feet. I managed to step on his foot only three times in the whole dance. The soft melody drifted to a stop, but Edward wanted to finish off big. I didn't even notice what he was doing until I was dipped back, one of his arms around my waist the other one supporting my head, my hair sweeping gently against his carpeted floor.

"You certainly know how to sweep a girl off her feet." I told him sarcastically as he straightened back up, pulling me with him.

"Some days Bella," He said sighing before walking back over to his sound system and turning it off. I watched Edward carefully as he walked away and I noticed something different about the way he moved, it wasn't as fluid or graceful, his moves were tense and stiff.

"What's wrong Edward?" I asked knowing there was something he wasn't telling me. Turning around me met my stare with a wide smile.

"Why would anything be wrong?" He asked walking back towards me when he finished switching the CD to Linkin Park.

"You may be a good actor Edward, but you cannot fool me." I told him sternly crossing my arms across my chest. I watched as Edward's eyes flickered to my face and then quickly dropped to the floor.

"Alice was upset last night and it's making me tense." He told me finally surrendering. My eyebrows furrowed as I processed his words, Alice being sad was something to be tense about.

"What happened?" I asked curiously.

"A misunderstanding," He answered a little too quickly, but I decided to let it go, knowing by Edward's tone I wouldn't get the answer out of him.

"Esme did say lunch was going to be ready soon didn't she?" I asked changing the subject befreo lying back across the bed.

"Yes, she'll call us though." I closed my eyes and felt the bed shift under Edward's weight, my body rolled slightly to the right as Edward lay down. Without opening my eyes I knew Edward was staring at ceiling his hands folded softly on his stomach, something he did so often when he was deep in thought. I clenched my hands together fighting the sudden, but very desperate, urge to hold his hand. Sensing my distress Edward reached out and grabbed my hand, as if reading my mind. My eyes shot open at the contact, but I didn't reject it I loved it; unconsciously I shifted closer to his warm body, enjoying the feeling of his heat.

"Cold?" Edward asked in a soft melodic tone. I could feel my face heat up at being caught, words not forming in my head I only nodded, unable to think of a better excuse. Gently Edward wrapped his arms around my body and pulled me against his chest. I felt my heart explode at his chest and I tried my hardest to keep the silly grin from my face.

I knew I had been in love with Edward for awhile now, but consciously knowing about my own feelings was so much more demanding then unconsciously knowing about it. Thinking back to every time Edward would reach for my hand or stroke my back I would get a strange but happy feeling in the core of my chest, a more condensed version of what I was feeling now. I relaxed against his chest and sighed contently, feeling perfectly at ease for the first time in 3 and a half weeks.

"Kids, lunch." Esme called up the stairs; slowly I extracted myself from Edward's arms and walked down the stairs towards the delicious smelling food. In the kitchen I found Alice sitting happily on Jaspers lap feeding him an apple slice dipped in caramel, I laughed when the caramel dripped and fell on his chin. Esme was busy in front of the stove watching the bacon cooking and humming a happy tune.

"Hey." I said when I sat down across from Alice and Jasper.

"Hey Bella, what movie do you want to watch tonight?" Alice asked looking at me as Jasper's hands rested on her shoulders.

"Star Wars: Return of the Jedi." I said remembering how much I loved that movie when I was little.

"I remember watching that with you." Edward said as he sat beside me placing his hand over mine in a friendly gesture. I felt my heart react and I grinned at him. "Didn't you have a crush on Luc Skywalker?" He asked teasingly.

"No, that was Alice; she always had a thing for the tall, handsome, blonds." I said smiling at little Alice, Alice grinned back and looked lovingly at Jasper.

"It's my fatal flaw." She said kissing his cheek, with a grin on her face.

"Not when I'm eating." Emmett groaned as he walked into the kitchen to see Alice and Jasper kissing. "You're a cool man Jasper, but that's my sister." Emmett said glaring at Jasper.

"Your sister who is eighteen years old and doesn't need a big brother to be annoying, couldn't you be more like Edward?" Alice asked cocking her head at Emmett a devilish grin on her angelic face.

"Yes sweet, sensitive, caring Edward." Emmett said in a mocking tone, Emmett's jeering of Edward got me slightly angry for a reason I didn't seem to understand. Emmett always made fun of Edward for being such a gentleman to everyone, why did it bug me now that he was teasing him?

"Be nice to Edward, Emmett or you'll have me to deal with." I told Emmett taking a bite of my croissant. Looking up I saw Alice looking at me with her happy all knowing look.

"Sorry Bella." Emmett mumbled to me before stacking his plate with food.

"Bella, can I talk to you in the living room?" Alice asked getting up from Jasper's lap. I stood up slowly and followed her out, shooting Edward a 'help me' expression, Edward only chuckled and shrugged. With slumped shoulders I followed Alice into the living room.

"You finally figured out you're in love with Edward." Were the first words out of Alice's mouth, I sighed but nodded, not really wanting to talk to Alice about my love for her brother.

"I knew it since you were both fifteen it was so obvious…to everyone but you two…" I could hear Alice rambling on about our obliviousness to our feelings. I didn't pay attention to her I was too focused on what she said 'to everyone but you two' did that mean Edward also liked me? Was I not alone in this?

"Alice." I said holding up my hands for her to stop talking. "Did you say Edward also liked me?" I asked her, a tiny sliver of hope blossoming in my chest.

"Yes!" Alice yelled throwing her hands up in the air in exasperation. Alice raised voice alerted the boys in the kitchen of our conversation and Jasper and Edward ran into the living room both looking worried.

"Is everything okay?" Jasper asked Alice walking to her side and placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Yes, I was just trying to get a point across." She said smiling sweetly at Jasper. I looked over to see Edward looking between Alice and me, looking more confused then I'd ever seen him. Laughter erupted from my throat, making me double over, I couldn't help it, he looked too adorable when he was confused. How could I not to laugh at him?

"Do you find something amusing Bella?" Edward whispered in my ear when my giggles had slowed. His breath ticked my neck and I shivered in delight.

"Yes, your face." I answered, only realizing how rude my comment actually was when Emmett's booming laughter filled the room.

"I didn't mean it like that." I said, horrified. I looked into Edward's eyes hoping he would forgive me.

"Bella its fine," He told me soothingly, before scowling at his brother. A knock on the door made us all turn our heads.

"Who could that be?" Emmett asked walking towards the door. "I mean everyone who comes over here is already here." He added opening the door. I looked up in confusion at the stunning blond haired girl who stood in the Cullen's doorway.

I Hope you guys like this chapter! I'm just developing Bella's feelings and showing progress in her moods. I bet you all know who's at the door.

Edward's POV for chapter nine is up if you didn't already know that!

LilyAlice