Chapter 10:

When I came to, I was lying on my bed, wrapped up warmly in my duvet. Edward was sitting at my side. Even in my befuddled state, I noticed that he had put back on his pyjama bottoms. I scowled. Naked Edward had become my new favourite plaything.

"Bella, are you alright?" Edward asked softly, his expression a strange mix of concern, wonder, amusement and pride?

I nodded, moving to sit up quickly. Too quickly, in fact, as I experienced a rush of blood to the head which caused the room to spin. Lowering myself back to the pillows, I met Edward's gaze. "I passed out," I said.

He nodded. "Yes, you did. You were murmuring something about how it was all too much, and then, well, you fainted, Bella."

I smiled. No wonder he is looking proud of himself. "It was too much, Edward. It was, well... amazing. I had never imagined that anything could make me feel so good... I guess it was all a bit overwhelming."

Edward smiled warmly down at me. "I got the fright of my life, you know. One minute you were writhing about making the most delightful noises, the next, you just went limp! Of course, I remembered then how this used to happen when we kissed, and I knew that you would be fine."

"And I am," I replied shyly. I was starting to feel a bit embarrassed, not to mention quite irritated at myself for passing out. Talk about spoiling the moment! Wait to go, Bella!

Edward leaned closer and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek. It was a million miles away from the kinds of kisses we had been exchanging only minutes before, and I tried to suppress a sigh. Knowing Edward, he had probably had some kind of breakdown before he realised what had really happened to me!

"Nonetheless, Bella, perhaps you should get some sleep," Edward ventured, his eyes warm with loving concern. "Today has been a very long day."

I shook my head. "Not a chance! It's not even midnight yet. Besides, how often do I get to have you in my bed?"

Edward quirked an eyebrow elegantly.

"Okay then," I clarified. "How often do I get to have you naked in my bed?"

He smiled crookedly. "Ah, that is a good point, Bella. However..." He gestured down at his clothed lower body, "I don't appear to be naked at this moment in time. I'm sorry to disappoint you."

I narrowed my eyes, and then pulled him close so I could rectify the situation.

*****

I awoke early the following morning after what had undoubtedly been one of the most memorable nights of my life, even if it had not been the most restful. I was swaddled warmly in my duvet, yet my head was not resting on my usual fluffy pillow. Instead, I was curled into the crook of Edward's arm.

His amber gaze was fixed lovingly on me as he ran the fingers of his free hand lightly over my cheeks and lips. Edward's lips curved slightly in response to my sleepy smile.

"Good morning, beautiful," he murmured.

"'Morning," I said dozily, stretching to place a kiss on his jawline. For once, I didn't even care about my morning breath.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, his voice low.

I nodded, letting my eyes fall closed sleepily. "Uh huh... I've decided I like you staying over."

I felt his body shake with laughter in response to my words.

"What's so funny?" I asked indignantly, opening my eyes and reluctantly pushing myself up into a sitting position.

"You, silly girl," Edward replied, gently yet irresistibly pulling me back into his arms again. "Saying that you like my staying over, I mean," he clarified in response to my continued look of confusion.

This didn't help me.

"When don't I stay with you, Bella?" Edward said, as if he was explaining the obvious. Which – in a way – I suppose he was.

I coloured. "I guess. Last night, that was different, though. At least it was for me."

"Me too, love," Edward replied, placing a gentle kiss on the top of my head. "Last night was special for me too."

*****

Early that morning, we headed over to the Cullen house. We left before Charlie came back from La Push. He was being very understanding about the whole situation and to be honest, I didn't expect it to last! Edward seemed to have more trust in Charlie than I did, but even he agreed that it might be best not to stress Charlie unduly this soon into our new agreement.

Of course, as soon as we entered the Cullens' house, I scarcely had time to breathe before I was pounced on by a loveable, yet annoying pixie.

"Bella! The invitations have arrived from the printers! They're just waiting for you and Edward to sign each of them," Alice said, bouncing excitedly on the balls of her feet. "Then we can send them out and get onto the fun part of the wedding preparations!"

I smiled weakly. I didn't want to know what Alice would consider the fun parts of planning my wedding. Still, I suppose it needs to be done... "Sure, Alice," I began to reply, "That sounds..."

Before I could finish, Edward cut across me. "Surely that can wait, Alice? Bella only just arrived. We're scarcely in the door!"

I looked gratefully at Edward. I liked the fact that he now knew how overwhelmed I was by the flurry of preparations.

Alice fixed Edward with a gaze that was shockingly steely for a face as pretty as hers. It looked like they were having some kind of silent conversation; more than likely, they were doing just that.

I watched their silent exchange intently. Edward's tawny eyes had darkened noticeably, and his expressive lips were firmly fixed into a scowl. Even as I wondered what could be causing him to behave so towards Alice, I could not help but be mesmerised by the sheer perfection of his face. Even in anger, Edward was beautiful. Alice's face was inscrutable. Her eyes didn't leave Edward's for even a millisecond.

I cleared my throat. Seeing two of the people I cared most about at daggers with each other was not my favourite pastime. "Edward, Alice, I don't mind doing the invitations now, really," I ventured. "There's no need to argue over it."

They both turned to face me. "Bella, I'm sorry," Edward said hastily. "It's your decision, of course."

"Thank you," I said with a smile.

Alice sighed deeply, not letting her gaze drop from Edward's face. "What's the point?" she said mournfully.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked. It wasn't like Alice to be so negative.

She shook her head and finally looked away from Edward. "No matter," she said in a faux-cheerful voice. "How about we leave the invites and have another dress fitting instead? Your shoes have arrived too, and we really should try them together. It's got to be perfect, after all."

I nodded and smiled. My dress was absolutely beautiful and I felt almost beautiful wearing it. "Sure, I'd like that." I turned to Edward. "Can you spare me for the afternoon?"

He nodded and smiled, but he looked distracted. "Of course. I have some matters that require my attention. I'm sure I can manage to occupy myself for a few hours."

"Thanks," I said.

Alice echoed my thanks, but she still was still very subdued, not at all her usual perky self. I hoped she hadn't foreseen something troubling.

"I'm going to go upstairs and get everything laid out, Bella," Alice said. "I'll see you in a few minutes." With that, she skipped lightly up the imposing staircase, leaving me and Edward to say our goodbyes.

We turned to face each other, and Edward placed a hand on each of my shoulders, gently pulling me against him. I nestled into the embrace eagerly, and rested my cheek against his hard chest. Edward placed a kiss on the top of my head, his arms sliding down to wrap around me, moulding me even more closely to the rigid contours of his cold torso. I sighed softly. Whatever else we might have done so far, and whatever we might do together in the future, I'll never grow tired of simply being held by Edward.

Edward loosened his hold, stepping back to scrutinise my face. "Are you sure you want to do this now? You don't have to."

I shook my head. "I know, but I want to." I smiled, quoting Alice ""It's got to be perfect" and all that, Edward. I want us to have the perfect wedding."

He smiled. "And we will, my love. We will have the perfect wedding."

I nodded.

Edward continued speaking. "After all, what is truly important on the day is us, Bella. You and I, saying our vows and making our promises to each other. That is what matters, not cakes, shoes, or embossed invitations. Just us."

I bit my lip. Emotion overcame me upon hearing Edward's words. I had struggled with the idea of a big wedding ever since we had first announced our engagement, and even though I had come to welcome the idea in the past few days, it was just so gratifying to realise that Edward not only understood my feelings – he felt the same way.

I stood up on my tiptoes and planted a kiss on Edward's mouth. He froze for an instant, unaccustomed to me making the first move like this, but then held me close – yet carefully, always carefully! – against him again, moving his lips against mine.

As ever, I soon became so caught up in the kiss that I forgot how necessary breathing is for human survival. Breaking the kiss with a gasp, I struggled to catch my breath. Edward smiled at my flustered expression. "I'm glad you agree with me, love," he said simply. "And I think that perhaps it might be best if I leave now. You and Alice have a lot to do, I'm sure. Besides," he grinned, "if I don't leave now, I don't think Alice will get to see you at all today!"

I nodded, even though I wanted nothing more at that moment than to spend the rest of the day caught up in Edward's embraces. With one final chaste kiss, Edward turned and headed back out the door. I began to make my way carefully up the staircase to Alice, then I heard the purr of Edward's car. I wonder where he's off to?

I didn't have time to wonder long about what Edward was doing. As soon as I reached the top of the first flight of stairs , I was passed by a resigned-looking Jasper. "Banished again?" I said nervously. I liked Jasper immensely, but I always felt very conscious of my humanity around him. I didn't want to cause him any undue temptation.

He smiled wryly, and I instantly felt more at ease. "Nothing I'm not used to, Bella. I've been the subject of plenty of Alice's makeovers before now. I don't mind that it's not my turn today!" he joked.

I smiled in response to Jasper's quip. I was glad that he seemed to be growing more comfortable in my presence. After all, Edward's family was going to be my family by the end of the summer. Eternal life would certainly be much easier if we all got on together.

"I don't think there will be any major transformations today," I said. I hope...

"Either way, enjoy it," Jasper replied. "Alice told me to make myself scarce for the remainder of the afternoon, so... have fun!"

I rolled my eyes, then continued to the lair of Alice, fashion-monster extraordinaire!