Hey everyone! So here's the long awaited chapter! I think it turned out pretty good. I really hope you like it! Please review and tell me what you think!! :)

Also, please let me know what you think about my ideas for a new story. (They are talked about in the a/n for the last chapter) Basically, I'm thinking about writing a story following closely (sort of) to the Twilight books but Edward would be the human. Or possibly another story about Bella being stronger when Edward left in New Moon. Just let me know what you think.

Again, I don't own Twilight.

Edward's POV

I paced along the little gravel path that wove around the small park. I called Bella about ten minutes ago and asked her to meet me at this park. Thankfully, she agreed.

I was really worried she wouldn't want to talk to me because of the way I treated her today. I can't believe I did that to her. This was the girl I was claiming to have feelings for—I'm so pathetic. I really wanted to find her before school so we could talk. I was going to tell her that I liked her.

Yes, I am going to tell her that I like her. Tonight. As soon as she gets here.

I am so nervous; I can't stop pacing. My mind is going crazy over how she will respond. Especially since everything can't be normal for us—we can't be a couple in public. Elizabeth can never find out. If she found out that I loved Bella—wait, slow down there, Edward. Yes, you care about her, but you can't jump to that conclusion. Not yet. Everyone else I loved or cared about, never felt that way about me. Not my father. Not my mother. Not even Elizabeth.

This isn't about them. Except that it is. Elizabeth would never allow me to date anyone like Bella. She only allows me to go out and talk to the people she chooses. And Bella is definitely not someone Elizabeth would let me talk to.

I absentmindedly kicked the little stones beneath me, trying to let go of some of my anger. I didn't want to do this to Bella. She deserves someone so much better than me. Someone who can love her and care about her in public without having to worry about the consequences. If Elizabeth found out she'd…probably send me away. Or worse, do something to Bella.

And that's not even considering what Jessica, Tanya, and Lauren would do to her if they found out. And the worst thing is, I wouldn't be able to protect her.

I groaned and sat down on a bench on the side of the path. This bench was meant for parents and guardians to watch their children because it overlooked the playground area. I vaguely remember going to a park similar to this one when I was really young—maybe four or five. Before things started happening with my…father. I can remember my father pushing me on a swing so I could go higher than my mother who was swinging next to me.

I shook my head of the memory; I don't want to remember anything from my past life, now or ever. It was too painful, both the happy memories and the sad ones. And things didn't get better when I moved in with Elizabeth.

I stood up and began pacing again. I wanted to clear my mind of the memories so I thought about what I was going to say to Bella. It is going to be really difficult to talk to Bella, to say what I need to say.

I need to tell her how I feel about her. I have to; I need to know if she could ever possibly feel that way about me. But before I can really know if she does, I have to tell her that we wouldn't be able to date in public; it would have to be a secret. I hated doing it to her, but I would have to lie, partially. I would tell her the reason we couldn't date in public is because of Jessica and her little clones. I would tell her that they would hurt her and I couldn't do that to her.

This wasn't altogether wrong; I was just omitting the part about Elizabeth. I've only ever told Seth about Elizabeth before, and looked how that turned out. No, Elizabeth was something I would just keep to myself.

I just hope she doesn't cost me my chance with Bella.

I turned around as I heard a car door slam. The slam had completely caught me off guard as I had been so lost in my thoughts. I couldn't help but smile as I saw the most beautiful girl walking toward me. I also noticed the look of…hurt? No, it looked more like a pained determination plastered on her face.

She stopped in front of me and gave me a small smile. "Hi, Edward."

"Bella. Thank you so much for meeting me tonight," I started looking at the ground. I took a deep breath and looked back up into her eyes, allowing myself to be drawn into their warmth. "Bella…I am so sorry about what happened today. I acted like a complete idiot and I'm just really sorry. But you have to know that I only did it to try and protect you—"

Bella interrupted me. "Edward, I know, I read your note. I just don't know what you were trying to protect me from. We just kissed. Nothing more, nothing less. I understand that." She finished, but looked down.

I felt my heart literally break when she said that. We just kissed. Nothing more, nothing less. That's all she thought of it. I cleared my throat, trying to swallow my pain at her words. "Bella…I never thought that. I thought it was something more than just a kiss," I told her softly.

Her eyes darted up to meet mine in a flash. And for the first time all day I saw hope in her eyes. "Bella," I continued. "The reason I wanted to find you this morning is because I wanted to talk to you about…about how I feel…about you." I took a deep breath and spit the rest out before I could chicken out. "Bella…I really like you. You're the first person I've talked to in a long time who I feel actually cares about what I have to say. And I really do care about you, a lot."

I looked into her eyes, losing my train of thought as I became absorbed in her chocolate eyes. I know there was something I was trying to tell her, but I couldn't remember what it was.

"Edward." Bella took me out of my trance and I listened to what she said. "What does that mean?"

I smiled at her, really smiled for the first time all day. "Bella, I like you a lot. And I wanted to know if, maybe…you'd want to go out with me sometime."

I saw her smile back at me and I felt my heart swell up when she smiled that way. But I couldn't let her respond—I couldn't get her hopes up, or mine, before I laid out all the facts. "Bella, before you say anything, there's something you should know. If you want to…go out with me, we wouldn't be able to tell anyone."

She looked up at me, her eyes clouded with confusions. "Why? Do you not want anyone to see us together…" she said softly.

I realized right then what she must have been thinking all day—that I didn't want to be seen with her. I'm sure, thinking back, that that's what she thought when she saw me in the cafeteria today. The look she gave me, it broke my heart.

I shook my head at her. "No, of course not, Bella. That's not it at all, although, I can see why you would think that way. I'm so sorry about today. I never wanted you to think that…" I said sadly.

She gave me a small, reassuring smile. "It's okay. It's just nice to hear that you actually…want me."

I looked at her. "How could no one want you? Bella, I care about you so much and would love for you to want to go out with me. But because I care about you so much, I don't want to see you hurt. If we went…public, Jessica, Tanya, and Lauren would stop at nothing to hurt you…or make your life a living hell. I couldn't stand to watch that happen." I told her sadly. "Because of this, I understand if you don't want to go out with me."

To my utter shock, Bella actually laughed quietly. I looked at her, wondering what on earth she was laughing at. She smiled at me and shook her head. "Edward, I just told you that no one's ever really wanted me before. Why would I want to give that up?"

I looked at her. I had been prepared for her to turn me down as soon as I told her that we wouldn't be able to be open about our relationship. "Really…? You wouldn't mind?"

She shook her head. "Of course not. I know that it wouldn't be easy, but I'm willing to give it a shot." She smiled at me.

I was so overcome with emotion at her answer, I threw my arms around her, wrapping them around her waist and holding her tightly to me. I felt her chuckle at me before she wrapped her arms around my neck. She pulled herself closer to me and I placed my lips on her cheek, giving her a quick, loving kiss. "God, I don't deserve someone like you," I whispered.

But she heard it. She pulled away from me, a serious look on her face. "Edward, don't say that. If I thought I was better than you, I wouldn't be going out with you. But I don't think I'm better than anyone, so we won't have to worry about that." She smiled then.

I just nodded. "Thank you so much, Bella. You are just so amazingly wonderful and—"

Her lips crushing mine cut me off. She kissed me with so much passion, I wasn't prepared for it. I pulled her right up against me, closing any distance between us, and kissing her back, pouring all the love I felt for her into that kiss.

All too soon, she pulled away, giggling. She placed her hand on my cheek. "You shouldn't get carried away, Edward." I looked down and blushed—which is something I've never done before her. She pulled my face up, forcing my eyes to meet her gaze. "I didn't say that I minded it." She laughed and let go of my face.

She pulled out her phone, checking the time. She sighed and looked back at me. "I'm sorry, but I have to get going. I'm supposed to be making dinner right now. My mom is coming back tonight and Phil is coming home for a couple of days and she wants a nice, family dinner tonight." She seemed kind of upset about this, but she quickly changed the subject. "Will we talk later tonight?"

I nodded and smiled at her. "I want to. I'll call you in a few hours…if that's okay?" I asked her. I really wanted to talk to her, but I didn't want to pressure her.

She smiled and kissed me quickly on the lips. "Of course that's okay. I love talking to you." She smiled.

"Okay, good cause I love talking to you too." I smiled at her and she began to pull away. But I shook my head at her and held her tighter. "What, no goodbye kiss?"

She laughed but leaned in and gave me another kiss. This kiss was gentler than the other one, but still amazing. I've never had a kiss like this before—no other girl has ever kissed me the way Bella does. I get this weird, tingly feeling when our lips touch; it almost feels like electricity. Again, she pulled away, but gave me another quick peck on the lips. I smiled at her, already excited about being able to talk to her later.

I grabbed her hand and walked her back to her car. She slid in and started it up. She turned to me before shutting the door. "I'll talk to you later."

I smiled at her and nodded. "Definitely. Have a good night, Bella."

She smiled. "You too, Edward." With that, she shut her door and drove off.

I couldn't help but smile at her as she drove away. I was so incredibly happy with her and how everything turned out, I had to restrain myself from jumping up and down. I haven't been this happy since…in a long time.

I sighed and walked to my Volvo. I knew Elizabeth was waiting for me at her house. I'm sure she wouldn't be happy with me for being late, but I didn't care. I would take whatever she did to me because now, I have Bella. And that changes everything.

A/N: Sorry that this chapter is shorter than the others, but it was up pretty quickly—especially since I updated yesterday!! But I still hope you like it and would love to hear what you thinkg—good, bad, ugly—everything is welcome! :)

Thanks to all my reviewers! I love you all so much! I'd give shout outs, but I haven't given you guys enough time to review!! But I appreciate you all so much! Please review for this chapter and tell me what you think about my story ideas! I love knowing what you guys think and since you're my readers, I want to give you what you want to read!! 3