Previously:

"Well… there is someone who dazzles me."

Jane's smile grew wider. I drummed my fingers in an uncoordinated rhythm on the table as she grabbed another cloth and began wiping the tables. I felt myself sighing wondering when Edward would be back.

"Of course," she said in the 'tell me something I don't know' tone. "How often?"

The butterflies in the pit of my stomach came back. Just thinking about him drove me insane. "Frequently. He dazzles me frequently."

"And who might this 'he' be?" I turned around blushing suddenly aware of Edward's presence. He stood at the door with an amused expression. Jane was giggling behind me.

"None other than Jacob Black, of course. "Jane replied and when I looked at her then to Edward I never noticed how hurt Edward was about the Jake situation until I saw that flash of hurt through his eyes when he looked away.

Shoot.

"Of course not," I said with a smile trying to lighten up. When Edward looked down, walking back to me I shot Jane a look and she automatically turned red. She got the hint. "Who's Jacob Black?" I chuckled awkwardly. Edward didn't look up when he sat down.

"I have sorted out the situation with the woman outside." I didn't like the way Edward's velvet voice was quiet and… empty. As if the words have sucked the life out of him with darkness replacing the light he once shone through.

"Oh," I propped my elbows onto the square table. Through the corner of my eye I saw Jane proceed with my thirteen scoop ice cream. The corner of her lips twitched into a smile as she settled the mint green scoop in place. She was enjoying this. "And how did that go?"

I reached over and placed my hand onto Edward's pale one. The contact of his cold skin with my warm fingers was a heartwarming feeling. Like walking over to a fire place after making angels in the snow or snowman's in the front lawn. You feel calm and satisfied.

"All she wanted was a photo and the deal was done. The picture is long gone." There was something off in his voice and I know it wasn't because of Jane's genius remark.

I took in a sharp breathe and looked down, keeping my hand on top of Edward's. I was afraid of letting go. I did once and I've learned from that mistake. "You're not into this sneak around and stay indoors relationship, do you?"

On the right of us I could hear Jane humming peacefully, probably trying to soften up our surrounding but it wasn't working. Why nothing ever felt right was beyond me but as long as I'm next to Edward, I didn't care if we were trapped in a cage with a killer snake. I'd rather face the snake then hurting Edward.

I don't know if it was just me but it seemed like the lighting in the small shop became duller by the second. The only noise coming from either of us was the sound of buckets being lifted from the scooper in Jane's hand whenever she tried to soften a part of the ice-cream. Or the cars speeding down the narrow road and the wind picking up its speed as it passed.

I felt as if I were standing in the streets of New York rather than being trapped inside a store with a very unusually quiet boyfriend and my fellow co-actor managing to fill thirteen scoops on one cone. Not really what I called a fun date- if we can call it that.

"Bella, if this is what you want it's fine with me." No, it wasn't fine. Not even the way he said it could convince me it was fine because it's clear it wasn't. Nothing is ever fine between Edward and me. That was just our relationship. Even before we dated. It was and still is a rollercoaster ride and as terrified as I am with roller coasters and the adrenaline rush, love is a risk I'm willing to take with Edward. I'm determined to spend every waking moment going up and down or loop to twist with Edward. No matter how many times I have to ride the same coaster again and again, I'm up for it.

From a distance the sound of an alarming telephone began. Jane took off her apron followed by a, "be right back" and left Edward and I alone as she made her way into the back room.

"Edward you have a voice. If something's wrong you can tell me. If you want to go public, I have no problem with it. You just need to speak up. Don't let me make all the decisions."

He cleared his throat and sat further in his seat. "Bella becoming public is a large decision to make. It comes with consequences and I don't want anyone causing you harm. I hope you know that."

"But that doesn't answer my question Edward," I was sounding like a bitchy girlfriend but I never meant it that way. I hope Edward knew that. "Are you fine with walking around in disguise and making bargains with the paparazzi to delete any photos or evidence they have of you and I together?"

I wasn't sure of my intake in this scenario. Sure it would be helpful- appreciative even- if Edward and I could just walk around like we had no secrets to keep. We can walk into a grocery store without having to play dress up and run away from the people who caught us. But he was right. It does come with consequences.

Then again, life comes with consequences and nobody said it was going to be easy. There's always a price.

"Bella this mission is so impossible to do." I hadn't even noticed Jane walk back into the room and neither did Edward with the way his eyebrows pulled together when he turned his head. Jane was holding the cone in her hand with white, red and blue liquid running down her wrist.

"It's okay," I half-laughed at her "walk-of-shame" expression. Almost forgetting an episode of a soap opera was running. "Just dump it into a bucket and I'll take it to go."

Jane playfully rolled her eyes. "You couldn't have made that choice in the first place?"

"Were you in a rush?"

She hesitated. "It's just, my brother Alec is sick and I have to go pick up some things for him. My older brothers are working late so it's just me and Alec here."

"Would you like to ride back with us?" Edward offered. Jane smiled politely but shook her head.

"Thanks but my family lives above this store. So it's not needed."

I gave Edward a look reminding him of the unfinished conversation and he replied back with a nod. I stood up and joined Jane behind the counter and helped her with my ice-cream order. When that was finished I helped her clean up while Edward did the tables and confirmed that Thomas was waiting for us outside. I left a twenty dollar bill for Jane when she went into the back and left the store with Edward, running to the limo.

Another con about a hidden relationship. You always had to run. Run from the paparazzi. Run so that you wouldn't be caught. You always ran from a situation you didn't want to be in but in the end you always stopped to take a breath and relax.

And let them catch you.

Edward still invited me into his hotel room even after the long, silent ride back. We snuck through the back of the hotel and took the secret elevator up to his floor. Even after we were securely locked in the surroundings of his room it was silent.

There wasn't necessarily anything wrong. There were always times when Edward and I were quiet. It wasn't awkward. We just took in each other's presence. I don't know if that should bug me but it never did.

While Edward took a shower I pulled out my tub of ice cream and ate it- still in silence- while watching a television show that made absolutely no sense to me. So instead I hoped onto the counter with my knees pulled up and finished the remaining of my thirteen scoop in a bucket ice cream which was almost my favourite comfort food. Not that I had one. But with Alice, there was always comfort food.

I missed Alice and Rose. And Jasper…maybe Emmett too. Oh what the heck, I missed all of them equally. I wondered when would be the next time I'd see their perky selves. I realized how much more brighter I was with them. When I was independent I was so dull. I don't know how Edward could deal with such a… quiet, stubborn girl like me.

He must really love me.

When Edward was done, it was my turn. I took a short hot shower, afraid of spending the remainder of the night without him. Even if there was quiet screaming over us, it was a little more unbearable not seeing him. I hopped out and threw on one of his long shirts and my sweats. It smelled just like him.

As I proceeded to the sofa Edward came out of his room with a questioning look.

"What?" I asked him, plopping down on the royal designed couch. I unfolded my blanket and pulled it over me. "Something wrong?"

He nodded.

"What is it?" I panicked.

"My girl's not joining me tonight?" I died, reached heaven and came back to life twenty times. I smiled at Edward and he smiled back and it was one of the most amazing moments in my life.

Edward walked over and carried me to his bed although it was completely unnecessary, I let him. He tucked me in like a little girl but it was moments like this that I missed the most. Knowing Edward still had a place for me in his mind and in his heart no matter what stupid mistake I've done.

I definitely had a long list to be thankful for on Thanksgiving and even every day.

Edward wrapped his long arms around my shoulders and I moved closer to him. The both of us were facing the left and the humming began. The soft melody flowed into my ears from Edward's mouth and that was enough to put a smile on my face.

When I was about to drift off to sleep perfectly content Edward spoke into my ear.

"Bella?" his voice was back to normal. He wrapped his arms tighter around me as if he were afraid I'd leave his embrace. The feeling was mutual.

"Mhm?"

"As long as there's a way I can take you out to the world's finest restaurants and shower you with gifts from stores outside the hotel I'm okay with our relationship in this term. I want to be able to scream your name at the top of my lungs when I spot you across the street when I'm not with you. And pronounce your name on national television reminding everyone you're my girl. I would love to walk down the street with you hand in hand and-"

I stopped him with a soft laugh and turned my body so that I was facing him. I rested my forehead against his and entwined our hands in the dark. It was just me, Edward and his melodies I have on replay all the time on my playlist. It was perfect.

"It's amazing how your words can make me so weak in the knees and hold me together still." He kissed me on the tip of my nose and chuckled.

"Believe me. I'm as weak as you are when it comes to us."

"Edward, the next time you see me some place, even if I'm with you, scream my name however loud you want because I'm not ashamed of our relationship and I'm ready to battle out the consequences with you."

"The next approximately twelve months can be the most horrifying, most annoying and dreadful months of my entire life as long as I can declare my love to you whenever and wherever."

"Bring it." I challenged with a devious smile. Edward chuckled against me. I could feel the vibration against my chest and it was glorious being this close to him.

"Finally." He sighed and I was curious to what was behind his voice that made this word sound so… desperate almost.

"What do you mean by finally?"

"When you're ready, we'll exchange explanations because I do believe you, Isabella Mary Swan owe me an explanation from weeks back." I was certain I was blushing, remembering all the thoughts in my head to why 'finally' was my number one word for the next couple of days since Edward and I got together.

I then ensued to change the subject. My explanation was by far the most embarrassing in my life. "So, twelve months? Really Edward? You think all the hype surrounding us will take a year?"

"Isabella, why must you change the subject?"

"What subject?" I cocked my eyebrow and Edward laughed.

"Goodnight love." He kissed me on the lips and then my forehead and rolled off to the side. So this is how he wants to play it?

"Goodnight Edward."

There was no way I was going to give in.

Finally was just finally. The word that summed up the wait.

Though, I didn't want to show Edward how desperate I've been.

I can't believe he still remembered.

That's Edward for you.

So I know there's been too many author notes with this story and all but I (KATE) decided to write this chapter so I can get the feel of
this story once again. It's been so long since I wrote the last chapter, right? :P So sorry for that. I missed this story too much to
run from it and I'm sorry if it seems so slow or anything but I tried and here it is. Chapter 20.

I hope you guys are still with me on this story.
I want to finish it as soon as I can because leaving you guys with a story incomplete really bugs me. And again i'm sooo sorry for that.

-Kateeeeee !