A/N Happy NFL Day! And Happy the rest of Bella's birthday. haha I know you guys are anxious, so I'll let you get to it quickly. Just wanted a quick shout-out to say hi to a few guest reviewers who I couldn't reply to that were leaving their first ever reviews. I'm thrilled that you guys are enjoying these two, and I thank you for your reviews! And all of you who review. I love talking about this story with you, and living the same joy I feel when I write it. This story makes me smile so much, and I love spreading those smiles to you. Happy reading and I'll see you soon!

To All the Boys Chapter 16

I got a single rose in each of my afternoon classes and found my vase pretty darn full by the end of the day. I tied the balloon around the top as a precaution. I didn't want it floating off the instant I got outside.

"Need a hand?"

I smiled at the sound of his voice. "Shouldn't you be at practice?"

"Not today."

I turned and took in the sight of Edward leaning against the locker next to mine, looking every bit as gorgeous as Jake Ryan had leaning against his Porsche as he waited for Sam outside of the church.

"It's my girl's birthday."

The thrill that went through me at his words could not be denied. "Somehow I don't think your coach would view that as a valid excuse."

Edward's grin flashed as he reached out to take my vase. "If anybody asks, I had a dentist appointment I absolutely couldn't miss."

Ha! I knew it! "You lied to your coach. Bad Edward."

He laughed as he caged me in with arms on either side of my locker. "Let's see what we can do about that, then."

And then he was kissing me, and it was all hot and amazing just like it had been earlier in the day. I moaned as my mouth opened to his and his tongue slipped inside. His lower half pressed up against mine, and oh my, it was hard and I felt all hot and swoony again.

Edward pulled back and smiled at me. "I think that counts as a pretty thorough inspection of my mouth, don't you?"

He did not just say that! But he totally had. I smacked his arm as he laughed and stepped back so I could close my locker. He slipped the arm that wasn't holding onto my flowers and balloon around my waist, and I giggled when his hand slid into my back pocket.

We headed out toward the parking lot, and it hit me that we couldn't leave. "What about Alice?"

Edward steered me to the passenger side and opened the door for me. "We'll pick her up in front of her school. I want to take you to my private spot again."

Well…that sounded interesting. And promising, since this time I wouldn't be crying over another boy. "Okay."

He drove us to the same place he'd parked last time and led me through the trees, holding my hand the whole way. I thought it was a little weird that he had his backpack with him, but maybe he wanted to knock out some homework while we waited and hid from his coach.

We perched on the same log as before, and Edward grinned as he slid his backpack off his shoulder. "I thought I'd give you your presents in private."

Hmm. "Why in private?"

Edward chuckled as he slid a flat package out of his backpack and handed it to me. It was nicely wrapped in some shiny purple paper.

"You'll see."

I guessed I would. I wasn't about to ask any more questions when I could just tear in, so I did so, and yeah, now I knew why he wanted to give it to me alone.

"A diary?"

He shot me a playful grin. "A journal. With a lock on it. I figured from now on, maybe you'll want to lock your thoughts away from the rest of the world."

Man. Yeah, if only I'd been smart enough not to write actual letters and address them.

Edward reached out and tugged on the ends of my hair. "Unless, of course, those thoughts are about me. You can write me a letter anytime."

"Yeah?" Why his words touched me, I couldn't begin to say. But I knew that any thoughts I had right now were going to be of Edward. He'd barged right in and taken them all over, making me see that what I thought I felt about Emmett was really more about what I wanted for myself. And now in some weird, twisted way, I had it.

"Oh, yeah. I'd love to get a look at what's going on in that head of yours."

No, he probably wouldn't. It was a confusing place to be, especially these days. But I could give him a piece of it.

"I love it. And even though those letters brought a lot of embarrassment on my part, I wouldn't be here with you right now if someone hadn't found and sent them, and then I wouldn't have had the best birthday of my life."

Edward smiled and leaned forward to brush a soft kiss over my lips. "I can't be sorry about that either."

We had to talk. I knew that. There was no reason to kiss when it was just the two of us, but the truth was I didn't want to go back to that rule. And I was afraid that talking about whatever this was becoming was going to end it before it began. I didn't want that. I wanted this, whatever it was. It might bite me in the behind in the end, but I was determined to enjoy it while I could.

"Bella? Are you okay?"

Right. Now was not the time to get lost in thoughts of whatever this relationship was.

"Yes. Sorry. Was just thinking about how I get to start that journal with today. Talk about starting out with a bang."

Edward coughed, and I could have sworn I heard him mutter something, but I wasn't sure what. "What?"

"Nothing." He smirked. "Something for my journal."

Okay, then. "Well, anyway, it's been a great day."

"It's not over yet." He took a small box out of his bag and handed that one over. "This is your real present from me."

"Edward! You've given me enough!"

He shook his head. "Everybody deserves to have an awesome birthday. I know this is your first one without Rose, and you've had a crazy couple of weeks, and I want to spoil you a little. Nothing wrong with that, is there?"

Had I once thought he was shallow for dating Tanya? That just went to show that I hadn't known how truly awesome the real Edward was. And what an idiot Tanya was for breaking up with him. He treated me like a queen, and we weren't…well, I didn't know what we were. But still, how did she possibly think that another guy could treat her any better? I guess I should be glad she was an idiot.

Edward was waiting expectantly, so I tore into the smaller box with the same gusto as I had the larger. Inside was a velvet jewelry box that had my heart beating a little faster. I didn't look up at Edward as I flipped open the box.

Oh, it was so pretty! The silver necklace had a locket shaped in the form of a book on it, intricately carved with little lines and flowers. I traced my finger over it before looking over at him.

"It's gorgeous."

He smiled as he reached out and pulled the chain out of the box. He flipped open the book lid, and I had to grin when I saw a picture of the two of us inside. It was from the cafeteria, when I'd fed him one of my carrots. I had no idea who had taken the picture, but we looked as hot in it as I'd felt at the time. Our carrot porn had been caught by someone else.

"Who took that picture?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "I'm sworn to secrecy."

So…"Angela."

Edward shook his head and mimed zipping his lips. Whatever. I'd be talking to her soon anyway. I had to find out about the Ben situation.

"You can always change the picture. I just thought that was sort of fun." He shrugged, not meeting my eyes.

Was he hurt at the thought that I might not want to keep the picture? Silly boy.

"It's an awesome picture. I love it. And the pendant. It's amazing. Thank you." This time, I kissed him. It was my thank you, after all.

He smiled at me when we broke apart. "Here. Let me put in on you."

I bit back a giggle when he fumbled with the clasp for a couple of minutes before finally getting it open. He moved my hair off to the side and secured the necklace around my neck.

"There." He touched the locket lightly before smiling at me. "Perfect."

Yes. He was. "It is. Thank you."

Edward stood and pulled me to my feet. "We need to head out to get Alice for the rest of your birthday."

I couldn't help myself, and I put my arms around his shoulders and pressed up against him in a tight hug. "I can't believe I have more birthday to celebrate."

Edward grinned down at me before leaning forward and kissing the tip of my nose. "Believe it. There's a half-strawberry, half-chocolate cake waiting for us at the bakery."

I loved that he'd given in to Alice's demand of a cake that was half of each. "Well, let's go get my sister and get my cake, then."

He chuckled and pulled back, only to take my hand in his. "As the birthday girl wishes."

Dare I wish for more than this? It seemed selfish, but that's what I wanted. For once, I knew what I'd be wishing for when I blew out the candles.

Xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"Did you love your balloon? And the roses?" Alice asked, bouncing in the backseat as she held both in her hands.

"I did. Edward gave me an amazing birthday."

"Yay! I told him you'd love it."

I shot a look at Edward, who laughed and shook his head. "I swear, they were my ideas. Alice just picked out the balloon."

She giggled. "I picked the biggest!"

Of course she did.

"He wouldn't tell me all of it, though. He was afraid I'd ruin the surprise."

I laughed. "I'm shocked you didn't. Especially lunch."

"What was lunch?"

Another look at Edward got me a smug smile. "That was all me. Cat doesn't know a thing about it."

I loved that. I mean, I loved that he'd included my little sister in the birthday plans, but I really loved that what happened at lunch had been his idea.

"He sat on a lunch table with a cake and recreated the end of Sixteen Candles for me." I knew exactly what that was going to do to my sister's romantic heart, and sure enough, she let out a little scream.

"Oh my gosh! In front of the entire school? That's so cool!"

I had to laugh at how smug Edward looked, basking in the praise for his idea. "It was the best."

Edward pulled in front of my house, and we all grabbed birthday paraphernalia. I carried in my journal and the flowers, Ali brought the balloon, and Edward carried a sheet cake that was entirely too big for four people. We'd be eating cake all week. Not that that would ever be a problem.

Dad pushed open the door, grinning at us as we came up the walkway. "Well, look at all this!"

I blushed as I gestured to Edward. "Dad, this is Edward, the one behind the balloon and flowers. Edward, this is my dad."

"Hello, Chief." Edward shifted the cake to his left hand so he could shake my dad's hand with his right.

"Please, call me Charlie. It's nice to officially meet you, Edward." At Edward's look of confusion, my dad continued. "I consult with your dad on cases now and then."

I watched as Edward's smile seemed to freeze in place while he nodded tensely. "Oh."

"Dad, take the cake from Edward, will you?"

He hurried to do so. "Sure! Come on in, Edward. Sorry I wasn't here to meet you the other day."

Edward's smile looked more natural now. "No problem. I doubt the movies would have been to your liking."

Dad laughed. "I have three daughters. There isn't one kid or girl movie that I haven't seen. But better you than me, son."

He put the cake in the kitchen. "The grill is warming up. How do you like your steak, Edward?"

"Medium."

Dad grinned. "Good man." He clapped him on the back. "Take a seat. We'll go ahead and do presents while I wait for the charcoal to be just right."

Edward sat next to me on the couch, with Alice on my other side. He reached into his backpack again and got out another package. Seriously?

"Edward…" I started, but he held up a hand.

"This is from Alice. I had nothing to do with it." At my sister's giggle, he grinned. "Well, I had very little to do with it." He handed her the gift.

Oh, boy. Dad came into the room with the bag Emmett had given me from Rose, along with a gift bag I hadn't seen before.

"Who first," he asked, like we didn't know who was about to volunteer.

"Me!" Ali shouted, practically smacking me with the box she'd taken from Edward.

I chuckled and smiled as I saw it was wrapped with the same paper both of Edward's had been wrapped with. "Did you pay someone to wrap these?"

Edward shook his head.

"You?"

"Yeah, me."

Damn. The boy could even wrap presents well. "Is there nothing you're not good at?"

That just got me a smug smile. I sighed and started tearing off the wrapping, revealing a white box. Clothes? I opened the lid, and wow. It was a beautiful dress, made of navy-blue lace, halter style that wrapped around the neck in a circle.

"It's beautiful." I touched the lace, floored by how pretty it was. I had no idea what possessed Alice to get me such a thing, though. "I don't know when I'll wear it."

"I do!" She threw her arms around my neck. "Edward told me he wants to take you to the Homecoming dance in a couple of weeks, so I picked it out for you to wear! Did I do good? Do you really like it?"

"I love it, Ali." I hugged her back, shooting a look over my shoulder at Edward, who was looking quite proud of himself.

"It's on the list," he murmured quietly, and I knew he had me. Of course, no kissing was also on the list and we'd thrown that out the window, although maybe I should add it back to the list since he'd maneuvered me so neatly into going to the stupid dance.

"Yay! Edward told me you are going to be one of the Homecoming princesses, too!"

Oh, God. "He doesn't know that, Ali." And I was going to bribe Eric to get me out of it, somehow. I'd do whatever it took, up to and including letting him have Edward's jacket. Okay, maybe not quite that.

"Yes, I do."

"Hush, you," I warned him, letting Ali go and glaring at Edward.

"You can deny it all you want. It's happening. You'll be riding next to me in a convertible at halftime."

Well, that wasn't so bad. "Is that all?"

He shrugged. "You get a flower and a tiara and a sash thingy to wear. We share a dance. That's about it."

It didn't sound so awful. Especially not the dancing with Edward part. "Okay, I guess."

"Yay!" Ali laughed and clapped.

"I guess that explains the first part of my gift." Dad handed over the gift bag.

I reached in and pulled out a shoe box, which much to my surprise, did contain shoes. Navy-blue shoes that looked like they were made for the dress. They had little sparkly stones on the part that went over the top of the foot, with open toes and straps that went up the side.

"They're called slingbacks," Alice announced proudly, leaving no doubt as to who'd picked out the shoes, not that I'd had any.

I looked at my dad, who looked embarrassed. "Alice had them already saved at the store. I just gave my name and paid."

I laughed at his discomfort. "Thanks, Dad. Hopefully I can walk in them."

"I won't let you fall," Edward promised, putting his arm around me.

Since I believed him, I relaxed into his arm. "You made my family complicit in your plans, Cullen."

He grinned. "I did, Swan. But to be fair, Alice came up with the dress and shoes on her own once I mentioned that I planned on taking you to the dance."

"Made things easier on me." Dad handed me a card. "Here's the rest."

I smiled at the sweet card he'd picked out, about what a grown-up young lady I was. And the gift card to the book store was definitely right up my alley.

"Thanks, Dad." I popped up and gave him a hug.

"You're welcome, kiddo." He ruffled my hair and handed me Rose's bag. "Let's see what your sister got you."

Rose. She was the one thing missing. And she would have loved this entire day that I'd been given. I couldn't wait to tell her about it.

The first part of the present was an Oxford hoodie. The note she included said that she wanted me to have with me a little piece of where she was. I loved it. It was also navy-blue, which happened to be one of my favorite colors. My sisters both knew me well.

The other present was a bracelet, with three hearts-one rose colored, one silver, and one gold. The note attached to it made me tear up.

Side by side, or miles apart, sisters will always be connected by the heart.

"Ooh, that's three hearts, for three of us?" Ali asked, looking delighted.

"Of course. No matter where one of us goes, we'll always be sisters and best friends." I hugged Ali to me, wishing that Rose was there to hug as well.

"Well, Edward, how about we leave the girls to talk dresses and dances and go get those steaks on the grill?" Dad asked.

"Sure." Edward touched my cheek. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.

I nodded. I really was. I just missed Rose. And wished she could be here to talk to about this incredible day and this equally incredible boy who was messing with my emotions big-time.

"Yeah. I'll be fine."

"Okay." He followed my dad out to the kitchen to get the meat.

Ali grinned up at me. "He really likes you."

"I really like him, too."

Maybe too much, but hopefully not. If birthday wishes come true, maybe he'd be mine for real. Hopefully.

A/N Progress! She's finally figuring out that she likes him for real! And we may not see his thoughts, but we see his actions, so it's pretty clear that Edward is with her, even if she doesn't see it yet. She'll get there! See you soon (maybe sooner than usual!)