A/N: Sorry for the long wait between chapters. The holidays come first, so it

took awhile before I could get this chapter back from my awesome betas.

They did a great job, so I hope you enjoy. Thanks DreaC and VoloptuousVamp!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, it is the property of Stephenie Meyer. No infringement intended.

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 21 – Reminiscence

*line taken from the song "Are you gonna kiss me or not" by Thompson Square. I highly recommend listening to this song, it's on youtube, I'm thinking about using this line in the same places the song uses them. (proposal & wedding)

Andria's PoV:

The week before Vanessa's arrival went by quickly and uneventfully. Edward and I decided to spend our last evening together, before Vanessa arrived in the morning, alone at my house. It had been a while since I had spent the night in my own house. Edward thought it was safer for me to be in the house with his family than with just him alone at mine, since Charlotte was still out there somewhere. But since Vanessa was coming, I would be staying at my house and Edward would be patrolling the perimeter of the house to make sure Charlotte didn't decide to drop by.

After Jacob and I had finished eating the wonderful dinner Esme had cooked, Edward and I drove to my house. When we made it inside, Edward began to set a fire in the fireplace in my bedroom. I watched him stack the wood, his back muscles stretching and contracting over his shoulders. I smiled as I watched him before I turned away and went into my closet to change. I pulled a pair of long sweat pants out of a drawer and put them on, but stopped with my leg halfway in the pants.

This was the first night Edward and I had spent alone without having to worry about six other vampires being able to hear exactly what we were doing or saying. I pulled my leg out of the sweats and quickly folded them back up before stuffing them hastily back in their drawer.

I tentatively opened the drawer Alice had designated the lingerie drawer and peeked inside at the mass of satin, silk, and lace. I didn't want to push the boundaries too much, but I certainly wasn't going to wear sweat pants. I rummaged through the pile of fabric before I decided on a light pink slip with lace along the bottom hem that stopped just below my bottom. I quickly pulled it over my head and then released my hair from the rubber band that had been holding it up.

I smiled when I opened the door and saw Edward. He was sitting in the chair staring at the roaring fire. When he noticed that I was out of the closet, he turned to look at me. His eyes raked over my body before his lips formed into a smirk. He motioned with his finger for me to come to him. I did as he silently asked and walked slowly to him, stopping just in front of him.

He shifted so he was sitting on the edge of the chair and he pulled me in between his legs. His cool fingertips trailed down my arms, across my ribs, and then down my legs as far as he could reach. Then, he trailed them back up along the same paths again.

Edward's touch sent shivers off pleasure down my spine and I leaned my head back. He gripped my hips and pulled me even closer to him. He kissed my stomach and I playfully ran my hands through his hair, tugging on the ends so I could look into his eyes. They were almost completely black, burning with his desire.

I straddled his hips and he quickly covered my lips with his. I kept my hands tangled in his hair as he trailed his own hands up and down my back..

He released my lips so I could catch my much needed breath. His lips went straight to the sensitive skin behind my ear. I moaned as Edward slid his hand underneath the slip and traced my hip with his fingers. He moved his hands to my back and gently laid me on the soft carpet. He slid his arms out from underneath me and hovered over me.

He trailed his lips along my jaw and then moved to my lips. I slipped my hands under his shirt and scratched his chest muscles with my fingernails, eliciting a very sexy growl from him. I tugged at the hem of his shirt and he pulled it over his head in a blur.

Edward leaned his head back down to kiss my lips again. I wrapped my arms around him and slowly ran my hands down his back. He moaned against my lips and pushed his hips into mine; making me fully aware of his erection.

I lifted my hips to meet his, aching for the contact of his body against mine. Edward smirked against my lips before pulling away to look at me.

"What brought this on?" he asked.

"Like you don't know," I responded. "You are fully aware that your family can hear everything that we do, with the exception of Jacob and Renesmee. This is the first time in a while that we don't have to worry about being heard."

"I like your logic, but what if Charlotte decides to show up?" He is such a party pooper. Edward frowned.

"Alice is watching for her, and she will call us if anything is going to happen." I paused, plastering a smirk on my face before asking him, "Are you gonna kiss me or not*?"

He grinned before capturing my lips with his in a breathtakingly passionate kiss.

Edward's PoV:

I was slightly shocked when Andria emerged from her closet wearing a light pink, daringly short, satin slip. I was even more shocked when she confidently walked over when I beckoned her to come to me. I couldn't stop myself from attacking her pretty mouth with my lips. Her warm skin felt wonderful under my touch and hearing her soft moans sent waves of pleasure coursing through my body.

Andria's confidence was something that I admired, and it turned me on like nothing else. When she smirked and asked, "Are you gonna kiss me or not?" I had to refrain from ripping the slip from her body and taking her on the carpet. I couldn't have her - yet. But I wanted so badly to taste her. The taste of her arousal on my fingers in New York City had been heaven, but I wanted to taste her.

I kissed her passionately, causing her body to writhe in pleasure under mine. I trailed kisses down her neck, across to her collarbone, and then I kissed the fabric over her left breast.

Andria moaned loudly and arched her back. I pulled the fabric down away from her beautiful breasts and licked and kissed her nipple. Andria's nails scratched down my back, and I growled from the sensation. I propped myself up with one arm and slid my other hand down her flat stomach and as far down her legs as I could reach. Then I slipped my hand underneath the hem of her slip and tugged it up, revealing the creamy skin of her toned stomach and the matching light pink satin panties.

I kissed my way down her stomach and ran my tongue along the smooth skin above her panties. Andria squirmed underneath me again. I wrapped my arms under her legs, lowering my body closer to the floor and effectively placing her aroused center in front of my face. I inhaled the new wave of Andria's arousal and moaned. Her aroma was almost as sweet as her fragrant blood.

I looked up at Andria, locking eyes with her as I gently kissed her hot center. Andria let out a whimper mixed with a moan before she laced her hands through my hair and threw her head back. The fabric was damp with her moisture and her amazing smell was overwhelming.

"Andria, look at me." I knew I couldn't do this without her help.

She did as I ordered, raising up on her elbows so she could see me. I slowly pulled her panties down her hips and then down her legs. I repositioned myself back between her thighs and inhaled one more time.

The growl rumbled in my chest, but all I heard was Andria's loud whimper that morphed into a moan. I took a deep breath, tasting Andria's scent on my tongue, before I slowly ran my tongue up her slit to her clit.

Andria's hips bucked and I had to grip her hips with my hands a little harder to keep her still. She whimpered as I held her. I flicked her clit with my tongue and Andria screamed in pleasure.

I smiled as I watched her, keeping my eyes locked with hers. She was struggling to keep her eyes open. She wanted so badly to throw her head back and revel in the pleasure I was giving her. One she had never experienced before, but she was keeping her eyes locked with mine.

I licked Andria's center, tasting her arousal on my tongue. It was as incredible as her blood. I slid my tongue into her hot core. Andria's hand shot out and gripped my hair as I withdrew my tongue before I plunged it inside her again.

Andria threw her head back and moaned. The moan went straight to between my legs and caused my erection to twitch. But the lack of Andria's extra help was causing me to lose control over myself. I let go of her hips and pressed my hands firmly into the carpet to prevent myself from hurting her.

"Andria," I warned.

Her head snapped up and she looked apologetically at me. "Sorry."

She tried to pull her legs together but I quickly stopped her, catching her ankles. I pulled them over my shoulders and slid back up closer to Andria's dripping center.

Andria wrapped her legs around my back and looked into my eyes. I felt the control return and, keeping my eyes locked with hers, delved into her hot center. I circled her clit with my thumb causing Andria to scream in pleasure.

I moaned as Andria bucked her hips again. I gripped her hips and swirled my tongue in her core, gathering her juices on my tongue and swallowing both her juices and my venom that was rapidly pooling in my mouth. I continued to rub her clit with my thumb. I pulled my face away from between her legs and slid two of my fingers into her.

Andria moaned and I leaned forward to kiss her lips, shifting so I could rub her clit with the same hand I was using to slide my fingers in and out of her wet center. Andria licked at her own juices on my lips and moaned against mine.

She rubbed her hips against my hand, and I rubbed her clit harder and slid my fingers in and out faster. Andria continued to moan against my mouth and she wrapped her hands around my shoulders. Her nails scratched at my back, causing me to growl.

A new rush of moisture flooded around my fingers and I growled louder, driving my tongue into Andria's mouth.

I could feel Andria's muscles tightening around my fingers. I increased my pace and gently squeezed her clit. Andria screamed and her nails bit into my back.

It didn't hurt me, but if I had been human she would have drawn blood. I released her lips so she could catch her breath and I ducked my head to suck on her breast, but the satin fabric was still covering her upper body. I tugged the fabric up and she raised her arms so I could fully remove the offensive garment that was hiding her gorgeous body from me.

Andria wrapped her arms back around me as I sucked on the soft skin of her breast. I felt her muscles clinch tighter around my fingers, so I carefully inserted a third. Andria moaned and squeezed my shoulders. A few seconds later Andria screamed as her muscles began to spasm around my fingers and a fragrant rush of moisture flooded into my hand.

"Edward," she panted.

I kissed her firmly on her lips before I withdrew my fingers from her dripping core. I sucked my fingers clean and licked the moisture from the palm of my hand. I ducked between her legs in a blur and licked away every last drop of her fragrant moisture from her center before she could protest.

I sat up and Andria crawled up to me looking thoroughly pleased, but her eyes were dancing with mischief. She gently pushed against my shoulders and I let her lay me back against the carpet. Andria ran her hands down my chest and undid my belt buckle quickly, then the button and zipper to my pants.

"Andria." I stilled her hands with mine. I had a very clear idea of what Andria was about to do.

She shook her head at me, a beautiful smile turning up the corners of her mouth. "No, I want to," she said.

I let go of her wrists and placed my hands at my sides. Andria tugged on my jeans and I lifted my hips to let her tug them all the way down. She looked up at me and smiled.

"Put your hands above your head, don't move them," she ordered. "That way you can't hurt me."

I did as she told me to and then Andria placed the palm of her hand over my throbbing erection. She rubbed me through the fabric of my boxers before she slowly pulled them down, releasing my erection.

Andria took a deep breath and I smirked. My smirk disappeared as Andria wrapped her hand around my shaft and gently squeezed. I fought the urge to grab her, and kept my hands where they were. Andria was right; my hands had to stay away from her for now. Once she was changed, now that would be a different story.

She slowly lowered her pretty mouth to my tip and kissed it. I almost lost it right there in her hand when her lips made contact with my swollen head. Andria parted her lips and her tongue darted out to taste me.

I moaned and gripped the carpet to keep from tangling my hand in her hair. Andria flicked her tongue around my tip again and then took my penis in her mouth, gently sucking on me.

I growled as she slid her lips back up my shaft so she could slide her tongue around the head before taking me back in her mouth. Her amazing mouth was as hot as her center as she sucked and licked my rock hard erection. Andria wrapped her hand around the base of my shaft and began to slide her hand up and down in tune with her mouth.

I gently lifted my hips to meet her mouth and she moaned against my skin, sending vibrations of pleasure down my shaft. I growled and gripped the carpet tighter as I felt my body about to release.

How I wanted to blow in her mouth! But I couldn't, I didn't know if she would like it, or even if she wanted to do it. So I couldn't do it this time. I had to take over this time and my release was seconds away.

"Andria, move," I ordered and gripped my erection in my hand as soon as she had sat back, pumping it with my hand as I exploded on my chest.

I stood quickly and blurred into the bathroom and cleaned myself off before I returned to Andria's side and sat down, pulling her into my lap. We were both still naked and the feeling of her body pressed against mine was making me hard again.

Andria giggled quietly as I pushed her hair away and pressed my lips to the back of her neck. I reached out to grab Andria's slip and my boxers, while I cradled Andria to me with my other arm.

I handed her the slip and she pulled it over her head. I quickly stood and pulled my boxers on. Then I laid down behind Andria and pulled her down to lay back against my chest in front of the fire.

I laid with Andria in my arms until she fell asleep. I gently picked her up in my arms and placed her in her bed. I put my clothes back on and then gathered Andria's panties and placed them in her clothes hamper. Then I laid down beside Andria and she curled into my body, draping her arm over my chest.

Andria's PoV:

I woke up to the sound of my cell phone ringing. I reluctantly rolled away from Edward's side and blindly reached for my phone. I found it eventually and answered it on the last ring.

"Hello?"

"Vanessa will arrive at your house in an hour," Alice's cheerful voice said.

"Thanks, Alice," I mumbled back into the phone and then hung up. I snuggled back into Edward's side and closed my eyes.

"Wake me up in fifteen minutes," I muttered to Edward before I closed my eyes.

All too soon Edward was waking me back up from my peaceful sleep. "You have forty-five minutes, darling."

"Okay," I grumbled.

I quickly showered before walking into my closet to get dressed. Once I had put on my bra and underwear, Edward came into the large closet. He watched me as I pulled on a pair of dark jeans, made from some expensive designer whose name I couldn't remember, and a pale blue, long-sleeved, cotton shirt.

I smiled as Edward wrapped his arms around me and nuzzled his face into the damp hair at my neck. I twisted in his arms and leaned back as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"How long do we have until Vanessa gets here?"

"You have twenty minutes, darling. I think it might be best if you greet your friend for the first time without me here. It's 9 in the morning, plus she will have the dogs. I don't think it's wise for me to be here. I'll come by later this afternoon."

"Okay, the couch is a sleeper sofa. I'm going to offer, well more like tell, Vanessa she is going to sleep in my room. Will you still stay here with me at night? You can leave before she wakes up, right?"

"I would not dream of leaving you alone, Andria," Edward said.

He kissed me firmly on my lips and then led me out of the closet. I kissed him again before I went to blow dry my hair straight.

Edward followed me and leaned against the counter to watch me. When I was done, we went into we kitchen and I made a pot of coffee and then went to sit on the couch.

Edward sat beside me, and I leaned against him, enjoying our last few minutes together before he would leave and my best friend would arrive. He captured my chin with his fingers and turned my head gently so he could kiss my lips.

After a few minutes he pulled away and stood up, pulling me up with him. "I'm going to run one more perimeter around the house before I head home. I'll be back soon to make sure Charlotte does not surprise us. I'll call you before I show up."

I nodded my head and stood up on my tiptoes to give him a kiss. His arms wrapped around my waist and I leaned into his chest. He pulled away all too soon.

"Vanessa just turned into your driveway. I'll leave from the bedroom." He kissed me swiftly once more before he dashed through the house and silently out the door.

I finally heard Vanessa pull up and I rushed out of the front door. There was a slight drizzle of rain falling so I rushed out to her silver SUV and we quickly brought her two bags up onto to the porch. Mocha and Bear jumped out of the back and ran up to the porch with us. We set her bags down and both looked at each other before squealing and hugging one another tightly.

I squatted down when we finally broke apart and was instantly assaulted with warm, wet kisses from both of the dogs. I petted each of them before standing back up.

"Oh my god, I've missed you so much!" Vanessa said. We hugged again.

"I've missed you, too. Let's go inside so we can catch up over coffee and I'll give you the grand tour." I smiled at her as we walked through the door. "The tour's really not that grand."

I watched her as she looked around the living room and into the kitchen, then at the stairs. "I already love it," Vanessa said.

"Coffee first or do you want the tour?" I asked as I petted both of the dogs.

"I want to see your bedroom. I loved your bedroom in Tahoe and the one in North Carolina."

We walked down the small hallway and I opened my bedroom door. I bit my lip to hide my laughter; Edward had made my bed for me, complete with the decorative pillows and all. Mocha and Bear came in and stood beside me; both were wagging their tails excitedly.

"Andria, it's beautiful! You did a wonderful job." She walked into the bathroom and squealed. "I am so taking a bubble bath in your gigantic tub tonight."

Vanessa then walked over to my closet door. "Is this your closet?"

I nodded my head and prepared for her to squeal again. She didn't squeal, she screamed. I wondered if Edward heard her and knew we weren't in any danger.

"Alexandria! Where on earth did you get all of these clothes?" she asked as she came flying out of the closet. "They're beautiful!"

"You know how I told you my boyfriend's family took me to New York City?" She nodded. "Well they bought me most of what's in there. Edward's two sisters and his mother are shopaholics. I even tried to get them to stop buying me clothes."

"I am so jealous," she said. Then she noticed the swan's costumes from the ballet. "Seriously, his family must love you. Are those the real deal? Like really from the ballet?"

I nodded my head. "Now I'm really jealous."

"Then you're going to hate this. Come on." I led her out of the bedroom and up the stairs. I told the dogs to stay downstairs and I was surprised when they still listened to me.

Emmett had redone the hardwood floors of the upstairs and covered all of the walls with mirrors one day while he had been babysitting me. I had stood in the doorway and watched in amazement as he did it in vampire speed. A barre even extended across one entire wall. It was a dancer's paradise.

My music was still in a slightly disorganized pile in the corner of the room, but Edward was looking for the "perfect" stand to put them in. I just wanted them off my floor.

I smiled at Vanessa when I had an idea all of a sudden. "Hey, why don't we dress up in those costumes and dance like we used to. I miss dancing so much."

"That sounds like a fun idea. But don't you worry about the costumes getting messed up?"

"What's the point of having them if I don't wear them at least once? We won't mess them up."

She smiled at me. "I've missed you too, by the way. The studio isn't the same without you, but you look happy."

"Edward and his family make me happy." I smiled at her. "Let's go downstairs and get some coffee. You can unpack your stuff, and we can get the dogs settled. I can hear them wondering around the living room."

We both laughed and headed downstairs. Mocha and Bear greeted us and I realized how ecstatic I was to have my best friend and my dogs at my home.

I showed Vanessa where to put her stuff in my closet and went to make us our cups of coffee while she unpacked her stuff.

I poured our coffee and made hers the way I remembered she liked it. I turned to the two dogs who had come and laid down in the kitchen near me.

"Hey, Vanessa?" I called.

"Yeah!" she hollered back.

"Did you pack a bag for the dogs, or do we need to go to the store?"

"Oh crap! I left their bag in the trunk!"

"I'm going to run out and get it before the rain really picks up. Coffee is on the counter, just the way you like it!"

"Thanks, Andria!"

I opened the front door and ran out to Vanessa's SUV. The dogs' bed, food, bowls, and toys were in the trunk like she said. I grabbed the stuff and ran back inside to escape the rain.

I showed the dogs where I put their bed in my bedroom while Vanessa put Mocha's and Bear's food in the kitchen.

I came back to the kitchen and Vanessa and I moved to the couch in the living room.

"So, this boyfriend of yours, Edward, he treats you good?"

"He's amazing, Vanessa. I can't wait for you to meet him."

She took a sip of her coffee and then choked as she reached for my left hand. "Is that a wedding band?" she screeched.

I laughed. "No silly, it's a promise ring."

"Promising what? Because I know it's not the traditional promise."

"He promised to marry me." I left it at that, Edward promised so much more than just marriage, but Vanessa didn't need to know that.

She smiled brightly. "You can't believe how different you look since the last time I saw you, when you left Lake Tahoe."

"Edward helped me get over my loss of Travis. I still miss Travis everyday, but it doesn't hurt as much. Edward takes the pain away, his family takes the pain away, too."

She took another sip of coffee as nodded. "If he's half of the man you've told me he is, then I'm happy. You deserve someone like that, Andria."

"Thanks, Vanessa."

"Now you have to tell me exactly what you have done since you got to this sleepy little town. Gosh, I thought Lake Tahoe was bad in the off season!"

We both laughed and then I began to tell her what I had done. Of course I left out that Jacob was a werewolf, Renesmee was actually Edward's daughter and not his niece, and Edward and the rest of his family were vampires. I also left out Peter and Charlotte.

Vanessa told me about how her family was doing and showed me pictures on her phone. She talked about our old dance studio and how she teaches her own classes there now.

We laughed about old times in high school and middle school. We reminisced about when Vanessa traveled to North Carolina with Travis and I two summers ago. We talked about anything and everything without stopping just like we always had. Travis used to say Vanessa and I could talk to each other through an apocalypse.

Around two in the afternoon Vanessa and I went into town to the grocery store and bought food and snacks for the week. My kitchen wasn't stocked very well since I spent most of my time at the Cullens' home anyway.

When we got back to my house we made sandwiches for lunch and started watching our old dance recital tapes.

Vanessa said we should start with my very first ones, when I was a little girl.

"I have another recital to plan for next spring. I could use some ideas," she admitted.

I smiled at her and put in the first tape before settling back on the couch.

In the middle of the third tape Edward called.

"Hello, darling."

"Hey."

"Having fun?" he asked.

"Yes, Vanessa and I are watching my old recital tapes. We are making our way up through the years to our recitals together."

"Sounds like fun, may I join you after dinner for awhile?"

Edward had asked loud enough for Vanessa to hear him and she nodded excitedly.

"Yeah. See you around six?"

"Sounds wonderful, darling," Edward said. "Love you."

"I love you too."

I hung up the phone and Vanessa pressed the play button on the remote. We finished that video and watched the next one. I was six years old in that one.

After the end of that video we ordered pizza since we both decided we were too lazy to make dinner.

We waited until the pizza arrived to start the next video. An entire pizza and another dance video later Vanessa and I were waiting in the living room for Edward to arrive.

We had made two stacks of videos on the coffee table - ones we had already watched and the ones that we hadn't. The second was a lot taller than the first. I heard Edward's car door shut and couldn't help but smile.

Edward's PoV:

I smiled at Andria when I opened the front door. She was sitting on the couch with her friend and they were both dressed in pajama pants and sweatshirts. An empty pizza box sat on the coffee table, separating two stacks of VHS tapes and DVDs. The dogs were lying on the living room floor in front of Andria. They both growled and stood up when I came inside.

"Mocha, Bear, hush!" Andria ordered the two dogs and they both quieted down. When I took a step toward the women on the couch the black dog growled while the other, smaller, brown female whined.

Andria shook her head, a knowing smile gracing her lips. She reached down and petted the both of the dogs on their heads before taking each of their collars and standing from the couch. She held the dog's collars tightly and stepped toward me.

Don't make any sudden movements, stay completely still. Well as still as a normal person would stand. I'm going to see if they can tolerate you or not. Don't worry they won't hurt me.

I listened to her thoughts and did as she said. Andria stopped in front of me and the female dog whined softly.

"Edward, this is Mocha." She motioned with her head to the brown female before tilting the other way to look at the black, male dog. "This is Bear; he was Travis's dog. Mocha was mine."

Bear hesitantly leaned forward and sniffed at the air around me. I was surprised the two dogs were even still in the same room as I was, let alone right in front of me. I was even more surprised when Bear slowly inched his way forward, tugging against Andria's hold on him, to touch his wet nose to my hand.

He looked back at Andria and whined softly at her. She smiled at him. "It's okay, Bear Bear. He won't hurt me, he's my friend. See." She let go of both of their collars and hugged me tightly. "Hug me back," she whispered.

Bear and Mocha watched us, and I watched them – worried about any possible chance they would attack and hurt themselves or Andria.

They didn't. Those two dogs were either the stupidest dogs I had ever seen, or the most loyal and trusting to their master, Andria. Andria stepped back from me and Mocha and Bear went back and laid in front of the couch.

I turned my attention to Vanessa and I heard her heart rate speed up. "Hello, Vanessa?"

She nodded meekly. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Edward Cullen, Andria's boyfriend." I reached out my hand to her and she paused briefly before extending her hand to take mine.

"It's nice to meet you too, Edward. Andria's told me really great things about you."

Andria sat in the middle of the couch and patted the vacant spot beside her. "Come join us, you'll get to see me when I was little. Vanessa and I have been laughing our butts off."

And that is exactly what we did. Andria had been a talented dancer even when she was young, but the other small girls had not possessed the same natural grace and elegance Andria seemed to be blessed with.

I watched as Andria grew up before my eyes on the screen, one year at a time with every tape.

"This video is from my first competition. My grandfather filmed it. He gets a little excited at the end." Andria giggled as she pressed the play button.

"I was ten, by the way," Andria added.

I listened closely to Vanessa's thoughts as the competition began.

This is going to blow him away. I wonder if he knows how talented she really is.

Oh, I knew all right. My darling mate was very talented - in more than one way.

I understood what Andria meant when she said her grandfather was excited. Andria had competed in the 10-13 age range and had been the only ten year old, all the others were thirteen. Andria had not only outscored all of the girls in her age range, but all of the girls in the entire competition. When Andria won, the camera began to bounce up and down and a man and woman were screaming with excitement.

I smiled at Andria. "I wasn't that great," she said shyly.

"You don't give yourself enough credit," Vanessa told her.

"I agree. You are a marvelous dancer and you should acknowledge the talent you have. Not many people are that lucky."

"Vanessa is; you haven't seen her yet. She's just as good as I am; the only difference is I used to compete. I liked the thrill of the competition."

Vanessa blushed as she pushed back her shoulder length dark curly hair. It was not quite black, but not really brown either. It was a perfect mixture of the two to match her tanned skin.

I searched through the tapes and found the one labeled Senior Year. I switched the tapes in the machine and pressed play.

"Oh my God, Alexandria, this is all of the footage of the videos we took our senior year!" Vanessa shouted excitedly.

Andria smiled and I could smell the tears that welled up in her eyes. "This one is my favorite. Travis is in it."

Vanessa smiled at Andria and they hugged each other. I kissed the top of Andria's head when she rested back against me. I caught Vanessa's small smirk out of the corner of my eye.

We watched the video in silence, but I could smell the unshed tears that had welled up in both Andria and Vanessa's eyes as they watched Travis on the screen. Andria's love and admiration for her brother had been apparent on the video. It had been etched in her features when she would look at him.

They were so different and yet so similar. They joked, they laughed, they play fought, and in one brief scene Andria and Travis actually had a small argument. It was over quickly when Andria punched Travis in the arm and hurt her own hand. Caring big brother mode had obviously kicked in for Travis when Andria had gotten physically hurt.

The final video clip in the conglomeration of videos was Andria's solo dance for her last year with her ballet company. I recognized the music instantly – it was Andrea Bocelli singing The Prayer. I was entranced by Andria's dance. If there was ever a video that showcased Andria's extreme talent in every way it was this video, this dance, this song. She was the embodiment of grace, poise, elegant, and sexuality as she danced across the stage. Her body twirled, twisted, leapt, and ghosted across the floor.

When the video was over I turned slowly and looked at Andria.

Vanessa laughed softly. "I told you, she's incredible isn't she?"

I nodded. "She truly doesn't acknowledge how talented she really is."

Andria blushed, and I had to fight back my desire to kiss her. It would be strange and very impolite to do such a thing in front of her friend, whom I had only known for a few hours.

Andria stood and took the pizza box to the kitchen and Vanessa stood and stretched when she came back.

"I hate to rain on our party, but I am exhausted," Vanessa admitted.

I had no problem with her going to sleep. It would give me some time alone with Andria. My beautiful darling must have read my mind because her next words were answers to my prayers.

"Vanessa, you are going to sleep in my room, and I'm going to sleep on the couch for the week. It's a sleeper sofa, but I may not even need it, the couch is so comfy anyway."

Vanessa started to open her mouth to argue with Andria about taking her bed, but Andria swiftly cut her off. "I won't be persuaded; that is where you are sleeping."

Vanessa frowned before shrugging her shoulders and walking over to hug Andria, waving goodnight to me and retreating to Andria's bedroom. The dogs, however, stayed in the living room with Andria and I.

I took the tapes back upstairs for Andria while she finished cleaning the living room and kitchen. She told the dogs to lay down when she was finished and walked into my waiting arms. I kissed her lips fiercely and held her warm body close to mine.

She laid down on the couch and I willingly followed her, tucking myself in behind her and pulling her body flush against mine before wrapping her large white blanket around us. She twisted her head and pressed her lips to mine again before turning back around and closing her eyes.

"I love you, Edward," Andria whispered.

"I love you, too, Alexandria."

I held her as she fell asleep and on into the night. She did not move in her sleep and we stayed on the couch comfortable all night long.