A/N: Hello all! I know it's been too long since my last post. Again, I ask that you bear with me as I make my way through these final chapters and work through the details. Hope ya enjoy!

21. First Date

Everything in her room was varying shades of pink and white, from the furniture to the long, pale billowing curtains and even the cushion Bella was perched atop on the stool at Tanya's vanity.

"You really don't have to go to all this trouble," Bella said as Tanya blow-dried her hair, and Kate poked at her lips with a red pencil.

"Are you kidding?" Carmen said. "It's what they live for."

Kate stood and faced her. "Well, not all of us have the one we're destined to spend the rest of eternity with," she sniffed. "The last time I had a man show up to take me on a date was..." - A pause - "well, never."

"Exactly," Tanya said, meeting Bella's eyes in the mirror. "So forgive us for wanting to live vicariously through you, Bella."

"And what a catch he is. A Cullen, no less," Carmen said with a wink.

"The fact that he can't read your mind makes it absolutely perfect," Sue said.

"Yes and no," Tanya said. "Believe me, there are times when you just wish you didn't have to spell things out-"

Kate gave her a look. "I'm sure Bella has no idea what you're talking about."

"I really don't," Bella said.

"I wasn't necessarily referring to Edward, sweetie. Although, we've certainly had our share of feelings for him," Tanya said.

"We?" Bella asked as her gaze shifted to Kate.

"I didn't!" Kate said.

And then back at Tanya.

"Yeah, sure you didn't."

Wide-eyed, Bella watched as the two sisters batted comments back and forth.

"At least I got over it a lot quicker than you."

"And Irina obsessed over him for a while."

"That was over fifty years ago."

Tanya's golden eyes met Bella's red ones. "It was in the past. He's so not right for me. Kind of fussy. High-maintenance. I need a man who will make me feel like a woman."

"Where are Irina and Laurent, by the way?" Kate asked.

"Uh...l think they're out again," Sue said.

"See? That's what I mean. I'll bet he's making her feel like a woman as we speak."

"Tanya!" Kate reprimanded.

"What? You know, to be honest, Bella, I kind of wondered about Edward."

Bella blinked, unsure if she wanted to know. "What?"

"Well, until he showed up here with you, I kind of thought that maybe his...pendulum might swing in a different direction, if you know what I mean. Alone all those years..."

Kate gaped at her. "Edward's pendulum is none of your business! Just because he wasn't interested in you -"

"Calm down. That was before. Now with Bella here, I see that I was mistaken."

Mortified, Bella was grateful that her skin didn't match the room. "Definitely mistaken."

To her relief, she heard the most beautiful sound in the world - rubber against dirt. The Volvo was a little over a mile away.

"It's Edward!" the chorus of male voices announced from downstairs.

"He sure is punctual, isn't he?" Tanya said, giving a last set of strokes with her fuzzy pink brush to Bella's already smooth locks.

Bella leaned forward in an effort to escape Tanya's insistent brush. "I think the hair's good. Thanks."

"Where's he taking you anyway?"

"Hiking or swimming...I don't really know." Bella had the feeling that all the ladies' efforts would be for naught.

"Oh, Bella! He has flowers!" Sue reported from the window.

That elicited a room full of ahhhh's. Bella was already overwhelmed by all this attention, eager to escape the fuss which the females of the house were inflicting. It was just a date! Not her wedding.

"It's been an eternity since Eleazar brought me flowers," Carmen sighed.

Sue stilled as though she was recalling a memory. "My Harry used to bring me lilies. For no reason at all."

The ladies' gaze all fell on Sue as her ever-present smile threatened to twist the wrong way.

"Are you okay?" Kate asked her, setting a hand on Sue's shoulder.

Sue's smile immediately returned. "I'm fine. I just haven't thought about Harry in a while...how much I miss him. Don't worry about me," she said.

A knock at the front door, and Bella jumped up.

"Down, girl," Tanya said, settling Bella back onto the vanity stool. "Make him wait a little." She placed one hand on her hip. "Haven't you ever heard of playing hard to get?"

Kate rolled her eyes at her sister. "Like you have?"

"This is different," Tanya shot back. "Now, Bella, I want you to share how you and Edward first met."

"Oh! I wanna hear this!" Kate said as Carmen and Sue now formed a circle around her.

"It's not very romantic," Bella admitted. The ladies urged her to continue, and she heard Charlie greeting Edward and inquiring where he was taking her. "I was assigned a mission by Victoria to capture Alice to join our coven, and Jasper, Emmett, and Edward showed up, and I almost took Edward's head off. The end." Bella rose again, very much wanting to escape.

"No way," Tanya said. "You have to tell us more."

"Please?!" Kate begged.

"Another time," Bella promised, "Edward's waiting."

"I want to hear what happened as much as the rest of you," Sue told them, taking Bella's hands in her own and pulling her from the stool. "But Bella will finish her story later." She tilted her head as she smiled to Bella's reflection. "You look beautiful."

"Thanks, Sue," Bella said gratefully, smiling. Resisting the urge to flit down the stairs, Bella accepted Tanya's advice and adopted a human pace. She drew a breath as soon as the sight of Edward as he entered her vision along with the three other males who gathered around him. For a moment, she simply stood at the top of the steps, frozen. The moment she'd been waiting for the last fourteen hours was finally here. Edward was downstairs, in all his bronze-haired glory, clad in dark denims and a cream-colored button down shirt, smiling up at her...with a bouquet of a dozen roses in his hand.

Their eyes met, but her feet remained glued to the carpet, and her hand curled tightly to the top of the banister.

"You look great!" Jacob said.

"Bellisima," Eleazar said.

"Beautiful, Bells," Charlie said. One of his brows lifted after a moment. "You ready?"

She opened her mouth, still frozen in place. Momentarily without a voice, she nodded instead.

"Well, let's get you going," Tanya said, linking her arm into Bella's. Kate separated Bella's other hand from the wood of the banister which was beginning to crumble.

"He won't bite," Kate whispered.

"No," Tanya added, "he'll save that for their next date." The two blondes giggled, and Bella's eyes widened in horror at their remark, but the only reaction she caught on Edward's face was the little curve at the corner of his lips.

"Our Edward is a gentleman, ladies," Charlie told them. "So there will be none of that."

"No, sir," Edward agreed.

Tanya and Kate presented her to Edward, and Bella accepted his offering.

"They're beautiful," she said, inhaling the floral scent.

"They pale in comparison to you," Edward said.

"Wow," Tanya breathed.

"Smooth talker," Kate said.

Bella turned pleading eyes to the blondes, urging them silently not to embarrass her any further.

"We should go," Edward said. "Do you have a jacket? I have an extra if you need one."

Looking down at her red cotton long-sleeved blouse and fitted denims, she smiled. "Are you afraid I'm going to catch cold?"

"No," he said, smiling. "It's just to protect your clothes. Where we're going there will be a lot of snow and rough terrain."

In a flash, Carmen returned, holding up a black wool coat with a fur collar. "I'll trade you," she said. "I have the perfect vase for these flowers."

Gratefully, Bella handed the bouquet over, and Edward helped her slip into the coat.

"We'll be back later," Bella said, linking her arms into Edward's.

"In one piece. Before noon, I hope," Charlie said.

"I'll guard her with my life," he promised.

"Swoon."

Everyone looked at Tanya, whose gaze fell to the ground. "I...probably shouldn't have said that out loud."

After the door closed behind them, Bella and Edward walked the short distance to his Volvo. The gaze from the seven pairs of eyes that watched from the window was almost tangible.

"Could that have been any more awkward?" Bella asked.

Edward smiled as he opened the passenger door for her. "I doubt it."

After buckling their seat belts, they both sat, the quiet as loud as thunder, and Edward started up the engine.

"Can I tell you something?" she asked.

"Anything."

She took a breath. "This is going to sound really stupid, but I am so nervous."

"About climbing? Because we can do something else..."

"No. I've been waiting all day to see you, and now...just being alone with you is..."

"Nerve-wracking?"

A nervous laugh escaped her. "Yeah."

He laughed out loud and took her hand in his. "Me, too."

The moment her hand connected with his, the familiar charge buzzed through their grasp. "Why? After all we've been through together, what's wrong with us?"

He brought her knuckles to his lips and placed a gentle kiss. "Things are just different now. This is our first official date."

There seemed to be a lot of expectation that went with it. And she guessed that it had more to do with Charlie's acceptance of the two of them as a couple. She smiled at the idea of it - here they were, going out together, and not only was it okay, but everyone seemed happy about it. As if he was reading her mind, he smiled back, and her eyes locked onto his as she was struck anew by that golden shade. She held to his hand as he moved it toward the gearshift, and ignoring her insecurity, Bella moved to kiss him. At first, he seemed to be leaning in toward her, receptively, but instead, her lips met with the soft skin of his cheek.

He sat upright in his seat, putting the car in reverse. In horror, she found herself still inclined toward him and then withdrew back into her own seat. They had an audience, she reminded herself, holding back the part of her that was humiliated by what she perceived as a rejection. Everyone was watching from the window, she thought. He could probably hear what they were thinking. Of course. That had to be it.

She stifled a smile at Tanya's earlier musings about Edward and wondered if it truly came from his past behavior or was just resentment at his lack of affection toward the sisters.

"You have a lot of admirers in there," Bella said as the car made its backward descent from the driveway.

"So do you," he said evenly, pulling out into the road.

The stars lit up the darkness of the sky and only a few grayish clouds lingered. "How come you never...I mean, Tanya is obviously interested in you...and she's gorgeous..."

"Tanya is not my type," he said quickly.

"What is your type?" Not that such a question should've been necessary, but still the words slipped from her mouth.

"You are, of course." The reply had been too natural to doubt. "And I hope you don't feel threatened by her. She's harmless."

"I actually like Tanya," Bella said. "A lot. She seems to always say what she's thinking."

"Whether you want to hear it or not."

"Kate and the others keep her in check."

"I'm glad to hear that. Are they making you feel at home there?"

"They are. I'm like the new pet. It's kind of weird, and I'm not used to all the attention, but it's like a never-ending slumber party."

"I see," he said, smiling.

"So...mountain climbing?"

"It's a clear enough night, and Mt. McKinley is the highest peak in North America. It's breathtaking when the clouds aren't blocking the view."

He was right.

At ground level, the landscape was covered in snow as Edward guided her up the steepest route - not usually used by humans. From a distance, Bella spied the odd cluster of tents that hikers used across another of the peaks, and even though her sharpened sense of smell picked up their scent, she remained focused on following Edward as they scaled the walls with ease and ran up the icy hills against harsh winds, knocking snow and rock beneath their feet. It was almost unfair how easily they made their ascent up the mountain which typically took humans, their backpacks, food, and other equipment weeks to achieve.

It was only a few hours later when they settled onto a narrow, flat surface at the summit.

"How cold do you think it is?" she asked, her exhalations coming out in thick, arctic puffs of air.

"Twenty-seven degrees below zero." He took her hand in his.

Her brows rose. "I can't imagine why any human would want to risk freezing to death to do this, but I love that you brought me here."

"I wouldn't want to do this with anyone else."

She was quiet for a moment. With Edward by her side, Bella didn't fear that she might be a threat to any of those humans. Their lives were already so easily endangered by a plethora of ailments and conditions. The number of ways a human could die was innumerable; cancer, weapons, car accidents, heart attacks, asphyxiation, encountering a thirsty vampire...Poor Harry.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I was just thinking about Sue. Don't you think she should know the truth about what happened to Harry?"

"Harry is more of a faded memory for her now."

"I heard her and Charlie talking about when they used to go fishing. And she remembers that Harry used to bring her flowers."

"I see. It's normal for her to try to hold onto those memories. But then bringing up what happened to him will only make it more painful for her."

She nodded and he pulled her in close, breathing in the scent of her hair.

"You smell like Esme," he said.

"But better."

"Absolutely."

"I miss them."

"Me too."

She suppressed the urge to ask when they would all be under the same roof again because she already knew his answer - it would happen when it was time. But she wished that time was already here. How long would this courtship last?

Knotting her fingers, she sneaked a peek up at his eyes, and he smiled as he met her gaze.

"What are you thinking?" he asked.

"Well, I was wondering when you were going to kiss me again?"

He was silent, and she bit her lip, and her gaze shot down at her lap. That anxious feeling returned with a vengeance. They were finally alone. Did he not want to kiss her? She had her answer when his thumb lifted her chin, and his gaze darted between her eyes and her lips.

Finally, she thought with relief, closing her eyes, but she waited for what seemed like an eternity. She popped one eye open to find the conflicted look on his face.

Fussy? High maintenance?

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"This is my fault, Bella."

Had Tanya been right about him all along? No, there was no way that could be true.

Bella pulled away as the anticipation of another rejection formed iron jaws around her heart. "What?"

"From the very beginning, I haven't treated you...the way...you deserved to be treated."

"What are you talking about?"

"Like a lady."

She rolled her eyes. "Edward, this is the twenty-first century."

"I realize that, but I'm from a different time. I want to do things the right way...like I said before. You deserve it."

"I don't get it. I liked the way we were before. What's changed?"

"The way I see things. The way I see you. You have no idea how seeing you through Charlie's eyes has made me open mine."

"You're serious?" she asked, wondering the extent of what had been in Charlie's thoughts these past few days.

"Dead serious."

"So, are you saying that you're not going to kiss me anymore?"

"No, I just want to let our relationship progress more slowly, naturally."

Her brows closed in together as she contemplated the meaning of his last statement. Didn't she have any say in this at all?

"You know that nervousness that we felt earlier?" he asked.

She nodded, making circles in the snow with her finger.

Once again, Edward lifted her chin so that she was facing him and whispered, "That's how it's supposed to be." He ran his thumb along her jawline, never breaking eye contact. "And I want to experience every feeling there is with you, Bella."

All at once, looking into his eyes, that feeling of shyness and uncertainty she'd had with him at the Cullens washed over her again. And, it wasn't a bad thing. He took her hand in his and nodded toward the sight before them.

The crescent moon overhead had faded as a faint purple and orange bathed the sky, lighting up their view - the numerous jutting crests of the mountains nearby gave way to a postcard-perfect panorama of rich green pines stretching across a glassy blue lake. Breathtaking, as he had said.

"The hikers will be making their way up soon. We should go."

That was the last thing she wanted as he helped her to her feet, and side by side they gazed upon the majestic vista.

Edward began to lead her down, but she kept her feet planted, self-consciously tucking her windblown hair behind her ears. "One kiss, Edward. Please? Nobody has to know."

He had that torn expression once again. "Please, Bella. I promised Charlie. And I promised myself."

A frown crossed her lips as she pondered when and why on earth he would make such promises. His fingers brushed across her lips as if to wipe away the frown, and with brows drawn together, he heaved a small sigh. He seemed conflicted about something that was so simple it led her to wonder: was anything ever simple in Edward's mind? The man was impossible, and adorable, and heaven help her, she couldn't be more in love with him than she was at that very moment.

Her finger rose to meet his lips and caressed them as she wished her own lips could. The smolder beneath his lashes was only a small victory, and he took both hands in his, locking them between them and then leaned in slowly. "Close your eyes."

Holding her breath in anticipation, she waited for him to inch closer until his scent was right under her nose, and the familiar charge lingered no more than an inch from her lips.

A second more would be too long to wait, but before she could open an eye, his lips brushed against hers in a feather-light, electric, rousing motion before he pulled away. A taste, a tease of the passion she knew lay waiting. It was far from enough, and her hands squeezed his tightly, urging him back to her again.

"This is so easy for you," she accused.

His jaw tightened and he shook his head. Was he angry with her? His lips parted as though he was going to say something, but instead, he turned back to the slope of the summit.

"Edward? What is it?"

"We need to get back. The more distance we place between ourselves and the humans the better." He extended his hand. "Let's go."

They descended the mountain in half the time. Their faces and hands glittered from the rays, and even though she hadn't wanted to go, she knew he'd been right about leaving.

On the way back, he fiddled with the radio station until he finally shut it off. And the silence filled the car like an explosion. She wondered if his lack of contact truly had to do with Charlie having reminded him of his old-fashioned values or if her other suspicion was correct. Was he not attracted to her anymore? Even if the idea of it was ridiculous, she couldn't stand not knowing.

"Are we going to talk about this?" she finally got out.

"There's nothing to talk about. It won't happen again."

What exactly did he mean by that? Was he not going to kiss her again? Or was there more to it? She wondered this silently. His tone was too cutting, and for the moment she thought it best to leave it alone. By the time he pulled into the driveway, she wanted nothing more than to run inside and not have to face the tension written on his face. He cut the engine, halting her with a gentle hand as hers moved to open up her door.

"Allow me," he said softly.

A moment later he was helping her out of the car and then walking her to the front porch.

She reached for the door knob, but he touched her shoulder.

"Bella?"

Her name had never sounded so tender on his lips, and she turned to face him.

"Forgive me?" he whispered.

As though she had a choice. "Always," she said.

"Will you accompany me on another date tonight?" he asked.

She smiled at the worry in his expression...as if she might refuse him. "I would love to."

He, in turn, smiled. His thumb ran along her cheek, and she froze, wondering, hoping he would kiss her again... He edged closer to her face, his fingers blazing a trail along her jawline with his touch. The look of adoration in his eyes was unmistakable, and Bella believed herself to be the biggest fool. And when his lips began a trail of baby kisses at her temple and ended at her cheek, she felt her knees go a little weak.

"I have something special planned. See you tonight, my Bella," he said.

Her vampire legs were shaky. "See you tonight."

As soon as she walked through the door, she noted the inspecting gazes of the blondes and smoothed down her hair with her fingers.

"Did you have a good time?" Kate asked.

"It was...amazing and beautiful up there. And romantic."

Romantic, it definitely was, and she felt a stab of shame for not realizing until now how hard Edward was trying to make it special for her. In essence, he was recreating their relationship, and she couldn't help love him all the more for it - even if his methods didn't make sense.

"I wonder where he's taking you tonight," Tanya said.

Kate clapped her hands in excitement. "The suspense is gonna kill me."

"Me too," Bella agreed. "I can't wait."

A/N: Oh sure, everything's not perfect, but it's gonna take some time. Hope you're enjoying this little return to romance we're taking here, and I'd love to know what you thought! Reviewers will receive a teaser, so I hope to hear from you.