What happened to the reviews to last chapter? I'm disappointed… You can do better than that.
This chapter is to the tree people who reviewed, so thank you; missemmett, Edwardstype and EverlastingMuse.
Thank you to my boyfriend for helping me out with this chapter. My beta is on a 'vacation' and I don't want to disturb her, and I didn't want to keep you waiting.

Chapter 21: Our own little world

EPOV

Bella looked nervous as we walked down the stairs. Esme had just called to let us know that dinner was ready. I could almost see small drops of sweat on her forehead, and she looked down on the floor. I could hear her breathing had increased. I didn't like that she was that nervous, and that made me nervous too. I really hoped the dinner would go well.

I took her hand and gently squeezed it. She looked back at me and smiled gratefully. She probably needed that insurance that I would be there, right by her side.

"It's going to be okay," I said. I was reassuring us both.

"I hope so," she whispered.

Just a few minutes ago she wasn't nervous. We were lying beside each other on my bed, talking. We were getting to know each other better. I now knew that her favorite color was green, and when she told me it was because of my eye color, she blushed. She loved reading books, especially Jane Austen. She loved to cook, and had always been the one taking care of her mother, Renée and not the other way around. Now she was taking care of Charlie, and she had always taken care of Emmett too. She didn't like scary movies, but preferred the romantic ones, and she liked classical music just like me.

She had also told me a lot about her friends from home, and stories about how Emmett would threaten the other children on the playground when they were little if they teased her, or if they looked at her as what Emmett defined as wrong. All through high school that had continued, and he still did it, and she doubted he would ever stop being so protective of her.

Bella sighed when we reached the end of the stairs, and I gently squeezed her hand again. I'm here.

Carlisle and Esme were already seated, but they both stood up when we entered the dining room, and they both smiled at us, and I thought Esme would burst when she saw our hands, holding each other.

"Please, sit down," she beamed.

I gestured for Bella to follow me around the table, and pulled out a chair for her.

Just then Emmett and Rosalie came into the room, and we all sat down. I sat beside Bella, and I had her hands firmly in both of mine. Emmett didn't notice. He was too busy ogling Rosalie who was talking to Carlisle about something. I didn't bother to listen.

I noticed that Esme was trying to throw subtle glances our way, and when she saw that I had noticed, she blushed a little but smiled at me.

"Just dig in," she said when Carlisle and Rosalie were done talking.

Emmett was the first to grab a plate and pour a lot of potatoes on it. I looked at Bella, and she smiled at me. It wasn't unusual for Emmett to do so.

The first few minutes we sat eating in silence, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

Carlisle decided to break the silence. "So how do you like it here so far?" He looked between Bella and Emmett.

"I like it very much, people have been very welcoming," Bella said and Emmett nodded with his mouth full of food.

"I trust it that both Edward and Rosalie have been kind to you?" He asked.

"They have," Bella said and smiled at me.

"Of course they have," Esme smiled brightly.

"So you don't miss your old home?" Carlisle asked.

"I don't, I love it here," Emmett said and looked at Rosalie. She obviously was one of the reasons why he loved it so much here.

"But Bella, you must miss your boyfriend," Rosalie said.

I glared at her. Of course she had to ruin it all. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Bella frown. I really wanted to strangle Rose in that moment.

But luckily my dear mother was ready with a reply. "People can change a lot when they move, and so can their feelings. Don't you remember how much you changed since you moved here, Rose?"

"That's right, but I just thought that Bella and Jacob would be together forever," Rose said and looked wickedly at Bella. "You seemed so happy together when he visited."

I looked at Bella and all the blood had drained from her face. Rose was a fucking bitch.

"Like Esme said, feelings can change," Emmett said and looked pointedly at Rose. I had never seen him mad at her before now. "Just let it rest. That is between Bella and Jacob." He then threw me a quick glance before he continued eating.

Rose looked mad, but acted like she didn't care. She shrugged and looked down at her food. That hadn't went like she had hoped for, and if I knew her right, she would be angry the rest of the evening. I was glad I wasn't in Emmett's shoes; she was going to give him a hard time later. Rose didn't let situations like that go unnoticed.

"It's a very nice house you have here," Bella changed the topic.

"Thank you, dear," Esme said.

"Esme decorated it all," Carlisle told proudly. "It's like a hobby for her to decorate the house, and then rearrange it, and buy new furniture's every once in a while.

My mother actually blushed at this, and looked down at her plate.

"That is nice," Bella said.

"So should I expect that the next time I come here there will be a new dining room table?" Emmett asked in between bites.

"You'll never know," Carlisle chuckled and the rest of us did the same. All except one; Rose. She was scowling at her plate.

"Rose, do you help Esme find new furniture sometimes?" Bella surprised me by her question. I had expected her to completely ignore Rose for the rest of the evening, but now she was trying to include her in the conversation.

Rose slowly looked up from her plate, up at Bella who sat directly in front of her. "I don't."

"Maybe you will help me one day, Bella?" Esme asked.

Rose looked down at her plate again and scowled. Esme and Rose had never been really close, and if Bella and Esme were already bonding, I knew it would hurt Rose. Though she and Esme got along great, they didn't have any connection, and they never talked in private, went out shopping or stuff like that with each other.

"I would love to," Bella said, and I could hear that she actually meant it, even though she didn't like to go out shopping. But maybe furniture was another thing, or maybe it was because it was with Esme? Or maybe she just didn't want to say no, because she wouldn't want to disappoint her.

"Great. What about sometime next week? Maybe on Wednesday?"

"Sure, it's a deal," Bella said, and Rose dropped her fork on her plate.

"What's the matter, dear?" Esme asked her.

Rose looked up at her with a fake smile. "I just don't feel very well, Esme." She turned to Carlisle. "Can I be excused, dad?"

"Of course." Carlisle looked at her with a concerned look.

Rose stood up. "I'll see you upstairs," she said to Emmett before she exited the dining room.

"Excuse her," Carlisle said. "Rose can be a little… Sometimes." He didn't really have a word for it. I just thought of the word I would use. Bitch.

"It's okay," Emmett said. "I love the food, it tastes great."

"Thank you," Esme said.

"It sure does," Bella agreed.

"Bella likes to cook too," I said.

"You do? We have to exchange recipes, and maybe cook something together one day."

"I would like that," Bella smiled.

"Lovely," Esme beamed.

"Do you like golf, Emmett?" Carlisle asked.

"I wouldn't know. I have never tried it."

"You'll have to try it. Better late than ever. Sometimes I take Edward with me, and we're actually going together this Wednesday. You could come too, if you want?"

"That could be fun," Emmett said.

"Good. Might as well do something if the ladies go out together." He then looked deep in thought. "I assume Rose would like to join you two?" He looked between Esme and Bella.

"Of course, I'll tell her later," Esme said.

"Deal," Emmett boomed and then stuffed his mouth with food again.

I really didn't look forward to that day now. It would be fine to go golfing, and get to know Emmett better, but I knew I would worry about Bella all day when Rose was going with them. I was sure Rose would do what she could to give Bella a hard time.

I threw a quick glance at her, and she was smiling and talking to Esme about some assignment in English. If she was worried or thinking about going out with Rose she hid it well.

The rest of the dinner went great. We all talked and laughed a lot, and it didn't seem like anyone gave Rose a thought. Not even Emmett. Maybe he was already used to her hot temper by now. I just hoped he could handle it for his own sake.

Bella and Esme helped Bree cleaning the table, and I stood in the hall waiting for her to be finished. Carlisle had disappeared into his office, and Emmett stood beside me.

"I guess I'll go see what Rose is up to," Emmett said.

I turned to look at him. "Good luck with that, you'll need it."

"I know," he sighed.

"She can be very hot tempered. Are you sure you can handle it?"

"I'll do my best. I really like her." Emmett blushed.

"Then go get her. If it gets too much you can always call me, and I'll give her a little lesson," I laughed.

Emmett laughed with me but not wholeheartedly. He seemed very nervous.

"I guess, I'll go now," He said and walked up the stairs.

"You do that, and good luck," I called after him.

Bella came out of the kitchen in that second. "Who are you wishing good luck?"

"Just your brother. He is going upstairs to face the dragon right now."

Bella giggled, and slapped my arm. "Be nice to your sister."

"Not if she isn't nice to my girl," I winked at her, and she blushed her lovely red.

I took her hand and let her up to my room. We both sat down at the end of my bed.

"You don't have to go looking at furniture with Esme and Rose, you know that right?" I asked her.

"Yes, but I actually want to," she said and paused. "At least I was looking forward to it before…"

"You can say it," I chuckled. "Before Rose were to come with you."

Bella sighed and looked down at her hands in her lap. "It's just… I don't know… I don't think she likes me."

"Don't worry about that. Rose doesn't like anyone beside herself, and she loves giving others a hard time, just so she can feel good about herself. It makes her feel superior."

"That's awful."

"It is," I said. I had used to be like that myself, and now I could really see how awful I had been, and how awful Rose still was. It was hard to actually think I had been like that. I didn't like to think about it.

"You have changed a lot," Bella whispered. It was as if she had thought the same as me.

"I have, and it's all because of one person," I said and winked at her.

She blushed and looked away from me.

"Don't look the other way. I want to see your eyes, and your beautiful face."

Slowly Bella turned around and peeked at me through her hair that shaped her face like a curtain. Slowly I reached up and removed the hair with my hand. "That's better," I smiled.

If it was even possible she blushed even more.

I inched my head towards her, and Bella responded instantly by doing the same. We reached each other, and I placed my lips on hers.

Her soft lips began moving slowly against mine, and I responded by doing the same. I moved my hands up to cup her face, and to gently pull her closer to me even though it was impossible. But I just wanted to be close to her, and I couldn't get enough of her – or her lips.

I opened my mouth slowly, and let my tongue gently caress her bottom lip. With a sigh she opened her mouth too, and granted me excess. Our tongues moved slowly together, and I felt Bella's hands on my shoulder. She was trying to pull me closer to her as well.

It was the best kiss I had ever had. It was hard to explain how I felt and how it felt to be kissing her.

I moved my head slightly to the side. I just wanted more of her, and our kiss became more frantic.

But then all too sudden, Bella pulled away from me, and dropped her hands. "We can't do this. Not when I'm still with Jacob."

I dropped my hands too.

I really wanted to argue against that. Tell her to screw Jacob, and that they had already broken up in my book. But I knew that wouldn't be wise to do so. I would have to be patient, and let her do what she had to do. When they were finally over for good, then we would have all the time in the world to kiss. I loved the thought of that.

So I decided to pretend that I agreed with her completely.

"You're right. That wouldn't be fair to him," I lied smoothly.

The smile on Bella's lips confirmed that she believed me, and she nodded.

"No it wouldn't. So we have to wait," she sighed.

I could be patient and wait a little longer. I had to anyway.

"It was nice having you over to dinner." I changed the topic.

"I'm glad I stayed. It was lovely, and I really like Esme and Carlisle," she smiled.

"And they like you too. I can tell that Esme is thrilled that you like cooking and that you want to go out with her. I think she already sees you as a daughter in law," I winked.

"Actually I think she does so too," she giggled. "But I don't mind."

I really don't mind either.

A knock at the door interrupted us. "Come in."

The door slowly opened and Esme peeked in.

"You can come in," I said, and she slowly crept inside.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you, but I brought you some cookies," she said and looked between us and the tray of cookies. "I unfortunately didn't make them, but Bree did earlier today. If I had had the time I would have made some myself."

"That's fine. You can place them on my desk. I'm sure Bella would like to try one of them anyway, and have some of your own another day," I said.

Esme looked at Bella for confirmation. "I would love to," she smiled, and that made Esme smile too.

Esme walked over to my desk, and placed the plate. "I hope you enjoy anyway."

"I'm sure we will," I said. I was getting a little irritated now. I just wanted her out of my room, so I could be alone once again with Bella.

"I also gave Rosalie and Emmett some cookies, and I asked Rosalie if she wanted to go with us on Wednesday, and she said yes," Esme said and looked at Bella.

"That's nice. I'm really looking forward to it," Bella said.

"Great, so how about I pick you up at four on Wednesday?"

"That sounds like a plan."

"Fabulous," Esme clapped her hand. "Well then. I won't disturb the two of you anymore." With that she hurried out of my room, and softly closed the door behind her.

"She is so sweet," Bella said.

I looked at her like she had grown two heads, but she just kept smiling at me.

"I think she can be irritating sometimes," I shrugged.

"Doesn't everyone think that about their parents sometimes? I think we just have to cherish them as long as we have them."

"You have a point there," I said thoughtfully. "But I don't like her taking away some of my alone time with you."

The deep red blush appeared on her cheeks, and I had a sudden urge to reach out and squeeze them, but I didn't.

"It wasn't very long that she was in here," Bella defended Esme.

"It was too long for my liking."

"You aren't a very patient man, Mr. Cullen," she teased me.

"Oh, so now I'm Mr. Cullen. I like that actually. I think maybe I want you to call me that in the future," I said and stuck my head up high pretending to be a snob.

She giggled, and playfully slapped me.

I looked at her and smirked. "I wouldn't have done that, if I were you."

"What do you mean?" Her eyes got big.

In one quick movement, I jumped up, and sat on the bed. My legs under me, like I was crouching. Bella jerked backwards, wide-eyed. "You wouldn't," she gasped.

"I sure would, Miss Swan." With that I launched at her, and in only a few seconds I had her pinned beneath me, and I had my hands on her hands, holding her down.

"Now, you're mine," I growled like a predator.

Bella looked a little frightened, so to show her I was only fooling around, I chuckled. After a few seconds a little smile appeared on her lips. "I was worried for a second," she whispered.

"Worried about what? I would never hurt you."

"I don't know exactly," she sighed. "I'm sorry."

I sat up and let go of her hands. "Do not apologize."

"Then I won't," she said and then a true smile formed her lips. "You scary monster!" she almost yelled.

I growled playfully, and began tickling her sides. She squirmed and giggled underneath me, but I just kept going until she was gasping heavily for air.

"You want more?"

"No… Please… Stop…" Bella panted.

I chuckled, and crawled off her. Slowly she pulled herself up, so she sat beside me. "I'm so ticklish."

"I can tell," I laughed. "I might just use that against you sometimes."

"That's not fair. I have to have something against you too," she crossed her hands above her chest, and pouted. I could see right through her.

"You aren't a good actor, Bella."

"I've heard that before," she said and uncrossed her arms. "But give me something to work with here. I need something to use against you too."

She could use a lot of things against me. A lot of things that I really didn't want to think about, but fortunately that wasn't what she was thinking about.

"I don't think so," I chuckled.

"Come on, Edward!"

I loved it when she said my name, and even more when she almost begged out my name.

"Please Edward?" Please, say that again.

I couldn't help but imagine her saying that while she lay underneath me, panting and moving with me. Asking me, begging for me to go faster…

"Please?" Bella interrupted my dirty thoughts.

"Okay then, but only because it's you."

She smiled in triumph.

"But if you tell anyone, I just have to tickle you until you can't breathe," I warned.

She turned towards me, and pulled her legs up under her, so she sat cross-legged. "I promise I won't tell anyone, but I will if you keep tickling me."

I turned to her, and sat like her, so we sat face to face. I leaned in towards her. "I hate it when people chew on their gum with their mouths open." I shuddered at the thought.

Bella tilted her head back and began laughing. I just sat looking at her, waiting for her to finish laughing. I smiled. She looked sweet laughing like that, and I loved that it was me that had made her laugh like that. I hoped that Emmett heard Bella laughing like that. See I can make her laugh. I can make her happy.

When she was finished laughing, she looked at me. "I guess I just have to have gum on me at all times."

"I really hope you don't. If I find even one piece of gum in your pockets, I will tickle you," I threatened.

"I'll just hide the gum other places," she shrugged.

I wondered where the other places would be, and I couldn't help myself and look down at her breasts.

"Are you looking at my breasts?" Bella gasped.

I looked up at her eyes and smirked. "Who wouldn't?"

She playfully slapped my chest, and we began laughing together.

I loved to be with her. I could be the 'new' me, and I could be playful, and I loved that. I could have fun with her and it felt like we didn't have anything to worry about. But we had in the form of Jacob, but it was easy to forget that, and just be the two of us in our own little world.

"I'm on a mission
and it involves some heavy reading, yeah – oh yeah
You've indicated your interest
I'm educated in writing, yes
And now I want it bad,
want it bad
A REVIEW
A REVIEW!"
My version of Lady Gaga's Lovegame. ;)