Happy Easter to all who celebrate it! Please enjoy this chapter: Edwards POV of the porch kiss and why he comes back…

EPOV

I don't remember much about how I got home. I don't remember getting in my car or turning the ignition. I don't remember putting the car into gear or the actual drive itself. I don't remember pulling into my parents' driveway or parking the car.

What I remember are Bella's lips. I remember the wide-eyed look she gave me before rushing into her father's house. I remember pacing to and from the door as I tried to gather my thoughts. I remember feeling defeated.

I looked up from my apparent daze from my forgettable drive to see that I still sat in my car in front of my parents' home. I tried not to fight the lack of memory and just go with it. It's easier at this point to not care how I got home. I should just be grateful that I got home in one piece.

I clamored out of the car and trudge up the front steps hoping upon hope that I can make it up to my room discreetly. I know I should spend time with my family, especially after our recent 'breakthrough' but I feel like I'm going to have a breakdown if I don't get some alone time with my thoughts on Bella.

I had to be honest with myself. She was the person who was controlling my moods right now. I just wanted to be in her presence. Spending time with her today was beyond imaginable and even after I was a brat and moody earlier, she stayed. She stayed and listened about my past and never once questioned or pitied me. She was irreplaceable. She had done something that no one had done for me except Alice. And let's face it, I love my sister, but she's no Bella.

The front door was unlocked; a side-effect of the trusting small town atmosphere. I squeezed myself silently and listened as the small click of the door seemed to echo everywhere. I was cursing the hardwood floors that creaked quietly underneath my feet as it felt as though everything was amplified.

My final challenge came as I finished crossing the entry and came to the first door jam. Through the door frame was a clear shot to the kitchen and I could hear my mom and Alice's voices faintly. If I passed by and either one of them happened to be looking in my direction…I would be caught. But if I could get past the open door, I could make it to the stairs and up into my room easily.

I tentatively snuck a peak around the corner and saw both women hovering around the kitchen island, with my mom's back to me. That was a good sign, but I needed to make sure that Alice was looking away when I made my move. Unfortunately for me, she really does have some physic tendencies and she looked over and the exact time I was looking at her. She smirked and I pleaded with my eyes for her to drop it, as I hurried past the door and on to the stairs.

"Hey mom, I'm going to go see if Edward is back. I thought I heard a car," I heard Alice say.

I knew I could sprint to my room, but I also knew that Alice would follow me, so I waiting for my fate. Alice quickly turned the corner and met me at the foot of the stairs.

"And just where do you think you're going," Alice whispered. I was grateful she was keeping it down.

"Please Alice," I whispered so Esme wouldn't catch on. "I really need to have some time to myself to work through some things. Just don't say anything about me being back…"

"Is it about Bella?"

I milled that over in my head for a second and then nodded. Alice would figure it out anyway so it's usually just easier to tell her.

"Don't give up on her, Edward." And with that, she flitted through the door frame and proceeded to tell our mom that my car was there, but she saw me walking down the path away from the house. I didn't hear anything else from Esme, so she must have accepted it.

I took a deep breath once I realized I had been holding it and continued up the stairs to my room, silently shutting the door behind me. When I turned back to face my room, I could still picture Bella inside it. She had looked over some of the items, things from my school years, and I could still feel her warmth around. There were still subtle hints of her that I could smell: the strawberry from her shampoo and some floral scent as well.

I made my way over to the window where I stood behind her and could almost visualize her there. I wished she was there. I found myself thinking about her constantly now and I really didn't know what to make of it. What I did know was that I wanted whatever it was between us to be more, if possible.

I knew that this was dangerous, the place I was in at the moment. Falling for my dance partner and not even a real dance partner because she wasn't a dancer, but a celebrity instead. I had never once compromised my integrity this way, but with Bella…I couldn't help it. It was crazy.

Sure, when I'd met her I thought she was beautiful. I still did. I thought there was something about her and I pretty much couldn't keep my eyes off her, but it was intrigue, nothing more. After one week of being in my life, I was ready to turn it upside-down for her. I would give it up in a heartbeat.

I don't know how long I stood there thinking of a potential future with Bella before I heard a timid knock at my door. I was fairly sure I knew who it was but I allowed her in anyway. She must have heard my quiet 'come in' since I heard the door open and tiny footsteps enter. I looked over in my peripheral vision to see my sister staring out the window like myself. I didn't say anything, I didn't want to talk, but Alice had other plans.

"So...." She stopped speaking after one syllable. I waited on baited breath for her to continue, as she always has something to say. But no other words followed.

"So...." I kept it short, because if Alice wanted something else from me, she had to work for it.

"So…what's your problem?" she asked, turning to face my profile. I was dumbfounded. What was my problem?

"Excuse me?" It was my turn to look at her. She had a determined look on her face and I still couldn't believe she had the nerve to ask what my problem was?

"Edward, why are you here?"

I gaped at her.

"What the hell are you talking about? You wanted me to come home! That's why I'm here." I was trying to keep my voice calm and even, but really where was she going with this? I had a desire to kick her out of my room. It was bad enough thinking about Bella, but the addition of Alice's nonsensical questions weren't helping anything.

"No, dumbass. Not why are you here in Forks, dipshit. I meant, why are you here, at home, when you should be with Bella?"

"Alice, I can't be with her," I said softly. I closed my eyes and I saw Bella shutting the door on me again and again as if on instant replay.

"Yes, you can." I felt her hand come up to my shoulder, rubbing it in a comforting way and I shook it off.

"No, Alice. I can't. She doesn't see me like that, she doesn't want to." I headed back over to my bed and slumped down on the edge. Reliving everything was killing me, and nothing had really happened. Damn!

"Edward, why do you say that? I've seen the way she looks at you. There is something there, and you know I'm never wrong about these things."

"Well, you are wrong this time." I took a deep breath and tried to continue. "She…she kissed me, but I don't think she meant to…..I don't know. All I know is that she kissed me one minute and the next minute, she can't open her door and get into her house fast enough, leaving me outside wondering what the hell just happened!"

I put my head in my hands as I slouched over my legs. I didn't know how this partnership was going to work if she couldn't look at me. I didn't know how we would even get through the next three weeks at least, without some form of communication, but I didn't see that happening in the near future.

I felt the bed give, just enough to let me know Alice's little body had come to sit beside me. I couldn't even bring myself to raise my head from my hands to look over at her.

"Edward, listen. Bella is…cautious when it comes to relationships. Apparently, experiencing her parents' divorce didn't exactly solidify love and marriage and stuff so she's protecting herself. It's not you, so please don't think that."

I stifled a laugh with the 'it's not you' comment. It's not you, it's me. Her statement did make me pause before answering back.

"How do you know this, Alice?" I was looking at her now and saw the sheepish look on her face.

"From Angela. We were talking on the plane and she mentioned it to me when we were sitting next to each other." She paused and I took that information in before she continued. "Look, maybe she scared herself because trust me when I say that she cares for you in more than a purely platonic way. It's all over her face. I'm sure it shocked the hell out her to be kissing you, but you can't just let it go. You need to tell her what you are feeling, because she's probably thinking that she's ruined any kind of future with you because of that kiss."

I still didn't say anything. I was processing everything and I felt like I couldn't really think for myself at the moment. I was taking everything that Alice was saying into my head, but the words were just a jumble.

"Earth to Edward." A snap of fingers in front of my face broke my reverie.

"Sorry."

"Hmmm." She was frowning at me. I hated it.

"Alice, listen. Maybe you are right and she's insecure, but Alice, have you ever thought about the possibility that you could be wrong? It would break her if I went up to her and put her in that position and honestly, it would break me to be rejected like that again. I don't want to ruin a potentially great friendship." The image of her face closing the door on me popped in front of my eyes again. The scared look on Bella's face tormented me.

"But you want more so why deny yourself the chance to see it through. You're right, and I could be wrong, although I know I'm not. But you and I both know that I'm not really omniscient so how does either of us really know unless you try."

I knew she was right, at least about the needing to try and see for myself. She may be right about Bella's insecurities, but I didn't really know so I couldn't judge on that. I just had to put myself out there, for her, and see if she's willing to try.

I wrapped my arm around Alice and pulled her close to me.

"Thank you, Alice." She quickly latched her arms around me tightly and murmured a 'you're welcome' into my chest.

I held on to my sister for a few more minutes until there was a knock at my door. I looked up and saw Esme standing in the open doorway watching the two of us. She was smiling and I could tell there were unshed tears in her eyes.

"Dinner's ready, if you two would like some," she said as she tried to keep her emotions in check.

"We're coming! Edward just needed my sisterly advice!" She was teasing me. That runt!

"Oh, shut up! I didn't ask for it!" I teased back.

"Edward!" Esme's eyes showed that she wasn't really upset with me for my comment. More like she wanted to play along.

"Sorry, mom," I said jokingly, but knowing that it would mean more to her if it were at least half-honest.

The three of us made our way downstairs and Carlisle was waiting for us in the kitchen. He clapped me on the shoulder as I walked past him and we shared a look. He was happy at what we were all becoming and I was grateful that I could finally make that happen. Grabbing a dish, I headed to the dining room where Esme had set the table for us. It had been a long time since I had eaten a meal at this table.

We all gathered and began passing the plates of food around the table, talking small talk when I realized.

"Alice, where's Mike?" I looked at the four of us at the table, noticing that there should have been five.

"Oh, he grabbed some food from Esme earlier. Apparently he was having a bit of a technological crisis at his company. Something about nanos or something. You know I understand a word of that stuff."

I smiled at her as I dug into my plate of delicious food. I always wondered why Esme never became a chef. She was brilliant at cooking, but her true passion was design and décor. Oh well.

"So, Edward…do you know if Bella is working on anything new?" Esme asked from across the table and I nearly choked on my food. I quickly picked up my water and took a gulp before I could speak.

"Um, I don't really know. I think she mentioned something about editing, so maybe?" I could tell Esme was disappointed in my lack of information. "We don't talk much about her work, but I can see if I can find out anything for you." I was trying to perk her back up. I know how much she liked her books.

"Oh, Edward, you don't need to do that. Besides, she may not be at liberty to say anything right now." She was pushing her food around her plate when she spoke again. "But, if you do find out anything, you will tell me, won't you?"

I laughed out loud and nodded. I looked at Carlisle who was taking everything in: the entire conversation, the image of us all enjoying each other at the table. I could see that it was almost a little too much for him and when he met my eyes I knew I was right. He nodded to me and it felt like it was in thanks and gratitude.

I had been such a schmuk and I knew I did the right thing.

Dinner passed quickly and the playful banter lasted the entire duration. When we started to clear the dishes, Carlisle held me back as Esme and Alice headed to the kitchen.

"Edward, thank you...for coming back to this family. You have made us all extremely happy and proud and I'm grateful that you have brought us all back to life." His eyes were shining.

"I'm sorry, for everything before." I hung my head in shame.

"No, no apologies. Everything happened for a reason and now everything is as it should be. Let's not look back, ok?" I knew he meant what he said and I was grateful he was such a forgiving father. I nodded my head and he pulled me into a hug and I hugged him back.

I heard the sniffles behind me and I pulled out of my father's grasp to see my mom and sister with silent tears dripping down their faces.

"Oh, don't mind us," my mom said as she wiped her face and came to get the dishes my father and I were supposed to have brought to the kitchen, but not before she touched my face reverently.

As quickly as they had come in, they disappeared.

I turned back to my father and he reached out for one of my shoulders and looked into my eyes.

"And you take care of Bella, alright?"

I did an internal double take as he brought up Bella. As I tried to gather my thoughts, he continued.

"She's an amazing girl, Edward, and I know she's kind of accident prone but she tries hard and I know she's trying hard for you. Take good care of her."

"I will." I knew that I would.

He brushed past me and headed into the kitchen and left me to my thoughts. Carlisle and Alice were right. Bella was an amazing girl and I needed to let her know my thoughts about what I think we could be. I didn't want to waste time because I don't know how much time we had to get to know each other. Whether we get voted off first or we make it too the end, it still wasn't a lot of time and I wanted to see this through.

I went into the kitchen, kissed Alice and my mom on the cheeked and patted my dad on the back, before heading back out to the front with my keys. I was pretty sure Alice said Bella's name as I sprint out the front door. I quickly hopped in my car and started back to Chief Swan's house.

It was then that I realized...just what was I going to do when I got there? I guess I could knock on the door and ask to speak with Bella privately. What if her father answered the door? That would be kind of awkward considering that he probably didn't remember me. I figured I would deal with it when I got there.

I decided to park down the street. I didn't want to spook Bella, having her see my car and not answer the door. That wouldn't work at all. So, I made my way up the block and noticed Bella's truck and Charlie's car. It's now or never.

I was walking up to the house when I started to be able to hear voices from inside. I noticed that one of the front windows was open just enough to hear the muffled sounds.

"Not much was happening today. I caught up on some paperwork but mainly played solitaire on the computer." I heard Chief Swan's gruff voice and smiled. He had always been nice to me and my family, and never once gave me a speeding ticket.

"Ah, our tax money hard at work, huh?" Bella said as she laughed and I could hear Charlie as he joined in with his daughter.

"Mmm. This is great Bells. Beats what I've been eating lately." I could smell the food through the window and even though I was stuffed from my own dinner, my mouth was watering. She was a ridiculously good cook…at least with lasagna.

"I figured as much." Modest Bella who was looking out for her father.

It was quiet again and I felt that I shouldn't eavesdrop anymore. I turned to leave when Charlie's voiced a question that piqued my interest and I knew I would be waiting on bated breathe during this particular conversation.

"So, how's the dancing coming along?"

I heard a sputtering followed by a severe cough and knew it was Bella. I was up the front steps in a flash and about to bust through the door when I realized what I was doing. Luckily for me Bella's coughing masked my footsteps on the front porch but now I was stuck.

"What?!" I was imagining Bella's face a beautiful shade of red and I was wishing I could actually see it for myself.

"I just asked how the dancing was going. Aren't you training?" His voice sounded a little too innocent for the chief of police.

"Damnit. Why did Angela have to tell you?! I know it was her!"

"Hey, she just wanted to tell me that you wouldn't be by as much due to having to be down in California. And she may have mentioned that I would have to stop catching up on my sports on certain days so I could watch you. Aren't you having fun?" I was interested in that answer myself.

"Yes…and no." She said and I was confused. 'No' she wasn't having any fun? Crap.

"The people are nice, but its hard work. Dad, you really don't have to watch the show, I won't know."

"Were you not going to tell me? You know I'm interested in anything you do. But, are you being careful? You aren't exactly the most graceful person." I heard a small laugh and I couldn't help but smile and nod even though no one could see me.

"Oh, thanks dad. You don't need to remind me of what I know. And, yeah…I probably would have told you, eventually. Most likely right after I got voted off the first show. You know I'm not going to last that long anyway."

I was devastated. She had no confidence what so ever in her abilities. Sure, she wasn't the most graceful thing to grace this planet, but she had the potential. Charlie spoke up and I felt my respect for him grow.

"Bells, you can do anything you put your mind to. No, you aren't the most athletic or the most graceful, but you put everything you can into something and you go out with a bang. If you get voted off, well, you know that you did everything you could and you tried your hardest. I know you Isabella. You aren't a quitter."

"Thanks." I'm sure that blush was back.

The quiet was back again and I really wanted to give them back their privacy, but I couldn't. Literally, I was stuck here on the porch and if I moved I would give myself away. I was working out my plan in my head when another question from Charlie interrupted my thoughts.

"So, are you going to tell me who your dance partner is or am I going to have to get that info from Angela as well?"

That stopped me dead in my tracks. I felt like a deer in the headlights. I couldn't move, even if I had the ability. When Charlie called Bella's name again, I couldn't help but feel that she was trying to ignore his question, thus ignoring me. I had to admit, it hurt.

"My partner is Edward Masen." She said simply.

"Ok. I feel like I've heard the name before. Does he make the news a lot?"

Come on Charlie. Can you really not remember me? I guess that was a good and bad thing about staying out of trouble.

"Um, I think he does make the Entertainment news a bit when the show is running. You know, like recaps." I really couldn't picture Charlie watching those shows to begin with, so I knew that would be a stretch for him.

"Bells…you know I don't watch that stuff. Hmmm, why do I know that name?" I knew he was wracking his brain for the answer and Bella finally helped him out.

"Well…he's Dr. Cullen's son," I think she tried to end the conversation there because I heard a chair scrapping across the floor along with plates clinking together in the sink.

"Of course! That's right. Wow, small world. He has an older sister right? Anna…Ashley…shoot, what's her name? I know it starts with an A." Alice.

"Alice, dad,"

"Yes, Alice. She's a bundle of energy, isn't she? I remember when they were in high school and she would be dragging Esme down the street. I guess Edward was the tall sulky kid that tended to follow behind them."

I frowned. Is that what I looked like to those outside my family?

"From what I know of Edward in high school, that kind of sounds like him," Great. Thanks Bella.

"But he had every reason to be. And really dad, I wasn't much different than him. I probably had a few more friends, but I tried to keep to myself. I would have liked to have passed through high school as if I were invisible."

I was stunned. She stood up for me and she didn't even know me back then. I wish I could have changed that. Hell, she stood up for me without needing to because as far as she was aware, I wasn't there.

"I never said it was a bad thing that he sulked or tagged behind. I didn't mean to hit a touchy subject. He was a good kid. Never got into trouble, which was a pleasant change from the other ruffians in this town. He was smart from what I remember because I think he graduated from high school early."

"He did and he is smart." I wanted to scoop her up and kiss her for the things she was saying about me.

I reveled in the silence between Bella and her father now. I had so many things to process in my head. I didn't know where to start.

"Bells, how much do you know about that family? About Edward and Alice, I mean?"

I gulped loudly. How much did Charlie know? I had no idea that he knew anything about our past.

"Probably as much as you, if not more. I spent most of the day with them today and I had a great time. I know that Edward and Alice have been through more than someone should go through at their age, but they have a loving family with Carlisle and Esme, which is important."

"So you know…"

"That they are adopted, yes. Edward told me today. And yes, I know why. I think they both have grown up and turned out remarkably well. I only wish I had known them both when I was here." Me too Bella.

"Carlisle came to me when they first moved to Forks, just to give me a heads up," Carlisle did what?!

"I was happy to welcome the new doctor and his family to town, but we he told me about what had happened, I assured him that I would only mention the truth to someone if it became necessary but it never did."

"You're a good man, dad and you are a good chief. I know they appreciated your discretion." The feeling of respect just tripled. I personally appreciated the great man that is Charles Swan.

"Yeah, yeah. So…how's it going with Edward?" My ears were burning. This was what I wanted to know…at least part of what I wanted to know.

"Uh, it's fine. He's kind of a perfectionist" I winced.

"And I feel bad because I am far from perfect. I stomp on his feet a lot and don't have good posture. He yells at me sometimes because he gets frustrated with me." Only because I know she can do better!

"He's perfect and I'm a misfit. It's a bad match dad." She's wrong. It's the perfect match except she's perfect and I'm the misfit!

"Oh come on Bells, you can't be that bad and besides, it's only the first week, right? It can only get better from here."

"Yeah, we'll see. Edward is just such a great guy and I feel bad that I'm his partner. I know he wants to win this competition and I don't see that in our future. I just want what's best for him."

"Well, I'm sure you'll do your best and I'm sure he will as well. Just see where it goes."

"Thanks dad." I stood up from my seat. "I'm going to head upstairs. I've got some work I have to do or Angela will have my head. Night."

"Night kiddo."

I heard two sets of footsteps heading off in different directions and I made my move. I quickly jumped off the porch in the hopes of making less noise and to also quickly move around the house. I didn't know which room was Bella's, but I needed to talk to her, more than ever.

I followed around the house looking for a light to come on. I had to figure out which room was Bella's. There were only a few to choose from. I figured that both Charlie and Bella's rooms were on the second floor of the house, so I just needed a sign.

As soon as I thought it, someone answered my prayers. A light came on in two of the windows and I saw a shadow moving across one and then the other. Bella was in her room and I needed to see her. I couldn't figure out how to, though. Her father was downstairs, watching TV and I didn't need to be coming over, basically saying 'I was in the neighborhood.' How crazy is that?!

I looked up for another sign and got a crazy and probably extremely stupid idea. There was an old tree that stretched above the Swan residence, but the branches spread throughout the air, with one in particular heading over to one of Bella's windows. That was my shot.

I hadn't climbed a tree in years. I never needed to, but now I was relying on all of my limited tree-climbing experience to see me through this without falling to my death.

I walked quickly to the trunk of the tree, found a placement for my foot and reached for a lower branch to pull myself up. Not so bad. I made for the next branch and my foot slipped and I hit the ground with a dull thud.

Damnit. I looked back up and could see Bella through the break in her curtain. I had to do this. Placing my foot back where it had slipped and pulling myself up onto that first branch, I kept glancing back and forth from Bella to the tree, back to Bella, then back to the tree. Before I knew it, I was thirty feet in the air and staring into Bella's room.

It was just then I realized that she could have been changing up here and I would have become a peeping tom with no easy escape. I was so grateful that she was still fully clothed…though it wouldn't have been that bad, right? SHUT UP!

I watched her for a second before I needed to make my presence known. I was starting to lose feeling in my fingers from the death grip I had on the bark. It was now or never…

"Pssst, Bella!"

Her jump from my sound nearly made me jump as I gripped the tree branch even harder.

"Edward!" I was so happy to hear her say my name.

"What the hell are you doing in that tree?!" She was taking a good look at me, as if taking stock to make sure I hadn't had some sort of injury that was making me do something stupid, like head trauma.

"Bella," I said through my gritted teeth. "Can I please come in?"

"Haven't you ever heard of a door?! This is so stupid. You could have killed yourself climbing up here!" She was berating me as she pushed open her window wider for me. I had to make a small jump for the window sill, but I latched on and pulled myself through the window. Thank god that was over, though I still needed to get feeling back in my hands. It was such a rush though, sneaking in a girl's room…something I had never experienced and I loved the fact that it was with Bella…

As I looked back at Bella, I remembered why I was here in the first place.

"I'm sorry I startled you. It wasn't my intention," I whispered.

"You still haven't answered my question about why you are here." Angry kitten was coming out.

"I…uh…needed to see you." Don't lose your nerve now.

"Ok. So you came here, to my home, climbed a tree to get to my bedroom window, at night, to see me…why?" I could see that she was still trying to be mad at me for my idiocy, but it was fading and I don't think she could help it. Now or never Masen…

"I wanted to talk to you about earlier this evening." I saw her eyes widen in fear. I wanted to tell her that it was fine and hell, I wanted to kiss more. I didn't want her to think it was a mistake.

"You couldn't talk to me over the phone?" She was nervous. Did she really not want to see me?

"No." I chuckled nervously. "I had to do this in person." I did. I needed to be here…with her.

"And you couldn't wait until Monday?" Ok, now she was stretching. I was getting nervous about her not feeling the spark I felt, but I had to push forward or I'd never know.

"I've waited long enough." I reached out and caressed her cheek. It felt like heaven and silk. I wanted more.

"Waited for what?" she whispered so softly I could barely hear her.

"This."

I leaned in to her, pulling her face closer to mine. All I could think about were her lips on mine, but it wouldn't be a friendly kiss. I needed to show her how I felt about her. If she didn't feel it back, then she didn't, but I came here tonight to do this.

I was so close to my target of her full lips when her door received a loud knock.

"Shit," I whispered as Bella gasped in front of me, her eyes wide.

"Bells?! Are you alright in there?" Charlie's voice was muffled behind the door.

I saw fear in Bella's eyes as she mouthed what I was pretty sure was 'hide' so I made a bee line for her closet as she turned around and called back to her dad about her toe. Really, Bella?

"I just saw your light was still on and figured you were still up. Anyway, I'm heading to bed. I'll see you in the morning?" Charlie sounded embarrassed for acting like a father, but to me, he just showed how much he cared about his daughter.

"Yeah. Sleep well." I hoped Charlie didn't pick up on Bella's distractedness, but since I couldn't see anything, who the hell knows what was going on. I was just waiting for the closet door to open and for me to become dog meat. Dead dog meat. Yuck!

I heard the door shut and a light pair of feet shuffle away. Where was she going?

I heard her call out my name, so I quietly opened the closet door and saw her standing over by the window looking down. Did she think I jumped out the window? I guess I could have and if I had no other options, I probably would have.

She turned around quickly as if she knew I was behind her. The relieved look on her face gave me the confidence to speak again.

"Well, that was close."

"Too close. You should probably go. I don't think Charlie would take kindly to finding you in here with me." Probably not, but I'm here for a reason…

"I'll take my chances."

"Your funeral," she muttered, though I don't think she really intended for me to hear that. I sighed.

"Bella, I can't leave yet. I came here for a reason and I'm going to say and do what I said I would."

"So…what did you want to say?" She was practically wincing at the prospect of whatever I had to say. This worried me, so much that I felt that courage slipping away.

"Um, I guess….I….uh…thank you." Damnit…not what I wanted to say.

"You came just to thank me?" I saw some of the light fade from her eyes and it broke my heart.

"Yes, I mean no. Ugh! This is…I'm having trouble finding the words…" Get it together Edward! You can do this…I tried to continue.

"Bella, there is something about you that fascinates me. You can be a little sarcastic at time and definitely stubborn and obviously clumsy, but you are the gentlest and most caring person I've ever met. You cared about me and what happened in my life, even after only knowing me for a week. You worried about me when you didn't have to. You comforted me after you knew and didn't run away. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are an amazing person Isabella Swan and I'm lucky that you are mine."

I took a deep breath after that mouthful, but I meant every word…even the clumsy and stubborn parts.

"Yours?" she asked, blushing and I found my cheeks growing warmer. I hadn't realized that I said mine.

"Uh, yeah, um, mine. You know, my partner…and my friend." Way to blow it…SHUT UP!

"Oh. Yeah, of course I'm your dance partner and …friend." She took a beat. "Thanks for thinking that of me."

I couldn't' stand it. Here was this amazing woman in front of me who for some reason, I couldn't put into words what I needed to say. I kept messing it up. I had thoughts of her running through my head, all day, every day. I couldn't get enough of her and she seemed to think that she was the most unattractive and uninteresting person in the world. I couldn't' get through to her. I didn't understand how this could have happened to me in such a short time. I had all these feelings for her and she couldn't see it!

"Edward? Are you ok?" I realized I had been pacing with my internal monologue. I blew out a breath and started to shake my head.

"No. This shouldn't be this difficult." I was trying to reassure myself but it wasn't working.

"Edward, I'm really confused."

"Me too! It doesn't make sense. I've known you for a week but I can't you out of my head!" I felt like I was fighting a losing battle. Hell, I had already lost.

"I'm…um, sorry," Fuck. I looked up at Bella to see tears starting to form.

"Oh. Shit Bella! That didn't come out right. It's just so confusing to me that someone I've only known for a week would have this kind of impact on me, but I don't want you to get out of my head." I tried to get her to look at me but she wouldn't budge.

"Why?" she asked as I felt like I was starting to get somewhere when she turned towards me.

"Silly girl. Please look at me." I tugged at her chin softly and she tilted her head back to look me in the eyes. "This sounds really juvenile to say this, but I like you Bella Swan. I mean I like you like you. You've turned my whole world upside down and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way."

There. I said it. I couldn't help the smile that stretch across my face. I told Bella that I liked her, and even though it sounded so juvenile, it was how I felt.

"Uh…I really don't know what to say." Her words faltered my smile and broke my heart. I knew it would be a risk to say anything. I started to backtrack a little.

"You don't have to say anything Bella if you don't want to. I just, I needed to tell you. I've been battling with telling you or not but I came to a decision after I left you earlier that I needed to, whether you felt the same way or not."

"But Edward, I do…" Before I could hear her finished thought, a loud snore ripped through the air from Charlie's room and it jolted us apart. Something in me snapped and I couldn't hold back anymore. She may hate me for what I was about to do and if she did I would understand, but I needed to try.

"NO! No interruptions. Not this time." And I kissed her. I mean, really kissed her. I put everything into that kiss. It was kind of forceful, which I regretted slightly, but the desire was there and I couldn't stop it. It was amazing. I started to pull back slightly to try to turn the kiss into something tender and I felt her lips move along with mine. When that happened, I went to the moon.

As few more moments of the kiss and I felt that tug in my lungs reminding me that I needed air. We needed air. I pulled my lips back from hers, but kept her in my arms and my forehead to hers so I could feel her breath on my face. It was like a warm summer breeze, but better.

"Bella," I said quietly, trying not to break the spell.

"Hmm?" was all she could say and I felt my heart soar. I did that!

"Please tell me what you're thinking." I wanted to know. I didn't care if it was 'why did you do that' or 'it's about time' or even 'I never want to see you again' although that last one might kill me. She took her time formulating a response.

"I'm not really able to think at the moment. My brain is having trouble wrapping around what just happened." She looked as if she were relieving the moment in her mind. I wished I could join her.

"You know," I interjected, pressing my luck. "You sounded as if you were going to tell me something but you never finished your earlier thought, since we were interrupted yet again…" I was hedging my bets and hoping to come out on top.

"What do you mean Edward?" she asked cheekily. Really? We're going to play this game? I was done with games. I wanted the truth.

"Bella, what are your feelings for me?" I looked deep into those beautiful brown eyes and hoped for the best.

"Edward, you have to know that I like you as well. I wouldn't have kissed you back like that if I didn't." Say what?! I tried to remain blasé about the whole thing, but I don't know how well that was working out for me.

"All the same, it's nice to hear and I'm grateful you feel the same way." I was back on the moon!!! She felt the same way! How did I get this lucky?

"So, what happens now?" I watched her eyes close again, but the expression on her face was not what it had been before, after the kiss. It was no longer relaxed and reminiscing, but tensed and worried.

"Honestly, I don't know." And it was the truth, but when her face dropped, I couldn't help but continuing my thought as I pulled her face back to mine again. "But I look forward to finding out."

And we kissed again, and I daresay it was better than our previous kiss. There was more meaning behind this kiss and I loved every minute of it. After a minute, Bella pulled back and looked at me and then gestured toward the window.

"You better go out the way you came." And I knew she was right. What I found slightly amusing is that she yelled at me about climbing up, but she was fine about me climbing down? Strange girl.

I leaned in for another quick kiss and headed to the window. I chuckled at the irony of it all and I could feel Bella's eyes on me.

"I feel like I'm back in high school." I pushed myself away from the window sill and back on the branch, which may look easy but is really hard.

"Oh yeah? How many bedroom windows did you climb through in high school?" I looked back and saw the glint in her eye.

"Just one…" I said, before continuing. "Mine. I liked climbing up to the roof to think from time to time. If my mother had known, she would have killed me and sealed my window shut." The thought of Esme doing just that made me laugh again, but when I looked back at Bella I know I would have risked it for her.

"But if I hadn't graduated early," I said, thinking of how to put it. "I think I would have climbed through another window. This one."

I saw her catch her breath as I gave her a quick wink and shimmied down the tree. PS, that does not feel good. When I made it to the ground, I headed off of the Swan property and down the street where I had left my car. When I finally made it to the car door, I looked back and could faintly see the light in Bella's window through the trees. If I squinted, I could also make out the faint shape of a small body and I knew Bella was still there.

I smiled and unlocked the door. Once inside, I buckled the seat belt and turned the ignition. Looking back, the shape was gone, but I knew she was still there and hopefully thinking about me, because lord knows I was thinking about her.

I could handle anything at this point. I knew tomorrow was Sunday and I had no plans to meet up with Bella…yet. Maybe I could finagle something with her, but Alice and Mike had to be my top priority (since Alice did make me promise). Monday was a different story. Either way, this week was the start of something new, and no one, not even that vile James would stand in my way.

So, what do you think? Thoughts are appreciated! Please review!!