Disclaimer- Stephenie still owns the usual suspects.
I own my original characters and original story.

Unbeta-ed and Drabble-ish. No heavy angst.

***************************************WYiMA*************************************

After I got the horses settled for the night, I went to sit next to Izzy where she was mendin' her blue dress by the light of the fire.

Jake had travelled with us for a full day into Mississippi, afore settin' out toward home early the next mornin'. After he left, I spent most of the ride thinkin' 'bout what I needed to say to Izzy.

I looked at her quietly sewin' and swallowed hard. "Izzy, I think it's time I had a word with ya."

She glanced up at me afore returnin' to her work. "What ya need to say Ed?"

This was a might harder than I'd figured. "If I'd of met ya back home, things would be different." I rubbed my hand over the back of my neck. "I'd a come to your house, and asked your Pa's permission to court ya."

Izzy stared up at me then, her brown eyes wide and lookin' sort of hopeful.

"But since your Pa has passed on, I reckon I'd of had to ask your Uncle." At mention of that scoundrel, Izzy's expression turned cloudy.

"That feller's got no say over me Ed. As far as I'm concerned, he ain't no kin of mine."

"Fair enough," I telled her with a nod of my head. "I guess what I'm tryin' to tell ya is that I care for ya Izzy. And even though things on the trail ain't how they would be back home, I'd still like to court ya. As best I can."

She was smilin' at me then. "Ed Cullen, I coulda died of old age waitin' for ya to finally ask."

"What…"

She shook her head, "Don't try and pretend ya ain't noticed how I've been workin' to get your attention, 'cause that kinda thing mayhap hurt a gal's feelin's."

"I'm sorry Izzy…"

She laughed then. "I'm just teasin'. But I am glad ya finally asked me. And to answer," she placed her hand on my arm, "I'd be mighty pleased for ya to court me Mister Cullen."

"For true?"

Izzy nodded. "Gospel." She peered up at me in a shy way then, "Do ya think it's proper for a feller to kiss a girl when they's courtin'?"

I was the one smilin' then, and kickin' myself for waitin' so long to tell her. "Cain't say as I care," I telled her afore pullin' her to me and pressin' my lips to hers ever so softly.

As soon as our lips was joined, it was as if all the feelin's I'd been holdin' inside was chompin' to break free. My body comed alive and I couldn't get close enough to her. As much as I tried to remember to be a gentleman, I couldn't stop myself from pullin' her close and lettin' my hands roam across her back and down to grasp onto her sides.

When I finally broke the kiss and pulled away, we was both pantin' and Izzy's body give out a little shiver. I let go of her and stared at the ground. "I'm so sorry Izzy."

"Ed, what're ya sorry for?" She asked, tryin' to catch her breath.

"I warn't much of a gentleman. I promise it won't happen again."

"Don't ya dare promise that!" Izzy said in a scoldin' tone. "I never cared what my first kiss would be like 'til I met ya, and I think as kisses go, that had to be one of the best." She placed her hand on my cheek, forcin' me to look at her. "And ya'd never hear a word of complaint if ya was to kiss me like that for the rest of my life."

When she put it that way, I couldn't help but kiss her again.

**************************************A/N**************************************
A/N Maybe one more today….