Author's Note: Well, here's the last chapter. Thank you for all the wonderful support! Stay tuned for the sequel I SET YOU FREE.

What I've Been Looking For

I melted into Edward's arms. It was a very long time before he loosened his grip on my waist and pulled away slightly to disconnect our lips. I opened my eyes and found myself staring into his perfect golden orbs. The knight in shining armor wore a bright crooked smile even though his hair was matted in the rain and his suit was dripping wet.

"I think we should go back inside," he suggested. I frowned, not wanting to return to the party. Edward smiled and reached over to sweep a strand of wet hair from my face. "I don't want to either but I don't really want to be hunted down by your father." We both laughed at this comment as he turned to lead me back toward the mansion.

It was then that I realized that my dress had soaked up so much rainwater that it felt like it would to slip off if I took a step. I halted, startling Edward. He turned around to look at me with concern in his beautiful eyes.

"What's the matter?" He questioned, examining me carefully.

I didn't really know how to answer. Would it sound strange if I said, "My dress is falling off so I can't walk"? Still, he was waiting for my answer. I wracked my brain for even one decent way to explain the situation. I didn't come up with any. I took a deep breath and hoped that he didn't question my request.

"Edward, this may sound a bit strange, but can you carry me?" I was gripping the top of my skirt tightly, carrying most of the weight of the dress in my hands.

He looked at me blankly, boring into my eyes to find an answer. I was afraid of this. Suddenly, he smiled and bent down to sweep me into his arms. I snaked my arms around his neck and laid my head against his chest as he walked toward the door.

"Bella, why aren't you wearing any shoes?" Edward asked. I looked down at my feet and noticed that my dress was leaving huge amounts of water on the tiled floor of the mansion. I pulled my gaze away from the floor and noticed that my dress had bunched up enough to make my feet visible.

"I tore them off when I was looking for you." I smiled sheepishly as I remembered my impulsive reactions. "Heels aren't the most practical shoes to be wearing while you're running outside in the rain," I confessed, wriggling my toes. He chuckled and towed me upstairs. He didn't seem to mind my weight at all.

"Am I heavy?" He looked down at me and shook his head.

"Actually, you are quite light even with the weight of this dress," he answered smiling. I gasped and he laughed.

"You knew why I wanted you to carry me?"

"I didn't know until I picked you up," he corrected. He turned into the hall that led to the ballroom.

"Wait, I can't go in there like this!" I protested.

"Of course not." I glanced over Edward's shoulder to see my father standing at the end of the hall right outside the double doors of the ballroom. He gave me a falsely reproachful look and waved his hand.

It was as if I hadn't been outside at all. My shoes were even strapped securely onto my feet. Edward's suit and hair was now sleek and free of dripping rainwater. My father had even added a simple black mask for him. He was beaming with joy and so was I.

"The guest of honor should not run off in the middle of the party," my father said. "And she should not return to the room in the arms of someone she has yet to introduce to her guests."

Edward obediently put me back on my feet and my father crossed to me. He wore a handsome white suit that was no doubt designed by Evelyn and, though he looked young enough to be my brother, his eyes held all the wisdom of his years.

"Darling, I believe I have the first dance," he reminded me, offering his arm.

"Yes, you do." I linked my hand through his arm and walked with him into the ballroom.

The doors swung open dramatically just as the song that was playing faded to silence. Everyone turned to watch as my father led me to the center of the dance floor. The couples who had already been in place on the floor made room for us as we waited for the next song to begin; I glanced over at the stage and saw Evelyn quickly searching for a song suitable for a waltz. My father smiled as the music began; it was his favorite dance and it was also the first one he had ever taught me. He stepped away from me and bowed as he offered me his hand. I took it and we started to dance.

The room passed me in a blur. I was able to detect each and every step my father was going to make and move with him without thinking. The heavy folds of fabric swung gracefully behind me and I blessed Evelyn silently for her brilliant design. The only thing I was able to pick out of the crowd was Edward's thunderstruck face. I had to fight to hold back laughter at his dumbfounded expression.

"You resemble a heavenly angel tonight," my father said drawing my attention back to his face. I could tell by his tone that I wasn't supposed to answer to that so I smiled and kept quiet as he went on. "Darling, I always knew that you would pick the best of the best. That boy absolutely adores you with every cell in his body." I grinned sheepishly.

"I know."

"Then, you do not doubt his love?" My father said, suddenly gravely serious. I nodded but was a bit troubled by my observation. He said nothing more and seemed to be in deep thought so I dared not interrupt him. The dance ended a few minutes later and my father kissed me on the cheek.

"My daughter has finally grown up," he whispered before backing away and bowing to me once more without a trace of the strange expression he held a moment ago. I bent slowly into a graceful curtsy not forgetting my manners.

I scanned the room for Edward and saw him near the door still staring at me. I smiled and motioned for him to come over. He strode over to me with an adorably awed expression on his.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"You looked as if you were never touched the ground once," he replied.

"Am I that good?" He didn't say anything, but the answer was obvious in his expression. I smiled smugly as I looked up at him. "Do you dance?" Alice, who was spinning elegantly around the floor with Jasper, caught my eye and grinned.

"Of course he does," she blurted before letting out a giggle. Edward snapped out of his stupor and bowed slightly with one hand behind his back and one held out to take mine.

"May I have this dance?" He asked, his eyes never leaving mine.

I placed my hand in his and allowed him to pull me into the center of the room. He held my right hand securely in his and his other hand rested lightly on the small of my back. I placed my left hand on his shoulder and he immediately swept me into the dance.

Edward was a terrific dancer and he danced with passion. He performed complicated spins and footwork flawlessly. At one point, the other dancers backed off of the floor and watched us, but I couldn't really see who was watching; we were moving too quickly.

We performed the tango, foxtrot, Viennese waltz, mambo, and rumba spun away in a flash. The final song came to an end and Edward spun me into a deep dip. I let out a big breath while everyone clapped. Edward pulled me up into his chest and kissed me hard on the lips.

"You are absolutely amazing," he said breathlessly when he finally pulled away.

"You aren't so bad yourself," I teased. Another song started, but we didn't move. We were entirely too wrapped up in each other.

"Bella, I love you," he whispered passionately. "I love for-" I placed a finger on his lips to stop the words before he said them.

"I love you too, but don't promise me anything," I requested.

"But, why?" he asked hesitantly. I sighed and smiled sadly at him.

Because then you won't ever have to break it," I told him. "Because I know, all too well, that things change. And if one day you choose to leave, Edward, I will set you free." He opened his mouth to protest but I shook my head. "No arguments. Let's just enjoy tonight. After all, it is my birthday party."

He nodded and swayed with me to the slow music. I allowed myself to get lost in his eyes and melt in his arms. I forgot entirely of my father's strange question and concentrated on the moment. I had finally found what I was looking for, and as long as he was here, nothing else mattered.

Author's Note: Cough Cough Foreshadowing. Bye for now! If you have me on your Author Alert list then you don't have to worry about not knowing when the sequel is posted, but if you don't, I suggest you add me.