EPOV:

''Morning.'' I greeted as Bella's eyes fluttered open. She smiled at me and I smiled back, as she stretched her arms and legs.

''Morning, birthday boy.'' She said. I rolled my eyes as she snuggled into my open arms. ''Hey, don't roll your eyes at me, mister. I've already told you; your birth means everything to me and I'll be damned if I don't celebrate it.'' She said, narrowing her eyes teasingly at me.

''And damned is the keyword. What's the point of celebrating a birthday if you live forever, never aging?'' I asked, rhetorically.

''But I put so much thought into your present.'' She pouted.

''Bella, you didn't need to get me anything.'' I said, kissing her forehead. She just sighed in return. After a short while of silence I couldn't stop myself from asking. ''Just out of curiosity…what did you get me?'' I asked in a murmur, my hand beginning to stroke her hair.

''Doesn't matter. If you don't want to celebrate, I guess that means no presents.'' She let out another sigh. I knew she was just teasing me. But I also knew that she knew I was an unbelievably curious person.

Bella wouldn't buy a present with someone else's money, and she didn't have any money of her own, so what could she possibly get me? Knowing my Bella, I knew it had to be something she had put very much thought into – just as she had just said. At times she would over think things – though, I would do the same at times, one of the many things we had in common.

I knew something homemade was a possibility. But then again, Bella was always so critical of herself, even when there wasn't even the slightest reason for critic. When it came to everyone else, it seemed she couldn't muster a cruel thought if her life depended on it. But with herself, she could easily find something to criticize, so therefore even if she provided perfection, it wouldn't even be good enough. So what in the world had she gotten me?

''Alright. You can celebrate.'' I sighed, desperate to find out what my present was.

''Thank you.'' She grinned, giving me a peck on the lips.

''YES!'' I heard Emmett exclaim in his head.

''But no one else!'' I added in a louder voice, looking at the floor.

''But I have the perfect idea! Now that you're a real man, you can celebrate your birthday like one, too! I can get us into the VIP area in the best strip club in Port Angeles! You'll love it!'' He thought.

''No, Emmett.'' I growled, very much repulsed by my brother's idea of good entertainment.

''What's he saying? Or thinking – or whatever he's doing?'' Bella asked.

''He wants to take me to a strip club. His way of celebrating my first birthday where I'm not a virgin.'' I told, rolling my eyes.

''Ouch!'' Emmett muttered, after Rosalie hit him on the back of his head.

''Oh.'' She breathed. Then blushed and as she let out a giggle, nuzzling her face against my wifebeater – I had taken to dress in what could be deemed as pajamas, when Bella went to sleep and I joined to watch her, which was my idea of good entertainment, though, entertainment didn't exactly seem as the right word to use for it.

''What's so funny?'' I asked.

''I'm not sure.'' She giggled. ''I guess I just feel giddy.'' She said. I was glad to see her in such a good mood, but still suspicious.

''Rosalie didn't slip you any alcohol, did she?'' I asked, teasingly.

''Why are you accusing me? Why not Emmett?'' Rosalie asked, however I chose to ignore her and everyone else's thoughts.

''You tell me.'' She replied.

''Up and rise, Miss Sunshine and Mr. Birthday Boy!'' Alice said, knocking rapidly on the door. She opened the door just a second later, holding a hand in front of her eyes as she came in. ''Are you decent?'' She asked, her expression serious but her voice teasing.

''Will you leave if we say no?'' I asked.

''Nope. But I'll keep my eyes closed, that's for sure.'' She said.

''Are the guys ready?'' Bella asked.

''Ready for what?'' I asked.

''Yup.'' Alice said, popping the p, as she opened her eyes. The two girls exchanged secretive smiles, but neither answered my question. When I was about to repeat it, I heard Alice's smug thoughts. ''We've taught Bella well. She's almost as sneaky as Rosalie, though, that bar is way up in the sky. But she's definitely as sneaky as me. Well, when she wants to be, at least. I am so proud of her!'' She thought, telling me nothing specific of what she was going on about.

''Bella, what's going on?'' I asked.

''Oh, nothing.'' She said.

''Really?'' I asked. She nodded. I pushed her back on the bed, ignoring Alice's presence, and leaned down so our faces were just a mere inch away from each other. ''Bella.'' I whispered in a husky voice, staring deeply into her eyes as the tip of my fingers trailed up her arm. She shuddered. ''You know I can't read your mind and very much dislike being left in the unknown. So, love, how about you tell me what's going on in that pretty little mind of yours?'' I whispered, gliding my lips over her cheek, not putting enough pressure for a kiss, but enough pressure to make her shudder once more, as I made sure to keep my eyes on hers.

''I, um…at the store…I bou-'' She started whispering in a dazed voice, but was cut off by Alice quickly pushing me on the floor and pulling Bella up from the bed, making her come to a stand next to her. ''Edward! Are you okay?''

''I'm fine, love.'' I said, standing.

''Hey! You tried to dazzle the answer out of me! No fair!'' She said, huffing and pouting.

''Boys are ready, and so is your breakfast. You just get him dressed.'' Alice whispered to Bella before disappearing out the door.

''Edward. I can't believe you.'' Bella pouted. I ran over to her, wrapping my arms around her, but she stayed unmoving. It was clear that she was very upset with my attempt at dazzling her – and it would have succeeded, had it not been for Alice.

''Are you very angry with me?'' I asked, remorsefully. She sighed.

''I could never be angry with you, Edward. But…can't I be allowed to surprise you on your birthday?'' She asked.

''Of course, love.'' I said, kissing her forehead. She stayed unresponsive, however, and I knew my words weren't good enough. ''I apologize. I am truly sorry for upsetting you and I promise to let you surprise me, if that is what makes you happy. And I won't try and dazzle you, either.'' I said. She smiled and finally wrapped her arms around me.

''Thank you.'' She reached up on her tiptoes and gave me another peck on the lips, still smiling when she pulled away. ''And you dazzle me with just your mere presence. It's when you use full force I spill my guts. Other times you just leave me…bedazzled.'' She murmured. ''Now get dressed.'' She said, patting my chest in a teasing manner before she walked over to the dresser next to mine.

Alice had bought another, claiming that it would be impossible for us to share only one, as she already had to store most of Bella's clothes in her walk-in closet even with five dressers. I wasn't quite sure if she truly didn't have any space left in her giant closet, or if it was just an excuse for her to buy a dresser, probably tired of only buying clothes.

As if. She'll never get tired of that. I thought.

''Might I ask where we are going?'' I looked at her curiously.

''Oh, I'm not going anyway.'' She said as she pulled out an all too familiar blue dress. I couldn't help but groan at the memory and she looked at me with a raised eyebrow. ''Oh.'' Her eyebrow fell and a smirk appeared on her lips. ''I remember now. You liked this dress, didn't you?'' She teased.

''If we aren't going anywhere, why do we need to get dressed? We could just stay in bed and talk.'' I offered, avoiding her teasing question.

''I said I wasn't going anywhere. You are going somewhere, mister.'' She said as she walked into the bathroom, leaving me confused.

I changed into a pair of black jeans and a dark blue button-down shirt as I waited for Bella to exit from the bathroom. I preferred to question her when she came out, disliking not being able to look at her while we spoke. When she did exit I couldn't help gaping at her. The dress complimented her curves very well and made her look absolutely stunning. The color contrasted well with her pale skin, and the dress's length showed off her legs – they seemed to be miles long in that particular dress.

I had only seen it on her once and I had been so distracted by how alluring and seductive her scent had been, – I had yet to find out how it had changed – that I had not thoroughly seen how beautiful she looked in it. However, the dress she had worn afterwards had been far more beautiful, though, in a somewhat different way. The dress she wore now was stunning, whilst the other had just been plain…sexy.

''I'm guessing you still like it.'' Bella smiled and blushed, her eyes set on the floor.

''You look beautiful.'' I murmured.

''You don't look so bad yourself, handsome.'' She said, biting her lip.

''Jeez, what's taking so long? I don't hear any screaming or moaning, so I guess he's still being prudish. I doubt someone who's been protecting his virtue for a century can be very good in the sack, anyway. Maybe I should give him some tips.'' Emmett thought.

''Alice said fifteen minutes. But that was nine minutes ago. So, six minutes. Or, I hope so. I'd hate to see her be wrong.'' Jasper thought.

''Bella is such a sweetheart. I might not know what plans she has for Edward's birthday, but the gesture is still very kind.'' Esme thought.

''Bella is so lucky Edward's birthday was on a Saturday, this year. Isn't it the first time it is, actually? It's mostly a Friday or Thursday. Hmmm…guess that girl just has luck on her side.'' Rosalie thought.

''Come on, Bella! God! Come on, come on, come on!'' Alice's thought, impatiently and rather loudly.

''I wonder what Bella's plans are. Alice and Rosalie, along with herself, seem quite secretive about it.'' Carlisle thought.

''Why does it seem as if everyone is waiting for me, downstairs?'' I asked, frowning.

''The family is taking you out on a birthday hunt.'' Bella said. I raised an eyebrow at her, both curious and confused. ''Alice located a couple of grizzly bears just outside of Forks. And as a special add, she found a mountain lion just for you, not that far away. You mentioned it was your favorite, once. But technically that's their present, not mine.'' She said.

''And what is your present?'' I asked.

''Technically, there's more than one. And you'll just have to wait and see.'' She said, wrapping her arms around my neck.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and kissed her with vigor, lifting her slightly up in the air. My desire – along with my lust – had seemed to grow for her since our night together, even though it seemed quite impossible. It seemed that now that I had a taste of heaven, I wanted more. Like an alcoholic thirsting for fine wine, or a drug addict desiring heroine. It sounded strange, but it truly seemed that that was how it was between Bella and me.

It was rather hard to decide whether her body or her blood was the heroine, as both seemed equally strong, now. I was rather proud to say that Bella's blood didn't affect me in a torturous way as strongly as it used to. Perhaps my lust had been split between her body and her blood – the first, at the moment, seemed stronger, as we had only been together once, well twice, all those weeks ago.

''What was that for?'' She asked, panting slightly when I pulled away to let her breath.

''I thought, since it was my birthday, I deserved a birthday kiss.'' I said, winking. She leaned up on her tiptoes and we shared another kiss, very much alike the first. I had to be the one to pull away once again, as Bella seemed oblivious to the fact that her lungs needed air. ''I'm starting to like my birthday.'' I chuckled.

''Me too.'' She giggled. ''Now, you better get going. The faster you leave, the faster you will be able to come back home.'' She said.

''On one condition.'' I said. She pushed her lips but didn't reply. I got my cell phone – Bella had already been given my number for when I went out to hunt, so she could call me from the home phone, for any reason – and held it up. ''I get to take a picture of you in that stunning dress.'' I said.

''Edward.'' She murmured, blushing, clearly not keen on the idea. I pouted, trying to win her over.

''One picture, love. Just so I have something to look at when I'm missing you. I can't bear to be away from your beauty for longer than a second.'' I said. She rolled her eyes but didn't protest. ''So…may I?'' I asked. She nodded, her eyes on the floor and her arms behind her. She always had a way of looking so innocent and angel-like. ''What? No smile?'' I teased, smiling myself. She bit her lip and looked up at me, the corners of her lips turned up. Her face was red and her eyes were looking at me from under her eyelashes. I snapped the picture, one thought running through my head.

She's perfect.

''Thank you, love.'' I said, looking at my phone's screen. ''Sadly, the picture does not do you justice.'' I walked over and kissed her cheek. ''But I love how it has captured your beautiful innocence.'' I added in a murmur.

''Charmer.'' She mumbled. ''Now, go!'' She ordered, pointing towards the door. I chuckled, pecking her lips once more before I went down to join my family by the door.

''About time!'' Emmett exclaimed. I ignored him and walked over to Alice, giving her an unserious glare.

''What are you turning my Bella into?'' I asked.

''You'd think it was me…but actually…'' She pointed, towards the person next to her, with her thump.

''Rosalie?'' I questioned, feeling surprised – but then again, not really. ''What are you up to?'' I asked.

''Hey, it was all Bella's idea. She just asked for some tips.'' Rosalie said, making sure her thoughts didn't reveal anything.

''What kind of tips?'' I asked, both curious and concerned.

''You'll see.'' Was her reply.

''If we don't leave in for the next hour, the herd of grizzly bears I saw will come past two hikers and maul them.'' Alice warned.

''Like hell they will. Let's get those rotten bastards!'' Emmett smirked as he flew out of the door. I decided to just go along with everything – for Bella.

…

''You wanna play, huh?'' Emmett grinned as he walked in a circle, his eyes locked with his prey. The bear growled which just made his grin widen – if that was even possible. Emmett loved hunting – especially bears. ''Grrrr, back at you.'' He said as he crouched.

''Emmett.'' I sighed, rolling my eyes.

''What Prudy McMoody?'' He asked, his eyes still on the bear.

''Prudy McMoody?'' I questioned.

''Taunting names used by a member of one's family are created to be despised or simply disliked – not discussed.'' He said.

''Why don't you use your expanded vocabulary on a daily basis?'' I asked from my position, leaning against a tree with crossed arms in the shadows so as to not get the bear's attention.

''Because I'm normal.'' He replied, smirking.

''You're a vampire dancing fandango with a bear you're about to eat. How is that normal?'' I asked.

''I'm not talking like this is still the 20th century. And even though I haven't lived as long as you, I've still had more sex than you.'' He said.

''That's because I don't see intimacy between two people as a way to past time with.'' I rolled my eyes.

''Then do tell, Almighty King of Sex, what is it?'' He rolled his eyes as well. I leaned my head against the tree, closing my eyes. I had no idea why I was discussing this with him – or why I said what I did next.

''When you're together with the person you love more than life itself and wish to spend eternity with them, the closeness and intimacy of making love becomes the most consuming feeling you can ever have. You connect with each other, not only physically but mentally as well. The rare feeling along with the lust and love spinning in your head during these acts cannot ever be replaced nor compared to anything else in the world. You are unconsciously devoting yourself to one another – making a promise of forever. And then you just lay in absolute bliss.'' I whispered.

I heard feral growls being exchanged and then heard the bear's neck, breaking – snapped by Emmett, of course. I opened my eyes and saw him looking at his prey with triumph, an arrogant smirk plastered all over his face. I doubted he had listened to a single word I had said, which wasn't much of a surprise. Even if he had listened, he would surely just come with what he believed to be a witty comeback.

When he finished draining the bear of all its blood and taking care of the corpse, he walked over to me. I hadn't expected to see the soft and somewhat brotherly expression on his face as he took a hold of my shoulder, smiling – for a moment I felt rather fearful of what was coming next, as I hadn't encountered this side of him before. His mind was thinking over my words so I would have never have predicted what he said next.

''You really love her, don't you?'' He asked.

''Of course I do.'' I said without hesitating, slightly confused – why did it seem like none of them believed that I loved Bella?

''No, dude. I mean like vampire love.'' He said. I frowned. ''What? Carlisle didn't talk to you about it?'' He asked. I had had a lot of talks with Carlisle about mine and Bella's relationship, but the words 'vampire love' was not something he had mentioned.

''Do tell.'' I urged, still frowning.

''Well, I was pretty much surprised about how crazy I was for Rosie at first, so I talked about it with Carlisle because of all that stuff he said about vampire senses being stronger than humans'. And then he told me some pretty interesting stuff. Love is like all consuming for vampires. It can change them, renew them and even bring the once who felt damned back to life. He said that vampires devote themselves to their chosen mates, and that's why they don't just choose anyone. Those vampires, who do part with their mates, only do so because they won't feel the full devoting love unless it's the right mate. From what I've just heard from you and with what Carlisle told me, I can tell this is definitely something that's gonna hold forever.'' He said.

Is this seriously my bear of a brother? Where does Emmett hide this side of himself? I thought, slightly admiring.

He patted my back before he began to run through the woods. He stopped, however, and turned back to look at me. He ran back to me, his thoughts still focused on my words. But the expression on his face had changed.

''Oh, and one more thing.'' He said, grinning.

''What?'' I asked, looking at him cautiously.

''And then you just lay in absolute bliss.'' He repeated in a girly voice, batting his eyelashes at me. ''God, could you be more of a chick?'' He chuckled as he began to run off once more.

Yup. That's Emmett.

…

''Ready…set…go!'' Alice threw her arms in the air, and Emmett and I sprung forth.

''Come on, Emmett! Come on, come on! I've got my money on you!'' Rosalie shouted.

''Go, Edward!'' Jasper cheered.

''Be careful with your clothes, sweethearts.'' Esme worried. Carlisle simply chuckled from his place next to her, his arm around her waist. Alice was bouncing in place, and Jasper and Rosalie were swinging their clenched fists around in the air.

''No cheating.'' Carlisle said, his eyes on Emmett. And I was thankful he did, because Emmett was about to let images of him and Rosalie run through his head – luckily he didn't think about the images, he only thought about how he could have used them to his advantage.

''Chug, chug, chug, chug…!'' My siblings chanted as they cheered us on. I knew I would win, however.

''Done.'' I smirked as I removed myself from the bear's neck, seeing Emmett still draining his. I knew I would win – Emmett couldn't stop playing with his food before eating, or rather killing and drinking.

''Alice, the verdict?'' Jasper asked. She walked over my prey, then looked at Jasper and Rosalie.

''Edward wins.'' She said, lifting my arm in the air.

''Damn it!'' Emmett cursed as he let his prey fall to the ground. ''I was almost done!'' He groaned.

''Pay up!'' Jasper grinned as both Emmett and Rosalie handed him fifty dollars each. ''You're good, Em. But we all know Edward's the fastest – drinking and running.'' He said as he put the money in his pocket.

''Bet he finishes quick in bed as well.'' Emmett snorted.

''Not from what I've heard.'' Rosalie said. Everyone – including myself – looked towards her with surprise. Before she realized our staring, a thought – or rather a memory – ran through her mind.

An image of Bella blushing and Rosalie smiling at her. Rosalie thought about how they were all alone in the house, as Esme and Alice had just went shopping, while Carlisle was at work and the rest of the 'boys' were out hunting. She had been curious and had never found a moment alone with Bella.

''Come on, Bella. It's just me. I'm just curious because Edward's been so prudish his whole life, I doubt he would know much of what to do. He probably just went on instincts, and vampires' instincts are usually greedy.'' Rosalie said in her memory.

''Actually he was…'' Bella couldn't seem to stop blushing. Rosalie gave her an encouraging smile, extremely curious. ''Promise not to tell anyone.'' She begged in a timid voice. Rosalie nodded, eagerly. ''He was…amazing. I don't even know which time was better, he was so-''

''Hold on! 'Which time?' How many times were there?'' Rosalie interrupted. Bella blushed and Rosalie smirked, proud of her future sister-in-law. ''Is he small? 'Cause I've always suspected he was small and that was why he'd never had sex before – though, I don't think vampires can be small.'' She said. Bella bit her lip and fidgeted with her hands.

''Actually, he's…um…'' She cleared her throat. ''He's…big. Like…really big.'' She told. ''I thought he-''

Then the memory stopped before Bella could finish her sentence. Rosalie looked at us and her eyes widened as she looked at me, knowing from the expression on my face that I had seen the memory. I knew that if it was possible, I would be blushing.

''She…talked to you…about that?'' I asked, shocked.

''Damn it! I promised you wouldn't find out.'' Rosalie groaned. ''Do not mention it to her! She'll never trust me with anything again!'' She glared at me. I nodded, but couldn't help but wonder.

''Did she mention anything…um…'' I found myself being the embarrassed one. I ran over to Rosalie and pulled her to the side, keeping my words too quiet for the others to hear. ''Did she say anything negative?'' I asked. She smirked at me.

''Well, well…Edward Cullen is insecure. You don't see that every day.'' She said.

''Rosalie.'' I growled. She frowned. ''What?'' I asked.

''Well, for some reason she thinks your growls are sexy.'' She whispered too quietly for the others to hear as well, however, my psychic sister started giggling as she looked at us.

''What about mentioning the breaking?'' Alice giggled, loud enough for everyone to hear.

''Alice!'' I hissed.

''What breaking?'' Emmett asked. Esme acted nonchalant about what we were talking about, well knowing about the breaking as she had been the one to replace everything.

''Alice, where did you say that mountain lion was?'' I asked.

''What breaking?'' Emmett repeated.

''Just this way.'' Alice said, starting to run. I followed along with the rest of the family.

''Seriously! What breaking?!'' Emmett yelled.