Sorry I didn't update sooner! I've been stressed out at work...waitressing is not fun. You can make really awesome money, but sometimes the stress feels like more than the money. A.K.A. I am going to look for a new part-time job soon. I'd really like to go back to retail. haha.

Anyway, you don't want to hear me whining, you want to be taken away into another world. Here is chapter 25 in all of it's freaking awesomeness. :)

P.S. 10 reviews please. I need motivation to spend my time editing this and stuff to post it for you. Haha. Also, I'm trying out this "beta reading" stuff on fan fic, so if you want something read over and schtuff, look at my profile and send me a message or something. haha

DISCLAIMER: I do not claim to own the characters, hence, this disclaimer. I do own the plot though, I claim that, haha.

Chapter 25: I Had to Stop Myself

Edward practically dragged me into more stores just to try and make me buy things; eventually I grew tired of walking around trying things on so I gave him a look and he understood. "I suppose I can get a bit carried away when I'm driven by the feeling of wanting to spite my parents. I'm sorry," He sighed as we walked to the edge of the sidewalk to hail a taxi.

Once we'd arrived back at his residence and put my bags in my room, I was ready to take a nap. Edward's parents were home so that stifled him for the time being, it didn't stop him from trying to kiss me every moment he could.

We'd missed lunch for all of the shopping but his parents decided to break their routine and let us have lunch at two o'clock in the afternoon.

They didn't join us, which I was thankful for, but I still felt like I had to behave properly. "You can relax if you want to. They're a few rooms over," He smiled as he talked with a mouthful of steak. I rolled my eyes trying to look annoyed and it made him laugh. "I wish they could see you the way I do…truly. They'd think you were an absolutely amazing woman." He sighed happily and grabbed my hand from across the table.

"I doubt they'll like me in a week Edward…" I admitted pathetically.

He took a few more bites of his steak and finally talked again, "They want to spend the day with us tomorrow."

I nearly choked on my tiny bite of steak, "W-What?"

He motioned for me to drink some water as he continued talking. "They knew I wasn't joking when I said I'd leave early if they didn't treat you better. They want to try to get to know you better," He shrugged as if that would alleviate my anxiety.

"What are we supposed to do with them? I can't sit across the room from you in a chair for the entire day," That's what I'd pictured for some reason.

"No, good gracious no," He smiled, "They've actually decided to take you around town to see how you handle various things."

Okay so I wasn't Ms. Etiquette of America, but British etiquette was another thing entirely. This felt like some reality show where the star of the show is subjected to something humiliating and realizes it is being taped as well. "Edward," I grabbed the curved end of the chair arm and gave him a slightly terrified look.

"Don't worry Bella; I'll take care of you. I won't let them do anything horrible to you. If they try to I'll just have to embarrass them," He leaned his head down to catch my gaze.

I gave him a comforted smile, "Still my Superman." He winked at me and went back to eating.

Later that evening I found myself in an intimidating library at least fifteen feet tall. My jaw just dropped when I looked around and saw how many books there were in here; had they read all of these or were they just decoration? I walked slowly around the walls looking at as many books as I could without standing still. "A first edition of Alice in Wonderland?" I almost gasped really loud in shock; that was worth more than ten thousand dollars or something.

I looked around to make sure no one had entered the room and deftly pulled the book from the shelf just below eyelevel. The book still looked brand new so I carefully cracked it open and read one of the pages. I shut it and put it back where it had been; that would be something to tell my mother about when I got home.

Someone started to open the door so I turned to see if there was anywhere to run and hide; there was a space in the corner on the same wall as the door. I dashed over to it just as whomever it was stepped into the room.

My eyes were shut and I didn't even remember closing them; the footsteps seemed fairly confident, but almost if this person were being a little cautious.

The footsteps drew nearer to me so I stopped breathing and curled my hands up into fists; what would I say if someone found me in the corner? 'Oh, sorry, I'm afraid of large tall rooms so I decided to hide out here in the corner!'

Everything was completely silent; I couldn't hear anything and I wondered if the person had left the room. I wondered if it was safe to at least breathe, but I decided I'd rather open my eyes before I made any noises…just in case.

Right as I opened my eyes, a hand grazed my stomach and slid over to my waist. My mouth opened to breathe in to scream but another hand clamped over my mouth.

"It's just me!" Edward smiled. I let out a loud huff behind his hand and momentarily rolled my eyes upward.

He laughed quietly and pulled me out of the corner to lean me against one of the bookcases, "What are you doing in the corner of the library?"

"Hiding…" I blurted out.

"Hiding from whom?" He grinned and placed his hands on my waist.

"I don't know, I was afraid one of your parents was coming in and I didn't know if they'd get ticked off that I was in here…" I sighed and let my head fall back onto the books.

"It's just a library…you can come in if you like. Just don't go into their bedroom and you won't have a problem," He nodded.

I was slightly exhausted from the constant pressure of trying not to screw something up; it was a little annoying too. "I'm starting to change my mind about the whole eloping thing," I laughed to try and lighten my own mood.

"Oh come on, even I am excited about a wedding!" He grinned and pulled me into a hug.

"Your parents would never consider trying to help after meeting me," I hugged him tightly around the neck.

"Stop talking like that, I'm serious. You're making me feel depressed!" He frowned and grasped the back of my head.

I smiled and looked up at him, "Frowning is not a good look for you," I stood up on my toes and laid one on his poufy lips.

Before I could put my feet solidly on the ground, he had me up in his arms and against the bookshelf, "Three days without you is driving me insane. I don't care if they're here, I need you now."

My shirt was halfway up my torso when the door flew open and his mother's voice screeched at us. In absolute horror, I pushed him away from me and yanked my shirt down.

I could feel my face prickle with heat as my face flushed; Edward was trying to talk back to her but she just kept yelling. Oh god, I could feel my throat tightening as the tears tried to slip out of my eyes onto my red cheeks.

It took about three seconds for everything to happen and suddenly I flew past the both of them and ran up to my guest room. I locked the door and went into the bathroom, which I also locked.

My eyes produced an absurd amount of tears; there was no way they would ever approve of Edward marrying me now. Tomorrow would have to be called off for certain, there was no way his mother would be anywhere near me after that.

The noise and shouting from those few seconds were still playing in my head and ringing loudly in my ears. Maybe it was just my ghastly sobbing that made my ears ring, but after some amount of time had passed I could hear someone knocking very loudly.

At this point I couldn't be sure who it was; maybe Edward was trying to get in to make sure I was all right but I couldn't keep the fear out of me that it was one of his parents trying to get in to make me leave.

I don't know how long I sat on the floor of that fancy bathroom, but eventually I cried so much I felt like I wanted to throw up. My mother always told me not to cry for more than ten minutes because too much more and I'd probably end up barfing. What do you know, she was right?

"Bella, open the door, please!" Edward's voice came through the doors and walls and he sounded tired.

My brain had shut down when I heard that door open in the library; I figured he would comfort me and would either say that his parents wanted us to leave or that they were just incredibly ticked off and he had managed to calm them down a bit. No matter what he could have said, I knew I looked horrible from crying and nothing could make me feel better on the inside.

He kept knocking and calling to me to open the door but I couldn't bring myself to even get off the bathroom floor. For some reason I just hoped he'd stop knocking and leave me alone.

Another twenty minutes passed and he finally stopped knocking; I could tell he'd stopped because there was a loud bang against the door and then all the noise stopped.

I stood up and washed my face off in the sink before daring to look at my reflection. When I brought my head up, my eyes were red, my eyelids were pink and swollen, and I had horrible tear streaks on my face. Did I forget to say my hair looked like a cat had just played with it like it would a ball of string?

Thankfully I had everything I needed to take a shower right in this very room so I turned the water on, took my clothes off, and soaked under the hot water for a little while. Once I was sure I was emotionally balanced, I turned the water off and started drying myself.

A few hours went by and I walked around my room making myself feel worse again for what had happened in the library. I locked myself into the bathroom again and sat on top of the commode.

It sounded like someone was scratching something on the door, but before I could make out what exactly was happening I recognized the sound of a door opening. Did these doors have keys?

"Bella?" Edward called as if he were in a crowded room at a party. I sighed and knocked my hand against the bathroom door.

He rushed over and tried to open the door but it was locked, "Bella, for god's sake would you open the d*mn door?"

"Edward, your parents hate me!" I wailed; did I have water left in my body?

"Baby, no they don't! I promise. Would you please open the door? I haven't not been with you this long in a while…I miss you." It sounded like he laughed at the end.

That was pretty darn true, we absolutely hated being away from each other and this was the longest we hadn't been around each other in a long time…all my doing. Go idiotic me!

I opened the door and sighed. He stood there and looked down at me, "Sweetheart I'm so sorry…I shouldn't have done that. It was my fault."

"Oh god, no it wasn't," I threw my arms around him and exhaled sharply.

His hands grasped onto my back, "Yes it was. If I would just learn to control myself, that wouldn't have happened."

"They would have gotten mad even if you'd just had your hands on my waist. I feel so stupid…" I grumbled.

"It wasn't your fault," He leaned his cheek against the top of my head; I felt very warm with his arms around me and his head against mine.

"Don't ever lock me out like that again…I felt like I was dying the entire time I was behind that door." He sighed and lifted my head up.

"I'm sorry…I felt so absolutely horrified and my eyes just exploded with tears…" I hugged him tighter, but he lifted my head back up and kissed me hard.

My hands went up to his head and I tried to pull his head closer as if his lips could be pushed any closer than they already were. He pulled his head back up and just hugged me, "You don't need to be crying…but promise me that if you ever do again that you'll let me be there so I can offer my shoulder as your personal tissue." I laughed and invoked a smile from him.

"I promise." I placed my hands on his jaw and kissed him.

Thankfully he'd shut the door after he came in so no one saw us have the make out fest of the year on my guest bed. He almost convinced me to go the rest of the way but I told him 'no' for fear of them hearing. Who knows how long I would have locked myself in the bathroom if they'd caught us doing something more sexual than kissing?

I shuddered at the thought.

Hahahahaha. I know this may sound really conceited and narcissistic, but sometimes the things I write make me crack up. Or maybe it's because it's late and I'm tired. *yawn*

So I bet some of you were thinking, "Psh, I woulda yelled right back at that mean old Mrs. Cullen. Show her what's what and that she's not the boss of me!" haha. that'd be pretty funny to rewrite like that...hmmmm. interesting thought. haha.

But yeah, what'd you think? TELL ME.

Reminder: 10 reviews.

I love you all.

P.S. Inception is awesome and you need to see it. Also, "Lungs" by Florence + the Machine is sooooo amazing. Buy the album.

*ShiningStarr*