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(Edward POV)

I could not sleep.

Not one bit.

Bella lays curled up into my side, softly breathing. Her chest rises and falls with each breath.

So peaceful.

I carefully untangle her from me and walk around the apartment. It's a cute place, really. It's quite a change from the mansion of a house I live in, but I like it. It makes me feel normal. It's not so fragile; it's homey. Lived in. It's clean, warm, cozy, and peaceful. It suits Bella. That's why I never offered her to come and stay at my place. That and the fact that my family will be coming home next week. It's the first week of the New Year, a fresh start. Too bad I have my past lingering in the shadows.

I make sure all the bags are packed.

She still doesn't know where we're going.

I smile.

I hope she likes Hawaii. I've never been there, but Ma has and she suggested I take Bella there. I flip open my phone and text Ma.

Thanks again for the suggestion, Ma. Can't wait. Love you. See you soon.

I'm still on rough terms with my family, apart from Alice and Ma. Alice and Ma are on my side, actuaqlly. they just don't want to start a huge tiff with the family so they keep it to themselves. I don't blame them. Alice wants to meet Bella again. Ma wants to see Bella, too. The four of us have to get together apparently.

Lovely.

I'm glad that part of my family is on my side though.

I don't even know if I'm on my side. There's just so much Bella is giving up for me.

I shake my head and my phone vibrates in my hand. I flip it open and read the message.

Have a great time. Call me ASAP! I want to hear how everything is. Miss you. XOXOXOXO.

Of course.

That's so Ma.

My phone call must have woke her up. Wait, what time is it there? Too lazy to check, I yawn, stretch and walk back into the bedroom. I watch Bella for a moment. She's curled into an even tighter ball, her head flowing along the pillow in curls. I doubt it's still damp from her shower earlier tonight. I walk over to the bed and climb on in. The bed sinks down with my added weight and I lay flat on my back. I place my hand on Bella's shoulder and gently roll her over.

She lands right on me.

She smiles in her sleep and nuzzles closer.

Her arms strech in front of her.

She finds me.

Smiles wider.

I wrap my arms around her and hold her even tighter to my chest. "Where were you?" She murmurs sleepily.

"Sorry I woke you, I didn't intend to." I tell her and place a little kiss into her strawberry scented hair.

"Is it time to wake up?" She asks me sleepily.

I shake my head against hers, breathing in her scent once again. "No, you can still sleep." I press a kiss to her forehead. She presses herself closer to me and I sigh.

"Where are we going?"

Hawaii.

"That's a surprise, love." I chuckle at her persistence. I brush my hand through her hair, stroking it gently. The curls tangle into one another. Her hair is long, nearly down to her waist. I hope she never cuts it.

The sun shines in through the window even though the blinds are slightly drawn. Did I mention that I love her house? It's just so... perfect. I know, a little apartment compared to my mansion of a house, but I prefer this. A small, tidy, not over-the-top apartment. Even if Bella ever got a house I couldn't picture her living in a huge house. It would be fairly small, probably one story. It would be clean and neat, yet lived in. It would smell good since she likes to light candles (I've noticed). It would suit her. Isn't that what everyone wants?

Does my house even suit me?

A mansion.

Edward Anthony Masen Cullen.

What do I like?

Hmm...

I like Bella's house.

"What are you thinking about?" She asks me, her eyelids fluttering open.

"Your house." I tell her. "I like it. A lot."

She snorts. "I'm sure it's nothing compared to yours."

"No, it's the exact opposite. That's why I like it." I pull the comforter up around her a little more. I look over to the digital clock. We still have a few hours until we have to get up. Our flight doesn't leave until ten, so we should be out of the apartment by nine to get there with time to spare. The sun just rose and it leaves a pink tone to the sky. I would get up and pull the blinds up further to get a better look, but really, who'd get up in my position?

"Did your family really go to Italy to go after Berchi?" Bella asks suddenly, her head tilted up slightly to look at me.

I purse my lips. "I'd like to think they didn't go to get away from me."

"They don't really get along do they?"

I shrug one shoulder. "They get along. It's me that's the outcast. Mama's boy, I guess since she and Alice are the only ones that put up with me."

"Why would they be so against you?"

"Everything I've told you and the fact I want nothing to do with this 'lifestyle'."

"So you avoid it?"

"You have no idea how much if rules over my family's lives. It's all they think about. It's all they do. Alice and the girls can only go out once a week."

"She said that."

"When?" I raise and eyebrow.

Bella goes pale, "Uh, maybe you mentioned it before, actually."

I shake my head, but ignore it. "Okay, anyways, I don't want to bring anyone into that lifestyle. I want to leave it. But it's not as easy as it seems."

"You're here." Bella states.

"There are still people out there after me. Actually, with me away from the family it'd be easier for them to get me."

Bella gasps. "Don't say that!"

"It's true. The Berchi's and their friends would do anything to get their hands on any of my family. Probably even you now. See, I hate this!" I growl. "Look at this, your part of this lifestyle whether I like it or not. I can't stop it. I'd have to kill Berchi and all his friends."

"Which you wouldn't do."

"I'm tempted." I say, but try to make it sound jokingly so I don't frighten Bella.

Unfortunately, deep inside, I already know she's fearful.