Stephenie Meyer's…

By the way, in spirit of what is coming in this chapter. Oh, my god, you guys spoiled me with comments last night. It was such a treat. Keep 'em coming girls, and I may post early.

There are a few people that I wish I could reply to thank for your thoughtful comment. Either it's not allowed or you're not logged in. Just know I wish I could answer you.

I owe some thanks to a few ladies on Twitter for your boost of confidence. Tyggybittz, Twilife2011, Roon0 you girls made me smile so hard my cheeks hurt. Now behave yourself… if that's even possible.

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Day 17:

Thursday

Bella

Being coerced into having dinner with Edward's family, Bella felt somewhat nervous. Edward had lured her with promises of a home cooked meal, dessert and fresh air. She, in all fairness, wanted to go, but was afraid that she would impose on his family. Bella didn't want to be a bother.

"Why is it so important for me to come with you?" Bella asked.

"It's not important. I really just want your company and besides, Alice has been hounding me all day to bring you. She says she has questions."

Bella's eyes widened. "What kind of questions?"

"I have no idea, but I am sure they will all involve an 'oh, my god' at some point," Edward finished as he pushed the front door open to the mansion-like estate.

Bella leaned into his side. "I thought you said your family wasn't wealthy?" she grumbled clearly recalling a conversation where he mentioned how his family had struggled.

"That was when I was a kid. Now… it's a completely different ballgame." He managed to say before his mother came rushing out.

"You're here. It's so lovely to see you again, Bella. Are you still feeling okay?"

"Yes, Mrs. Cullen. I feel fine, thank you," she murmured, while feeling somewhat uncomfortable with all the attention.

His tiny raven-haired sister came running down the stairs. "Oh my god! You're here. It's about time!" she screeched.

"Alice, please. Patience is a virtue," Esme sighed, while shaking her head.

Alice glowered at her mom for a moment, before grabbing Bella's hand and dragging her away. She stopped suddenly. "I thought Ben was coming? Oh, Bella, have you met Edward's boyfriend. He's soooo hot. Right, Edward?" she beamed.

Bella noticed Edward looked down at the floor. She knew Edward had spoken to Ben yesterday, just not about what. He had been upset and quiet most of the evening. Bella hated it. "Edward said you wanted to talk to me. What's up?" she asked to divert the overly enthusiastic girl's attention.

"Oh, my god. Let's go up to my room. We can have girl talk."

Bella's brows shot skyward. Girl talk was hardly her forte. After giving Edward a small smile, she obediently followed Alice up to her room.

Sitting down on the couch in the spacious room, it wasn't what Bella expected at all. She had anticipated stuffed teddies, Justin Bieber posters, pink and frilly knickknacks. Instead, one side of the room was arranged as a working space with three dress forms clothed in various stages of unfinished garments, two different kinds of sewing machines and fabric swatches littered everywhere.

"You made these?" Bella asked, looking astonished at her handiwork.

"Yeah. It's my hobby… for now. I'm going to be a designer. I'm so going to FIT or Parsons in New York when I finish high school, but I'm not sure which yet." Alice started pacing like a tiny lion stuck in a cage. "You know about boys, right?" her face scrunched up.

Bella blanched and tried to answer the rather blunt and undefined question. "Ah, uh, maybe?" she stammered.

"I mean. I totally have my first boyfriend and it's so cool, but it's a little scary, too."

Bella tried to focus on the fact that she was about seven years older than Edward's sister. However, that age difference didn't eradicate the fact that the girl, who now sat staring at her with big expectant eyes, probably had more experience than her. Bella knew just about zilch when it came to boys… or men.

"Crushes can be overwhelming," Bella answered, not really sure what the girl wanted to know. Crushes, she understood.

Alice glowered at her while her mouth turned into a little pout. "The emotional stuff, I got down, but the physical… not so much. What do you do when the guy wants to… you know?"

Bella cleared her throat, definitely squirming. "Are you sure that you don't want to talk to your mom about this… or Rosalie?" Bella frowned. Okay, maybe Rosalie wasn't the go-to girl these days.

"Oh my god, no! My mom… I can't talk sex stuff with my mom. That's just icky. As for Rosalie, I'm sorry, I love my sister to death, but she's a slut. I hate to say it, but she puts out way too much."

"That a little judgmental, isn't it?" Bella murmured a little taken aback with how blunt Alice was.

"Perhaps it is, but it's a known fact that Rosalie doesn't exactly say no. I don't want to be like her." The overly eager girl paused her rambling for just a second. "So my boyfriend, he totally wants… the physical. I don't know what to do and I really need someone to talk to that isn't hormonally imbalanced because they're teenagers."

Bella drew a deep breath. "I'm not sure how much help I can be," Bella hedged, not really going down the road explaining her own lack of experience. "But what I think it all comes down to is what you feel like doing."

"I totally feel like doing it." The girl was practically bouncing up and down on the couch.

Bella's eyes widened. "Uh… I really don't know what to tell you, but… listen, I'm the last person you need to ask about sex because…" Alice cut her off just as she was about to confess that she hadn't exactly been deflowered.

"Oh my god! I wasn't talking about sex… well, not about going all the way. Jasper just wants to touch… you know." Alice gestured with making circles in air around her chest.

Bella let out a massive breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Well, I still think it's about what you want to do."

"Then I'm totally going to let him." Alice giggled. "He's such a gentleman. He asked me if he could touch me before he did anything. I told him that I needed to think about it. Most of the guys at my school think it's their right to grope someone if he feels like it. It's gross. Just because I have boobs, it doesn't mean anyone is allowed to touch my little cupcakes," Alice kept rambling, while Bella sat still trying to keep up. Her head felt a bit woozy with all the information Alice so willingly shared.

Trying to make a discrete escape, Alice's comment completely shut off her air supply and ability to move. "You have a big crush on Edward, right?"

That left Bella even more tongue-tied. "I...I-I don't know what you are talking about." Oh, her mouth felt so dry.

"Yeah, you do." Alice countered. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."

"How did you know?" Bella asked when she stood up, in serious need of some fresh air.

"I just do." Alice shrugged. "Just like I know Jasper and I are going to be together forever. I just know things sometimes."

Bella smiled briefly then. "Can you tell me how it all ends then?"

"Nope," Alice said and popped the p and her face broke into a huge grin.

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Would it be wrong to call Alice a whirlwind? Please tell me what you are thinking.

Thanks to Chartwilightmom and Dazzled Eyes22. You're help means the world to me.

I haven't mentioned this for a while, but I rant on twitter or stalk people. Come find me Elvirina_Nelly