Stephenie Meyer is the genius behind Twilight!

Teacups and Time Outs

Edward and I sat on the couch in our room, looking out into the night sky. The moon was slowly rising above purple clouds that dominated most of the day. The storm was fast and furious. Our favorite kind. The sun was blocked out for a good four hours as the winds picked up, and the rain poured. Even without the sun, the sky was lit up most of the time with a fantastic electrical display. The thunder blasted and boomed with each illumination. Now though, it was still and quiet. I liked this time of night after a storm. I cuddled closer to Edward as he began to tell me about his day.

"Well, Jacob was definitely surprised when he arrived at the field. Sam did a great job getting him there without telling him why. Billy was intrigued, so he came along, too. We decided to choose teams. Emmett had an idea that I quickly dismissed. He thought we should play vampires against werewolves. He even suggested we name the teams 'Team Edward' and 'Team Jacob'. It was silly considering our history, I didn't think it a wise choice. So we just went with 'shirts' and 'no shirts'. I think we divided up pretty evenly. Billy acted as referee."

"We had a lot of fun. Billy had to call time out a few times when we were getting too... rowdy. We were just playing around. Some of the boys thought it was fun to wait until the ball was hit, then to change into their wolf form to chase it. However, when they could read the thoughts of their fellow pack mates, they would stop to wrestle each other. It was entertaining, at least, for us." Edward looked like he was happily remembering the events of the afternoon.

"So, who won?" I asked curiously.

"Oh, who knows?! We were enjoying ourselves too much to keep score." He pulled me closer in his excitement. "So, tell me about your day!"

"Are you sure you want to hear all the gushy details?" He smiled, reassuringly.

"Of course."

"So, the theme that Emily chose was a Makeover Tea Party. Alice had included plans for the young girls if she chose this idea. You know Alice, it was incredible. She rented, I would guess, a whole costume shop full of dress up clothes for both young and older girls. She got make-up, hair and nail supplies, and accessories. She even brought someone in to set up dressing tables and mirrors." I stopped for a second and watched Edward's face. He suddenly had a distant look on his face. "Edward? I can skip the details if you wish."

"No, no, it's not that. I'm sorry, I was just listening to Alice. She is debating whether to ask Emily if she can help decorate for the reception. What do you think?" He was a little worried. I exhaled.

"You know what? I think Emily was so impressed by the party today, that I think she'd be happy to have Alice's input for the reception." I nodded, really believing what I just said. He accepted that.

"Please, continue, I'll stop listening in on the others now. Besides, they're getting sidetracked as we speak. Sorry love, continue." His piercing, yet warm eyes remained locked with mine. He did really want to know about my day.

"So, the dining room was transformed into a huge dressing room. One side for the little girls, and the other for us big girls. I wish you could have seen Sophie trying on all the different princess dresses. She finally decided on an emerald green, princess cut dress, with a black satin sash, and matching black satin shoes. Rose curled her hair and put a little lip gloss on her. She was so beautiful. The other little girls were shy at first, but as they watched Sophie dive into everything, soon they were just, if not more excited about it. I don't believe they ever saw so many different beautiful dresses in one place, and all in their sizes. We took lots of pictures." I paused to think about how happy all the girls looked.

"We had more fun watching them, but we treated ourselves to some pampering, too. Sara was very shy about trying on clothes and putting on make-up. That was why I was surprised that Emily had chosen that theme. It didn't seem like the kind of thing Sara would get excited about. Leah, also, was very reluctant to join in. However, one should never underestimate the female instinct. Emily decided to let Alice give her a facial and do her make-up. She worked magic with the make-up and disguised the scars on Emily's face. Even Emily couldn't believe it when she looked in the mirror when Alice was done. The tears almost ruined the make-up, but Alice quickly touched it up. Emily asked Alice if she would do her make-up for the day of the wedding." I watched Edward smile, thinking about sweet Alice, and her amazing talent and compassion.

"So after Emily was done, Sara and Leah gathered up the courage to participate. Rose had the honors of doing Sara's make-up. Alice helped with her hair and nails. Leah allowed me to help her with make-up and choosing a dress. Alice didn't allow Sara to see herself until she was completely done and dressed. When she turned around to face the mirror, she stared in disbelief. She kept turning her head side to side, like she was trying to recognize the person in the mirror. At last, as everyone in the room watched and admired her, she started to smile. I think we got some great pictures of her, while she looked in the mirror. She, too, asked if we would help with her make-up on her wedding day. It looks like we'll be busy that morning!" Edward laughed, his mind trying to understand why women liked makeovers. He thought we were all beautiful exactly the way we were. I laughed, because I knew he would never really understand the thrill of trying on clothes and putting on make-up, just for the fun of it.

"Once we were all dressed, we went into the living room, that had also been transformed into an elegant Tea Room. Tables were set up to seat two to three people. But all the tables were close enough that we would all be able to speak to each other easily. Two of the tables were child-size. There were fresh flowers on each table, as well as candles. It was pretty dark outside, but Alice had string lights wrapped around the columns, banister, and hanging in waterfall fashion in front of the window."

"Emily did a wonderful job with the food. I could only imagine that it was all very tasty. She had a variety of hors d'ouvres and pastries, some sweet, some savory. She also had a few different drinks, both hot and cold. I really enjoyed watching them enjoy the food and drinks. I would have to say that everyone was happy. I can hardly wait to show you the pictures. I think I'll make a scrapbook for Sara, so she can remember her bridal shower. Although, I don't think she'll ever forget it." I sighed, realizing just how incredible the events of the day were.

I could feel Edward staring at me. I resisted looking at him, but not for long. As I gazed at his face, I started to feel the warmth that always accompanied the excitement of being near him. He very slowly traced my face with the tip of his finger, from temple to temple, then my eyes and finally my lips.

"There is nothing you could do to your face to make you more beautiful than you are right now." His face blurred into soft-focus as my mind swirled with the ever-increasing love that I felt for him. I felt the electricity as his face drew nearer and I closed my eyes as his lips finally touched mine, gently, controlled, teasing. I was waiting for the intensity to increase, but it remained constant. I finally opened my eyes to look into Edward's eyes. I could tell he was smiling. He was in a playful mood, teasing me like that. He was sitting there, in front of me one second, and the next he was gone. I sat there for a moment, considering whether or not to find out what his plans were the easy way. I smiled as I decided I'd like to be surprised. I'll let him enjoy whatever it is he had planned.

I waited patiently for him to return. I stared at the moon, in it's full glory. The clouds had moved on, leaving a clear sky. The light from the moon illuminated the trees, field, and mountains in the distance. I was captivated by the nocturnal beauty before me. I heard a noise in the dark. I looked around but didn't see Edward anywhere. Then I noticed a box lying on the edge of the bed. I walked over and opened it, then began to laugh. He was in a very playful mood. Attached to the piece of clothing was a tiny note: Wear me. I struggled against my embarrassment and finally undressed and put it on.

I stood there, shaking my head at myself. This was a new one, or at least a twist on an old one. I clearly remembered the first time I was ever in this room. It was the first day I met his family. He gave me a tour of the house which ended in here. I made some comment about not being afraid of him, and he attacked me. Well, not really. As I stood there thinking about that wonderful day, I heard a very low growl from behind me. I smiled, not looking, but knowing what he was about to do. As he pounced, I moved just enough for him to go sailing through the air past me. He turned, surprised, and faced me with a playful grin. Now it was my turn to be surprised. Edward was wearing an old fashioned English hunting outfit, complete with hat and monocle.

"I wanted to see what all the excitement about getting dressed up was about. But now, I see how it allows one to really get into character. Are you feeling it, yet?" He was slowly creeping to one side to get a better angle at me. He looked intent on going through with his scenario, so I decided to humor him. He soared through the air again at me. I dodged him once again, letting out a tiny roar as I did. "Oh come on, you can do better than that!" He launched himself at me again. This time, I let out a roar that would impress him. It got his attention, his grin becoming more playfully sinister. We both moved slowly around the room, trying to outmaneuver the other.

He pounced again and again, always barely missing me. Finally, I decided it was time to end this game. I began to purr, and looked at him with the most seductive look I could muster. His face changed to one of shock, then he slowly shook his head. "How will I ever look at another lioness again?" He jumped one last time, wrapping his arms around me as we landed on the bed. I just laughed as he nipped at the skin on my neck. It tingled as he barely skimmed his teeth against my skin.

"Nothing has ever tasted as delicious as you." Using his teeth, he untied the string holding the tiger print wrap around me. "Ahh, this was the best hunt, ever!"