"Oh, but it is," said Edward. I didn't realize it in my rush to get to a mirror, but he must've followed me when I ran out. "Is there something wrong?"

"No," I still whispered. "It's the exact opposite… everything is… perfect."

When I saw my reflection, I saw beauty. I saw my hair: Still the chestnut brown it had always been, but my natural reddish tinted highlights stuck out more, and it felt so soft, and silky. Which is how it looked too. I saw my face: nose not quite as rounded, eyes almond shaped and a darker topaz than Edward's, and my lips were something out of a magazine. Perfectly rounded into a playful slash seductive smile. And when I saw my teeth, they were a perfect shade of white, and were uncanny straight.

My body, though, was a different story altogether. It looked like that of a model's. I actually had cleavage, now! (Which reminded me to go bra shopping. The one I had on was too tight.) My hips were thinner, but still rounded in a feminine way. My legs were very nice; my calves had muscles and my thighs did, too. Nice and firm. Which also explained my butt. Big and round, but nice and firm.

I was still in a state of shock when Alice came in the room and asked me something. I didn't hear her though.

"I'm sorry, what?" I asked.

"I said, 'Do you want to go shopping?' " she said bubbly.

Okay, so shopping was something I usually detested with a fiery passion, but, what with my new body it sounded... fun. How odd.

"Absolutely!" I replied with as much enthusiasm as she. Weird, I thought.

All of a sudden, Edward's voice filled my head. I know, it said.

I looked wildly at him, and he chuckled. Now that you're a vampire, I can hear you too, he said simply. Isn't it great? He added half-sarcastically.

Just what I was thinking. I always wanted my boyfriend to hear my deepest, darkest secrets, and my most embarrassing thoughts, I shot back.

Me too! He grinned that heartbreaking grin that made me crumble.

Alice, clearly aware of what was going on, said, "As much as I hate to interrupt your thoughts, Bella and I must be leaving now. Sorry, Edward. You'll have to talk to her later." She turned to me now, speaking in a low rush. "Come on Bella. We want to get there before 12. And before the mad rush begins." Then she snatched my hand and we ran down the stairs, into the car, and fastened our seat belts within a few seconds. She started up the car and pulled out of the drive. I was still a little shocked at the running. I had never run that fast before.

Alice chattered the whole way, saying things like, "Oh, Bella you look gorgeous!" and "We can go here first." And the ever so popular "Bella we'll need to get you something… sexy." But the whole time, I was thinking. About thongs, shoes, nighties, clothes, Edward, bubble baths…

Alice sped up when we got to the parking lot, breaking me from my trance. We both got out and, at a human speed, walked to the entrance of the mall. When we were inside, Alice led me to a foreign part of the mall. And the first shop we went to, it had to be, was Victoria's Secret.

I reminded myself I belonged here as much as Alice or Rosalie did. I was pretty now. Why not enjoy it? Then Alice walked to the left side of the front of the store. Perfumes… safe enough.

The 1st scent was vanilla. Mmm… Edward would like that, I thought. The second scent was something… floral. Freesia, perhaps? That would definitely make the list. As I was popping those in a bag, I smelled something different…stronger. It was… him! I turned around to see an amused looking Edward.

Freesia? He asked me mentally, while rummaging through my findings.

Yes, freesia. I replied curtly, snatching my bag away. I groaned inwardly, forgetting about this morning's mind reading charade.

He chuckled, and then kissed my forehead, pulling me to his muscular body. I sighed, admitting defeat. I can't ever hold a grudge against him.

"I'll leave you ladies to your shopping," he said as an annoyed looking Alice joined us. "Just checking in."

"Bella, I found some really cute stuff for you. Hurry up, you have to try them on!" she said exasperatedly.

"Can I stay for the fitting?" asked Edward as he picked up a pink see through gown, that barley reaches my thigh, and has white feathery trim.

"No!" scolded Alice. "You'll ruin your surprise!" Then she added, "And don't even think about trying to see through my mind. I'll know, and I will gladly cripple you with mental images you don't want to see. And they won't be of Bella."

"Well, I highly doubt anything that involves Bella will turn my stomach anyways. But fine. I will go, and I won't look through your mind. Better?"

"Much," she retorted.

"Bye Bells. I'll see you at the house." He gave me one last peck on the cheek and, reluctantly, left.

"Okay," said Alice, now more cheerful since Edward had left. "Let's get these puppies on you, and get to work!"

I sighed and we walked to the fitting rooms. She gave me three items and pushed me in a room. The first was the item Edward had picked up; the others were a matching bra and thong.

Of course, to me the thing was a death trap waiting to happen, but Alice had assured I would be fine before she shut me into confinement.

When I took off my clothes, I noticed I had abs. Not the gross, body builder kind, but the subtle, feminine kind. I looked pretty without clothes, but Alice was waiting, so I stifled a sigh and quickly put on the items.

When I opened the door, Alice scooted in and gasped. Is it that bad?

"Bella!" she replied, turning me towards the mirror. "You look stunning!"

Now I'm usually a modest girl, but I was in just when I rightfully whispered, "I look gorgeous…"

"Bella, dear, that's an understatement! I'm sure any one of the guys out there with their girlfriends would drop them like hot potatoes, and come ask you out if they thought they had a chance!"

And if I could've blushed, I would have. "Let's not go that far, Alice. I'm not that hot!"

Alice PoV:

If only that girl could see how beautiful she really was. She was pretty as a human, even. But she never thought so. The whole point of coming here was to show her that much at least. But leave it to Bella to be in stubborn denial.

"Um, if they hadn't seen you with Edward, yeah they would. Trust me," I said.

Bella PoV:

And I do. I trust Alice with my life, ironic I know. But I didn't think that the guys that saw me would drop their girls to be with me.

Then it registered.

"THEY SAW ME?" I demanded.

Alice smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, but that's okay. They think you're a hottie. A major babe." She laughed it off, handing me the next few items. Then she walked out.

I almost screamed when I saw what they were. A corset and a matching pair of boy cut panties. "Great," I sighed. Then I realized I was spoiling the trip, so I tried to get happy. For Alice, I thought.

I put on the corset and underwear, looked in the mirror, smiled a pretty smile, and opened the door wide to show Alice. And whoever else was watching for that matter! If you got it, why not flaunt it?

Alice squealed in pure delight, but didn't close the door. Apparently she had the same idea as me. "Oh Bella!" she said, turning me round to get the whole view. "You look-" but she was cut off by a guy I recognized as… MIKE! This was the last thing I expected. And this particular shopping trip was going to be quitememorable.