A.N.: Hello again. I'm Foxiego. Check out my profile for more info -I've updated it. (oooo!) lol.I'm sorry I'm so strange. I hope you'll bare with me through it. Thank you for your reviews! They really put a smile on my face: ) You see! I told you they put a smile on my face. I'm sorry. I'm tired, forgive me. Read and Review, please! And thank you: )

Disclaimer: Twilight and all its characters belong to Mrs. Stephenie Meyer. As if you all didn't know that-lol!


"Oh, Bella!"

Bella leapt at the sound of her mother's voice. She ran haphazardly into her mother's open arms, enjoying the comfort of a mother's love as they embraced, rocking back and forth and doing a little dance of their own.

"Oh, I missed you, mom," Bella said, truth ringing out of every syllable. Renee smiled, tears forming in her chocolate eyes.

"I missed you, too, Bella," she said, tears falling freely now. "Happy birthday, my darling!"

"Thanks, mom. And you remember Edward, of course."

"Oh, yes," Renee said, disjointedly. "Of course."

"Pleasure to see you again, Renee," Edward bowed gracefully, kissing Renee's extended hand. She blushed furiously, not unlike her daughter. "You look wonderful," Edward said as he smiled, finally understanding where Bella had got her signature blush, but stifling his laughter in respect.

"Hello, Edward, Bella," Phil interjected, feeling slightly embarrassed at his fiancé's antics. "I've missed you a lot, kiddo." Kiddo? Bella grimaced at his obvious attempt to be a father in her life.

"She prefers Bella," Edward answered, leaving Phil bewildered at his easy rectification. "Just thought you ought to know." Renee giggled.

"R-right," Phil replied rather stupidly. Renee rolled her eyes.

"Oh, Phil," she said sweetly, "Just relax, Bella likes you just fine." Bella's eyebrows rose and she looked at Edward who just stared knowingly back at her, obviously understanding something from their conversation she didn't.

"Well, don't let the party start without me," Charlie laughed, eyeing the group as he made his way towards them. Edward laughed at Bella's father's unsteady gait. So, that's where she got that from then, he concluded. How he ever got to be Police Chief, Edward did not know. Though in a town as small as Forks, there was never much criminal activity anyway. Or, at least, on the surface.

"Happy Birthday, Bella!"

Bella turned. Coming towards them as fast as a wheelchair could possibly roll, were Billy and Jacob Black, dressed fashionably for the occasion. Bella's mouth dropped. You have got to be kidding me.

"Billy," Renee exclaimed, bending to embrace the smiling Quileute. "And Jacob! Wow, you've grown!" Jacob laughed and shrugged, having heard those same words many times before.

"Happy Birthday, Bella," Billy said cheerfully. "And many more to come," he ended with certain rancor, his glance landing on Edward.

"Yes, Happy Birthday, Bella," Edward said, embracing Bella and kissing her head in address to Billy's wayward cautioning. Billy's eyes narrowed. Renee watched Edward closely with a woeful look on her face.

"We should go inside," Charlie said suddenly, feeling the awkward wave of emotions emitting from each person. "We'll be late for our reservation."

The Port Angeles Steakhouse was a popular place to have planned events such as these, and tonight it was crowded -people sitting everywhere enjoying their well-cooked meals. Bella, always indifferent on restaurant choices, allowed Charlie to choose the restaurant for the occasion, her only worry being Edward.

She had told him before that he didn't have to come. Everyday in his company was like a fiesta for her anyhow, and knowing his food selection, it would be very difficult for him to find something appetizing on the menu. And even if he found something, which was quite improbable, he would never be able to eat it without gasps of disgust from the people surrounding him. Edward told her not to worry and that he had his ways of dealing with small problems such as this. And, he assured her, he would be full. It would be foolish of him to go anywhere with her hungry.

"Your table, miss," the luxurious waiter said to Bella, already presuming who the lady of honor was that evening. Her dress said it all. It was beautiful; a knee-length fitted black dress, tossed out at the edges. It curved with her body shape, much to Edward's concealed delight. And it accentuated each feature and gave her a classy fifties look, especially with her hair up in curled tussles, framing her classic face.

Edward had chosen it proudly days before. He had bought it without her knowing during an unusually sunny school day, and surprised her with it in her room. After she had put it on, he had exclaimed, "I knew it!", and kissed her neck lovingly. But what exactly Edward knew, Bella did not know.

"Well, isn't this a lovely evening," Renee said, ecstatic to be with Bella on her birthday. They had been apart ever since the accident and it was no secret to Phil that Renee missed Bella very much. They were best friends, almost siblings to some effect, something few mother's ever accomplished with their daughters. Together for seventeen years, and then thrust far apart. It was enough to break a mother's heart. "I'm just so happy we can all be together!"

Bella could not fully agree. Why had Billy and Jacob come? Charlie must have invited them without her knowing. To her birthday party. In truth, she had nothing truly against them, but still. To have them show up at her birthday party –the one time her entire family would be together, including Edward. It just seemed absurd.

"Where are you thinking of going for college, Edward?" The question had come like a bullet, unashamed, harsh, and right before dinner too. A mother's interrogation. Even Charlie's eyes were wide.

"Well, I suppose Washington State would be nice," Edward mused, cool as always. "But I'm intending to go wherever Bella does." Bella smiled. They had had this conversation before. But it always ended with Edward's same words –"I will follow you, wherever you go." Bella's blessed assurance.

The look on Renee's face however, was anything but convinced.

"So, you're serious then, about…about this…"

If the first question had been a bullet, this one was a cannonball. Bella suddenly realized the purpose of her mother's constant calling. She was afraid -Afraid of losing her only daughter so soon to a boy she had only known for a few months. A boy she loved.

"Renee," Edward said after a pause. "I love your daughter more than I could possibly say. Please, trust that." She nodded, tears once again forming in her eyes.

"And what if it doesn't last, now, Edward," Billy asked. "What then?" Bella saw Edward's eyes turn unmistakably cold.

"It will."

"That wasn't my question, Edward. I asked what if it doesn't."

"Bill," Charlie interjected, "I think it'll work out fine." It was at that moment that Bella felt an immense respect for her father. "They aren't kids anymore, you know. Bella's turning eighteen tonight and Edward is a very mature young man. I mean, what more can a father ask for, you know?" Renee was stunned at Charlie's initiative.

"Charlie…," she said, still in awe at his little speech.

"Oh, well," he chuckled. "Just thought it should be said, you know?" Renee smiled.

"Yes," she replied softly. "And I think you're right. Things will work out." Bella could not have asked for more loving parents. And, inside, she knew they were right. One way or another, things would work out.


A.N.: Yes, I know, I know. Bella's birthday is still not over. In fact, Bella's birthday dinner is still not over. I'm slow and I'm sorry. But I hope you'll stick with me through it anyhow. And I thank those of you who already have.

Feel free to review on your way out! Thank you for reading : ) GO TWILIGHT! Hee hee!

Foxiego