Music: CLANN Unseelie album. I added a song title in the later half of the chapter that best suited it, if you don't mind. I've been meaning to listen to this album for forever and I'm so glad I finally did. It was so fitting and it's so amazing. Hopefully you'll check it out to see if you like this alternative music. The site isn't working for me on my phone, dead laptop, so I'm using the app. Sorry if there's any typos.

I've written a lot last night so the next chapter should be up soon. Thank you for your time.

Last thing I remembered was laying on his chest, feeling like mush and his fingers playing with my hair. I must have not moved much during the night. I stirred, waking, still cradled in his arm. I was almost swaddled with the comforter, I realized. A snort escaped my nose.

"Hey!" I protested, trying to get free while maintaining my modesty. I tried to catch a whiff of my breath too.

"Morning, handsome," I said, plopping back onto the pillows.

"Morning." Now it was my turn to furrow my eyebrows.

"Why do you look distressed?"

"I'm anticipating what Jasper and Emmett will put me through." Would it be that bad?

"Oh..." I laid there for a few moments, heat rising to my cheeks.

Last night was...Well. I'm not a "girl" anymore. why am I getting sheepish now? He's already seen me naked. I started to wonder,

"Did you-"

"Are you-" He was saying. I laughed.

"You first," He said.

"I was just wondering, if you...did you...like it?" He's expression was a little more livelier.

"It was unlike anything I ever felt before," His tone confirmed that it was the same for him as it was for me.

"Did I hurt you?" He asked.

"Mmm, no. I feel good." Just a bit roomier down there. Speaking of the return of the Cullens.

"How possible is it to cancel the birthday celebration?" I mumbled.

"Not at all. it's not everyday we get to celebrate the passage of time."

"Don't say that. I already hate growing old. Besides...time still passes for you," I said gently, rubbing his arm.

"When you're "celebrating" adding another year to your 382-Not even Carlisle is immune to the stench. I chewed on my lip.

"Being able to treat a lot of people must help. And he focuses on you guys," To keep from going insane, I imagined. How else do you cope?

"But it's not all bad," I encouraged, rolling into him.

"No. I suppose not." He started writing circles on my shoulder, still looking distracted.

"How much time do I have before they arrive?" Best to let it go. I don't want another argument about my mortality.

"An hour."

"Oof!" I climbed out of bed, tugging and clutching a sheet to me. "I better shower. You too," I said pointedly.

"You go ahead." This isn't really how two people in love are like after they-for the first time. I was sure of it.

"If there's something wrong, you can tell me," I said worriedly. He sat up, slowly considering his abilities, and hunched over.

"You have bruises." I looked down at my arms and opened the sheet. Indeed there were bruises. They didn't really matter to me since they were an often occurrence.

"I bruise easy. I'm like a peach."

"I feel fine," I said again.

"Don't-"

"No you don't! I don't want you blaming yourself because you can be a little melodramatic." I said, jumping on to him. He seemed startled by either what I said or the landing.

"I liked it when-" I whispered in his ear the description of my favorite part of the entire night. One where I felt like a sexual fiend and could be "shamed" for.

"I feel fine. You did great, nothing bad happened. Besides, practice makes perfect," I said, staring into his eyes. He was looking at me but his eyes weren't focused.

"You really underestimate yourself, Edward Cullen," I flicked his forehead and he 'returned'.

"They're close by," He said. I gasped.

"Did they hear me?"

"They weren't close enough,"

"So we can't shower together," I said.

"Go. I'll wash up after."

"Ok, but-"

"I'm fine," He said. The comforter was tossed into the air and he was suddenly at his dresser, opening a drawer.

I stepped down the floating staircase, lined with candles, embarrassed beyond belief, and also trying not to trip over the black lace gown Alice had put me in. Everyone stared up at me with beaming faces, dressed to the nines and holding gifts. Alice followed behind me. A great song I never heard before was playing in the background (Once Again). Must be from one of the CD's of the grand collection the Cullen's had amassed.
"Happy birthday, Bella!" Emmett shouted. We all chuckled at his energy. I could only squeeze Edward's hand once before Esme came forward with her gift.
"Happy birthday, Bella," She crooned, she and her comforting "mother" smell enveloped me. Carlisle followed after with his towering fatherly hug, then Emmett, unnecessarily lifting me off the ground. Edward stepped closer, looking almost horrified.
"I'm fine," I said. Hoping he'd understand. Jasper stayed where he was but nodded at me.
"Happy birthday,"
"Thanks Jasper." I glanced at Rosalie to recognize she was there. At least she was bearing it. Normally I'd look away quickly after, but she placed a fairly large box in my hands.
"From Emmett and I. It's a stereo." She said unhappily.
"Already installed it!" Emmett shouted, fists in the air.
"Thanks," I said to her. She forced a smile.
"Now come, open mine," Alice said, putting the stack of gifts on a table and putting an envelope in my hands.
Inside was a visa card and an onyx ring with the family crest on it. On the flap of the envelope she had written "You're one of us now."
"Woah. Thank you, Alice," I assumed she designed it for me. I was completely taken aback. Before I could argue about the card, she closed it up and ushered me to the table with the three tiered cake. Too big considering I was the only one who could eat. I guess Charlie and I would be eating cake for days.
"Make a wish!" She said. I grinned, getting embarrassed again. Everyone looked on happily. Hopefully I could blow out all eighteen candles at once.
"Don't dunk my head in!" I warned Emmet.
"Don't worry, he won't." Esme said. But his expression said he had planned on doing otherwise.
"I'll kill you," Alice warned.
I thought for a moment about how I enjoyed all this banter, being surrounded by a big family, even if Rosalie hated me. But not all siblings got along right?
I'm sure living forever had it's hardships, but I wished I could follow the Cullens forever.

From here, Bella gets the paper cut from opening Esme and Carlisle's gift, plane tickets. I'm skipping it because you already know this. Also apparently there's a reddit for Twilight? there's a reddit for everything seems like. Anyone noticed the Twilight "renaissance" happening lately?