A Few Weeks Before 18:

I paced the length of my room. Constantly having to dry my hands as they continued to sweat nonstop as I remembered the announcement Elizabeth had made when she and three other women walked into my room earlier.

With my eighteen birthday quickly approaching, she and the other women in this house were planning a weekend getaway from the men.

Not only that but my wedding would be happening in two months time.

I had graduated from high school a month ago, and had yet to begin classes this fall, but I couldn't focus on that when something much bigger was about to happen in two months. Even if Elizabeth had encouraged me to apply to different universities.

With my education of etiquette, training, and academically officially done Elizabeth's daily visits began to grow sporadically, leaving me alone for most of the day. Even Felix informed me that I no longer needed daily training since I could now wipe the floor with him. He even said I could rival Edward in hand to hand combat.

Now as I paced, the only thing I could think of was the upcoming nuptials, and what would happen that night.

I knocked on the door, waiting as my guard, Thomas, opened the door.

"You knocked, Miss. Bella?" He asked, raspily.

"I need to speak to Edward please." I replied, biting my lip.

"I'll send word to him with Ezra." He replied before he closed the door.

I sighed as I watched the shadows under my door move, before walking over to my desk, and pulling out the books I had hidden for almost a year.

As I waited I grew more and more agitated, I finally decided to bite the bullet and read the book she had purchased for me along with one that one of the other women sent me.

I could blush as I read the first four chapters, before putting it down and picking up the second book.

Nope, it was even worse.

My face heated up as I thought of the descriptions and graphic pictures of each book.

Maybe I could get used to the pictures I could stop blushing.

I am sure it would have worked if Edward hadn't decided to knock on the window and opened it.

The moment he knocked on the window, I jumped in surprise causing the book to fly across the room.

"You called?" He asked after coming in through the window.

I nodded, biting my lip, before looking away.

"Why did you go through the window? I called for you." I wondered, as I tried to take my mind off of the books.

He shrugged, before closing the window and heading towards where the book layed splayed on the ground.

My face heated up more, as I watched him pick up the book, and look through it curiously.

How in the hell was I going to explain this?

His brow furrowed in bafflement, as he looked up at me for an explanation.

"Bridal Guide To A Happy Marriage and To Keep A Happy Man?"

I whimpered in embarrassment before nodding as I bit my lip as my face grew hotter.

"First night tips?"

I groaned, sinking into my seat. Ignoring the intense gaze he was giving me as he set the book down, and crossed his arms, a playful expression on his face as he waved me over.

I shook my head at him in response, before I noticed him motion for me to go over to him again.

I sighed before standing up, and walking over to him stopping a few feet away.

"Closer."

I moved one step closer before he rolled his eyes causing me to roll mine, and move closer. As soon as I was within arms length, he pulled me to him, until I stood between his legs, while he held our hands between us.

"What was the reason you called for me?" He inquired, as he held my hands in his.

I bit my lip again, shaking my head fiercely.

"No reason, I just— I just wanted to spend time with you." I replied softly.

I felt his hand grip my chin, lifting it up until I was staring at his curious eyes.

"Hm. You're lying. Why would you lie to me, cara?" He asked me.

I gapped, before swallowing hard, and shaking my head vehemently at him again.

"Bella." He said, huskily.

The tone of his voice does things to me that no one has done before.

My throat dries, causing me to swallow thickly before looking away.

"I—I…" I trailed off, blushing again.

I can feel his gaze again, as I feel his fingers softly grip my chin, forcing me to look at him once more.

"It's just … neither of us have… done anything like what those books say before. I mean we haven't even kissed. How are we supposed to do that?" I finally asked him.

I watched him pick his lips before he smiled at me reassuringly.

"Trust me, baby girl, I would have done so much more than that if I knew you could handle it. But I want to wait until you are ready, before anything happens between us." He said, reassuringly.

I swallowed thickly again, as I stared at him wide-eyed. He was being honest. I could feel it.

"Is that the reason you called me here? Because you are nervous about this?" He asked me.

I nodded in response, looking towards the window before looking back into his eyes.

He smiled at me reassuringly again before wrapping his arms around me.

As we stared at each other, his eyes flickered down to my lips before looking into my eyes.

I smiled at him, before wrapping my arms around his neck, and letting him pull me closer to him.

A sigh escaped my lips as his lips tenderly touched my own.

We both heard a knock but as the kiss grew more fervent everything else disappeared around us.