A/N: Seriously, thank you guys so much for the feedback. It means so much to me. I want to try to get into a regular posting schedule of Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Without further ado, here's Chapter 9!

-V

"Edward, I can't go in with you."

"Don't be ridiculous Bella. How else will you choose what you'd like?"

"Can we get the boots first, please?"

"But the cellphone is urgent."

"You're not listening to me."

This made Edward stop in his tracks.

"I apologize, Bella. Perhaps I'm just not understanding. Please explain it to me again."

"I appreciate your generosity, and the fact that you believe new tech takes precedence, but respectfully, I ask that we go to the Ugg store first."

I could feel my face heating. This was an embarrassing conversation to have. He was going to make me say it. He had either forgotten about the hole in my boot, or he was going to make me say it. If it was the latter, I'd need to pack when we got back to the penthouse. I didn't do mind games.

Before either of us could say anything, Emmett had pulled over and stopped the car. Cue further embarrassment. We were Lake Shore Drive. This was entirely too much attention for me.

"Edward, step out of the car."

I watched as Edward turned an altogether unpleasant shade of red, but he slowly unbuckled his seatbelt and climbed out of the car.

I couldn't hear what either of them were saying over the sound of cars whirring by. Edward was pulling on the ends of his hair and Emmett was gesturing wildly. I watched as Emmett pointed aggressively at Edward's temple, and before I knew it, both had gotten back into the car.

Soon, we were off again.

"What size do you need, Isabella?"

I got the sense that he was genuinely confused and maybe chastised by his talk with Emmett. He was all business now, and it felt cold to me. Gone was the excited man child that wanted me to know the difference between iPhone models.

"An eight please."

I made eye contact with Emmett through the rear view mirror as Edward stared off and out of the window. I blushed, but Emmett just shrugged his shoulder and winked.

I closed my eyes and didn't mean to drift off and woke when the car came to a stop. At the Ugg store, Emmett and I stayed in the car while Edward went in. He'd been in for fifteen minutes when he came out to the car again.

"Um... Ed, dude, I think you're doing it wrong. Shopping usually includes coming out with packages."

"Em, dude, I've got this."

I'd never seen Edward roll his eyes. It was a sight to behold.

Ten minutes later, and some good natured bickering between Edward and Emmett, and there was a knock at the trunk. I watched as Edward and Emmett stepped out and opened the trunk.

"Mr. Cullen, I'm Laurent, the manager here, and I just want to take the time to let you know how much of honor it is that you've come to visit our establishment. Hopefully, everything we've provided is to your liking."

"Laurent, that will be for Isabella to decide, but thank you for your diligence."

As a college student, I had seen Ugg's before, but I wasn't prepared for the plethora of packages that were put into the car. Altogether, I counted 12 boxes and could feel my jaw involuntarily drop.

"Don't worry, Isabella. They aren't all shoes."

He was trying to comfort me and he was failing miserably.

"Mr. Cullen, as requested, all shoes are a size eight, and all apparel a medium. I've included my card in your packages in case you're in need of future purchases."

"Again, thank you, but I'm not sure what Isabella will want."

With that, I watched as Edward tipped the employees responsible for loading the car, and him and Emmett got back into the SUV.

"Edward, this was completely unnecessary. I only needed one pair. "

"That's preposterous. There are pairs for different occasions in different colors. I didn't know what kind you'd like, so there are zippers, bows and buttons, and you need sweaters. It's winter in Chicago."

"Edward, this is too much."

"You'll need to get used to it then. If you think this is bad, just wait until we're at the Apple store."

Playful Edward was back and he'd winked at me before turning to gaze out of the window again.

"I had them put a pair of black boots on top. They might go best with what you're wearing today."

As he grabbed the box from the trunk, I though I'd pass out from how good he smelled. He was wearing cologne, but there was something here that was distinctly Edward. Maybe it was his shampoo or soap. Whatever it was, it should be bottled and sold.

Before I could say anything or touch him in any way, the box was in my lap and he was back to his seat in the vehicle. Slowly I opened the box. Several cards fell out, two of them being Laurent's business card and another explaining that the boots contained lambs wool on the inside for warmth. A third card caught my eye, and I immediately regretted looking. In small letters, at the bottom of this tag was the retail price of the boots: $187.49.

I'd never owned anything so expensive in all my life.

"Edward Cullen, you didn't!"

"His middle name is Anthony, short stack."

"Edward, how many are there?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Edward. How. Many?"

"Bella, they're just shoes."

"I counted eight pair when we loaded up."

I quickly did the math.

"Edward, please tell me you didn't spend $1,500 on shoes."

"I absolutely did NOT do that. There was tax..."

This man was going to be the death of me.

"Remember that talk we had this morning? Here's where you'll need to internalize that. Besides, I thought women liked to shop and mix and match?"

"Edward, I'm sure women with disposable income enjoy those things very much."

Before I could look away, Edward was grabbing my chin in his hands.

"Well Isabella, consider yourself to now be one of those women."