My lovelies!

I am so humbly appreciative of all of the new followers, alert subscriptions, favorites and reviews (I can tell you of one night at work where I read each review as it came in chapter by chapter and remembered what it was like to experience this story all over again). THANK YOU! I love you guys! Ya'll seriously make my days brighter.

So, from what I can tell, you guys enjoyed our little lovebirds' first date! That is good because I won't lie; my biggest fear was doing their budding romance justice (since I have very little recent experience). I couldn't do the date from both of their perspectives (the only chapter that I did that with was the anniversary of Alice's death though I will whet your appetites and tell you that a later chapter (around 20, yes I plan on going to about thirty) will do the same thing. MAYBE.) so this chapter just seemed a natural way to end a beautiful day and bridge us into the post-first-date bliss (no spoilers for that one).

The song for this chapter is Little Things originally performed by One Direction (gag) but I chose the cover by Alex G. It's brilliant.

Disclaimer: I might not own Twilight or any of its affiliates, but I got this story and a million others in my head that could do just as well. Too bad I won't write them out.

Chapter Twelve: Little Things

JPOV:

The Ferris wheel rose slowly, revealing the darkened valley, the shadows interrupted by points of light proclaiming civilization was out there. After today, it was almost too easy to lose myself in a world where only Bella and I existed. I pulled her closer to me, tucking my jacket more securely around her legs covering my lap. Her head rested peacefully on my chest and her arms were tucked into my side. Her breathing had slowed down, growing deep and even. I ran my fingers softly through her long, mahogany tresses enjoying the smooth feeling against my skin.

To say that today had been one of the best in my existence would have been putting it mildly. I could count on one hand the days that I cherished in this life. Today was right up there with the day that I found Alice. Bella has provided a varied number of emotions and when mixed with all the other people in the park, I had been on a kick that was equivalent to taking some sort of hallucinogenic drug. Being around Bella was heady in and of itself. I congratulated myself for bringing her here where I could feel what she was feeling with little reservation. Though I was sure she thought she was being subtle, I knew that Bella was keeping many things from me. I would start to taste a hint of an emotion before she would rein it in and box it up. It was similar to having just a drop of blood cross my lips and then having the bearer pull away. I think it was more maddening as her emotions than actual thirst.

I wondered what she was hiding. The small tastes that I had been privy to before her embarrassment coated everything like Novocain were hardly enough to let me know what was going on in her head and –more importantly –her heart. I could recognize some but I would lose the flavor before I could define it with confidence. She was elusive and I suspected that most of her emotions had something to do with me. I noticed that these little tastes happened more when I was around. I would smile and I would find myself teased with something sweet before she went numb from embarrassment. I recalled with fervor the occasion just a few days before and the emotions that had lingered between us before she could get a hold of herself.

I was getting out of the shower after a hunting trip. I thought that Bella was still out in the garden working on the flower beds as she had been when I had returned from the mountains. Had I known otherwise, I might have deigned to enter the bathroom with a little more preparation. I was just leaving the bathroom. I had only bothered to tie a towel around my waist to make the trip from the bathroom to my bedroom. I hadn't even bothered to dry off completely, enjoying the warm water on my skin. I opened the bathroom door and was met by Bella's appearance outside the door.

Her face when her eyes met mine was priceless. If I didn't have perfect recall, I would have snapped a picture. Her eyes widened perceptibly and her breathing became shallower, her cheeks flushed an appetizing red. The desire hit me and spread through my body like a wildfire in a woodland, making me feel positively human. Hell, I was probably closer to the one hundred and eight degrees of the Quileute wolves. I watched as Bella's eyes followed a water droplet inch its way down my torso and disappear under the towel. Her eyes snapped up to mine and I raised an eyebrow teasingly. She flushed deeper and walked quickly into her room, closing the door behind her. Had she had her wits about her, I doubt she would have whispered the next phrase.

"Oh holy panty dropper."

I chuckled softly at the memory. I think that was my first big hint that Bella might harbor more than friendly feelings for me. I suspected that she did but when it came to Bella, I couldn't take anything for granted. She was far from normal in every aspect of the word. Her reactions always surprised me and yet I felt that they were completely natural. She wasn't the type to get all fluttery over something like a crush. She was witty and sarcastic, drawing me into a battle of wits as expertly as a master debater. I wondered often how Edward had lived with himself forcing her to be a quiet, docile, shy thing. Maybe she hadn't always been so opinionated; it could easily be a product of her new experiences in this sanctuary she had created for herself. Whatever the reason, I couldn't help but appreciate her humor and bravery. Not many could spar with me and come out on top.

My thoughts turned inevitably toward Alice. I had been thinking of her often since my newfound feelings for her former best friend had forced their way to acceptance. She had promised that I would find someone. I guess I shouldn't be surprised to find that she was right… again. I remembered my skepticism at the revelation. But now, holding Bella in my arms, listening to her breathe slowly and recalling the past months that we had spent together with our considerable correspondence prior to that, it made perfect sense. Alice seemed to know that Bella and I fit together as well as Alice and I had, if not better.

Alice and I had disagreed on many topics. We often found ourselves pursing our individual amusements separately, coming together when the other was finished or grew bored. Bella and I had so many common interests, participated in so many activities together but never grew tired or bored of each other's company. I relished the nights we would curl up together with our books and share our favorite passages or simply read in silence, appreciating the silent but substantial presence the other offered. Bella wasn't afraid to seek thrills in activities that she hadn't yet tried. Alice had been interested in shopping and fashion. Any other activities were less enjoyed and more endured. I hadn't resented her for it, but it was a welcome change to share mutual excitement with Bella.

She was beautiful, body and soul. I couldn't believe that I had never noticed before. If I had been asked to describe the perfect companion in this endless and often monotonous existence, I would have undoubtedly described Bella. Having spent so much time with her, I wasn't sure that I could ever bear for us to be apart on any sort of a permanent basis. I didn't know what her feelings on joining our family in eternal life were after Edward's betrayal and I admitted to being too much of a coward to broach the topic with her. If she told me that she no longer desired to join us, I couldn't bear the pain. I could never force her but I would be damned if I didn't try and persuade her to change her mind. Life without her would be unbearable.

Bella stirred in my arms and I looked down at her as she rubbed her eyes blearily and then looked up and smiled at me. I smiled back, rubbing circles on her back while she stretched.

"I can't believe I fell asleep on our first date," she said in embarrassment. I smiled and tweaked her nose.

"I told you I was boring," I drawled sadly. She shook her head, laughing and I relished in the carefree sound. The gondola we had been riding in made its final descent to the base of the ride and we prepared to get off. I took her hand, helping her step onto the platform, keeping her hand in mine as we made a final walk through the park. She was quiet but not awkward. It was the silence that we often enjoyed when completely content. As I moved to help her into the car, she stopped me.

"I want to take a picture of us," she explained, a slow blush rising to her cheeks. I smiled and obliged as she pulled out her phone and held it out in front of us. We moved closer and I smiled at the camera, my mind flashing through a million possibilities of how long we would keep this photo, if it would be our 'first date' picture, reflected on often and the catalyst for many more memories to be made. She slipped her phone into her pocket and climbed into the car. I moved to the driver side and pulled out of the parking lot and onto the freeway. She grabbed my hand as soon as we were traveling at a consistent speed and I felt her heart speed up when her skin touched mine. I smiled to myself, suddenly impatient and nervous for tonight's close.

Should I kiss her?