AN: Over 1,000 hits on Tuesday alone - and over 10,000 hits all together.

Have I told you guys how much you rock! Well you do.

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews, you guys are spoiling me. Reviews are like crack & I'm addicted. Or should I say their my brand of heroin…..ha ha….no? J

Also, thank you for the spelling corrections, they are welcomed so don't apologize for it, I read these chapters over and over again so my OCD thanks you. I guess I text too damn much and am too used to using "U". oopsie!

To answer another question I don't have a picture of Bella's bathing suit but if I start finding pics for things I'll put them up.

And one more thing…to answer another question, Will there be lemons?

Yes there will be sex/love scenes and I'll be descriptive but in a tactfully hot and seductive way. I don't know if it would qualify as a lemon, I'm not a prude and I like reading lemons from time to time, however, I won't be using vulgar language to be describing body parts, etc. you get my drift. Maybe I'll write a one shot or something where they're completely OOC but I don't think I've ventured completely off the EXB path so its pretty much going to be staying that way.

Sorry for the delay in updating, I had semi writer's block with this chapter and then I scrubbed it and started all over. There are parts I love and some not so much.

On that note….on to the story, ENJOY!

I don't own Twilight, I do however have a baby in my belly making me quite nauseous at the moment, blah.

EPV

I went to my room and slammed the door behind me. My family had mentally lashed me the entire way home.

"Now what in the hell did you do, Eddie?" Emmett's thoughts had floated back from the front seat.

"You ass, can't you do anything right?" Rose spat with her mind.

I went to my shelves and yanked out a Metallica cd Emmett had insisted on me trying out over a month ago, I shoved it in my stereo and fell back on my couch letting Fuel pound through my room numbing me as it went.

Jasper's thoughts broke through my stupor, "You need to calm down man, woman are complicated beings, it takes time to figure these things out."

I growled out in aggravation but he didn't let up, "You just need to loosen up with her, go with your instincts before you screw things up. I feel aggravation, hurt, and determination coming off of her in waves."

Loosen up….I mumbled to myself. I practically attacked Bella tonight and he was telling me to loosen up. I laughed out load and rubbed my hands roughly over my face trying to calm down. Bella had the capability of making me feel whole and making me feel like I was falling to pieces all at once and it was beyond, frustrating. I didn't have to be Jasper to feel how uncomfortable Bella was sitting so close to me on the way home, we had been inseparable for the past two months so her feeling that way killed me. Especially after tonight in the water, I knew it was wrong, I had even apologized profusely to her but deep down I wasn't sorry. I had never been so close to Bella, I had never been that close to anyone for that matter, but until I met Bella I never knew how much I wanted it. I was okay being alone before, but now I despised it, I craved Bella's closeness, I craved everything about her.

I closed my eyes and my mind automatically went to her. Her beautiful, endless eyes. Her angelic face. Her perfect body, wet and wrapped around mine. Her soft flesh being molded in my hands. The tightness in my shorts came roaring back to life and I covered my face in aggravation. There was no question, I thought, I was going to hell.

BPV

Hours passed before Edward finally emerged from his room. We were all gathered in the living room, Carlisle was sitting on the loveseat with Esme nestled beside him, he had been telling me stories about his life. His tales were intriguing and I listened intently to him reminisce about his youth, his time spent with the Volturi, and how each of the Cullen's came into his life. Everyone else was half listening, probably already having heard this a few hundred times. Jasper and Emmett were playing cards on the couch and Rose and Alice were sitting by each other on the floor picking out pieces for their winter wardrobe online. Edward made his way slowly down the stairs.

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to grace us with his presence." Emmett mumbled under his breath nudging my elbow, even though everyone heard him clearly.

Edward ignored him and made his way over to the couch and timidly sat on the other side of me.

"Hi." he breathed giving me a small nervous grin.

"Hi." I said back softly, breathing him in for the first time in hours, my body relaxed.

He gave me a real smile then and my stomach did a small flip.

I sat quietly trying to concentrate on the rest of what Carlisle was saying but it was hard to concentrate on anything with Edward so close to me especially when he had reached down and took my hand into his giving it a small squeeze. I smiled knowing that we were okay, this was our small way of making up and it gave me the courage to follow through with Alice's plan because as I looked up into his deep topaz eyes I knew without a doubt he was completely worth it.

EPV

I sat next to Bella on the couch and held onto her hand like it was my lifeline, I had spent too much time away from her and it was unbelievable how such a simple act of handholding could bring me such peace. I pondered over the strong connection Bella and I shared while half listening to Carlisle speak, I looked over and couldn't help but smile at Bella, she was listening intently to Carlisle and her forehead was scrunched up in concentration, she was too cute for her own good. I was thankful that at least we seemed to be on better terms than last night. She had let me talk to her and be this close to her so I took it as a good sign.

When Carlisle concluded his story he stood up and came over and gave Bella a peck on the top of her head.

"Thank you Bella for letting me bore you with my tales, it felt good to reminisce, my children have heard me tell that story so many times they don't even pretend to listen to me anymore." he chuckled.

I watched Bella duck her head and look like she would of been blushing if she still could, she was adorable. I could tell Carlisle's small gesture meant a great deal to her.

Esme took Carlisle's hand and followed him upstairs, she yelled over her shoulder for us not to break anything. I closed my mind off to them to give them their privacy, I learned quickly to stay out of their heads when they were alone, I was already scarred for life. I shook my head trying to clear the unwelcomed memories.

I sat in silence with Bella completely at peace as I lazily drew small circles on her palm with my fingers.

"So, Bella," Alice's soprano voice invaded my serene state, "we should go shopping for your date." she smiled brightly in our direction looking up over her pink laptop.

Date?…I repeated the word again to myself trying to absorb it and it took everything I had not to tighten my hold on Bella's small hand. I looked at Bella with confusion written all over my face and she cut her eyes up at me nervously. Date? I repeated what should have been a simple word over and over again in my head , each time it got heavier and more vile.

I was in my room for no more than four hours, what in the hell could I of possibly missed?

"Alice…..," Bella ducked her head looking embarrassed, "it's not that big of a deal."

I opened my mouth, curiosity and panic over taking me but I was abruptly cut off by Emmett.

"Date?" Emmett asked wagging his eyebrows up and down looking back and forth from Bella and I, having it all wrong. "Who's the lucky guy?" Emmett chuckled out.

"Our little Eddie's growing up," he thought in my direction, "my little brother's first date."

I groaned inwardly and tried to subtly shake my head at him.

"Bella's going on a date with Mike Newton." Alice giggled.

I dropped Bella's hand not being able to control myself any longer, my hands trembled as my veins flooded and pulsed with anger and I looked back and forth from a smug looking Alice to a humiliated looking Bella in disbelief.

I opened my mouth to protest, to forbid Bella from getting anywhere near that vile excuse for a human being when Emmett interrupted me once again.

"The hell you are!" Emmett's voice took a serious tone as the muscles in his neck flexed, "No sister of mine is going anywhere near that perv." he finished.

I looked over at Bella and saw her face flood with mixed emotions. She cut her eyes over at me again before turning her attention back to Emmett.

"Em," she drawled out, "As much as I appreciate the big brother routine I can take care of myself, Vampire, remember?" she asked pointing at herself as she said the word vampire, she was trying in vain to lighten the mood.

"No, nuh uh," Emmet said standing up, his thoughts were screaming at me to intervene, to say something, "over my dead body." he smiled for moment realizing the irony of what he had just said before his face quickly returned to a hard mask.

I watched Bella's eyes shrink into small slits as she glared at him. It wasn't the cute, angry Bella that I loved, she looked fierce with defiance and I realized Emmett had just done me a huge favor. If it wasn't for him speaking up I would be on the receiving end of Bella's wrath right now.

Rose interrupted before all hell broke loose, "Bella, when did you finally tell the little horn ball yes, and why is this the first time I'm hearing about it." she pouted, feigning hurt.

Bella looked at her and her face softened, she gave Emmett one last fleeting look of fury and turned to Rose but Alice answered for her before she had a chance to speak.

"He's asking her out on Monday," she chirped, kicking her feet playfully behind her as she laid on her stomach on the couch.

"So what makes this time any different than the other hundred times that boy's asked you out?" Rose asked without looking up from painting her nails.

"Um…." she started looking down at her lap wringing her fingers together, I starred at her intently hanging on her every word knowing I was the only person in the room her answer could potentially kill, "I just…. I haven't been on a real date in a long time and Alice warned me that Mike was going to ask me to the movies on Monday and I thought that it wouldn't hurt anything if I said yes," her eyes cut up at me again and studied my face and at that moment I couldn't even imagine what it showed. I was numb. There was no way in hell I was going to let Bella go out with Mike Newton I just needed to find a smart way to go about it.

"Well there you go," Emmett concluded, "You haven't even said yes yet, so now that it's been decided that you aren't going, it's no big deal." he grinned smugly crossing his arms across his chest.

"Emmett….." Bella pushed out between her clenched teeth warning him, I knew she didn't want to argue with Emmett, she had a playful relationship with him, there had never been an ill word spoken between the two of them. I could feel her body next to me vibrating trying to push back her anger.

A loud crash cut through the tension and I looked over to where the noise came from to find an angry looking Emmett rubbing his arm and a relieved looking Jasper smiling.

"What the hell man, why'd you hit me?" Emmett boomed.

Jasper laughed a little, "Sorry man, you asked for it, you have no idea how much anger that little lady over there can feel." he said pointing his thumb at a now giggling Bella.

I wasn't sure if Bella was giggling from what we were looking at or if Jasper was influencing her with the relief he was feeling, even I felt his calm chip away a little of my tension.

"Bella," I said, her head snapping to me with worry on her face, I knew I had to be delicate with my words, "When did you want me to drive you home?"

I didn't want her to leave but I wanted her to myself, away from the prying ears of my family and I knew Charlie was going to be fishing until dinner.

"Now please, if you don't mind," she said softly.

We drove to her house in silence only making small talk about the weather, it was very uncomfortable and very unlike us. I hung around her house for the rest of the day helping her with her chores and starting dinner for her before Charlie came home. We never fell into the ease that our relationship normally exuded. Our small talk was laced with confusion and tension. I knew I was acting off, I held my tongue determined not to screw things up with Bella again. I learned my lesson, I knew this situation wouldn't end well if I tried to tell her what to do.

Later that night I snuck back into Bella's room after Charlie fell asleep and sat at her feet at the end of her bed. She was laying down reading Pride and Prejudice, her chestnut hair fanned out above her head like a halo, she looked like an angel. She just smiled at me, no words were spoken. I looked down at her beautiful exposed feet and ran my fingers lightly over them peeking at her from under my lashes. She looked at me, her eyes hooded. I shifted and pulled her tiny feet on my lap rubbing them with more pressure, massaging them.

"Mmmm," she hummed, closing her eyes. "That feels….so good." she murmured out.

My heart soared at the heavenly sounds escaping through her luscious lips. I studied her face gauging her reaction as I pulled out every last ounce of tension from her feet. I reluctantly stopped but held her soft feet in my lap.

"Thank you." she breathed out softly, stretching. It was adorable how she still kept some of her human mannerisms.

She scooted over and patted the twin size bed beside her. "Come here Edward." she whispered.

She wasn't trying to be seductive but the sight of her laying there beckoning me to her side sent chills trembling through my body. I placed her feet softly back down on the comforter and slowly made my way up the bed, kicking my shoes off in the process. I laid down on my side facing Bella who was also on her side watching me. Her face was relaxed, her hands resting between the side of her face and her pillow, her sweet breath permeating the air between the small space between us. The proximity of our bodies had me vibrating down to my very core.

"Edward," she breathed out softly as she reached out and caressed my cheek with the backside of her small hand, her skin running across mine like satin, "Are you okay?"

"Hmmm?" I murmured, my eyes closed completely lost in her touch.

She giggled and I opened my eyes smiling at the musical sound.

"Are. You. Okay?" she repeated for me again pausing in between each word. "You haven't acted like yourself today."

Her soft hand moved down and traced my bottom lip. I breathed her in and marveled in her touch. She was making it impossible for me to concentrate on what she was saying let alone make a coherent sentence. It was the sweetest kind of torture.

I took a deep breath trying to clear my head but I ended up breathing in more of her intoxicating scent. I looked into her sparkling eyes.

"Bella, I told you I never wanted to lie to you, that I always wanted us to honest with each other…..well I'd be lying if I said I was happy that you are going on a date with Newton." I said trying to keep my voice more caring than demanding.

Bella breathed out a whoosh of air and dropped her hand from my face, "Edward it won't even really be a date, I just want to go out and see a movie and be normal for one night, it doesn't have anything to do with Mike, I really could care less who it's with."

"I understand." I said after digesting what she had just said. I did understand it but I didn't like it. But something she said did give me an ounce of hope.

"Really?" her voice broke through my thought as she scanned my face skeptically? "That's it? Your not going to forbid to go out and lock me up and throw away the key to keep me from going?" she asked looking at me in disbelief.

"I don't like it," I said reaching out and tracing her fingers with my hand, "But no, I'm not going to forbid you," I said smiling, "and I'm not going to lock you up." I continued.

"Besides," I breathed out, " I doubt it would do any good, Vampire, remember?" I repeated her sentiment from earlier playfully poking her side.

She laughed and swatted at my hand but I caught it and pulled her over to me and rested her head on my chest. I bent down and buried my face in her hair before kissing the top of her head and she sighed out in content. We stayed like that until the sun came up.

**************

BPV

The weekend had flown by in a flash. The sun had no sooner come up on Sunday morning before Alice was at my house literally dragging me from Edward's embrace. Thank god Charlie had left for work early that morning because I didn't think the scene we were making would of went over very well. I did not want to spend a whole day shopping at the mercy of my favorite little pixie, I didn't even know if following through with her plan was a good idea after yesterday. Edward didn't react at all like I thought he would, I couldn't figure it out, the one time I wanted him to act irrationally and tell me not to go he conceded like it didn't bother him at the least. Emmett had a bigger problem with it than him. I smiled to myself thinking of Emmett's outburst, he had called me his little sister and I loved the big guy for it. Alice drug me around all day promising me things were going as planned so I put all of my faith in her. After spending all of last night in Edward's arms I wasn't sure how much longer I could last without spontaneously combusting.

Now I was sitting at lunch by Edward, he was definitely out of sorts today I kept stealing looks at him because he had been especially quiet and his face was rigid. Alice on the other hand was bouncing off the walls, giddy with excitement. There was no telling what she was doing to Edward mentally, I felt kind of bad for him. The bell rang and I stood up and made my way to Biology with Edward catching up to me. He slowed down to my pace and took my hand in his, I looked at him and smiled but was taken aback by the determination in his face, I could practically feel it rolling off of him in waves as he held my hand firmly. Now I was nervous, something was up with Edward and I knew Mike was only a few minutes away from asking me out. Maybe Edward decided not to be so understanding about this and I thought for a minute about just skipping class all together before everything went terribly wrong.

"Edward?" I questioned trying to read his face as we walked in through the classroom door. I looked over and noticed Mike waiting for me at my desk and I hesitated. I looked back at Edward expecting to see the worst but was met with a mischievous grin plastered on his beautiful face.

"Edward?" I asked again with panic and confusion dripping from my words.

"It's okay." was all he said before he pulled my wobbly legs forward.

"Hey Bella!" Mike smiled a big toothy, grin at me but it faltered some when he looked down and saw mine and Edward'sed conjoined hands.

"Um, Hi Mike." I said dropping Edward's hand and giving Mike my best fake smile as I walked past him and took my seat. "What's up?"

"Well…I was um…wondering if um…you wanted to go out with me on Friday night?" he asked trying to come across cocky but failing miserably.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a second before reopening them quickly, I couldn't believe I was about to do this, this better work.

" Um, Su……" I started but was abruptly cut off.

"Sorry Mike but Bella can't go out with you, she's already going out with me on Friday night." Edward's words flowed out with an edge to them.

I looked over at him in shock, my mouth hung open as I starred trying to figure out if I had just imagined that.

Mike's cold tone broke me out of my trance, "I think Bella can answer for herself Cullen." Mike spat looking at me with a glimmer of hope. "Bella?"

"Um….," I searched for a coherent sentence before coming to my senses, "I'm really sorry Mike but," I looked over at Edward and he nodded for me to continue, " I already have plans." It came out more like a question as I still hadn't looked away from a smug looking Edward smiling back at me.

"Fine." Mike grumbled from behind me, I didn't have to turn around to know he had left and stomped back to his desk.

I took a moment to regain my bearings, "So, would you like to tell me what that was all about?" I asked looking at Edward skeptically.

It occurred to me that he very well may have said that only to deter me from going out with Mike, that he may not have intended to really take me out at all.

"Well...." Edward started, "You did say you just wanted to go on a date, that you didn't really care who it was with." he still had that sinfully, smug smile on his face and my breath caught in my throat.

"You know your stuck taking me out now, don't you," I asked only half playing, "no backing out."

"Bella," he leaned in and whispered in my ear while reaching under the table and taking my hand in his, "I fully intend on taking you out." he drawled out his sentence slowly with a sly smirk on his face looking sexy as hell, "that is if you want to, of course?"

I swallowed hard and gave him a small smile, "It's a date." I said barely above a whisper but he grinned crookedly and I knew he heard me.

AN: So? REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW & I'll send everyone all three Cullen boys overnight to them...of course only sinfully wrapped in a bright red bow :)

Sorry again it took me longer than usual to get this out...the next chapter should be fun w/ their date.....maybe we'll get somewhere, eh? hint, hint...