Outtake in Edward's POV! Their first 'I love you'

Winter vacation had just started signifying half of my sophomore year of high school being over. Bella and I were coming up on our one year anniversary. We were only 15 when we started dating so things started out very innocent and slow. We were both unsure of how to be in a relationship at first but eventually we figured out our roles.

I stretched and finally decided to get out of bed. I brushed my teeth and headed downstairs. Today was Christmas Eve and I believe it was going to be split between the Swan household and the Cullen household. Our parents had become extremely close over the last year especially with my brothers dating Bella's sisters. As I was heading to the kitchen I heard a knock on the front door.

As I opened the door, there stood Bella excitedly rocking back and forth on her feet.

"Merry Christmas Eve!" she said with a huge grin on her face.

I love you.

We hadn't said it yet. But I knew I was head-over-heels in love with this girl. I think we waited so long because we were so young and now I think we're both afraid to be the first. One of these times I'm going to slip though.

I laughed at her excitement and just grabbed her hand to pull her into a hug and then pulled back in order to kiss her lips.

"I was sent here to retrieve your family for lunch at my house," she explained as she pulled out of our embrace. She took my hand and led me to the kitchen in search of my mom.

"Oh Bella honey, is it time for lunch already?" my mom asked when she noticed us. She was currently in the process of baking something.

"Mom said everything would be ready in an hour. I came to give a warning. Do you need any help?"

"That would be wonderful. I'm making banana bread. If I get it in the oven in the next 20 minutes it will be ready in time for lunch," my mom explained. Bella immediately jumped in to help, grabbing the spare apron that was hanging next to the fridge.

They worked together seamlessly, getting the bread dough made in record time. At one point Bella looked up at me and I could see the flour she had all over her. I smiled at her and she beamed back.

I love you.

I was forced out of my daze by Emmett slapping me on the back. "When's lunch? I'm starving!" he said loudly.

"About 45 minutes Emmett," Bella responded after checking the clock.

"Where's Rose?" he asked looking around.

"She's helping my mom get everything ready for lunch," she explained going back to work on mixing. Emmett just nodded and left after a minute mentioning going over to the Swan's house.

I watched Bella as she moved to the sink to clean her face. My father joined us a few minutes later. He and Bella immediately began a conversation about some classic novel. I watched as they hand gestures started to become more excited and the looks on their faces brightened.

I love you.

The fact that Bella gets along with my family so well makes me so happy. I was broken out of another daze by her running a hand over my back. I turned my head to meet her eyes.

"You ready to go over to my house?" she asked sweetly. I nodded and stood up, heading to get my boots. I grabbed a sweatshirt, not bothering to dress super warm for the extremely short walk from my house to hers.

I reached for her hand and we walked out my front door. Feeling the cold, she immediately leaned against my side. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and looked down at her. I kissed her head.

"I love you."

Her head moved quickly to look up at me.

"Did you just…" she started.

"Shit." I interrupted her and started thinking of ways to fix it.

"I love you, too," she spoke before I could.