A/N

Thank you to everyone who reviewed!! I know there were still some that didn't but not everyone will, I just wish you would! There are some of you that review almost every chapter, and for that I am very grateful! So this chapter may or may not be the one that leads to the ball. I will let you know at the bottom A/N once I finished this chapter. I cannot wait for you to read the ball chapter! There will be a surprise and some lemonyish moments. They won't be deep right now but they will get better, promise! One last thing, if there is ANYTHING you want to see no matter when or what it is PM or review and I will more than likely put it in!

Here we go. This is still at the picnic.

BPOV

I wanted him to kiss me so badly. I knew he was an extreme gentleman though so I knew he was waiting, but it still didn't make the waiting any better him being as close to me as he was today. It was like my body ached for him. I know I haven't known him entirely that long but I knew he was who I was supposed to be with. I loved him, I just didn't want to tell him right now when he just asked me to be his only a moment ago.

My heart grew three sizes when he asked me. It was a moment I've been waiting for since the moment I met him.

"Are you ready Isabella? I am afraid mother will be expecting us." I didn't want to leave but I knew we must.

"I am."

"I shall saddle the horse again, alone." He smirked at me and I blushed deeply.

"Why would you need to?"

"You do not think I would let you walk all the way home in the dark do you?"

"I don't mind at all."

"I do." My favorite words as of yet. "Besides, I would prefer to keep you as close to me as possible since it is dark, it would be hard to keep close to you if we walk." I nodded. I knew he was just trying to be polite and not say he didn't trust people at night, especially not where no one could hear us if we needed them. It was actually kind of him.

He led the horse out with the saddle. It only took him under five minutes to do so. He was a lot quicker without me.

"Ladies first." He helped me up and pulled himself on the horse without needing the stirrups like I did.

"May I?" He was pointing to the horn again.

"Yes." I was anxious to have his arms around me, plus he kept me from falling.

We arrived back at his home shortly after leaving, I guess it was about thirty minutes or so, and he led the horse to the stable in the back. I went ahead inside.

"I'm guessing you had a lovely time?" His mother was waiting in the parlor. She was beaming at me.

"Yes mam. I did."

"You are positively glowing Isabella." She gave a kind smirk like she knew what had happened.

"How much do you know?" She giggled

"I know my son very well Isabella. I know what he intended tonight. And I also know he was a complete gentleman the entire night. Am I not correct?"

"Yes, you are." She smiled again

"Hello mother." Edward walked in.

"Hello. You look happy about something." Another smirk crossed her face.

EPOV

Ugh! Not now mother! "Do I?" I decided to play dumb, even though she knew everything.

"You do. Anything you want to tell me." She is going to embarrass Isabella, I just know it.

"Well, as you know, I asked Isabella to be mine. She agreed." My mother made this high pitched noise that I wasn't used to hearing from her. She composed herself.

"Well I am happy for the both of you." Isabella smiled and said thank you and when her back was turned my mother winked at me.

"I am so sorry about that Isabella." She came with me to my room.

"It isn't a problem. I am happy she likes me so much."

"She loves you." She smiled at me.

"I am very fond of your mother as well. She is very kind."

"She is." I adored my mother.

"So when is the ball?" That took me by surprise. She hasn't asked about it since she agreed to attend with me.

"About a month. It will be on August the fifth."

"Then I need to start looking for a dress then. That will be exciting." She gave a sort or half smile half grimace. I don't think she likes shopping very well.

"You don't have to. You would look beautiful in anything."

"But it is a ball. I need to dress up."

"Only if you want to. You could ask my mother to help you."

"That is an excellent idea. Excuse me." She walked to the parlor where my mother was sitting. I knew my mother would say yes to the invitation. She loved Bella like she was her own child. She would do anything for her like she would for me.

Bella, I'm not sure why I call her that, came back to my room and knocked

"You may come in Isabella." I turned in time to see her blush. My heart fluttered. "Did she say yes?"

"She did. We are going after school Friday." That meant I wouldn't get to spend the weekend with her. My stomach tightened.

"It should be a pleasant trip."

"Oh I am sure of it. Elizabeth was very excited about it." I noticed it was dark outside.

"Perhaps we should settle for the night? We do have school."

"Yes of course. I almost forgot." She turned and opened the door.

"Isabella?"

"Yes?" She poked her head through the door.

I love you. "Sleep well."

"You as well Edward." I loved hearing my name come from her lips.

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The next morning I woke, ate, and waited for Isabella to come down the stairs. She arrived a few minutes later and we started to school again.

"Did you sleep well?" I asked her. Last night was the first night I slept in my room. Isabella has needed me since her mother passed. She has gotten a great deal better after a short period of time. She is very strong.

"I did. I woke a few times but that's alright. You?"

"Likewise." The rest was silent, not awkward in anyway, just silent the rest of the way to school.

"May I walk you to your first class?"

"Yes you may." She smiled at me.

When it was close to the end of the day I noticed her at the far end of the hallway. That is when I saw Albert walking towards her. He was forcing her into a corner. I could see Bella shaking her head quickly and Albert had a smug smirk on his face. I walked as quickly as was humanly possible to where they were. Teachers were on this end of the hall and you could get punished for running.

"I thought I made myself clear before Albert. Or do I need to force you to understand, I don't want you within a mile of her." He looked up and the smirk got bigger. He flung his arm around Isabella's waist.

I glared at him.

"I don't think she minds too much"

"You're wrong." She smacked his hand away but he grabbed her with both hands around her waist forcing her to him.

"Do not touch her!" I pulled her away from him and stepped myself in front her.

"Oh. Well someone doesn't like to share their girlfriend."

"She isn't an option for you Albert." I spat at him

"I could probably persuade her otherwise." He tried to step around me but I moved with him.

"Touch her, speak to her, or even look at her the wrong way again and I will not be afraid to make it the last thing you do." I growled at him.

"You need to lighten up Eddie! She is a girl. She is replaceable." I lost it. I flung my hand forward and my fist met his jaw with as much strength as I had.

"Let's go." I grabbed her hand and we started out the door that was right beside where we were. There was no way I was staying there while Albert was still alive.

"I'm so sorry Edward. I tried to get him to leave me alone he just..." I cut her off

"No, it isn't your fault. He just doesn't take no for an answer. He has officially marked you as his. He won't stop until he gets what he wants then he will leave you." I was pulling her quickly. She was stumbling but I couldn't stop now. We needed to get home before Albert decided to leave school and follow us.

"He kept pushing me against the wall. I couldn't move." I realized that reality just hit Isabella. She was frightened. I stopped and faced her.

"I promise you Isabella. I will not let him touch you again and if he does, I will be sure he won't be able to lay a single finger on you after that. I can promise you this." I laced my fingers with hers for the first time. It was an amazing feeling but now wasn't the time for that. I just needed to comfort her then get her home. That is when I saw the tears.

"It's okay Isabella. I promise. He will not hurt you. I will not leave you to even give him the chance. You are safe with me." I pulled her into a tight hug.

"I know. I was just scared."

"It's okay." I picked her up and carried the rest of the way home. When I walked into the house my mother was in the parlor, like always, and immediately knew something was wrong.

"Is she okay? What happened to her? Is she hurt?" I only had to say one word.

"Albert." I said it in more of a growl. I was furious he scared my Bella this way.

"What did he do to her?" My mother asked me

"Nothing. He didn't get the chance. I hit him."

"Edward!"

"It was that or let him do worse to Isabella." She knew I was right. She just rubbed her hands through Isabella's hair to calm her.

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After supper my mother pulled me aside.

"Edward, I'm not sure you two should go back to school just yet. I'm not sure it would be safe."

"I agree."

"I need you to watch Isabella for us. I am afraid of what she could get into alone, especially in town."

"I will give my life for her."

"I know you would. But let us hope it does not come to that." I nodded and headed for Isabella's room.

"Are you alright?" I said through the door.

She appeared in the doorway. She looked fine. She hasn't been crying at least.

"I am fine. Do you wish to come in?" She held the door open for me and I walked inside.

"Thank you Edward. You are constantly watching out for me. I don't know what I would do without you." My heart grew suddenly

"I cannot tell you what I would do without you either. You have made me a totally different person. Only for the good though. May I ask you a question Isabella?"

"Of course you may."

"Would it bother you greatly if I called you Bella? I seem to think that a lot in my mind. I just didn't want to say it and you not like the name." She thought about it and smiled.

"No one has ever called me that before." Her smile grew.

"Is that a yes?" She nodded "Bella." She was beaming now. "I'll keep it our little secret." I winked at her and left the room.

A/N

Okay so I guess one more chapter and then the ball. I already have it written but I need Edward and Bella to connect more before they go. So what did you guys think about the Albert thing? I've never written a fight lol. Hope it wasn't too awful. Anyway, so one more chapter before the ball. I hope you guys are as excited as I am! There will be a surprise in that chapter, I am thrilled about that :) so you guys give me at least 5 more reviews and I will update. That isn't a big request I don't think :):) I will ask for more before the ball though so be prepared to review, if you have reviewed on only one chapter and you want an update sooner, go review other chapters, that is 7 reviews if chapter 8 is the only one you reviewed. Nothing fancy just, UPDATE works. Come on guys, encourage me a little.

Thank you, REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!!