BPOV

I think Alice was catching on to me. I'd been purposely avoiding her since lunch with my parents - and she was pissed.

And, unfortunately for me, I had to make an emergency stop back at our place.

I'd managed to keep it from Edward all of this time, securing it in my overnight bag to avoid embarrassment.

Why did I have to forget him today...

I opened the front door, knowing Alice would be inside since it was unlocked.

Easy, Bella. Just grab him and make a run for it. She'll be none the wiser.

But as I reached the living room, lo and behold, there stood Alice, with my little stuffed animal dalmatian in her hands.

"Forget something?" She asked disinterestedly, passing the dog from hand to hand.

"Give him back!" I squeaked, dropping my overnight bag. It hit the floor with a dull thud.

"Only if you answer me one thing."

"Anything," I whimpered, wringing my hands together anxiously.

"What happened at the New Year's party at Edward's place?"

"I....I..."

She held him up by the tip of an ear, causing me to emit a low hiss.

"Well?"

"Edwardproposednowgivehimback!!" I yelled, reaching out in a desperate attempt to grab my pup.

Alice's eyes widened and she released her grip on him.

"ALICE!!!" I screamed, making a lucky dive and catching him in my arms just as he was about to hit the ground. I clutched him to my chest protectively before standing upright and
lifting my chin up high. "There. I think i'll take my leave now."

But just as I reached down to pick up my overnight bag, I felt a pair of small hands grip my wrist tightly.

"You. Aren't. Going. Anywhere."

Damn.

"Bella?" Edward asked as I entered his house, a permanent cringe in place on me. "What happened?"

"Alice knows."

He then got a cringe to mimic mine.

"Oh boy. I have a feeling we'll be having guests soon."

"I'm sorry..."

"What did you forget, anyways? You never did tell me."

"Um, nothing."

"Nothing? So why'd you go back?"

I rolled my eyes in frustration, the cringe easing out of both of our faces.

"Okay, so it was something. It's just something I'm embarrassed about."

"Bella," he laughed, "we're engaged. Are you really not comfortable sharing things with me?"

He added a pout for extra effect.

"You've been spending too much time with Alice."

"Are you trying to distract me?"

"Desperately."

"Just show me."

"Fine!"

I opened up my overnight bag and pulled out my pup, holding him up for Edward to see.

"There!"

He looked back and forth between me and the stuffed dalmatian, confusion all too clear. I let out a sigh of defeat.

"I've had him since I was really little, for as long as I can remember. One of my grandparent's got him for me. And... I can't spend a night away from my place without him. It makes
me too anxious and I can't fall asleep."

"Really?"

I just nodded and closed my eyes, too afraid to see his reaction.

He's going to think it's so stupid!

I opened my eyes to the sound of his laughter, and shot him an annoyed glare.

"It's not funny..."

"I'm not laughing at you," he grinned. I raised a brow is disbelief. "Well, I kind of am. But I'm also laughing at myself."

"Umm... Okay?"

"I'll show you."

He took my hand and led me to the bedroom, heading straight for his dresser. After opening up one of the drawers and digging around for a few moments, he turned back to me -
holding a small stuffed animal lion.

"Is... Is that Simba from The Lion King?"

He nodded sheepishly, a delightful shade of pink coloring his cheeks.

"I got him when the movie came out. Haven't been able to let go since."

"Really?"

"Really."

A huge grin lit up my face, making Edward's cheeks go darker.

"That's so.... cute."

"You tell Emmett and you're dead," he threatened, giving me a tight glare, with a smile to let me know he was only teasing.

"Don't worry," I giggled, holding a hand up and placing it over my heart. "The secret of Simba is safe with me."

"Then the secret of Lucky is safe with me."

I inwardly squealed that he recognized my pup.

He then turned and placed Simba back in his drawer. Just as he was about to close it, I stepped forward.

"Ummm...."

"Yes?"

"I was just thinking that, since I spend pretty much every night here these days... Um, well it would be easier if..."

"Say no more," he smirked, stepping back and gesturing to the dresser. I bounced over and placed my pup right beside his cat, smiling proudly at the sight of the two being side by
side.

"Perfect fit," he remarked, placing an arm around my shoulder as we both gazed into the open dresser drawer.

"Yeah. We sure are."

I was woken up the next morning by the doorbell ringing.

Over, and over, and over, and over.....

"Whassat," I grumbled against Edward's chest, refusing to open my eyes yet.

"I dunno. It's early. Can't be good."

"Iowanna wake up yet," I whimpered, pulling the covers over my head.

"Don't hog the blanket," he chuckled, tugging the blanket up until it was over his own head, and our feet stuck out.

I huffed and hugged my knees to my stomach so my feet wouldn't freeze.

After another minute the doorbell stopped ringing, and I sighed in relief - until I heard the front door open.

"Edward?"

"Hmm?"

"Does anyone have a copy of the key to your place?"

"Ummm.... I gave one to Jasper. Why?"

"Damn it, Alice...."

"Wake up!" Alice yelled, poking me sharply in the ribs.

"Ow! That hurt through the blanket," I whimpered. Edward's hold on me grew more possessive, and I could swear I heard him growl.

"Go away, Alice. We're not ready to wake up yet."

"Maybe you shouldn't have stayed up so late!"

"We weren't up late."

"Then why aren't you ready to wake up yet?"

Edward growled again.

"It's hopeless," I sighed, prepared to admit defeat.

"Sshhh. If we're quiet for long enough, she might leave."

"WAKE UP!"

The blankets were then tugged off of us, and we hissed at the shock of the cold and the brightness of the room.

"Alice," we grumbled in unison.

"We could have taken care of this a long time ago, you know. If I'd been informed!"

"Sorry, Alice," I sighed.

"That's better. Now chop chop! There's much work to be done."

"Work?"

I opened my eyes, only to find a bridal magazine being tossed directly at my face. It hit its target with a sickening slap.

"Could you please not throw things at my fiancee?" Edward growled, peeling the magazine off of my face and placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"Fine," Alice shrugged, and then promptly threw a magazine at him.

"Alice!!"

"Five minutes!" She called over her shoulder as she bounced out the doorway, past Jasper, who was gazing at us apologetically.

"I'm making him give his key back."

Precisely five minutes later, Edward and I entered the living room. Alice was sitting on the couch, glaring at the little Christmas tree that was still on the end table.

"Why is that still up," she asked with disgust, making me smile proudly.

"Because I didn't want to take it down yet."

"Bella. No."

"You don't live here!" I shrieked. Edward grabbed hold of my hand and clutched it tightly.

"Please just tell us the reason you stopped by, Alice."

"Fine," she huffed, crossing her arms. "I came to plan your wedding. First off, did you set a date yet?"

Edward and I slowly turned and looked at each other, and were struck with a fit of laughter.

"I don't see what's so funny here. You know, aside from that tree..."

"Alice... Alice," I managed between giggles. "We haven't... really gotten that far yet..."

"Yeah," Edward chuckled, "we haven't decided what month yet."

"Then it's a good thing I'm here! Now, I've brought some magazines to help get us started - "

"Please, Alice..."

"Just hear me out! Look, I even found a magazine that has these two actors that look so much like you guys!"

She held up said magazine proudly, looking back and forth between Edward and I as if waiting for us to bow down to her.

"Wow, I actually can see the resemblance," I said with shock, snatching the magazine away from her. "Only you're cuter than this," I squinted my eyes, in an attempt to read the text on the cover, "Robert Pattinson."

"Well," he chuckled, taking the magazine from me with a grin, "this Kristen Stewart has nothing on you."

"Could you guys please stop messing around and just look at what they're wearing!"

"Come on, Alice, I'm really not up for this right now."

"Look at it this way - you already know who your bridesmaid is going to be."

"Who?" I asked, with a mock serious face.

"ME!!"

"Oh. Okay, sure. If you'd like."

I had to duck out of the way as she tossed one of the bigger magazines at me. Jasper just laughed in the corner of the room.

"Why are you here," Edward groaned.

"To offer a... male perspective."

"And you have the key."

"And I have the key."

"How about you, Edward?" Alice asked sweetly, batting her lashes. "Who will be your groomsmen?"

"Just Emmett."

"Dude," Jasper laughed. "I'm sorry about the key."

"Oh, alright. Jasper too."

"Anyone else?"

"No."

"Really?"

"Just no, Alice," Edward hissed, my knuckled turning white at the firm grip he had on my hand.

"Um... Edward... you're cutting off the circulation in my fingers..."

"Oh, God, Bella! I'm so sorry, are you alright?"

He immediately released my hand, then gently lifted it up for inspection.

"I'm fine."

"Is something wrong, Edward?" Alice asked with confusion.

"No," he snapped. "Just get off the subject, please."

"What's your problem?"

"Alice," Jasper warned, sitting beside her and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"My problem is you!" Edward growled, releasing my hand and balling his own into fists. "I don't need you barging in here unannounced, and prying into my life! Just leave me the hell
alone!" He roared, before stomping off into the bedroom and slamming the door shut.

I looked over to find Alice staring at me, eyes wide and mouth agape.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, turning and following Edward into his room.

I knocked on the door.

"Did you not hear me, Alice?!"

"It's me..."

The door swung open and I was pulled inside, and pressed up against the door, slamming it shut again.

"Are you alright?"

"This is too much, Bella. Too much, too soon. I don't know if I can handle it."

I gazed helplessly up at him, taking note of the darkness in his eyes.

"Do you want to cancel the engagement?" I whimpered. His eyes widened.

"No! No, no of course not! That's not what I meant at all. I just, this is so... I don't know if I'm ready to be attacked with preparations just yet. Not if it means the... death of my parents," he hissed, "will be brought up repeatedly."

"When was that..."

"My father," he sighed. "I always knew that I wanted my father to be my Best Man."

"Oh, no," I gasped, bringing my hands up to smooth them through his hair, moving the locks out of his eyes. "Edward, I'm so sorry..."

"No. Please, Bella. You know I don't need pity from you."

I tugged his hair then, and shot him a glare. He flinched.

"Ow."

"And you know that I don't pity you. I just don't like to see you in pain. Knowing that you hurt makes me hurt."

"I'm sorry," he sighed, leaning his head into my touch as I began to run my fingers through his hair again.

"Me too."

"Should I go back out there?"

"Not if you don't want to."

He gave me an apologetic smile. I nodded.

"I understand."

"Thank you," he whispered, placing a soft kiss against my lips.

I smiled and held him against me, deepening the kiss. He hummed in pleasure and wrapped his arms around my hips, pressing me closer to him. After a minute he pulled back and
placed a kiss into my hair.

"I love you so much."

In case you're wondering, I got the idea for the stuffed dalmation thing from... umm, myself. xD I actually do have one, and I need to know where it is at all times. It's sort of a comfort thing. And I thought it was fitting for Edward to have a Simba. He likes lions, after all...

Thanks for reading! And just so you know, even though i've started another story, this one still comes first. Since I started it first and all... But i'll be working hard at making sure both are updated regularly.