"Where are we going??" I ignored Emmett's final statement as I decided to just sink back into reality. I didn't want to dwell on the thoughts those words of his brought up. I also took a deep breath and tried to relax- I noticed my hands were clutching the arm rests of my seat, white knuckling it as Emmett turned into a parking garage.

"I gotta pick up some last minute holiday gifts."

"Now?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes, why not now? Rose is out to lunch with her friend- out to lunch with Tanya, actually," (I ignored the teasing way Emmett's eyebrows shot up at me with the mention of Rose's strawberry blonde friend) "and I figured I have to make the most of any spare time these days…. Do you know what every free minute of mine has been spent with?" he asked, turning to look at me as he drove towards a parking space. I didn't answer. I didn't feel the need to answer. "Planning. Every free available minute of mine has been spent in preparation of something. Planning. Preparation that leads up to one big thing, actually."

"And what is that, Em?"

He paused to take a deep breath, his mouth hanging open a second to mull over his words, "At the end of the month, I'm gonna ask Rosie to marry me."

I should've been shocked, but I wasn't. Emmett seemed to get progressively crazier during this car ride.

"you know how the family takes the trip up to Aspen after Christmas morning? I think I'm gonna ask her there. Up in the cabins. Do you think she'll like that? I thought the mountains and the snow would be nice… but I don't know. Rosalie isn't the most out doorsy girl out there, but she's not exactly real girly girly either… aw, I don't know Edward, you're the more artistic, sensitive type- what do you think-?"

"Emmett- I think she'll like whatever you have planned." I muttered through a clenched jaw. I just wanted him off the subject. Frankly, I wanted him not talking crazy anymore, but I thought that might be pushing it, seeing as he is contemplating on changing his life. Planning on getting married.

If all goes well.

Emmett sighed as we finally parked and got out. I tucked my hands deep down into my coat pockets. I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine. My shoulders tensed and raised higher, so the collar of my jacket covered and sheltered more of my neck from the cold winter air. I followed Emmett out of the mall garage and to the entry. My eyes scanned the green grass courtyard in the middle of the shopping center. There was a fountain and people with their dogs, shopping bags, shoppers, the usual for this place. It wasn't as crowded as I expected it to be- but you could definitely tell it was the holiday shopping seasonal rush. Other than that, the place was relatively quiet and calm. I wasn't.

"So, what exactly are we here for?" I asked, picking up my stride and falling into step next to Emmett.

"Well I have to pick up that one appliance for mom for the trip at Crate and Barrel. And I also thought I'd check in at… uhm, that one lingerie store they have here." I raised a skeptical eyebrow. I would surely wait outside while Emmett made that purchase- whatever it was- alone.

"You don't need to elaborate there. I figure this is all apart of your planning and preparation for all things Rosalie?"

"Right. I ordered a nice little lingerie set I saw online. It shouldn't be in at the store yet- but if they have it there anyway, or something similar I thought it would be good to check out the sizes. Just in case the one I ordered would seem too small or too big in person, you know?"

I guess. Smart thinking on my brother's part. But embarrassing.

"It's a part of her Christmas present.." he was looking down at the ground now as he walked and spoke, I tried not to see the small, love sick smirk on his face he got probably from picturing Rosalie in whatever he bought her. They were a rather flamboyantly affectionate couple. "and who knows… maybe if the whole proposal goes well, I should buy a little something extra for us to enjoy as well-"

"That's enough." I half snorted, half gagged.

"Ha! oh, baby brother… you have so much left to-" and just as Emmett was getting all riled up, (he was about to pull me in with one of his huge biceps and tousle my hair) his rueful grin at the expense of making fun of me was interrupted as he phone went off.

He pulled out his phone without pause and answered it.

"Hello?"

I staggered away from him and readjusted my composure.

"Oh! Hey, baby, how's it going??" his voice took on a somewhat surprised, slightly anxious tone. "-it's Rosalie…" he whispered to me, away from the speaker, as if I couldn't guess as much. We continued walking until, well, I continued walking… I stopped just as I noticed Emmett was no longer by my side with me. He was stopped dead in his tracks. Concentrating on the other line of the phone.

"Uh- what? You're here? What do you mean you're here? You don't even know where I am- oh… you what? You can see me? Baby, where are you??…" I watched as Emmett talked and now circled around where he was standing, apparently searching for Rosalie, who- coincidentally, was at the same mall. And had him within her line of sight. I exhaled a deep breath as I saw where Rosalie was looking- and Tanya.

They were both a few feet behind Emmett, by the Apple store and some other boutique. The smile on Rosalie's face was one of sheer joy at the surprise of catching her boyfriend unexpectedly. Tanya- who I reluctantly noticed, with the fall of my stomach- had her eyes- I hate to admit it- on me. And she was smiling like it was the luckiest thing ever.

I kept my hands in my pockets and went back to Emmett's side and nodded my head behind him towards their direction. Rosalie hung up her phone as soon as Emmett caught her eye. She seemed to glide over towards him, despite her three inch heels, and threw herself in his arms. Emmett, while even though still dumb struck his preparations were invaded, still managed to twirl her around with his arms around her waist. That still didn't stop Rosalie from noticing the slightly caught, deer in the headlights, type look on his face.

"What's wrong, baby?" she finally asked, eyeing me for an answer too. I kept my face blank but casual.

"Uh, nothing, Rose. I just came to pick up something my mom wants at that one houseware store… what- what are you guys doing here??" his eyes darted from his girlfriend to Tanya.

"I told you I was going out to lunch," Rosalie explained easily.

"And you picked here? You picked to eat lunch here????"

"Well I thought why not? I wanted to look at a store and this place is close to Tanya's work so it was a win win idea- Emmett what's gotten into you??" she extracted herself from his hold and had a hand expectantly placed on her hip. I was surprised to see her foot wasn't tapping.

"Uh- nothing, baby. Just surprised is all. And what a wonderful surprise!" he pulled her back in enthusiastically for a giant hug. I had a feeling it was all for show and to regain some of his own composure without her noticing the puzzled and troubled looks that would surely be on his face. I groaned. While Emmett was left to canoodling Rosalie, Tanya and I were left standing idly by ourselves.

"Hello, Edward." her voice crooned sweetly.

"Tanya." I reciprocated with an acknowledging nod of my head. Her smile seemed to genuinely welcoming and nice I almost felt guilty.

"Ah- so… now that you have me here, why don't I go with you to get that thing your mom wanted?" Rosalie suggested, her hand resting on Emmett's chest as he gripped her waist.

"Oh, no that's fine, sweetie. I'm sure Tanya doesn't have too much time left on her lunch break and you two should just get back to your shopping. Whatever you guys were looking at. Edward and I were just gonna be real quick and then probably get a coffee or something then head home…"

To this, Rosalie frowned. Tanya seemed anxious to see how this was going to go. I could practically see inside her mind. It was as if she were egging on Rosalie to win this battle- if only just to keep us all around. I wouldn't let myself think it was merely me she wanted to stay in contact with for the afternoon…

For once, I wasn't going to be arrogant.

"Emmett.." Rosalie whined, her bottom lip pouting out, "Do you not want-?"

"No, Rose. It's fine. We'll all stick together then, I just thought-"

"Oh, wait, Tanya!" Rosalie turned to her friend. "You did say you had a quick stop to make at a store didn't you?"

"Oh yeah, but it's fine. I can just hang around with you guys until my break is up. I can always go back once I get off work... I have plenty of lingerie, really, there's no need for me to go look for more…" she laughed at herself and rolled her eyes playfully. She seemed to give me a pointed look but I couldn't be sure.

At the word 'lingerie' however, Emmett's ears seemed to perk up. With a torturous groan, I realized what he was thinking….

"No, Tanya, if there's something you need to get, please, do it now. Don't let me and Rose keep you. There's no sense in coming all the way back here when you're here now…" Emmett shrugged a shoulder, seemingly friendly and innocent enough. I knew better. Of course he was going to use Tanya to get to the women's store he needed without seeming suspicious to Rosalie. It was the perfect way to inquire about his own purchase for her- without Rose piecing together anything. "Why don't Rose and I grab what my mom needs and Edward will go with you to your store?"

WHAAAAAAT?!….

Is the first thing that came to mind. It's what I shouted in my mind actually. It would've been quite humorous actually, except it wasn't. I couldn't believe my brother just volunteered me for that. I didn't even want to go with him. I wouldn't even want to set foot in that store period. Couldn't he see it was too pink, too red, too lacy? No. Too many brassieres of all different kinds. Too complicated. Too…. Much.

And now with Tanya added in on top of all that?

Way too much.

"Uh, Emmett, I don't think Tanya wants me with her when she buys her unmentionables." I finally found my voice- which I inflicted with as much charm as I possibly could in order to sound persuasive and not seem so rude. I was trying to extract myself from the situation as politely as I could.

I heard a distinctly feminine airy laugh behind me, seemingly just below my ear. "No, Edward, I'm fine. It's up to Rosalie and Emmett… if they think that's the best option to save time, I'm alright with it." I grumbled. Of course you are.

"Yeah, Edward, it'll be fine. Meet us back at the coffee place in, what? Thirty minutes?"

"Alright. See you then." Tanya smiled. Rosalie locked her arm with Emmett's and lead him off.

And I couldn't believe that just happened to me. It was as if I had no say at all….

I didn't.

Reluctantly, I let Tanya lead the way to the store. I kept a casual and safe distance by never extracting my arms from my side and my hands from my pockets. Tanya went on as cheerily as usual as if it was no big deal. We made small talk in which I responded as normal and casual as I could. I didn't say too much, because I didn't want her to think I could possibly be interested. And I didn't say too little because unfortunately, Rosalie had given her the wrong information and fed Tanya the idea that I was a man of little words anyway and a little standoffish when it came to women. Giving Tanya the wrong idea that is was me, not her. I didn't want my silence to be read as nervous apprehension towards her.

I remained a gentleman, however, and opened the door for her once we got to the store. I tried not to look around and eye everything, so as not to look like a 17 year old boy in a candy store. I could see why this place could be appealing though, to men like Emmett who had a girlfriend, who had a love… but coming here with Tanya, the place seemed to lose its lackluster charm.

Fortunately, I was saved from trying to overt my eyes when I received a message on my cell phone. It was a text from Emmett. Puzzled, I opened it.

-Hey, sorry about that just hang in there! But while you're there you gotta check out the lingerie for me… the one I bought Rose is a red set with lacy. If you see anything that looks like that check it out anyway. Compare the small and the medium and let me know what you think.. Thanks, bro.-

I sighed. He owed me big time.

There were so many things wrong with situation, I had to list them in my mind just so my brain could fully comprehend them all. I pictured all my obstacles in order to try and get the information Emmett needing so I could get out of here and away from being alone with Tanya- here of all places…

First of all, I didn't want to picture or try to guess Rosalie's bra size or if the panties Emmett got her were gonna fit. Didn't he see something weird, if not just a little bit wrong with that? I can.

Second, this was a woman's underwear store. I'm not a woman nor am I anyone's boyfriend… so I don't think I have a legitimate reason to just walk around here and browse and look into their inventory and make it look convincible. Okay, sure, strangers may not know that, but Tanya did. Tanya knows I have no reason to browse around here. Of course, I guess I could just say I'm a red blooded man who maybe wants to peek around a bit at woman's underclothes… but that's too creepy. Too weird I don't even want to pretend that's the case, if only for the sake of the mission I'm on for Emmett. So… having that all figured out, there's really only one solution…

I have to follow Tanya around the whole store, seeing as she's the reason for me walking in here in the first place.

I sighed as I chose that as my course of action, and stepped up closer to Tanya's side.

Maybe she'd stumble upon the exact lingerie or style Emmett was looking at. Maybe she'd hold up a pair to herself? Maybe that'll be her size, and whatever size Tanya picks up should be okay for Rose….

There. That solves it. Now… if only to direct Tanya to the right section….

I quickly surveyed around the store. There seemed to be different areas of different types of underwear or women's sleepwear. There were pajamas, then there were nightgowns, then more sensual looking nightwear… lacier, silkier things with a different kind of purpose to serve, I'm guessing. Then there was a section of everyday bras and underwear, then a specific style, then there were underwear and bras I was almost certain were more for wearing by themselves than for covering with clothing…

I turned back to Tanya and almost panicked when I saw her head near the pajama side… the regular, everyday, kind of pajamas. Crap. How would I get her looking at the other stuff?

I nearly growled under my breath as she held up a pair of ridiculous sleep shorts that could pass for underwear themselves, with words printed on the butt of them. I smiled back with a tight lip though.

Really, how much was I willing to do just to do this favor for Emmett? Would I really risk giving Tanya the impression I was coming on to her?…

I don't think I should. Not for just selfish reasons either. It would be morally wrong to use her. It would be wrong to give her the wrong idea. It would be wrong to confuse her. It was just wrong on so many levels. So I opted out of trying to coax Tanya over to the lingerie side of the store. For her, not for me really. Honestly. Really.

Okay, so I'll use that as an excuse. But now how do I get the answer to Emmett's question?

I was caught up in my own thinking, absently just following Tanya around the store that I almost didn't notice she was approaching the more serious lingerie.

My heart nearly leapt to my throat. Yes! I exclaimed triumphantly to myself. I watched her smooth looking hands reach up towards a peach colored lace bra and panty set- only to have her reach for a nightgown at the last minute.

Oh, no….

A nightgown wouldn't really help me see what her size was- and therefore Rose's. the nightgown was loose and flowing. She could very easily choose a size up or down depending on how she wanted her sleepwear to fit, I realized with much disappointment.

"Ooh, this is pretty, isn't it?" she whispered almost reverently towards the gown.

"It is." I had to agree.

"I really like this one… but the last time I got one here, the cut was a little weird and it didn't exactly fit right when I slept in it. I think it was too small. It would bunch up sorta weird…" she scrutinized the gown she held in her hands. A furrow in her brow and a frowning sort of pout on her lips. The expression, was regrettably endearing on her.

"Oh."

"Do you think I should try it on?"

"Uh- s-sure. Why not? I mean, if you really want to get it." I was caught off guard by her question.

"Hm… I think I will, Edward. Do you mind waiting here?" she asked with a playful crooked smirk.

"Uh, no, of course not."

"Great. I'll only be a moment."

She dashed off then to the fitting room area- not without one look back to me though. I'm sure I looked hilarious. I probably stood out like a sore thumb.

But- with Tanya preoccupied- I could find Emmett's lingerie myself…

review! let me know what you think! chapter was getting to be really long so i cut it off here, sorry. i'll be writing up the next chapter soon, with hopefully Bella in the picture :]