A/N: I am so sorry, but school is just choking me now. I'm trying my best with this. I did this in a hurry, but it is one of my favorite chapters so far. Hope you guys enjoy!

Disclaimer: You know the drill..

Bella's POV:

Emmett…

My brother. My life.

I sighed and lifted my head off the pillow. Sleep didn't seem to welcome me tonight. I looked over at the bright red lights on the clock which read 2:28 AM. I groaned and pushed myself off the bed and walked out to the balcony to get some fresh air.

Once I walked outside, I shivered and began to rub my arms to try to warm myself with the friction.

I looked up at the stars that dotted the dark night sky and searched for the two special ones. The ones that always reminded me of Emmett.

Flashback (Emmett is 18 years old and Bella is 10 years old)))

I jumped up and down, waiting for Emmett to join Rose and me for dinner. We were having special roasted turkey for dinner. This was really rare, because all we ever got on the farm were black beans, bread and corn.

"What's taking him so long?" I whined.

Rosalie chuckled and ruffled my hair. "Don't worry, kid. He'll come. Just wait."

I huffed and ran outside to see what he was doing. Surprisingly, he was doing nothing. Just staring up at the stars. I growled and ran up to him, attacking him with a hug.

"Emmett, come on! I'm hungry!" I whined.

He smiled and pulled me up to carry me in his arms. He kissed my forehead and smoothed my hair. "Sorry, Bells. I was just looking up at the stars."

"What's so special about the stars?" I asked, impatient, wanting to get to dinner quickly.

He raised his eyebrows, amused and looked back up to the sky. "You see those two big stars over there?" He asked, point up to a spot on the sky.

I followed his hand, pressing my head against his to get a better view. I saw the stars. They were bigger than the rest and were aligned with each other. "Yeah." I said.

"Well, mom always told me that the one on the left is me, and the one on the right is you." He whispered, and looked back at me with soft eyes.

I looked back at him with wide eyes. "Really?" I breathed.

He smiled. "Yes, really." He tapped my nose.

I giggled and looked down. "Emmett?" I asked, a thought crossing my mind and causing my mouth to set into a deep frown.

He looked at me and frowned as well. "What's wrong?"

"Promise me you won't leave me like mommy did." I whispered with a shaky voice. Tears began to spill down my cheeks.

He looked into my eyes for a few seconds then pulled me closer in a bone crushing hug. "Never, Bella." I could feel his body shaking as he cried with me. I pressed my face against his shoulder and sobbed.

"I won't leave you."

End Flashback

Those were the exact words he had said to me.

"I won't leave you."

I trusted him not to leave me. He promised me. He always kept his promises.

I looked around the sky and finally spotted the two stars that shined brightly over all the others. My eyes got lost in their beautiful glimmers and I didn't notice the presence behind me.

"Counting the stars, are we?" His soft voice came, and he jumped up next to me and began counting. "I'll join. One…Two…Three…"

I sighed and walked away to sit on the bench. Edward stopped counting. I heard him mumble something about "Damn stars not helping!"

Suddenly, something smooth and hard nudged my cheek. I turned my head to tell him to leave me alone when I saw what had nudged me.

My breath caught, as I widened my eyes and grabbed my horse. It had that same warm, musky scent. I could tell it was the exact same one. The only difference was that it had a saddle and reigns on it. I stroked it and sighed. A smile escaped my lips.

"I stayed up all night trying to piece it together. I tried to cover up the cracks with the reigns and the saddle; you can take it off if you want." He sounded nervous.

I smiled up at him. "It's beautiful. Thank you."

His face lit up. "Really?" He asked, excited.

I chuckled and nodded, looking back down.

He smiled triumphantly. "Alright, then. Good night, Bella."

He turned to leave. I looked up and tried to stop him. "Edw—"

But it was too late, because he already walked through the door.

I sighed and looked back down at my horse.

"Did you call me?"

I jumped and looked up to see him smiling crookedly at me, sitting next to me on the bench.

I nodded and looked back down at my horse. "Why…why did you do this for me?" I whispered.

"Do you want to know the truth?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Because I wanted to wipe away the frown that made you upset. I wanted to see the wonderful smile that lights up your face everyday." He responded.

I looked at him speechlessly.

Edward's POV:

She stared back at me with wide eyes and it seemed like she stopped breathing.

"Breathe, Bella." I reminded her, with a chuckle. She let out the air that she was holding and a small frown escaped her lips. I narrowed my eyes, wondering why she was sad again. Had I done something wrong?

"Is that all you did this for?" She asked, timidly.

I shrugged. "Yeah." I answered, bluntly. What did she mean? Wasn't that reason enough?

She looked a little disappointed. "Was it not because you were feeling a little…connection?"

I shrugged again and shook my head. "Nope." I said and got up to go back inside.

Wait a minute.

WHAT?

I ran back to sit by her on the bench. "What?" I asked, breathlessly.

She giggled shyly as red blush coated her cheeks and got up to run back inside. I grabbed her hand before she could go any further.

She gasped and turned to look at my hand that had grabbed hers.

Realizing, my mistake, I immediately let go of her hand and smiled apologetically at her. I anticipated she would smile back and run inside to sleep.

But she didn't

Instead she still stood there, her hand still in the air where I had grabbed it. Her eyes were squeezed shut.

I looked at her hesitantly and reached out to take her hand in mine. Once our skin touched, I felt myself getting excited. I looked back at her to see if I had gone too far.

She just stared back into my eyes. Her brown orbs held my green eyes with so much force and passion. I couldn't even think of looking away.

I finally shook myself out of the trance, and pulled her hand towards me. She still didn't say anything as she continued staring at me.

Hesitantly, I placed my hands on her waist and pulled her to sit on the bench. She sat down quietly.

My shaky hands traveled up her waist, around her arms, past her neck, and to her face where they cupped her rosy cheeks. I looked into her eyes to see any kind of disapproval. But all I saw was the same passion that I was feeling.

So I proceeded to bring my face closer to hers. My breathing became shallower as my face neared her exquisite one. I felt her breath becoming shallow as well. The scent of her breath was so intoxicating. I felt myself getting dizzy before the actual real thing happening. My eyes zeroed in on her heavenly lips and I felt so much desire burn within me I don't know how I ever resisted this kind of charm. She was unintentionally seducing me in so many illegal ways.

"BELLA ARE YOU OUT THERE??"

I groaned, and pretty loud at that. Bella giggled at my impatience, and her face turned completely read from hairline to chin.

I loved my cousin, buy why oh why did she have to have the worst timing in the history? She just HAD to call for Bella when I was just about to score.

The door to the balcony flew open and Alice flew out with a panicked look. Jasper was also there, his arm wrapped lazily around her waist. He seemed to be half asleep. Once Alice saw Bella, she sighed. She seemed even happier when she noticed me sitting next to Bella. I realized my hand was still around the back of Bella's neck. I coughed and pulled my hand away quickly. Bella and I slid to the far ends of the bench.

Alice's smirk grew larger. "Mmmhm." She murmured. "So this is what happens every night…"

Bella gasped and jumped up. She made a mad dash for the door, but Alice was quicker. She grabbed Bella's hand with a smirk still plastered on her face.

"Alice…" Bella muttered.

"Oh, you can't run from me now, Bells. I know all." She said in an eerie yet perky voice that only Alice could ever pull off.

"Alice, please."

"Nope!" She giggled.

Somehow, Bella pulled out of Alice's grip and ran back inside before Alice could catch her again.

Alice pouted and turned to attack me. I noticed this whole time, Jasper just stood there with his eyes half closed and an arm around Alice's waist. I deeply pitied him. He was in for a lifetime of sleepless nights. Then again…that's probably all worth it for him.

As soon as Alice's owl eyes landed on me I turned my head around and shoved my hands in my pockets. I looked up at the stars that Bella had been occupied with before.

"Back to counting the stars." I said, acting like this was what I was doing the whole time. "Five hundred and twenty-six…Five hundred and twenty-seven…"

I heard Alice's snort from behind me. "Yeah, right!"

A small, but strong hand came down on my head, smacking the back of my skull. I cut short of my counting and turned my head slowly to see Alice standing there with a smug smile.

"OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"

Bella's POV:

The next morning I woke up feeling content, but at the same time, unsettled.

I was content because I didn't have to worry about missing Emmett anymore.

Thanks to Edward.

I was unsettled because I wasn't sure about my true feelings for him and his true feelings for me.

Thanks to Edward.

I did my part of helping around the house half-heartedly. Usually I would be running down every hallway, shoving through every door to help everyone around with the preparations. But not today. Today, I just wanted to sit by myself and think.

Actually I wanted more than that.

I wanted to talk to him, to Edward. I wanted him to clear out my mind's doubts.

I wanted him to tell me he had feelings for me, too.

But I could only wish.

I was in the middle of baking some roasted lemon chicken when I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I swiveled around and saw Mike leaning against the entry of the kitchen door. I sighed and went back to the cooking.

"Yes, Mike?" I asked.

He walked over to me and rested his elbow on my head. I glared playfully at him. I wasn't uncomfortable around him because Mike was like my second brother. (A/N: yeah, I know it's kind of hard to imagine Mike as a good guy and not the "Bella's puppy dog" Mike , but I decided to cut him some slack this time and let him have his innocent moment.)

"Is that supposed to be a short joke?" I muttered.

He laughed. "I would never, Isabella." He said in a highly gentlemanly fashion.

I rolled my eyes at him and ducked away from his arm. "What do you want, Mike?"

He straightened up and cleared his throat. "Oh, right. Your secret admirer wants to meet you in the backyard behind the big tree…darn! What did he call that tree…"

I raised my brow, amused. "The…white oak?" I suggested, saying it slowly like I was talking to someone mentally competent. For someone who has lived in one house all his life, he was very slow. It was the only big tree in their backyard, and even I knew that.

He jumped up and looked like he had one of those spark of knowledge moments. "Yeah! That! Right. He wanted to meet you there. At the white oak."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Is this some kind of joke?"

He raised his hands up as if saying he was innocent. "I don't know. I'm just doing what I was told." He jumped up onto the island next to me and reached out to grab a pastry.

"Can you tell me who he was?" I asked, swatting his hand off.

"No." He said plainly, looking longingly at the pastries. "But I'm sure you can guess."

I sighed. I knew who I guessed it was, but I had a feeling I was only hoping for a miracle to happen right now.

"Alright, Mike. I trust you, but if something happens, I will make sure your head is run over by a horse's hooves." I threatened.

He chuckled. "Ooo scary. You sound just like Emmett."

I laughed. "Yeah, I guess he kinda rubs off on me."

He checked his wrist watch. "Hey, you better go meet your little puppy at the….whatever that tree was called, before his heart is all broken." He made a puppy dog face at me.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Hey since when were you the messenger?" I asked, as I swatted his hand away from the pastries again.

Mike yawned and stretched his arms up. "Uhh… I don't know. I don't get any respect in this house anymore!" He complained.

I laughed at his grumpy face. "Aw, Mike" I turned around to pop the chicken in the oven. "Don't touch the pastries, Mike." I said, knowing he would seize the opportunity when I wasn't looking.

"Damn!" I heard him mutter. I chuckled and turned back around after setting it up.

I sighed and stared out the window. "I guess I'll go talk to him now. Hey, Mike, can you do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"When the chicken is done cooking, can you call some one and tell them to take it out of the oven and season it with pepper, salt and garlic?" I asked.

He mocked a hurt look. "What, you don't trust me to do it myself?"

I laughed. "No, Mike, I just don't want to see headline news saying: "24 YEAR OLD MAN DIES OF KITCHEN EXPLOSION."

He gave me a sour look. "Funny, Bella."

I laughed as I walked out the door. "That was for the short joke, Mike." I yelled over my shoulder.

Edward's POV:

I walked around the tree, impatiently waiting for her to come. It had been more than six minutes and she didn't come yet.

I knew I shouldn't have sent Mike. He probably couldn't even remember the one tall tree in his backyard. What was I thinking?!

I huffed, frustrated and leaned against the tree.

"Edward?!"

I turned around, bewildered, and saw Bella standing there, her face shocked.

I smiled at her. "Hey, Bella."

Her eyes glazed over a bit and then she shook her head. "Hi…Edward."

I took a step towards her. I looked down at our feet, trying to figure out how to start. I had planned out my whole speech and now she left me stuttering.

"I…" I took a deep breath. "Ireallylikeyouandiwantyoutobemygirlfriend."

She looked at me with a stuck look. "Uh…"

I sighed. "I. Really. Like. You. And. I. Want. You. To. Be. My. Girl friend."

She looked at me for a second and blinked. "Really?" She whispered.

I don't know why, but I couldn't talk more than a whisper back at her. "Yes."

Her beautiful lips lifted slowly up at the corners until they broke into a full blown smile. She laughed and through herself into my arms. I caught her and held her close as I buried my face into her hair. Her strawberry scent sent my brain into spiral mode.

"Bella…" I whispered into her soft mahogany hair.

"Hmm…" She hummed. We just stood there, rocking back and forth.

"Edward??" I heard a high pitched voice. I thought it was Bella's.

"Hmm?" I murmured.

"I'm soo happy." She sighed.

"Me too." I breathed. I was about to pull her closer when I felt Bella pull out of my arms. I snapped my eyes opened to see Alice stander there with a smirk.

DAMMIT! Why did she always have to ruin my moments?!

"Mike?! What are you doing here?" I heard Bella. I looked over to see her standing in front of Mike. He turned and gave me a thumbs up.

"I came to see the action." He answered smugly. I chuckled and rolled my eyes.

"No! I mean, is the chicken over yet?" She asked impatiently.

Mikes smile was immediately wiped off his face. His eyes grew wide and panicked. "…yes."

Bella looked scared, too. "And did you tell anyone to take it out?"

Mike looked away and smiled weakly. "Well, you see. Hehe, funny story, I was—"

"MICHAEL DANIEL BRANDON!!"

I had never seen Bella so angry and scared. She practically ran into the house, tripping every few seconds. I looked over at Alice who ran after Bella as well. A few seconds later, the fire alarm went off through the whole house.

I looked over at Mike who gulped and scratched the back of his neck. I couldn't help but laugh at his state. I fell to the ground, overcome with my laughter.

Mike shot me an annoyed look. "And what's so funny, Masen?" He demanded.

"I…you…CHICKEN!" I couldn't talk through my series of laughter that was choking me. Mike just stood there, watching me as I tried to calm myself.

I finally stopped laughing and stood back up. I walked over to Mike and placed my arm across his shoulders. "Ah, Mike. You were always my favorite cousin."

A/N: And there's chapter 6! I had a lot of fun with Mike. I think he's gonna be a fun character to work with! I hope you guys don't mind Mike being the good guy. I didn't want to make up a new person for Alice's brother, because it would just throw off the twilight feel. I wanted to keep that.

And thanks to everyone who is sticking with this story! I'm so glad you people are so awesome. And the amount of statistics coming off this story is going really great!

Keep those reviews coming! Thanks! :)