A light little chapter...

oOo

Bella didn't work the following Saturday.

So she had agreed to meet Edward for dinner and a movie.

She was standing in front of her wardrobe with Leah and Jackie by her side, trying to decide what to wear. She was as nervous as a cat.

After all their non-dates and chance meetings, this most definitely felt like a date. And it scared her shitless.

Was she ready for that?

Was he ready for that?

"Drink this."

Leah handed her a glass of Chardonnay.

"I'm not going to turn up there drunk!"

"You're not getting drunk. You're having a little sip to relax," Leah said.

"Oh, maybe we can go on a double date next weekend," Jackie exclaimed. "You and Edward, and Paul and me!"

Bella rolled her eyes and took a sip.

"Oh! Or a triple date!" Jackie clapped her hands. "Leah and Sam should come, too!"

"Are we really related?" Bella shook her head at her over-enthusiastic sister.

Jackie stuck out her tongue.

"Where's he taking you?" Leah asked, holding a short dress made of midnight blue velvet in front of Bella.

"He wouldn't tell me. He's collecting me at six." Bella took another sip.

"This," Leah said.

"Yay!" Jackie threw herself on Bella loveseat. "Show him those lovely legs!"

Bella groaned, but Leah grinned.

"She's right. Put it on!"

Both girls were nodding enthusiastically when Bella had slipped into the dress. It had long sleeves and a low neckline, and it did, indeed, show off her legs. She didn't own a lot of nice dresses, but this, she'd bought some years ago during her stay in Berlin with Stefan. It was one of her favourites.

"Okay," she agreed, and Leah and Jackie cheered. Jackie had meanwhile poured them some wine as well.

While Bella did her hair in the bathroom, she could hear them giggle and chatter, and for a moment, she paused and smiled, considering what a lucky girl she was for having them. Then, she pulled her hair into a ponytail, applied powder, mascara and a little rouge.

Jackie was snorting with laughter when she joined them again. Leah slapped and shushed her, alerting Bella to the fact that, most likely, she and her date had been the subject.

"What?" She frowned.

"Nothing, nothing," Jackie giggled. "We just… um… were wondering if you are prepared, should anything happen tonight, if you know what I mean…" She buried her face in a pillow.

"Shut up!" Leah said. "Don't take her seriously, Bella!"

"I never do," Bella retorted.

"Eddie and B, sitting in a tree, F-U-C-K-I-N-G," Jackie chanted and giggled like a little maniac.

"Okay, what did she do?"

Bella placed her hands on her hips and faced Leah. Who rolled her eyes and made a meaningful move with her chin in the direction of the bed stand.

"What?" Bella stomped over to her bed and opened the drawer. "Durex Extra Large? Durex Tingly? Durex Featherlite? You've got to be kidding me." She sat on her bed and willed the blush that was spreading over her cheeks away.

"Well, we don't know which he prefers or needs, do we?"

Jackie looked at her, huge brown eyes all innocent.

Bella shut the drawer, shaking her head.

"What is tingly meant to be, anyway," she muttered.

"It's with minty lube," Jackie piped up, and this time, her sister'd had enough, pounding upon her with a pillow.

"You, young lady, are very precautious and quite obnoxious, you know that? I wonder if I should tell Mum and Dad about your wide knowledge of condoms!"

Jackie shrieked, both in terror, and because Bella had started tickling her. They broke out in a good-natured, sisterly fight until Leah called out, "Guys! Guys!"

"What?"

"That was the doorbell, you little idiots."

Bella sobered immediately.

"Do I look okay?" She jumped off the bed. "You didn't place any other embarrassing items anywhere, did you? Are you sure about the dress? It's not too short, is it? Oh, God!"

"Relax, Bella." Jackie got up as well and kissed her sister's cheek. "He's going to love you."

oOo