BPOV-

The drive to my house was silent, but not awkward. And I was cool with that. It gave me time to think. Did I really like this boy? Or was I using him? I took a deep internal breath and made a mental pro's and con's list.

Emmett-Pro's

He's funny and charming. He's great in bed. I've known him for years. He used to be my best friend.

Edward-Pro's

He's sweet and kind. He's nurturing and pure. He seems to really like me. He too is funny. I could see myself with him, eternally.

Okay, so on mental-paper they were great. But I hadn't thought of the con's…uh-oh.

Emmett-Con's

He's arrogant and conceited. He dumped me for Rosalie. He screamed at me and told me he never loved me.

Edward Con's

He dated Tanya. He was inexperienced.

To the naked eye, Edward was the obvious choice. But to me…I don't know, I was unsure. I had a history with Emmett. And I was pissed. It's not like I wanted him back, I wanted to show him how much he had really hurt me. But by doing that, am I denying myself happiness?

I pulled into my drive-way completely forgetting that James was waiting for me in my room. I sighed nervously.

"Edward?"

He smiled at me, "Yeah, Bella?"

"Remember James?"

"You're friend you were telling me about earlier?"

I nodded, "He's staying with me for the week. So he's going to be here."

Edward was still smiling.

"Is that okay?" I asked nervously.

He reached out and grabbed my hand, placing a gentle kiss on my knuckles.

"Of course it is. I would never deny you a friend. One is never so rich as to refuse a friend, Bella."

"So you don't care that he's a guy?"

He shook his head, "You can have as many guy friends as you want, Bella. Besides, you said he was gay. So shouldn't you be the one upset here?" He asked with a smile.

I laughed. Oh shit. I hadn't thought about that. But James has a boyfriend; he wouldn't try anything…would he?

"Come on. Let's go get ready for our 'date'." I said, smiling foolishly.

"Yes, let's."

I grabbed his hand and we walked inside.

"James!" I called.

I heard shuffling upstairs, my door slammed and feet on the stairs.

"Bellarino! You're home! And early! Oh this is great! We can go shop—oh." He stopped dead when he saw Edward.

"Who's this?" James asked, turning extremely business-like.

"This," I said, motioning towards Edward, "Is Edward. My date for this evening."

"Oh really?"

I nodded.

He walked up to Edward, eyeing him like a piece of meat. My stomach lurched.

"Well hello handsome! I'm James, Bella's best friend from Phoenix. Or as I like to call it, Satan's asshole."

Edward's eyes widened. "Edward. Nice to…uh…meet you." He thrust his hand out to shake with James.

James just stared at his hand and laughed.

"I don't shake hands, but it's still great to meet you."

Edward laughed nervously. He obviously had never dealt with someone of James'…caliber.

The room went quiet. James was smiling widely at Edward, and Edward was staring back at him.

"Um, James, we were just gonna chill for a while, and then we're going out to dinner."

"Ooh, dinner sounds lovely. Where are we going?"

I frowned, "Uh, it's kind of a date."

His face fell ever so slightly, "It's all gravy, Bells. I get it. At least let me help you get ready."

His face was hopeful, and even though I was not getting all gussied up…again, I would let him 'help'.

"Of course."

I wandered to the kitchen, wondering what we three would do until date time. Edward followed, with James close behind.

"Anybody thirsty?" I asked.

"Water, please?" James asked, sweetly.

I looked to Edward, "Same."

I reached in the fridge and pulled out three water bottles and ushered everybody into the living room.

I sat on the loveseat, and Edward sat down next to me. James took a seat in the recliner across from the both of us.

"So how did you two meet?" James asked, obviously wanting to get the skinny on Eddo and I.

"I…um…know his brother, and I'm friends with his sister." I stated, trying to convey with my eyes that it would be wise of him to drop said subject…pronto.

James' eyes lit up in understanding. "Cool."

"How did you and Bella meet?" Edward asked, coolly.

James laughed loudly, "Oh we've known each other since she moved to Phoenix."

"Really?"

"Mmm Hmm, Renee and Bells moved in right next door to me. Our mothers tried, in vain, to set us up."

Edward frowned slightly.

"Bella and I would play dress up, and Pretty, Pretty Princess. I always won, and Bella was always stuck with the black ring."

James smiled triumphantly and I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Bitter are we?" He asked.

"You only won because you cheated. Cheater!"

James feigned offense, "I did no such thing! Anyway, back to my story before Bella so rudely interrupted."

I flipped him the bird.

"When we were fourteen there was a dance at school. Our mothers basically told us that we were to go together. And if you knew our mothers…they never give up. We had a fun time dancing until we went outside to cool off. Bella's best girl friend, Makenna was making out with her boyfriend Charles. Bella looked at me and said 'Is that what we're supposed to do?' I shrugged, 'I guess so.' I didn't have the heart to tell her that I thought that Charles was a total babe. I was totally unsure of my sexuality at el time-o. Any hoo, long story short, Bella and I made out a little. It was insanely awkward. I burped in her mouth. She threw up on my new suit. We decided we were best friends. Later that month I told Charles I thought he was hot. And he decked me."

I was positive that I was beet red. And I didn't want to look at Edward, out of fear of what I might see.

I heard this hissing sound. I finally peaked. Edward's lips were pursed in a thin line, and his body was shaking.

I was nervous so I asked, "Are you alright?"

I didn't get an answer, he just started cracking up. Tears were streaming from his eyes and he was holding his sides.

"What's so fucking funny?" I growled.

"That was the best story I've ever heard!"

"I'm glad you find my embarrassing life amusing." I pouted.

He stopped laughing and cupped a hand around my cheek, "Bella, love. If it makes you feel any better, when James said that you 'made-out a little' I was insanely jealous."

I smiled, in spite of myself, "You're amazing, you know that?"

He grinned his crooked grin, "So you've said."

James cleared his throat, "So…isn't Charlie gonna be home in an hour?"

"Oh. Yeah. Edward, can you order a pizza for him? James is gonna help me get ready."

James headed up the stairs.

"Sure. What kind?"

"Charlie likes sausage and green peppers."

"Alright. I'm paying"

I shook my head, "No you aren't! He's my father, I'll pay."

He laughed softly, "Bella, if we weren't going out, would you be ordering a pizza?"

I thought on it for a minute, "Well…no."

"That's settled then."

I huffed a large sigh and stomped up stairs, slipping only twice. I walked swiftly to my room and shut the door tightly.

"What the hell was that James?"

He widened his eyes and pouted, "What did I do Bella-bean?"

"Umm, you hit on my boyfriend. Which, might I remind you, is against girl-code."

He smiled brightly, "Did you just refer to Edward as your 'boyfriend'?"

I shook my head, "What? Uh, no. I didn't. Wait. Did I?"

"Yup." James answered smugly.

"Fuck me."

"No thanks dear, you don't come with the right equipment."

I laughed, "I'm so fucked James. Nothing is going as planned."

He shrugged, "So?"

I scowled, "What do you mean so?

He sighed as if it were insanely obvious, which it wasn't. "Listen to me, I think…that it's time to give up this whole, make Emmett squirm bullshit. It's not working because you're not that kind of person. You're sweet, and kind and loving. You aren't a bitchy, vindictive tramp. Maybe you planned on things working out differently, but I'm pretty sure this is for the best."

I sat on my bed, slowly taking the pins from my hair, running my fingers through it thoughtfully.

"I…you're right." I said quietly.

"Hmm? What was that? I don't think I heard you." He teased.

I wiped off my lipstick dramatically, "I said, that you are right. I really tried to be the kind of girl that would get, and keep Emmett's attention. But being with Edward—",James shot me a suggestive look, "not in a sexual way, has changed the way I'm looking at things. I don't think Emmett and I were ever a good fit. He's so protective over me, but the more I think about him…" I sighed breaking off in thought.

"What Bells? Tell me."

"The more I think about Emmett, the more I see him as a brother."

James scrunched his face up, "You had sex with your brother then."

I rolled my eyes, "Ew. Can you please get your mind out of the gutter?"

He shook his head, "Nope. How do you feel about Edward though?"

I shrugged, "I dunno."

"That's not good enough. You do know."

Damn it. He knew me too well. "Fine, I get butterflies in my stomach when I think about him. I swoon when I smell him, yeah I know it's creepy, but it happened. When other girls hit on him…I want to rip their throats out. It's like…he turned the light on in a dark room, and I'm seeing everything clearly for the first time."

James wiped at his eye, "I knew it."

I frowned, "Knew what, Mr. Cryptic-pants?"

"You love him."

"No. I don't know him well enough to love him." I argued.

"Trust me Bella, I know you better than you know yourself. You love him, and you want him to see the real you."

I was quiet for a minute as I contemplated his words.

"Damn you, why do you have to make sense!?"

He laughed. "Because I'm practically perfect in every way."

"Sure, sure Mary Poppins. Shouldn't I be getting ready?"

He rolled his eyes, "Yes, you should. But you need to take that dress off."

"What kind of contraption are you going to put me in now James?" I whined.

He threw some clothes at me, "Those."

I examined each article of clothing. He had given me a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and a sapphire blue fitted sweater. He tossed my black chucks at me and smiled.

"What's this?" I asked in confusion.

"If you want him to know the real you, you need to look slightly less…vamped."

"You dressed me." I accused.

"And you look hot. But you aren't trying to seduce the pants off of Eddie-poo…yet. You're trying to get to know him."

"Yeah, yeah."

I threw on the clothes, washed off the heavy make-up. Opting for my Burt's Bee's and a light powder blue shadow. I spun around sloppily in front of James, throwing my hands up like Vanna White.

"Ta da! What do you think?"

He smiled, "There's the bumbling Bella I know and love."

"I have two words for you James."

He rolled his eyes, "I bet you do. Come on then, what are they?"

I smiled sweetly, "Thank you."

"You're very welcome Bella-bean. Now you have a date to go on. We've wasted so much 'getting to know you' time blabbering on and on. Scoot." He waved his hands at me.

"Yes, mother. What are you going to do while we're gone?"

"Alice invited me to go shopping with her and her boy-toy."

"Ah, James heaven then."

He laughed and playfully flipped me off. I tried to be graceful whilst walking down the stairs. I almost made it too, but apparently one of my chuck's came untied and I stepped on it. Luckily Edward was there to catch me.

"Ugh, thanks. I'm sorry. I'm dangerous."

I looked up and his emerald eyes were sparkling, alight with some emotion that I wasn't able to get a hold on.

"Yes, you are the most dangerous creature I've ever met.", he murmured.

I blushed foolishly.

"You look beautiful." He complimented.

"Thanks."

"Are you ready to go?" Edward asked.

I nodded. We called out our goodbyes to James who had stayed upstairs, and left.

It was strange for me, sitting in the passenger seat of my own car. But oddly enough I was at ease with Edward behind the wheel. He felt the same need for speed that I did.

Our comfortable silence didn't last long.

"I like James." Edward said, confidently.

"Oh, that's cool. I'm glad you two got along."

He smiled, "He seems like he's important to you. And anybody that you care about can't be bad."

I blushed furiously, wishing that I could get my emotions in check, knowing that I wouldn't.

"That's really sweet of you to say, Edward."

"I meant it. May I ask you something?"

"Uh, sure." I answered, my nerves getting the best of me.

"What kept you upstairs for so long? I wasn't being impatient, I'm just curious. I heard arguing." He smiled nervously…he really was adorable.

"Oh that. James thinks he knows what's best for me. And I sort of admitted that he was right, about several things."

Edward's sinful laughed filled my car with a palpable energy.

"Care to divulge?" He asked curiously.

"Er…not at the moment." He looked sad, "But I will in due time."

"Good."

I stared out the window, noticing that we had exited Forks.

"Where are we going?"

He sighed, "To my happy place."

I smiled, "If it makes you happy, I'm sure I'll be ecstatic."

That unfamiliar emotion clouded in his eyes again. I wanted to kiss the light pattern of freckles that swept across his perfect nose and spilled onto his high cheekbones. His full lips curved into my favorite lopsided grin. And I sighed happily.

"What was that for?" He asked, in a worried tone.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing. I'm just…really happy."

He reached his right hand out and grasped mine. "As am I."

We were silent the rest of the way, his hand never left mine. And if I had any say in the matter, it never would. He pulled off onto a shoulder in the road, and put it into park.

"What are we doing?"

"Well, to get to my happy place, we need to go for a little…walk."

"I should warn you about my klutziness, but you've already witnessed that in action. So I assume you aren't worried about that."

He leaned in and cupped my face with hand. "Bella," he said sincerely, "I would never, ever let something bad happen to you. What I'm holding in my hand is very important to me."

I felt happy moisture rim my eyes.

"I'm sorry if I'm being to forward. I didn't mean to make you unhappy." He said sadly, withdrawing his hand.

I snatched it back quickly, placing a kiss on his palm.

"Happy tears, Edward. Very, very happy tears."

EPOV-

I did not like James. Not one little bit. It had nothing to do with the fact that he's gay. It's all based around the fact that he is so close to my Bella. But I told her I liked him because I was not going to make her unhappy by making her friend uncomfortable with my awkward jealousy fits.

My hand tingled from the sensation of her lips pressed chastely to my palm. I shivered in delight. Okay…that sounded really lame, but it was true.

I got out of the car and walked around to help her out. I was glad she was wearing chuck's, it would make this little 'walk' easier. I was afraid that she would be wearing heels like she did at school today.

We walked towards the trail head and I veered to the left, away from the path.

"Um, Edward?" She asked nervously.

"Yeah?"

"The trails that way." She pointed her thumb back towards the path.

I laughed, "I know, but that won't lead us to where I want to take you."

"Oh.", was all she said.

"Nervous?"

"Nah, I'm just a little afraid of falling. I should be used to it by now, I'm not though."

"I told you I won't let anything bad happen to you."

She smiled and muttered something along the lines of 'suit yourself'. She had the most ridiculous notions about herself.

She only stumbled a few times. Each time I caught and steadied her. She would blush, and I would swoon like the sissy that I am.

I saw it then. My 'happy place'. I exhaled happily and nudged Bella's shoulder. She was currently trying to pick deer excrement off of her shoe.

"We're here." I said in an eerie voice, not unlike the little girl in Poltergeist.

She glanced up. "I don't see anything Edward."

"Just wait."

We trudged along, and pushed our way through a thick mass of trees.

My happy place. A beautiful meadow. It was as if the trees were afraid to touch it. It was a perfect circle, with wild flowers growing aimlessly, here and there. I came here to think, and to compose. I came here the night I realized that Bella would be mine. I wrote her a song here.

"What do you think?" I asked, extremely nervous that she wouldn't like it, or wouldn't appreciate it.

"It's…perfect." She said quietly. I looked over and saw that tears, once again, were staining her beautiful face.

When I reached to wipe them away she swatted at my hand.

"Happy tears, remember?"

I laughed, "Sorry, I'll remember that for the future."

"Good, Because you'll need to learn to differentiate. I cry when I'm angry."

I gulped dramatically, "Uh-oh, what have I gotten myself into?" I asked jokingly.

"You don't even know." She answered seriously.

I ushered her to the middle of the meadow and told her that I would be right back. I jaunted over to a big tree that had a hole in it. Quickly I removed the cooler I had put there early this morning. I thought ahead, not knowing if she'd accept or not.

I brought it over to her and set it on the ground. Opening it, I pulled out a blanket and laid it down for her. She looked up at me and smiled.

"Someone was cocky enough to think ahead." She quipped.

"Not cocky, hopeful. I didn't want to have to spend a lot of time away from you. So…I prepared."

She giggled and playfully slapped my shoulder.

"Well it worked."

"What worked?"

"I'm impressed."

I grinned and she blushed. At the moment I would've loved to hear what she was thinking. I desperately wanted to know why she blushed when I smiled. She was a confusing woman, but I dug it.

I pulled out some sandwiches, because they were the only thing other than egg salad that I could make and not destroy.

"What kind of sandwiches are those?" Bella asked.

"Um, PB&J."I answered nervously.

She laughed lightly, "My favorite. How did you know?"

I did an internal happy dance. "I didn't, it's one of the only things I can make and not kill." Shit. I didn't want her to know that.

"You know, I can cook. Really well actually. If you want we can have one-on-one cooking lessons." She was smiling and her eyes were alight with the promises of something other than cooking lessons.

I pouted playfully, "You mean…you'd be my…my Emeril."

She pulled some grass out of the ground and held it out in front of her. I raised an eyebrow, slightly questioning her sanity. Then, right before I turned to grab something else out of the cooler, she chucked the grass at me and yelled "BAM!"

I jumped fifteen feet in the air and landed on my ass breathing heavily. She was laughing her ass off.

"You wanted me to be Emeril. So I was Emeril."

"You scared the shit out of me!" I accused.

She shrugged, "Yep."

She started to walk towards the blanket, but I caught her ankle with my feet and tripped her. She fell right on top of me. It would've been an ingenious plan had I not seen her face.

"You…you…tripped me!" She spluttered.

"Yep."

"I thought you said you'd catch me if I tried to fall!"

"I did catch you. See you're on me, not the ground." I said confidently.

"Oh right. Well then, my hero." She gushed and swept my hair out of my eyes.

"Uh, that's me." My voice shook as she lowered her face close to mine.

I waited for the kiss I knew was coming, but it never did. She was hovering a few inches above my lips. It was pure torture! And she knew it. Her eyes were closed, as if she were enjoying the proximity to my lips, but working very hard not to kiss me. So I did the only thing I could think of.

I flipped her. I was the one on top now.

"Edward what the fu—"She began to protest, but I silenced her with my lips. For a minute I thought she would bite me, but instead she moaned softly and opened her mouth to mine.

I had never French kissed Tanya before. She had said that she didn't like to do it because she didn't know where my mouth was. So essentially, I was in uncharted waters here.

Our tongues dueled for dominance. Hers would win temporarily, but I would soon meet it with renewed passion. She broke off, needing to breathe.

"Holy French-kiss batman!" She panted.

I couldn't help it; I rolled off her and began to laugh.

"What?" She asked.

"You're perfect!"

"Oh."

I turned to face her. "Bella, that was…"

"Most triumphant." She finished.

"Oh yes, Bella S. Preston Esquire. It was most triumphant and most excellent."

She laughed, "If I'm Bella S. Preston Esquire than that must make you Ed Theodore Logan."

"Righteous."

She smiled brightly, "And you think I'm perfect! Nobody and I mean nobody has a love for Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure like I do."

"I definitely do." I said, supremely happy.

She sighed, "I think I've met my match."

I propped myself up on my elbow and began to trace patterns on her sweater-clad stomach.

"Is that a bad thing?"

She shook her head, "No. Actually it's wicked-awesome."

I laughed, "Since when are you from Boston?"

She stuck her tongue out at me, "Since now!"

"Fine with me. You hungry?" I asked, momentarily remembering the sandwiches and food I had brought.

She didn't have time to answer because her stomach growled loudly.

"Dinner time for the human." I announced.

"If I'm human what would that make you?" She asked defiantly.

"Me? I'm Batman."

"Me? I'm Batman."

"Silly Edward, Batman is human. He's just in a costume."

"Yeah, well then I'm superhuman. Shut up."

She laughed and we dug into the food. I could lay like this forever