Phil arrived just before dinner was ready. He was in high spirits. His team had won both games, which meant they were in tomorrow's final.

"Thank you for cooking dinner for us," said Renee again. This is a very special night, being with the people I love best.

"It looks great," said Phil. Renee is so happy to have Bella here. I love to see her like this. And my team did great. I am a lucky man.

Bella served the enchiladas. She gave me a very small portion.

"This is delicious," said Phil. It's better than Renee's. Can I say that, or would it upset her? "It's similar to your mother's recipe, but not exactly the same."

Bella smiled and blushed slightly. "I used to make it the way Mom does, but I've been experimenting a little bit. I added a new ingredient."

"You have to tell me the secret," said Renee. "This is better than mine." Bella is so amazing. I must have done something right.

Phil said nothing, but his thoughts were pleased. He wanted to talk sports. "You seem like a really good athlete, Edward. Ever consider baseball or basketball?"

"My family plays baseball together sometimes. That's a lot of fun. But I really prefer running or hiking, being out in nature."

"You're very coordinated. I'll bet you could walk on in college if you wanted to."

"Thanks. It's good to have options."

Renee asked about our college plans. She wanted us to consider the University of Florida, and she was dismayed that the University of Alaska was under consideration.

"What happened to my sunflower?" she said. Alaska is so far.

"I like the cold now," Bella assured her mother, smiling at me. "If you have a warm coat and good boots, winter can be really beautiful."

"It always seemed kind of dreary to me." Anytime Renee remembered Forks, she pictured freezing rain.

"Well, yes, I know what you mean. Winter can drag on," Bella admitted. "But that just makes us want to visit you and get some sunshine."

"Absolutely," I agreed. I paused. The conversation was at a crossroads. I could lay low and say nothing, or I could take a risk and try to address some of Renee's unspoken thoughts.

"There's something I'd like to say." Bella stared at me, but Renee and Phil wore expressions of warm interest.

"Of course, Edward."

"I'm afraid that you might think Bella's changed a lot since she met me and that maybe I influence her too much."

Bella frowned. "That's not true." But Renee wasn't so sure. I certainly never thought I'd hear her says she likes the cold.

"I want you to know that meeting Bella is the best thing that ever happened to me. I've changed so much because of her. Before we met, I was… sort of a loner. I enjoyed being with my brothers and sisters, but I didn't really feel comfortable around other kids. That's another reason I don't play team sports."

Renee nodded. Poor boy. Losing your parents is an awful trauma, even though he says he doesn't remember.

"My family all say that I'm very different since Bella came into my life. I'm happier and more relaxed. My world has opened up."

Renee squeezed Bella's hand. "She is very special, isn't she?" He's really crazy about her.

Bella blushed. "Mom, Phil, would you like more enchiladas?" she asked, trying to change the subject. Phil and Renee both asked for seconds. Bella cut servings for them and placed the food on their plates. She didn't offer me any.

"May I please have some more? It's so good."

She looked at me with wide eyes. I nodded very slightly.

"Really? OK. I mean, of course." She gave me another portion, but she was flustered.

"Thank you." I looked at her intently, trying to reassure her and encourage her to calm down. Instead, she knocked her fork to the floor. It was too far away from me. I let it fall. She glanced over to me frequently as I cleaned my plate.

Once again Renee refused my offer to clean up the kitchen. She and Phil insisted on doing the work. Bella and I sat on the couch holding hands.

"Why did you eat so much?" she whispered.

"It's all part of my cover."

"Was it terrible?"

"I love your cooking, sweetheart."

"Be serious!" she chided me, dropping my hand and hitting me lightly on the chest.

"I would love it, if I could taste it properly. And I wish I could." I put my arm around her and pulled her closer. Renee and Phil were still busy washing up and chatting. "I wish I could kiss you without being afraid of cutting you or poisoning you, and I wish I could enjoy the food you prepare. Everyone says how good it is. Feeding someone is a way of showing love, and I wish I could experience your love that way."

"You fed on my blood."

"Yes." Even the memory made me shiver with delight.

"But you can't do that all the time, so I guess I'll have to show you my love some other way. Hmmm," she pretended to think. I chuckled. "Yes, I have some ideas. I think if you come to my room later, I'll have something to show you."

My preference for Bella's blood over her enchiladas had just proved, once again, that I was far from human. But when I thought about what she might have in mind, I felt more human than ever.


Author's Note: So, Edward ate dinner and he opened up a bit to Renee and Phil. Until this point he was sort of playing defense and just trying to respond to everything appropriately. Then he realized it wasn't enough, you can't really get anywhere that way and he has to put himself out there. What do you think? By the way, don't worry, I'll tell you all about what happens when Edward goes to Bella's bedroom!