A/N- Hi there, once again thank you for the reviews! We're now three quarters of the way to one hundred, so I'm incredibly excited. Thanks to everyone who took the time to write such lovely comments, it really does mean a lot, I swear.

So here we are back to Bella again for the remainder of her birthday, I hope you all like it. Please let me know what you all think!

"He's magic and myth, as strong as what I believe,
A tragedy with more damage than a soul should see.~
But do I try to change him, so hard not to blame him,
Hold me tight, baby hold me tight.
Though I don't know, I don't know what he's after,
But he's so beautiful… he's such a beautiful disaster.
And if I could hold on, through the tears and the laughter,
Would it be beautiful… or just a beautiful disaster."
~ Beautiful disaster, Kelly Clarkson.

To Wish Impossible Things

Chapter Seven.

Isabella Swan

September 2006.

As I packed a spare set of clothes for this evening a strange feeling overtook me… it felt strangely like the excitement I felt when I was young and it was Christmas Eve. I remembered how I would always feel the need to scream with happiness and how I wished time would pass quicker, just so Christmas morning would be here.

Yeah, that's exactly how I felt today… I felt like a kid all over again and had done ever since this morning, for multiple reasons.

Reason one – because Edward was acting incredibly sweet and caring.

Reason two - Edward had given me a gift I had always wanted but never had enough money for.

Reason three - I was going to get to see him again tonight as well as Alice and the rest of the family.

I could hardly wait.

I never thought my birthday would be so exciting… it had always been just an ordinary day for me apart from the gifts of course.

He was a mystery, a beautiful mystery… but it was obvious that he cared; there was no point in denying it anymore. But the question was - did he care as much as I did? Did this mean as much to him as it did to me?

When he gave me the wonderful, thoughtful gift and then kissed me on the forehead so naturally all I wished for was for them to remain there, or to possibly move a little lower. But did he think the same, or was it just a simple gesture to him?

I guess the only way to find out was to see how he acted tonight… when I went around to his family's house. It's weird, because I hadn't known them that long but this still felt so comfortable. It didn't seem weird at all that this family I had known less then two weeks already meant so much to me.

They were helping me in so many ways… more then what they realised.

I just hoped that this would continue – because these two weeks had been so much fun. Lunchtimes had never been so enjoyable, and although I should feel guilty that I was enjoying spending time with the Cullen's more then Jessica and Angela, I really didn't. It may sound mean of me, but I couldn't help the way I felt.

And I had a feeling that the Cullen's were going to become very important to me.

Although deep down there was something nagging at me, reminding me to be careful… and that was the cancer that was killing me. Becoming close to the Cullen's would just mean even more people to have to say goodbye too – which was the most difficult thing about the disease. I vowed to tell them about it soon so they could decide if they still wanted to be friends with me… but as selfish as it sounded I wanted to wait a little while.

Because I was just enjoying spending time with them… with Edward… so much, and I had a horrible feeling that they might want to walk away when they knew what they were really dealing with.

I hadn't made up my mind when I would tell them yet… I just made a note to myself that it would have to be soon. It would become obvious soon anyway – I appeared healthy at the moment, but it wasn't going to remain that way for long.

I now had an hour until Alice would be here to pick me up, so I planned to spend some time with Charlie – he should be home any minute now. I decided to make him something to eat, but as I made my way downstairs I heard a noise coming from outside.

Feeling curious I looked out of the front window and my eyes widened with surprise when I spotted Charlie standing with my friend Jacob and Jacob's dad Billy.

Billy was Charlie's best friend which meant that Jacob and I had pretty much grown up together; we had never been best friends but had always been close enough. However, we'd lost contact recently… which meant it was six months since I had last seen him.

So needless to say, I was very surprised to see him here.

By the time I made it to the front door Charlie was already wheeling Billy in. I stopped to say hi to both of them, before turning round to see Jacob was still on my front doorstep.

"Hi," he smiled.

"Hi," I smiled back.

Without saying anything else he stepped forward and pulled me into a tight hug, mumbling how he'd missed me and that he was sorry he hadn't been in contact. I told him it was okay – I was guilty of not contacting him too after all.

It was a very long time before he pulled away but I didn't think anything of it – Jacob had always been like this, it wasn't unusual of him at all. We then walked into the kitchen, and poured a couple of drinks

"So how are you, are you feeling okay?" he asked.

He'd been there throughout the majority of my cancer battle – when we were younger he'd always come and hang out with me at the hospital when I was on my latest bout of chemo, which meant a lot to me. He was a year younger then me, but we still got on really well… kind of in a brother/sister way.

"Uh, yeah…" I nodded, "I feel fine."

"Good," he smiled, "here I bought you something, seeing as it is your eighteenth right?"

"You remembered?" I asked, surprised.

"'Course I did," he replied almost smugly as he handed the gift over to me, "sorry it's not much, but I wasn't sure what to get…"

"I'm sure it's great, thank you," I smiled gratefully to him. What was happening? Last year barely anyone even paid attention to my birthday at all, but this year I was getting more attention then I'd had in all my previous birthdays put together.

It's almost as if they all subconsciously knew that this was a very important birthday of mine… my last one.

I opened the gift to reveal a purple dream catcher.

"Aw it's beautiful Jake, thank you," I told him, thrilled with the gift – I loved these sorts of things, and he knew it.

"No problem," he grinned almost shyly, "just something to keep those bad dreams away."

"Oh, it's going to help me a lot then," I smiled at him.

"Yeah," he laughed quietly, "Hey, I've got an idea… why don't you stop by the reservation tomorrow? We could hang out like how we used too?"

"I would love too, but I've already got plans with school friends to go into Port Angeles," I replied, thinking about the plans I had with Angela and Jessica to celebrate my birthday.

Jacob's expression turned disappointed, and I suspected that he thought I was just making an excuse.

"Maybe I could come on Sunday instead?" I suggested.

"Really?" he asked, "that would be so great Bells!"

I nodded, smiling, not really knowing what to say. But luckily I didn't have to say anything else as Jacob suddenly enveloped me in another hug, pulling me even tighter then before as he mumbled how happy he was to have me back.

Yeah… I was sure he thought of me as a friend.

Wasn't I?

EBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEBEB

Jacob and Billy weren't able to stay much longer; apparently they had to get back to the reservation because they had plans with some other friends over there. Jacob told me that it was just a flying visit because he wanted to see me and give me my present, which was now currently residing on my bed frame, where I hoped it would ring true on its promise on keeping away the bad dreams.

Jacob seemed reluctant to leave, but when I reminded him that I would see him on Sunday he cheered up a little bit. Charlie laughed at his reaction but when I asked him what was funny he only smiled at me, a knowing look in his eyes.

Charlie was fine about me going to the Cullen's, he knew from rumours that they were a nice enough family, and to be honest I think he was happy for me too. All he asked was that I took care of myself and rung him if there were any problems.

You've got to love having protective fathers.

Along with one change of clothes I also decided to take the I-Pod, Edward had given me… I didn't know how to work it so if I had time to talk to him alone I would ask for a tutorial, as embarrassing as that would be. But as I packed it in my overnight bag I noticed the same thing once again… that it was completely devoid of scratches. It looked brand new, like it hadn't even been used before.

But Edward said it was second hand so it had to be… right?

I shook the thought away – what did it matter? An I-Pod was an I-pod after all…

Although… if it was brand new… how much was it? I was clueless but even I knew that these weren't cheap, they usually cost at least one hundred, and that was for the lower quality ones. So clearly Edward had a lot of money to spare if he was willing to spend so much money on me… either that or he's extremely generous.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car horn outside, so I quickly put the I-Pod back in the bag, yelled goodbye to Charlie and made my way out the front door.

Alice was there, leaning against a silver Volvo which I knew was Edward car – he had mentioned it to me before.

At the thought of him being here, word vomit overtook me and I didn't even say hi before asking - "is Edward with you too?"

She smiled at my comment, "No, I made him stay at home," she grinned as stepped away from the car and then turned to open the back door of it. She reached in, and pulled out a box, "here, I got something for you."

"You too?" I asked in surprise, "you really didn't have too, Alice."

"I knew you were going to say that, but trust me, I did!" she smiled.

She handed it over to me, kissing me on the cheek, and I smiled gratefully at her, secretly loving how much I was being spoiled today.

I opened the box and to my surprise there was a dress in there… I pulled it out to see it was dark blue and just… beautiful. Definitely something I would pick if I ever had the confidence to buy a dress that is.

"Oh… wow," I gasped, "it's beautiful, thank you."

"I know," she grinned knowingly, wrapping her arms around me as I hugged her. "Go and put it on then!"

"Can't I just change when I get to yours? It will save time," I suggested, feeling desperate to see Edward now.

"No you can't!" she nearly yelled, "You must arrive in that dress, trust me… Edward's going to love it."

"Oh… really?" I asked, thrilled at the thought, "Okay then, do you want to come in while I change?"

"I'll just wait here, be quick!" she replied, gently pushing me in the direction of my house.

"Will do," I replied, "wait… how did you know my size?"

A mischievous smile spread across her face, "Oh, I have my ways," she winked.

The dress was stunning… I thought it would make me look plain in comparison to it, but to my delight it didn't. It actually suited me… and almost flattered me.

Needless to say, Alice was a genius. I was beginning to really love her in a sister-I-never-had kind of way.

And I made sure to tell her so when I went out to show her the dress.

She was very complimentary and we were soon on our way to the Cullen house. She seemed very excited, just like how I was, but made sure to show it. I considered reaching over to grab the wheel from her as she pushed the car to go impossibly fast along the winding road that lead to their house.

By the time we made it there, my fingernails were digging into the seats.

She pulled the car to a stop, and I looked up at the house, and was literally rendered speechless. It was incredible… it was practically the size of mansion and were white, with a wrap around porch and large windows overlooking the forest. It was almost like something out of a fairytale.

And that's when I felt the dread kick in… the Cullen's are beautiful and kind, the house is the kind of house that celebrities would own…

So what am I doing here?

I don't belong here… I'm the definition of ordinary; I don't belong in places like this with people like this.

I don't belong.

I looked over at Alice and her wide smile faded slightly when she caught sight of my panicked expression.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

I bit my lip, "What if they don't like me… the rest of your family I mean?"

"Of course they will, why would you think that?" she asked surprised.

I blushed, embarrassed by my insecurities, "I don't know… I'm just nervous I guess," I admitted.

"Aw, there's no need to be… Esme's going to love you!" she insisted.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yes! Now let's go!" she grinned as she opened her door and climbed out.

I sighed and followed, knowing I didn't really have a choice now – so I might as well try my best to make them like me. Besides, wasn't I looking forward to this earlier?

… Sometimes when it came to the changing of emotions, I really hated being female.

We walked up the steps to the porch and Alice smiled, gesturing for me to go ahead. I smiled back and stepped in through the front door hesitantly into the house. Before I could go any further I suddenly remembered that I'd forgotten my bag, and turned around to ask Alice if I could go and get it, but to my surprise she was gone.

"Alice… Alice?"

I turned around bewildered but jumped in surprise to see everyone right there in front of me. Alice was at the front of the group, and was holding a birthday cake alight with eighteen candles, while Edward, Emmett, Jasper and Rosalie stood around her.

"Happy birthday!" they all cheered at the same time.

I however stood speechless, wondering what on earth was happening. Was I dreaming? Was this some sort of secret reality TV show where I didn't know I was being filmed?

Seriously… what was happening?

"I… erm…"

Alice and Edward stepped forward, both with wide smiles on their faces.

"Make a wish!" Alice smiled, lifting the cake up into my view, it was chocolate with the words 'happy birthday Bella' written across it in white icing.

I was still confused but obliged, closing my eyes tightly as I wished for the first thing that came to my mind.

I wish that this would never end.

I then opened my eyes and blew out the candles, receiving a round of applause from everyone. Alice placed the cake on the staircase and ran over to give me a hug.

"Did we surprise you?" she asked.

"Oh yeah… you sure did pixie," I replied, still a little stunned.

"Good!" she grinned, kissing me on the cheek as she pulled away.

I looked up to see the rest of the family still smiling at me – well except for Rosalie, who was now openly glaring at me.

I frowned in confusion, but she just turned and walked away – up the stairs and out of sight.

But no one watched her leave; they were still staring at me as if they were expecting me to do a trick or something.

"So what did you wish for?" Emmett asked eagerly.

"Can't tell you, or it won't come true," I shrugged, grinning.

"Oh come on, you don't really believe that crap do you?" he rolled his eyes.

"Sure do, sorry," I smiled, not apologetic in the slightest.

Luckily, he just grinned and bounded over pulling me into a hug too, hugging me tightly before setting me down on my feet.

"Happy birthday, Bella bear," he grinned, using his nickname for me.

I smiled back, convinced that my cheeks were going to be permanently stained red from now on… how did I ever doubt that I would fit in? They were my friends – the differences between all of us didn't matter.

Jasper then wished me happy birthday too, and Alice announced that she was going to tell Esme to come in – apparently she was gardening at the moment. Alice rushed off, with Emmett and Jasper following carrying the cake, which left just me and Edward.

I turned around to face him and his hand immediately lifted to brush some of my hair that had fallen in my face away, before it settled on my cheek.

"Have you had a good day so far?" he asked softly as his thumb gently rubbed my cheek.

I leant into his hand, "Yeah, it's been great," I replied honestly.

"Good I'm glad," he smiled as he stepped closer, "you look lovely by the way."

"Oh, you mean the dress?" I asked, glancing down at it, "Alice got it for me."

He nodded, "it looks beautiful on you," he murmured, as his fingers brushed along my jaw.

My blush increased tenfold with his sweet comment, and I felt my heart begin to race, "Oh… really? Erm, wow, I mean thank you," I stuttered.

He chuckled quietly and stepped forward again so he was even closer to me, and then lowered his head so his lips were brushing my hair. I remained motionless as he gently kissed my temple… I wasn't even sure if I was breathing.

"You're welcome, Bella," he whispered against my skin.

I sighed as I felt his breath wash over me, "Edward, about the-"

But I was cut off by the sounds of voices approaching so decided to not say anything. Edward gave me a curious look but then pulled away just in time for Alice to come back into the room, pulling someone along with her. I immediately realised that this was Esme… their adoptive mother. She, just like them, was incredibly beautiful, with long caramel coloured hair and the same golden eyes and pale skin as them.

She couldn't have been that old… perhaps mid twenties at most, which seemed too young to have teenage children, but I remembered that she had adopted them all which explained it a little. But it was still strange… why would a woman of her age want children that are only about eight years younger then her?

I didn't have much time to contemplate that though as she stepped forward, smiling widely at me.

"Hi, you must be Bella," she grinned reaching out for my hand, "I'm Esme."

"Hi Esme," I smiled at her, "it's so nice to meet you."

She smiled wider and pulled me into a hug, "Oh, it is so nice to meet you too."

I instantly relaxed into the hug – the Cullen family sure were affectionate that's for sure… it was wonderful. Although as I held onto Esme I found myself thinking back… to when I last hugged my own mother like this when I was eleven years old. I could still remember it… how I refused to let go of her, knowing she was leaving, and the smell in the air… the smell of a mother.

I felt myself tear up slightly at my hazy memory of Renee… she hadn't even called me today or sent me a card to wish me happy birthday. I wanted a mom, but I'd never really had one.

"You smell lovely, like flowers, just like how my mom used too… I've always loved this smell," I murmured as she pulled away, before flushing in embarrassment for saying that out loud, "I'm sorry, that was weird of me."

"Oh no it wasn't," Esme smiled as she gently stroked hair away from my face, "that was the nicest thing you could have said to me."

I bit my lip and looked over at Edward and Alice who were smiling at me and then turned back to look at Esme who was doing the same. I then sighed internally… they were all so lucky to have each other.

I was envious… I knew I was being very selfish in my thoughts today, but I wanted what they all had… a family. I had Charlie and I loved him, but if I really had to admit it I had always known that there was something missing…

"How about we give you a tour of the house now?" Esme asked me.

"I would love that," I smiled at her, excited at the prospect of seeing the rest of this beautiful house and grateful for the distraction from my thoughts.

Her smile widened, making her look even more beautiful – she almost reminded me of snow white in her beauty. It wasn't fair, why were they all so inhumanly beautiful?

Esme then gave me a tour of the house before making me some food – which left me wondering why none of the rest of them were eating, but she just told me they had all eaten earlier.

Throughout the tour of the house Edward stayed with us, making fun conversation the entire time. My sides were hurting from the many times I had laughed, and I was sure my smile was permanently etched on to my face.

The rest of the evening passed quickly – I spent some time with most of the family apart from Rosalie and Carlisle who I was yet to meet. I enjoyed the time with Edward the most… he seemed so relaxed and happy, which was amazing to see… and it was like his mood passed over to me. I felt so much happier and lighter when he was around and found myself wishing I was always with him.

He didn't mention our moment from earlier and neither did I… we hadn't really had much time alone today. Which was slightly disappointing but I knew we would have another chance soon enough. I had a lot to ask him, and even though I knew it would make me nervous to do so – I was going to ask what was happening between us. He was flirting, and the way he acted earlier getting so close… I was sure it wasn't the way that friends acted.

I loved it, I really did… but things like this just didn't happen to me, and I just wanted to make sure I wasn't imagining this attraction and that he felt the same as me. It was wrong of me… but I really wished that he did. It was wrong because I knew nothing could ever come from this… but I still wanted him to feel the same as me nonetheless.

I was the most selfish person in the world.

But I was a teenager who had been dealt a rough deal… I'd had such a difficult, lonely life so far. So why would anyone resent me for falling for someone, wasn't it something that was so simple for normal people? So why can't I?

You can't help who you fall in love with after all…

Eventually Alice insisted I spend some time with her which was great fun. I knew without a doubt that she was my favourite in the Cullen family… apart from Edward that is.

We eventually decided to get some sleep, and I took the time to text Charlie to tell him I was okay. I was actually more then it… I felt great at the moment. The cancer was literally the last thing on my mind right now.

I must have drifted off for a couple of hours, because one moment I was thinking about today, then I was dreaming about it, then I was awake tossing and turning, unable to get back asleep.

It was eerily quiet… almost as if there was no one here in the house at all. I looked over to see Alice had gone and frowned before realising that she had probably gone to see Jasper.

I turned around and tried to drift off again but as the time passed I knew it was hopeless – I wasn't going to get any sleep. How could I sleep knowing he was so close to me?

I decided to go downstairs to get some water noticing how dry my throat was. So I got up, and walked out into the dark halls, and quickly made my way downstairs, when a noise froze me in my tracks.

It was a piano… that was playing the most beautiful, the most complex melody I had ever heard. It was a tune that was full of so much love and longing that it automatically bought tears to my eyes.

I made my way down to the main room and slowly peaked my head around the corner, wanting to know who was creating this masterpiece.

And when I saw, my breath caught in my throat.

It was Edward.

I was overwhelmed at how magnificent he was… and gasped out loud as irrational tears filled my eyes. I listened as the song drew to a close, and sniffed embarrassingly loud. He must have heard because he turned around, surprise covering his features when he saw me standing so close.

"Hi," he whispered.

"Hi," I replied.

"Can't you sleep?" he asked.

"No," I shook my head.

A slight smile formed on his face, "Come sit here," he murmured, gesturing to the bench.

Without hesitating I made my way over, smiling at him as I took the seat next to him. I looked up to see sheets with music notes on them, but I didn't understand any of it, "What was that you were playing?" I asked him quietly.

"Oh, it was just something I wrote," he replied, running his fingers over the keys.

"You wrote it?" I asked, surprised.

He nodded, turning to smile crookedly at me.

"You're… you've very talented," I blushed, "it was amazing."

"Thank you," he whispered, looking close to blushing himself.

"Where did you learn to play like that?" I asked curiously.

"My parents taught me… my birth parents I mean," he replied.

"What happened to them?" I asked.

"They died a long time ago," he replied softly, "they got a rare disease."

"I'm sorry," I told him gently as a tear spilled down my cheek.

"It's okay, it was a long time ago," he whispered, as he lifted his hand to gently brush my tear away, "besides I've got my family now."

"You're lucky," I told him wistfully.

He looked at me for a long moment before nodding, "yes, I am," he murmured.

My breath hitched as the intensity of his voice and his stare… he was just so close to me now. I refused to move away though, and instead I shifted even closer.

His hand reached up again so it was gently brushing my cheek, and I leant into his touch, sighing as his hand moved so it was stroking my jaw gently.

I couldn't speak to ask him what was happening… hell, I couldn't even move. I was frozen in my spot, completely entranced by this wonderful, beautiful man.

Just what was he doing to me?

He leant in so his nose was running along my jaw, "You really are so beautiful, you know that right?" he murmured.

I closed my eyes, sighing at the feeling as he moved so it was now his lips brushing against my jaw softly. This feeling was just so raw, so unreal… I feared I would wake up from this incredible dream any moment.

If I was dreaming, I never ever wanted to wake up.

"Bella?" Edward murmured gently.

"Hmm?" I replied, unable to say anything else.

He shifted so he was looking me in the eye again, his golden eyes incredibly intense, "Would you like to go on a date with me?" he whispered, smiling at me.

I felt a wide smile spread across my own face… he did feel the same as me after all. I wasn't imagining this connection… it was real and I wasn't dreaming.

And so, completely lost in the moment and in him, there was only one thing I could say.

"Yes," I breathed.

Next chapter preview:

(Edward)

I decided to just push everything to the back of my mind. What Rosalie said wasn't important; the fact that Bella was human and I was a vampire didn't matter…

Instead all that mattered was the here and now, and the fact that I already loved Bella, and that tonight was the night. It was the night we would go on our first date and hopefully progress in our relationship.

I couldn't wait.

And then she opened the door, and I knew in that moment that I had never seen anyone as beautiful.

So what do you all think? This is another of those chapters I'm very nervous about posting, so I hope that people liked it. Feel free to ask questions, I'll answer anything... but don't ask about the ending because thats the one thing I'm not giving away ;)

It was an amazing 16 reviews for last chapter, could we match that?

Thanks for reading!