Lovely thanks to ginginlee for beta'ing! Lizzylillyrose and Morethanmyself preread, and their suggestions are amazing. Thank you, ladies.

Thanks to all who have reviewed and rec'd this fic! A big, BIG thanks to Sammielynnsmom for writing a beautiful review for IndieFicPimp! The article is up on the indieficpimp blog if you want to check it out!

Back to 1987…

After he breathed out the last syllable, his lips gently pressed into mine. My eyes automatically closed, and when I registered what he was doing, I kissed him back. His lips didn't move from mine for a long moment as he used his hand to cradle the back of my neck, keeping us joined together. The kiss was probably shorter than it seemed, but it was so innocent, pure even.

When he pulled away, he ran his nose softly against my own, leaning back in for another chaste, soft kiss.

"Yes, Bella," he whispered, "simply amazing."

O.o

Chapter 11

1987

"Mmm," I hummed, my eyes still shut as he gently pulled away, his hand moved to rest against my cheek, his thumb coaxing my eyes to open. His face was still close to mine, and the moonlight danced through the wooden panels of the porch above us, casting light on his skin in a way that made him look almost angelic. Either that or he was just an exquisitely beautiful demon.

The blue of his eyes were shaded by the darkness, but it didn't make the man that was behind them shine any less. "What are you smiling about?" I asked as he took our drinks and placed them on the grass at our feet, his huge grin not being able to go unnoticed.

"Oh, nothing." He laughed a little bit, coming back to his previous position, his smile growing as he started to run patterns with this thumb over my left cheekbone. "I've just wanted to do that since the night of the carnival."

"Was it all you expected to be and more?" I asked jokingly. "I mean, you didn't give me much warning. I didn't even have time to prepare myself for your lip invasion!"

"Lip invasion?" He laughed deeply, shaking his head.

"Seriously! You're lucky you didn't try to get your tongue all up inside my mouth… A girl needs to be ready for this kind of thing."

"Should I have sent in a written request?"

"Signed and dated, actually, would have worked best."

I was glad that he was still smiling, not being completely thrown off by my weird babbling.

"I don't think that works for me," he answered, shaking his head as he tried to look serious.

"Oh yeah? Why not? It's not too difficult for you, is it?"

"Well," he argued, "what if I just got the random urge to kiss you? Finding a piece of paper, writing down said urge, taking the time to sign out my name – Edward Masen has a lot of letters in it, mind you – and then remembering the date at the same time… by the time I did all that, the urge will have passed."

"You just need some pre-written request forms."

"Is that right? Where can I get these forms?" He smirked. "Do you keep packets of them handy for interested boys like myself?"

"I think you're in luck, actually."

"Oh yeah?" He laughed again.

"Yeah…I had some ordered in last week. I'll bring you some tomorrow. I could probably spare a few."

"What if I wanted to kiss you again tonight?" He leaned in a bit closer.

"I think you're shit-out-of-luck, pal," I rebutted, even though my voice was just another whisper, and my eyes were glued to his approaching lips.

"Wrong again…" he breathed out.

He kissed me then, his hand moving my hair back behind my ears as his other hand rested on my thigh. I took his face in my hands, pressing my lips more firmly against his as I played with the wonderful outline of his jaw. I felt his muscles flex beneath my fingers, and I heard him hum softly into my mouth. All that I could think about is how I wanted more.

I opened my mouth slightly, waiting for him to take it further. But instead of deepening the kiss, he pulled back.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"This is your mouth invasion warning," his deep voice whispered in my ear. "Are you ready?"

While he waited for my brain to catch up to what he was saying, his warm, soft lips placed a burning kiss on the side of my neck, causing me to make a ridiculous sound in return.

"I'll take that as a yes," he chuckled right before his lips met mine again.

This time, though, he didn't hold back. He opened his mouth as his soft tongue glided along my own, his face tilting to the side slightly. The hand that was still resting on my thigh, playing right below the hemline of my skirt, lifted my legs so that they was draped across the top of his thighs. My hands made their way to his soft hair, playing with the thick strands on the back of his head and down his neck.

His kiss wasn't messy or rushed. He took his time, his mouth slowly dancing with mine. My stomach turned to knots, and I felt my hands shaking. He, on the other hand, was steady and sure in his movements, careful and caring in his touches. My head was swimming in the moment, trying to register everything while burning it to memory at the same time.

I had been kissed before, even though eating my face might have been a better description, but I had never been kissed like this. This is what a kiss should feel like, and felt it I did.

When he pulled away, I tried really hard to catch my breath, but was it too cliché to say that he took my breath away? That was what it felt like. I was relieved to see that his chest was rising and falling quickly as well, easing my nerves and insecurities just a tad.

"So?" he asked, causing me to burst out laughing.

"So? Are you asking me to judge you on your kissing skills?"

"No, Bella," he said pointedly. "I was referring to my warning…was it enough for you?"

"I think I can let it slide just this once."

He shook his head again. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Oh yes, the infamous question…" I chuckled, my smile matching his.

Right as Edward opened his mouth to speak again, we heard giggling and shushing noises coming from the pathway we had come from. I turned around to the noise while Edward looked the same direction.

"Oh, no, Mary…I think someone took our spot," the deep voice slurred, laughing at his own words.

"But, Jamie!"

At his name, Edward sighed, taking my hand and pulling me to our feet.

"It's okay, we were just leaving," Edward voiced to the very affectionate-looking couple that stood a few feet away.

"Eddie, is that you?" Jamie asked mockingly. "Totally didn't mean to interrupt, man. We'll leave…you guys can get back to your business."

Edward's hand gripped mine more tightly as I stood silent and watched the scene in confusion.

"We're good, actually, Jamie. You and your friend here feel free to take off where you left off. Don't let us stop you. Come on, Bella." He began to pull on my hand and walk away when Jamie stepped out right in front of us.

"My sister was looking for you, Edward. She kept asking me if I had seen you…" he said with ice in his tone.

"Oh yeah? I better go find her, then," Edward replied blankly.

"You do that. Bella," he addressed me then, "why don't you stay here with us while Eddie goes and talks to Rachel. I bet they would appreciate the privacy."

"Oh, let it up, Jamie," Edward rebutted, obviously sounding tired of whatever Jamie was trying to get at.

"I'm just letting her know, Edward," he sneered.

"There is nothing to know!"

"Right," Jamie mocked.

"Whatever, Jamie. Run along with your little friend and stay out of this."

With that, Edward led me around Jamie and back towards the backyard where everyone else was gathered. I didn't talk, not wanting to anger Edward even more. He seemed exasperated, angrily stomping his feet in the grass while continuing to hold on tightly to my hand. Honestly, I wasn't bothered by their interaction. Jamie was obviously trouble, and if Edward had anything going on with Rachel, he wouldn't be kissing me at her own house. I even had more confidence than that.

I decided it would be better to not question Edward on it, either. Even if he did once have a thing with Rachel, what difference did it make to me? Rachel seemed perfectly fine with everything that was going on with Edward and I, and she had been nothing but nice to me since I had gotten to North Carolina. Besides, I was only here for the summer. After September, when Edward left for college and I went back to Ohio, this would be all over. Why would I waste a night questioning things that were insignificant?

"Do you want to go sit by the fire?" I asked, diverting the attention away from the confrontation.

Edward stopped walking and sighed heavily. "Yeah," he mumbled. "Do you want to go inside and get another drink first? We left ours by the swing…"

I smiled up at him and nodded my head. "That sounds good."

As we were walking into the kitchen, there some other people scattered throughout the space who noticed Edward right away.

"Hey, man," a guy sounded out from his spot by the center island.

"What's up, Em," Edward replied, nodding with his head as we stepped up to the same counter.

"Who's the lady?" this guy asked, looking at me with a sweet smile on his face.

"This is Bella. Bella, this is my cousin, Emmett."

"Hi." I lifted my hand in a small wave. "Nice to meet you."

"Wow, you sound different." He laughed.

"Northerner," Edward explained as he got us new cups and wrote our names on them, causing Emmett to hum in registration.

"What's a pretty northern girl like you doing down here in the deep south?"

"Deep south?" I laughed. "I wouldn't classify North Carolina as the deep south."

"Tsk, tsk," he shook his head, laughing, "you have no idea, pretty thing."

I sighed and shrugged my shoulders. I looked over at Edward and he was chuckling as he poured us each a beer.

"Watch it, Em, this one is difficult," Edward sounded.

I winked at Emmett in return, and he laughed loudly.

"Feisty," he commented. "I like that."

Edward stopped, mid pour, and looked up at his cousin pointedly. "Don't even think about it."

"Aw, did you piss on her already?" he asked, pouting. "Like a damn dog claiming his territory."

"That's disgusting!" I couldn't help but say, my laugh breaking through my words.

"Damn right I claim her," Edward said seriously. "She's awesome. So back off, buddy. I'm not afraid to kick your ass."

Emmett laughed at this and threw his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay. I won't put on my irrefutable Masen charms."

"Thank God," I mumbled, jokingly. "One Masen at a time is more than enough. I can hardly keep up as it is!"

"Well, darling, if you ever get sick of Eddie's little-boy charms, you know what Masen to come to if you want to be with a real man." He winked and Edward reached over the island and punched him in the arm, semi-playfully, of course.

"Keep talking, Em, keep talking."

I just laughed and sipped on my beer that Edward had passed my way. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Like hell you will," Edward rebutted, coming over and wrapping his arm around my shoulders, placing a soft kiss on my head. "Come on, before he takes off his clothes or something." He laughed and led me outside.

"He's funny," I commented as we made our way to the still-roaring bonfire.

"Yeah. He's like my brother." His voice was full of passionate sincerity.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?" I asked causally, realizing how little I knew about him.

"Nope. I'm the only blessed child of Carlisle and Esme Masen. Emmett and his little sister, Tanya, are my dad's brother's, Aro's kids. And then Uncle Aro is married to my Aunt Elizabeth."

"And they live around here, too, I'm guessing."

"Oh yeah. All of us were born and raised here. But besides them, we don't really have any other family. Both set of my grandparents have passed away, and my mom never had any siblings."

"Small family…I can relate to that."

"Yeah. I actually want to have a really big family of my own someday."

"Oh really?" I laughed.

"Like…five kids."

"Five kids!

"Two or three wives, you know." He winked, pulling me closer.

"Good luck with that one, pal," I rebutted, laughing along with him.

"Yo, Edward," Riley called just as we reached the fire. "Where the hell have you been?"

There were some chairs set up next to the fire now, and I sat down in the chair next to Riley and Edward sat next to me.

"Don't worry about it," Edward replied, taking a long pull from is beer.

Riley looked back and forth between Edward and I before nodding. "Got it."

I just rolled my eyes. I automatically hated whatever assumptions people were making, no matter how true they might have been.

"So was Rachel really looking for me earlier, or was Jamie just being an ass?" Edward asked Riley, annoyance clear in his voice.

"Not sure. I haven't seen Rach for a while now."

Edward just sighed and sat back. "Fucking Jamie," he muttered under his breath, probably not intending for anyone to hear it.

"So why are you just sitting here, Riley?" I asked, noticing that he was just chilling out here by himself. The other people who were around the fire were on the other side, not paying attention to us at all.

He just shrugged in response, mumbling, "Girls," causing Edward to laugh beside me.

"So I'm taking that things didn't go over well between you and Janet?"

"Women, man. I don't think for the life of me I'll ever be able to figure them out."

"Welcome to my world," I voiced, earning a good chuckle from Riley.

"Bella, I don't get it." He turned to look at me now. "Please, tell me, how am I supposed to win a girl over? I'm nice to her, I bought her flowers once, I didn't hit on her friends."

"Wow," Edward spoke up, interrupting him. "You went a day without hitting on one of her friends? I think that's a first." He laughed.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Bella, please, help a guy out."

"Okay," I tried, "tell me about her. What does she like?"

"Um…"

"Anything," I pushed.

He just looked at me blankly.

"Okay, let's try this. What does she like to do for fun?"

"She likes to paint things, I think," he finally said, shrugging his shoulders, as if he wasn't sure if he was just pulling this out of his ass or not.

"Okay, painting is a good start. Have you thought about taking her to a pottery-painting place?"

"Ugh, that shit is so lame, Bella."

"Lame, maybe, but if she likes to paint then I'm sure she'll enjoy that. And since you're painting something while you're there, it will give her something to take home and keep, which will make her think about you every time she looks at it."

"How do girls even come up with this stuff?" he mused, taking another sip of whatever alcohol was in his red cup.

"Hey, you asked for my help."

"Okay, okay," he sighed. "What else?"

"Buying a girl flowers once is not going to get you very far. You don't even need to buy anything, but when you're trying to court a girl, it's not a one-stop-shop. You need to show her that you're interested and that she's worth the effort. Write her a letter, call her house just to talk every once and a while, show up at her house and tell her that you just had to see her."

"Fuck this, man. There's no way I'm cut out for this," he grumbled, which in turn made Edward laugh.

"Maybe I'm the wrong one to ask. Try out Edward here…he seems to know what he's doing." I smiled over at Edward, and he winked at me in return.

"Okay, Eddie, what's your master advice?" Riley asked desperately.

"You're shit out of luck, dude. Sorry." He laughed, and Riley groaned loudly, pulling at his hair and shaking his head.

"What are you guys talking about?" I heard Rachel ask as she came over and joined us by the fire, taking the empty chair that was next to Edward.

"Riley's girl problems," Edward answered, which made Rachel chuckle.

"They never end, do they, Riley?" she asked.

"How am I ever supposed to get a girl to marry me if I can't even get one to date me first?"

I actually felt sympathy for him, and I placed my hand on his hunched over back, patting it a few times. "Don't give up yet. The right girl is out there for you somewhere."

"Patience is a virtue, my friend," Edward added.

"I'm sure you'll get some girl drunk enough one night to finally agree to put up with your sorry ass for the rest of your life. You shouldn't be too worried," Rachel advised.

"You guys suck."

We all laughed then, and I looked back over at Edward, just enjoying his smile. He winked at me when he caught me staring, sending the butterflies right back to my stomach. How could he do that to me with just one look? It was ridiculous.

The four of us stayed out by the fire for what seemed like hours, just talking and laughing at one another. They asked me more questions, and I learned more about them in return. I knew that Edward had just graduated from high school, but I learned that Rachel did as well, and that Riley was my age, graduating the year after. Edward I knew was planning on going to UNC, but Rachel was still undecided. Her parents wanted her to do one thing when she wanted to do another.

Before we knew it, we looked around and everyone was gone. Riley looked at his watch and relayed that it was well after four in the morning.

"Damn," Rachel said. "I had no idea it was that late."

A yawn inevitably escaped my lips, my body screaming at me to go to bed.

"Are you guys sleeping here tonight?" Rachel asked, standing up from the chair and stretching.

"If that's okay," Edward prodded, yawning himself.

"Doesn't bother me at all."

"I call sleeping with Bella!" Riley yelled jokingly, receiving an evil glare from Edward.

"Screw you guys, I'm sleeping in Rachel's bed." I laughed, Rachel joining me.

"Suckers," she commented. "Y'all can take the couches."

Edward and Riley stayed outside to put out the fire while Rachel and I made our way inside to start cleaning up. The place was a mess.

"This is the worst part about these parties," she complained as we were pouring opened bottles into the sink before tossing them into the black trash bags. "Why can't people just clean up after themselves?"

"Beats me," I noted, working right alongside her.

"Can't we do this shit tomorrow?" Riley asked as he and Edward joined us in the kitchen.

Edward walked over to where I was and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, resting his head against my shoulder. "I'm tired," he mumbled.

"Yeah, that's fine," Rachel agreed, causing Edward to squeal a little, "Yay," in excitement.

I climbed up the stairs to Rachel's room with one last kiss from Edward. Sleeping that night, surprisingly, didn't come easily, considering how tired I was. Knowing that Edward was right downstairs had me tossing and turning all night, and, believe me, it pissed me off. I hated that my emotions were so carefully controlled by another, especially since I didn't trust Edward yet.

Trust came with time. I had barely known Edward for a few weeks, if even that.

However, the next morning eventually came, and I was grateful for the few selected hours of sleep that I had gotten. Rachel, unlike myself, fell asleep almost instantly, which in turn made her mood the next morning a lot more chipper than my own.

"Morning, y'all," Riley greeted as he saw us walking down the stairs.

"Ugh," I grunted out in return.

"Morning!" Rachel chirped at the same time. "Where's Edward?" she asked, looking around, not seeing him.

"Kitchen…"

We walked into the next room, and sure enough, there he was, cooking breakfast for us. Bless him. And there was coffee… I think he just sealed his fate!

I immediately went towards the caffeine first, not bothering to acknowledge him with my words yet.

"Well, good morning to you, too, sunshine," he joked, looking at me.

I thought that giving him the stink-eye since he was making me breakfast probably wasn't the best idea. A small smile was what graced my face instead, causing Edward to just laugh at my reaction.

"Not a morning person I take it."

"Ugh."

"Good to know." He smiled and continued to work on breakfast.

"So, Bella," he asked, once I had taken a few sips of my delicious black drink. "I was thinking about that date…"

"Oh yes, that date," I responded, smiling at him from behind my mug.

"What about tomorrow afternoon. Would that be okay?"

"I have to check my calendar. I'm a busy girl, being a hot commodity and all of that."

"Hot commodity?" He laughed.

"Oh yeah, man."

"Well, is there anything I can do to convince you to cancel your oh-so-special plans and hang out with me instead?"

"Mmm," I brought my finger to my lips, pretending to think, "bribery always works."

"Bribery? What kind of bribery?"

"Kisses are a good thing."

"I like kisses," he agreed.

"And food works, too."

"I can do food."

"I also like flowers."

"What kind of flowers?"

"Daisies." I smiled.

"Pink daisies?"

"I think you may be on to something, Mr. Masen."

"I'm just good like that."

"We'll see." I winked and finished my cup of coffee, waiting patiently for my home cooked breakfast.

A date with Edward, I thought happily, that sounded absolutely lovely.

O.o

"So, you're not a lesbian?" Uncle Charlie asked, following me out of the kitchen and into the living room.

"Not today, at least," I dismissed lightly, laughing to myself as I grabbed my purse to make sure I had my house key.

He sighed dramatically. "You're going to give me a heart attack, kid. I'm going to die at a very young age thanks to you."

I turned and patted his shoulder. "I've been living with you for only a few weeks, Uncle Charlie. You need thicker skin if we're going to make it through the entire summer together."

"Teenagers," he mumbled, sitting down in his signature recliner, acting as if our conversation had worn him into exhaustion. "So, where is he taking you on this 'date'?"

I took his lead and sat down on the couch next to his chair. "First off, you can lose the air quotes." I looked at him pointedly, causing him to roll his eyes, before I continued, mockingly, "And secondly, I don't know if I should tell you, with your health being at risk, and all."

"I'm glad to see you got your smart-mouth from your mother," he replied snarkily, even though his smile gave away his true feelings.

"Nah, all my wit comes from you." I smiled super sweetly, batting my eyelashes.

A laugh escaped him, and he turned to look at me. "I do love you, kid."

"You can't help it. I'm super adorable."

"Yeah, yeah." We both laughed.

"But I love you, too, Uncle Charlie."

We sat in silence for just a few minutes before his voice rose and he went off on another rant. "I'm still not happy about this thing with you and Edward. Didn't I warn him when y'all first met that this was not allowed? Does he need to be reminded that I handle guns quite well? One shot is all it would take…" he warned, cocking an eyebrow, daring me to argue.

This had been my struggle all morning. Telling him about my and Edward's date that was planned for this afternoon had sent him into a fit. He scolded me for acting like a dramatic teen, yet, here he was, raging on as if this was the end of the world. Edward was a good guy; Charlie knew this. He was just stubborn.

"Relax," I said, for about the hundredth time that day. "Trust me to make good decisions. I'm a smart girl, Uncle Charlie. You and my mom raised me right."

"Oh, no you don't," he rebutted, shaking his little finger at me. "Don't get all sentimental and personal on me. I know your tricks." His eyes narrowed into little slits as he glared at me.

But he was right…I had my tricks, and I was damn good at using them. "Don't you think I'm a smart girl?" I asked with a hint of sadness in my voice. "I promise I would never do anything reckless to hurt you or myself." His eyes were beginning to soften, so I continued, "I just want you to trust me. You do trust me, right?"

"Damn-it, Bella." He sighed, closing his eyes.

"He treats me right," I added, pushing ever so slightly. "He makes me laugh." By now, Charlie had his head resting against the back of the chair, his eyes still shut, beginning to accept defeat. "He's smart, and funny, and very hardworking. You can even attest to that!"

He sighed again after hearing my words, crossing his arms across his chest.

"I really like him, Uncle Charlie. Please, let me have this." My voice was only a bare whisper by that point, laying it on thick.

"What the hell am I going to do with you, Bella?" he finally answered.

I just squealed like the true giddy teenager I was, knowing this was as much of his blessing that I was going to get. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I jumped off the couch and wrapped my arms around him, shaking him back and forth in beat with my words.

He awkwardly patted my back in return. "Yeah, yeah. You and your evil tricks."

I just laughed and removed myself from his warm body. "Like I said, you need thicker skin." I winked, and he laughed in return. He really was a good sport.

A timid, quiet knock sounded at the door after we had broken away, and I ran off to answer it, knowing who it was standing on the porch. My stomach was suddenly filled with butterflies, killing me slowly with heated anticipation and giddiness. My feet led me forward, my mind repeating that I just wanted to feel his lips again, pressing against mine ever so softly. I wanted to feel his nose rub down against mine as his rough, calloused hand held onto my smooth, rosy cheek.

"Bella, wait," Charlie voiced, stopping me right before I reached the door. "Move out of the way." He pushed me to the side so he was to answer it instead.

Oh great, I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes.

"Well, lookie here," Charlie said in a ruff voice. "If it isn't Edward Masen. What do I owe this great honor, Edward?"

"Uh, well, hi, Mr. Swan," he stammered. Come on, kid! It's just Charlie! "I was actually here to pick up Bella."

"Bella? My niece, Bella? You can't mean her, can you?" he sneered.

"Actually, sir, that is who I mean. We have a date."

"A date?"

"Yes, sir."

"And why are you taking my Bella out on a date?"

"Well, um, I like her, sir."

"Like her?"

"She's really nice…and funny. And smart, too, really smart. And she's pretty. God, is she pretty." He practically sighed out the last few words.

"Where are you taking her on this 'date'?"

"Lose the air quotes, Uncle Charlie," I warned from my spot against the wall next to him. Even though I was out of Edward's view, I could still hear the exchange and see Charlie perfectly.

"Stay out of this, Bella. This doesn't concern you," he replied, not even glancing at me.

"Okay, this is enough." I pushed my way past Charlie so I could finally see Edward. Charlie reluctantly took a step back, making room for me. "Flowers!" I exclaimed as soon as I saw Edward on the step.

"Pink daisies," Edward replied, passing them to me.

"Oh, Edward, they are beautiful! Thank you!"

I heard Uncle Charlie groan behind me.

"Oh, get over it. The man is allowed to bring me flowers," I scolded lightly, turning around and handing off the pink beauties to my now scowling uncle. "Put these in water for me?" I asked sweetly, stepping up on my toes to give him a kiss on the cheek.

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbled. "You guys don't stay out too late."

"We won't, Mr. Swan."

He just glared at Edward.

"You're going to make me lose my job," Edward whispered as we walked out to his old blue truck.

"Nah, he's just being difficult."

"I see where you get it from, then." He laughed.

"Don't worry; it will rub off on you, too."

"Oh, I'm looking forward to it."

"So where are we going?"

"Somewhere special."

"How elusive, Mr. Masen."

He just smiled at me as climbed into the driver's side of the truck, and I settled into the passenger's seat.

"How about this, Bella," he began as the ignition roared to life, "I promise it won't disappoint."

O.o

So I had originally planned this chapter to start off with the date, but it just wasn't working, so this is what you got instead. I hope you enjoyed it!

And for those of you who are interested, that contest I kept talking about? There You'll Be won 2nd place public vote, 3rd place judges pick, and Best Tear Jerker. Check out the other entries, too, if you haven't already. They're killer.

I also made a video to go to this fic that is to the song Strawberry Wine by Deanna Carter. Here is the link if you wanted to watch: http:/ youtu (dot) be / HLRzkjSqe6w

Anyway, you guys are lovely. Please review!