( Long chapter, enjoy :D )

Big thanks to Brooke for all her wonderful ideas and contributions to this story, Arrow # 3!

Disclaimer: The characters of Twilight are owned by Stephenie Meyer. The original content and ideas of this story are those of TheGirlNtheYellowShoes.

Sweet treasures

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." ~ Helen Keller

After an excruciatingly long fitting for undoubtable the heaviest costume I've ever had followed by best acting moment of my life, the rest of the weekend went by quickly. My thoughts constantly found their way to my father. The longer I stayed here, the more likely they were to believe I was dead and it made my heart hurt to make him go through that pain all over again. I had even gone to such lengths as to have Maggie take me to where they had found me. Which was a mile into the woods from their house, on the line of the Cullen property. I spent forty-five minutes jumping around like an idiot in front of Maggie and purposely falling to see if anything happened. Nada.

Monday, our costumes were complete and I was in awe of my gown. It was stunning, a deep ruby red bodice that shone my collar bones nicely with an equally complimentary billowing skirt. It was accompanied by a beautiful detailed gold and red matching mask. Maggie's was similar, but an emerald green color instead. At that point, I decided home could wait a few more days considering it had already waited this long.

The week prior Maggie had began tutoring me upon her father's request on how to act in front of the court and the dances we would do the evening of the party. We spent a lot of time out by the well and she eventually summoned Adam as her guinea pig for me to practice dancing with. Personally, I think Adam enjoyed it a bit too much. I could tell he was growing fond of me and I only hoped that if the chance arose for me to go home, he wouldn't be entirely broken hearted when I chose to go.

Mr. Thoroupe also told me for the time being, if anyone asked I was 17. I knew I could pass, I remember jumping for joy when at 20 people had started telling me I no longer looked like a 12 year old. No one wants to look like jail bate forever.

In between all of my lessons I helped by watching Isabella and staying out of the way while everyone prepared for the coming weekend's events. And as overwhelming as it all was, I couldn't help but to keep thinking about him... It felt weird calling him Edward. Not that anyone here would understand why.

I was sitting by the well again Tuesday afternoon, Isabella having fallen asleep bundled up in a blanket as I read her a story. I had given up half way through the Old English book and ended up telling her the tale of snow white.

I sat staring straight ahead at the opposing wall, following the crevices between the stone with my eyes. My thoughts wandering yet again to Edward.

"It's a little cold today to be hanging out here so long, don't you think?"

I covered my mouth to muffle my sharp inhale, looking down to make sure Isabella was still sleeping before looking over and meeting eyes with Edward. He walked along the outside edge of the wall before stepping over it and coming to a stop right in front of me. I adjusted my coat and took off my hood, my hair falling loosely over one shoulder in the process. We gazed at each other for a long moment before I moved to stand. I noticed the circles under his eyes had subsided, growing nearly invisible. He brought out his hand to help me and I took it, my breath coming to a halt as soon as my fingers met his cool skin.

He narrowed his eyes in my direction as I stumbled to my feet and he steadied me.

"It helps a little if you breath." he joked.

I exhaled loudly, blushing from the embarrassment. He chuckled and shook his head.

"You're an interesting girl, Annabella." He eyed me curiously.

"Yes, well, not really." I said leaning against the well and peering over to check Isabella once more.

"You're very good with that child." He said looking down at her, "She's quite taken by you."

I looked at my hands, "she's.... special." I said before looking back up to meet his eyes. He seemed more relaxed today than the day he'd saved me in the meadow.

"Or perhaps you are the special one and she knows it." He said, his facial expression never changing, never giving him away. This.... him.... was very different. Very composed... but then maybe he always has been. Perhaps he had just slightly changed with time. I shook my head and inhaled brushing off my thoughts along with his own.

"I was a little shocked to find you at my house last week..." he started a moment later.

"I'm so sorry," I cut him off rambling on, "Maggie asked me to go with her to take the pie and... "

He held up his hand, cutting me off. I gazed at it before looking up to meet his eyes. He stepped forward, "I was just going to... apologize... for the way I acted." He paused for a moment looking at me cautiously, "...as well as leaving you so suddenly the other day."

I bit my lip.

When had I turned into a rambling idiot? I was beginning to realize that in this... world... where ever it was, I wasn't myself, I was so out of my element I had no clue for the first time in my life what the hell I was doing. Talk about having an OCD breakdown.

"I hope you enjoyed your visit?" He said a moment later bringing me out of my thoughts.

I nodded, "Your... uncle... he's very nice." He cocked an eyebrow at the way I said his uncle. As if I didn't believe it... I didn't.

"Yes, Maggie has always been quite smitten with him," He grinned a beautiful crooked grin and I felt my mouth slightly fall open. I closed it, hoping it was oblivious yet highly doubting it as I smiled back.

"Yes, I noticed." I said looking down at my feet and touching the tip of my boot to a rock.

"Bella..." my head snapped up involuntarily as that was the first time I'd heard him call me Bella.

"Yes." I whispered after a moment before biting my lip again. He furrowed his brow.

"What you said... about..."

"You saving me..." I breathed without thinking, again.

I looked up through my eyelashes, trying to gage his reaction to my comment. He put a hand in his coat pocket and waltzed over to face the well, our shoulders almost touching. I turned my head to stare at his sleeve.

"What makes you think it was me?" He asked turning his head to stare at my own shoulder, suddenly I felt very warm and I could sense his eyes on my collarbone peaking out from behind my coat.

I shook my head, "Because it was you."

He laughed, seemingly irritated. "You know that's not possible."

"Isn't it though?"

I turned to face him as he narrowed his eyes at me, "What are you talking about?"

I got the sense that whatever I said was just going to be brushed off as if I was some irrational teenage girl. After all, to him I was probably barely a woman. Though apparently being 17 and yet to be married was frowned upon. I told Maggie to embrace it.

I sighed, "You're asking a woman who has had every possible impossibility laid out in front of her in the past two weeks to seriously take your words to heart?" I looked up to meet his eyes, tilting my head unintentionally and gazing at him in a way I knew I shouldn't. He just stared at me, the shock evident in his eyes. I inhaled and turned to face the well, leaning over to look into the water. I brushed down stray hairs that swirled up around my face in the wind and gazed into the water as if I could see the future. I laughed at myself after I realized I half expected Harry Potter to jump out after a moment considering the way things were going.

I inhaled deeply taking in a beautiful scent of lilac and honey when my foot slipped. I didn't even have time to react before I was standing feet from the well, Edward's arms wrapped protectively around me as he stared at me angrily.

"Are you trying to drown again?"

My head snapped up to meet his face. I was so disoriented that I tried to take a step back, but he wouldn't let me go. I closed my eyes and squeezed them tightly and I felt myself begin to sink.

I opened my eyes just as my butt met the stone wall. Edward sat beside me and sighed heavily. Running one hand through his disheveled hair while his other still rested securely on my waist.

"You don't have to explain. You... don't have to tell me. I just," I took a breath before continuing, "I don't know what came over me. I just wanted to tell you I knew." I shrugged.

"Bella, it's fine." He said shaking his head before looking at me again, "You're a dangerous girl, you know..." A smirk came on his face and I cocked an eyebrow at him.

"You're a recipe for disaster." He added after a moment, standing.

I laughed dryly, "clearly..."

He turned back around to look at me, "Please don't lean over the well like that again. You could fall and next time I may not be so close."

I nodded and stood beside him as Isabella sighed and rolled over. I walked over to her, kneeling, and brushed her hair out of her face before tucking her blanket back around her again. I stood and turned back to face Edward as he stood there observing my interaction with this tiny little girl.

"Be...." He sighed, "Be careful this weekend. The King's men.... They can be ruthless. They'll have a hay day with a girl like you and I'd hate to have to intervene." He said finally.

"You would do that?" I ask surprised.

"You sit here, after I've already saved you once and tell me I saved you from drowning... at 17, which you supposedly are right now," He cocked an eyebrow and grinned - soooo busted, "And yet you ask me if I'd do it again?"

I looked at the ground. I didn't understand. Not only why he would save me, but this feeling I got being around him. He obviously felt obligated to save me, but I didn't feel it was because he passionately cared about me and it made my heart ache. I mentally scolded myself, I couldn't ask that of someone that didn't know me and I knew it.

"Right... not the smartest question I've ever asked," I said quietly furrowing my brow at the ground.

He laughed lightly, "Oh Bella, you are enchanting. Regardless of your questions."

My heartbeat raced, I wanted to believe he meant that. I shivered just then and instinctively wrapped my hands around my waist.

He stared for a moment, "You should take her in. It's getting cooler." He stepped towards me.

I nodded and walked towards Isabella before picking her up and cradling her. I looked at her and for a brief moment I wasn't Annabella Anderson the model who was too absorbed in her own life to have a sensible relationship much less consider anything more. I was Bella Anderson, a lost girl with a longing to love someone. I took in a jagged breath and closed my eyes fighting back the emotions that filled my insides.

When I felt calm enough to open my eyes again, Edward was standing in front of me looking at me curiously with his head cocked to one side. I think he was deciding whether or not I was capable of carrying Isabella to the house without tossing us both in the well.

A lock of my hair dislodge from place as a gust of wind passed and it danced in the air between Edward and I before he brushed it back into place. When his fingers touched my skin my body was electric and Isabella stirred. I froze and looked down as she reached up and wrapped her arms around me before she sighing "Angel" into my neck. Edward smiled lightly.

"Go," he nodded towards the path.

I nodded in response and smiled before heading towards the house. When I walked back out after lying Isabella down in her bed, I found the book sitting on top of what had been my own blanket right outside the back door.

*~*~*~*~*

Wednesday I was helping Maggie do chores when we got in a water fight in the kitchen. She had accidently splashed me and I rebuttled with an opposing splash. Mr. Thoroupe wasn't very happy when he walked in and made us clean the kitchen by ourselves. We couldn't help but laugh throughout the entire cleaning process, Maggie saying it was one of the most exciting things she's ever done.

It was so shocking, yet so refreshing, the small joy's all of them seemed to get from such small gestures.

"You do realize they may never let us in the kitchen again," Maggie said laughing as we mopped up the last of the water.

"Maggie, the kitchen is utterly spotless now," I said gesturing to the floor, "I don't understand why that wouldn't give them incentive to let us have a weekly water fight from now on." I busted out laughing and Maggie followed.

I was on a personal high for some reason today, but I was embracing it. I hadn't been this happy in a while.

"Well, I better go get cleaned up," I said finishing with the mop and looking down at my soaked clothes. I saw something white out of the corner of my eye in my hair and looked up, tugging at the loose wet strands. I still had suds in my hair from where she'd flung mop water at me before we'd started cleaning. Maggie laughed and shook her head.

I smiled and headed for the door. I was rounding the corner when I ran smack into someone and almost slipped in the hallway. I gasped grabbing onto the doorframe and my alternate hand meeting a hard chest as two hands leapt out and around my waist.

I looked up to meet the piercing green eyes I'd dreamt about the night before. We stood for a long moment gazing at each other when my hand finally loosened on the doorframe and he set me on my feet.

He cocked an eyebrow at my appearance, stepping back, "Heaven's child, are you trying to get sick?!"

I laughed, "Water fight." I rolled my eyes, "I'll be fine."

He shook his head and laughed lightly before a small grin spread across his beautiful face. He reached his hand up and paused, eyeing me as if to see if there were some reason he shouldn't touch me, before brushing his hand across the skin right below my right collar bone all the way to my sternum. I shivered involuntarily at his touch as tingles made their way up my spin.

When he pulled it away his finger was sudsy, he looked at it before shaking his head and laughing.

"Can I get you something, Mr. Cullen?" I asked raising my eyebrows at him and smiling. I knew it was only polite to ask.

He smirked at my comment before continuing, "I had actually come by to see if you'd care to go for a walk."

I stood in shock. My heart started racing. He cocked his eyebrow and smiled that beautiful crooked smile.

"Is that a yes, or a no?"

I blushed, it was as if he could hear my heart hammering in my chest as easily as I could hear it in my own ears. um.. duh. I almost turned around to look behind me, because for some reason that didn't seem like my own thought.

"Yes... I'll get changed quickly."

He shook his head, "Take your time, you should let your hair dry a little. I have some business to attend to first, I'll be back by in a bit."

I nodded, "Of course."

He smiled at me one last time before disappearing back through the front of the house. I peaked back around the corner to the kitchen at Maggie to find her standing there staring at the door way gaping. A smirk danced across her face after a moment and I winked at her before I turned to continue up the hall to my room.

I sat in front of the fireplace after getting out of my clothes to try to dry my hair. I put on my under garments and brushed my hair out. After I was done Maggie appeared to help me into my dress and to pick on me a couple of times before going to change, herself.

I sat back in front of the fire in a trance, trying to sort myself out. This had to be a figment of my imagination. There was no way this whole thing was real. How was I supposed to differentiate them though? The lines had become so blurred.

I was in my own world when there came a knock at my door. I jumped, not expecting it.

When I finally turned the knob, after trying to slow my heart beat, I was met by Edward.

"Hi." He said simply, his beautiful eyes passionate and expressive.

"Hello." I said. I stepped out into the hall closer to him and closed my door. I finished putting on my coat and he tugged at it, pulling it closed before doing it up for me. When he was done he stood to observe his handy work before stepping closer.

I just stood and watched him, curiously as he reached behind me and pulled my hood up, "Your hair is probably still a little damp."

I chuckled and smiled, "Thank you for your concern dear sir." I said jokingly.

He cocked an eyebrow at me, "Come."

When we'd cleared the house, I thought he was going to speak, but we continued to walk in silence. It was actually so nice out that I didn't mind.

The sun shown brightly and the air was warm. After a quarter of a mile, I took my hood off to soak in a few sun rays. Edward just turned his head and stared at me, a smile on his face.

"You enjoy this sort of weather?"

I shook my head, "Where I live... it almost never rains. It's always just the right temperature, winter or summer." I leaned my head back and closed my eyes for a brief moment before glancing over at Edward. That's when I realized he was standing out in the sun. I furrowed my brow and stood up right looking at him.

He furrowed a brow in return, "Yes?"

"Nothing," I smiled. He cocked an eyebrow at me, unconvinced.

"Must be nice... to never have to deal with the harsh realities of winter." He said turning his head to look back down the road.

I nodded, "My family is from a town further north than where I live. So when I was younger, I had my fair share of harsh winters." I laughed at the thought. Portland was similar to England in the since that it always seemed gloomy.

Edward furrowed a brow, "You don't live with your family?"

My steps almost faltered. I decided I didn't want to lie to him, "No." I cut my eyes at him to gage his reaction. He seemed to be turning it over in his head.

"So, you live alone?" He said after a moment, looking at me.

I nodded.

I swore I saw relief wash over his face and I was about to respond when the sound of children playing caught my attention. There were five kids playing in a grassy null along the road, so carefree. It made me smile.

"If you live alone, who takes care of you, provides for you?" I snapped out of my daze and looked back at Edward. We had stopped walking.

"I do," I said as we began walking again. "Where I'm from... it's not unusual for women to be successful or wait until they are older to marry. I do very well for myself actually, but the world I live in is so vain, Edward. Being here makes me feel so... shallow." I sighed at the thought, staring at the ground.

"Annabella... you are anything but shallow," Edward said leaning into me. I smiled and looked up to meet him, our faces so close. He grabbed my arm lightly, "This way." We walked to the edge of the road and up the tree line of his estate before finally coming to an opening path.

"Is this alright?" He asked gesturing towards the path. It was worn, but grassy. I smiled and nodded. I knew better than to go into the woods with anyone like Edward with anyone but Edward... but it was him.

We walked in silence for a long while and when I caught my foot on a root, he came to my rescue yet again. It really had come out of nowhere, but Edward took it all in stride. Sticking out his arm to grab my waist and my hand, pulling me back to my feet.

I blushed and he chuckled.

"For a girl who practically needs someone to walk for her, you seem to be surprised nearly every time."

I blushed even more, "I don't seem to have these problems at home." I laughed.

"Well, maybe it's just that you're a little out of your element here?"

I snapped my head up to meet his face and stepped back into a tree, leaning against it. It was so true.

He eyed me cautiously.

"You know, sometimes it's almost as if you can read my mind." I said looking at him intensely.

He laughed a huge throaty laugh that I couldn't help but smile at in response, though the blush deepened in my cheeks.

"My dear, I only wish I could read your mind. I have a feeling if that were the case, I'd have found a treasure so sweet I'd be the richest man alive." He stepped towards me.

I lowered my head, still smiling. "It's not that great, I live in there." I said pointing to my head. He chuckled again.

"Yes, but you also do not give yourself near enough credit on any account." He brushed my chin causing me to look up at him and he stepped closer. I searched his eyes, the same passion showing in them from earlier in the doorway.

He ran his hand along my jaw line and down my neck, pausing briefly at the hollow above my collar bone, before continuing along it and down my arm, "Come," He whispered once he'd reached my hand. He held it and pulled me along.

As we continued walking, hand in hand, I looked up at him. The sun through the trees adding just the right amount of shadow to his features to make it seem like a dream. I sighed and he looked down at me through the corner of his eye as I turned to look ahead.

That's when we reached the edge of a creek... I froze and inhaled slowly. It was beautiful. The stones running along the edge, the rush of water charging down stream and the sparkle against the sunlight shinning like diamonds in a curio at Tiffany's.

I dropped his hand and took a few steps forward into the sun. The warmth danced against the skin of my neck, my hair over one shoulder now.

"Wow," I breathed. "It's beautiful."

Edward walked up beside me and put a hand into his pocket, smiling. I looked over at him and took in his beautiful features once more. This has to be a dream.

He furrowed his brow before a smile spread across his face. "Yes, it's beautiful, but I can assure you this is not a dream."

My mouth fell open, slightly embarrassed that I'd yet again spoke something I intended to think. Edward grabbed my hand and led me over to a few larger rocks, helping me up onto one of them to sit before climbing up to sit beside me.

"How old are you really?" He said putting a hand lightly on my lower back. I paused, looking at the river, I knew I was suppose to be telling everyone I was 17, but I also knew he already knew otherwise.

"Twenty two." I said finally, hesitating before looking over to meet his eyes. He nodded, a slight smile spreading across his face.

"And you?" I asked. He furrowed his brow.

"Twenty four." He said finally.

I sighed and looked at my hands, I didn't have the guts to say yes but how old are you really.

"Twenty four," he said again. My hand flew up over my mouth as I realized I was dealing with some serious word vomit on my part. He chuckled at my reaction.

We sat in silence for a moment staring at the water and watching the birds flutter past.

"Maggie said.... your family... passed," I said nervously.

"Yellow fever," He nodded, turning back to look at me. "I was an only child, I grew ill shortly before my parents."

I nodded, "but you survived."

He laughed lightly and I knew why. I knew that he hadn't, but I didn't have the guts to say it out loud and didn't allow myself any particular thoughts just incase my mouth betrayed me again.

"Dr Cullen... is he really... family?"

He nodded. I conceded he wasn't going to tell me the truth, he wasn't going to give anything away. Then I remembered where I was, 16th century England was the breading ground for "witch" trials and "vampire" slayings.

I looked back out over the water, my mind wandering to dad, mom and Lana. I knew what it was like to feel empty.

"What about your family?"

I sighed, "I don't talk about them much." I looked at my hands, picking at my nails and furrowed my brow. "I... um... I can't." If I talked about my father right now, I might lose it.

He brought his hand to mine just then and took it in his own before lifting it and kissing the back of it lightly. "It's ok Bella. You don't have to." He whispered closer than I expected. I realized just then that neither of us had any expectations of the other and it was very calming.

I closed my eyes and just savored his closeness for a moment. I heard him inhale and opened my eyes just in time to feel his nose graze my earlobe. I shivered and turned to meet his face and he smiled.

"You are stunning," He whispered, his cool breath washing over my face. I felt my cheeks grow red and a smile spread across his face as my heart beat sped.

He brought up the hand that had been on my lower back and brushed my hair from my face before sliding his fingers down my neck and pulling it from over my shoulder. My neck exposed. His eyes focused on it for a moment before he leaned in smelling once more and I could of swore he placed a small kiss right behind my ear.

My heart was pounding in my ears and I worked to try to slow it, knowing he could hear it.

He looked at my face and his brow furrowed. "You're scared."

I inhaled and shook my head, "No," I whispered. "Just stunned." I tried to be assuring, still trying to calm my heart.

"I would never hurt you Bella," He shook his head a pained look growing on his face.

I nodded, "I know that." I brought my hand to his face, tracing the light circle underneath his left eye. He closed his eyes seemingly in ecstasy at my touch, it made my heart race again. After a moment a smile spread across his face and he opened his eyes looking directly at me.

"You're not going to go into cardiac arrest on me are you?" My hand froze and I felt a small gasp escape me. He laughed. Pulling my hand from his face down to his own chest and inching his whole body towards me.

"Relax, Bella," He breathed over my face again, I felt my whole body start go to limp as I choked out a jagged breath. He furrowed his brow once more.

Just then he leaned back against the rock and pulled me down with him before propping himself up on his elbow. I went limp against the rock, staring at him. My body seemingly exhausted. I dropped my hands to my waist, laying them on top of one another and he brought a hand down to rest on top of them.

As I looked up, the sun behind his head illuminated his bronze locks, his eyes glowing and his jaw line more intense than I'd ever seen it. I stared in awe and longing. I didn't care if he could see it in my face.

After a moment a small smirk crossed his face, "perhaps I'm more a danger to you than I thought." He cocked his head and brought his hand up to trace down my nose and across my lips to my chin before continuing down my neck.

I closed my eyes, enjoying his touch as it did things to my body, including making my heart sputter. When I opened them back up his eyebrows were raised and he had a look of shock on his face.

"What?" I asked.

He smiled, "nothing."

"An angel that fell from heaven," he said after a moment, mostly to himself. He shook his head and I narrowed my eyes.

"Isabella says the same thing..."

"I know... she's the one that told me that." He chuckled lightly. I furrowed my brow. When had he been around Isabella for her to say that, when I wasn't there?

I sat up, too quickly and grabbed my head, squinting at the water. "Head rush." I said, randomly.

Edward laughed.

"We should head back, I promised Mrs. Thoroupe I'd have you back before dinner." He said just then standing and holding out a hand for me.

I looked at him for a long moment, "You asked Mrs. Thoroupe if you could take me for a walk?"

"Of course, Darling, it's not like I could ask your own parents." He smiled. He grabbed my waist and lifted me off the rock, setting me down before grabbing my hand and leading me back towards the path.

I turned that thought over and over again in my head, that was so gentleman like. What the hell is wrong with men in the 21st century?!?!

He froze and turned around to stare at me.

"Shit," I said, my hand flying up to my mouth.

He laughed so loudly it echoed down the stream. I blushed. Stupid random thought vomit.

He pulled me close, wrapping an arm around my waist as we hit the path and we walked in silence all the way home, the most beautiful freaking smile plastered across his flawless face.