Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, I just enjoy playing with the characters.

March 30, 2000

Loud music blared from all sides and color was splashed everywhere as Bella walked through the gates of the Rodeo Austin Fairgrounds. Fidgeting with her top, Bella made her way over to the carousel where Edward said he would be waiting for her.

Crap, crap, crap. What am I doing out here. What am I going to do out here…with him!This is not a date Bella, just keep reminding yourself of that. This is just two friends hanging out together to chaperone their younger siblings. Rightttt Bella that's why you wore your favorite blue top and that's why you're freaking out.

"Okay I seriously need to stop making sarcastic comments to myself in my head. And I need to get Edward Cullen out of my head to because I do not like him!" Bella muttered to herself.

From where he was leaning against the gate surrounding the carousel, Edward could see Bella as she self-consciously adjusted her blouse and nervously smoothed down her hair. That blouse is so beautiful on her. Well anything looks good on her. The way it flows down her tiny body and curls away from her neck…so graceful. And that color is great on her. Wow Cullen could you be any more of a girl? Besides, you have a girlfriend, what are you even doing here with Bella Swan! What happened to Rose? This can only be two friends, together, accompanying their siblings to the Austin Rodeo and Carnival, got it?

As Bella saw Edward against the carousel gates, she was shocked by how perfect he looked. Even in casual clothes and not the tuxedo he had worn at his father's party, he still managed to look like a model. Bella admired how the sunlight played in the crazy mess that was his hair before moving on to drool over his sharp and sexy jawline. She suddenly noticed the grimace that had appeared on his face, as if he were almost in pain. Oh no, what if he is regretting asking me out! Wait I mean, asking me to just hang out. Crap, crap, crap!

"Hey Bella! I'm so glad you made it!" Edward called out, stretching out his arms and enveloping Bella into a sudden hug. Feeling her pressed up against him and wrapped up in his arms felt so right and she fit there perfectly. As Edward tried not to pay attention to the gentle curves of Bella's body, Bella was doing the same, trying to ignore the hard lines of his body as they held her to him. Bella closed her eyes and laid her head down on his chest, wanting to savor this one moment before she had to give it up, inhaling the sweet sun and honey smell that seemed to be pure Edward, and feeling his heart thrum underneath her cheek. Edward realized that he had been embracing his "just a friend" for far too long than was appropriate, so with a final sigh, he released her but not before brushing his lips gently against the top of his head. Bella glanced up at him confused, not sure if she had really felt the slight pressure against the top of her head.

Shaking the thoughts away, she smiled up at him shyly, blushing and asking "So where's Ali and Jazzy?"

Edward just stared for a moment and the slight blush on Bella's face intensified to a deep red on her beautiful cheeks. Realizing that his staring was making her uncomfortable, he quickly turned and pointed to the slowing carousel where his brother and her sister were riding.

Jasper jumped off his horse and then turned to offer Alice his hand to help her get down as well. She smiled down at Jasper, who was quickly becoming her new best friend (much to the jealousy of Demetri and Felix), before taking his hand and daintily leaping off her white unicorn. It did not escape anyone's notice that neither Jasper nor Alice made any moves to stop holding hands even after they had both descended from the carousel.

"Bella, Edward, we're gonna go check out the other rides! We have our phones, so we'll see you around! Okay, bye!" the pair called out to their siblings.

"Okay, well stay together and stay safe," Bella and Edward yelled after them.

Clearing her throat, Bella tried to break the silence that followed, "So… um you look really nice."

"So do you," Edward replied with a smile. "I really have to say, I love that top on you." He chuckled as Bella blushed again at his remarks.

"Um, so do you always wear such clothes, Edward?"

Knowing what she really meant, Edward decided to tease her some more by responding to her comment at face value. "Well, yeah I mean I either wear clothes or I'm naked…"

Gasping, Bella flushed again, trying to ignore the images her mind imagined…Edward coming out the shower sans clothes, with just a towel on his hips, watching small beads of water make sultry trails across his sexy – Stop Bella! She stuttered out, "N-no, I just meant that um do you always wear these clothes. I-I mean casual ones, you know, because I've really only seen you wearing formal ones, and so it just seems like…"

"Shhhhh," Edward whispered, pressing one finger against Bella's lips to quiet her rambling. "Here, let's talk about something else, okay?"

Bella nodded, still embarrassed by her ill-phrased question.

Taking her hand, Edward led Bella past the rides and the riding ring to the bazaar section.

"By the way, I really love it when your hair is down and loose like this." Edward murmured, fingering the edges of Bella's soft curls.

"Hm thanks." Bella replied, still looking down at the ground. Glancing at their hands, still intertwined, she resisted the urge to flex her hand and rub her thumb across the back of Edward's. Clearing her throat, she started again, "So it's pretty funny that our dads have the same birthday, huh? They're like twins! One with a large heart, and the other with a large pocket to pay the bills!" Bella suddenly chuckled nervously, realizing that her joke might have come off as rude. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to –"

"No worries, Bella, I thought it was funny," Edward grinned. They had reached a bangles stall, and there were literally rows upon rows of colored bangles, silver bangles, metal ones, glass ones, practically every kind imaginable. "Want to try some Bella?" he asked, letting go of her hands to browse through the choices.

"Oh um, that's not really necessary…" Bella began to feel awkward, unsure of where their outing was heading. I thought we were just going to be following Jasper and my sister around. Instead, we've been strolling about here by ourselves, him offering me compliments and holding my hand! Unsure of what to do with her hands now that Edward had let go, Bella began to twist her hair up into a bun.

"No, no, no Bella. Leave it down, I like it like that." Edward interrupted, pulling her hands away. "So, which ones do you like?" he asked her, offering out a multitude of bangle sets.

"Okay, Edward, I'm sorry to be so blunt, but really this is…too much. I know what you want, but," she paused for a moment gathering her courage, and then continued, "but I can't give you what you want." She said with finality.

"What do you mean?" Edward was thoroughly confused. There's no way she's talking about what I'm thinking about…Can she tell that I like her? I didn't think it was that obvious! No, now she'll stop wanting to be friends and I'll lose her before I even have –. Edward's thoughts were cut off as Bella replied.

"I can't give it to you because, well my dad won't allow it."

"Well I don't think your dad could possibly control that!" Edward was shocked that Bella's father would stop them from being friends.

"He started our shop on his very own 30 years ago. There's no way he'll just give it away, no matter how much money you offer!"

"Your shop? What on earth are you talking about? I don't want your store!"

"You don't? But then what could you possibly want with me?" she cried.

"Bella, how could I not want to spend time wi –" Edward was cut off by Bella's continuing rant.

"Just stop with this fake friendship! I've reached my limit. I can't take this false kindness anymore!" Bella shrieked, now on the verge of tears. Why is it that every time I am in this man's presence I have to embarrass myself!

"Bella, Bella, Bella," Edward quieted her. He pulled her close to him and tilted her chin up so she would look at him. He gently wiped away the tears that were collecting at the corner of her eyes and cradled her face in his hands. "You have to understand that there is nothing fake about my friendship with you. And just to make this clear, I am going to be painfully…explicitly…honest with you," he whispered across her face.

She shivered as he lowered his hands, squeezing her eyes shut tightly, trying to quell the feelings she was experiencing as her stomach twisted and her heart beat faster.

Edward paid the bangle vendor for his purchase before leading Bella away from the bazaar crowds, his arm slung across her shoulder, pulling her in close to his side. He led her over to one of the small white benches on the shore of the tiny reservoir at the edge of the grounds.

"Bella, please open your eyes and look at me. I want to explain something to you."

Hesitantly, she looked up at his beautiful face and waited for him to speak.

"Bella, you have to understand that in our lives, there are so many different kinds of bonds; bonds other than friendship, bonds stronger than friendship. There are bonds that we don't understand and –" he paused to pull out the bangles he had bought and began to slip them onto Bella's wrist. "Tell me if I'm hurting you… There are bonds that we don't understand and those that we don't need to understand. There will be those that are nameless, and those that are only meant to experienced. I hope this isn't hurting you…" Edward slipped on some more bangles, pushing her hand through the blue and silver circles. "There are those that will hurt, that will bind hearts together. There are bonds of passion and of love."

As he whispered those words, Bella gasped both surprised as the last of the bangles were pushed down her hand and surprised by the words Edward had just spoken.

"Did it hurt, my Bella? It hurts me too."

Bella glanced up not sure if she had heard Edward correctly, the last words had been said so quietly, almost as if he were in anguish, and she searched his face for any signs of pain.

"Bella, I think it's time that I find our siblings. But please, don't forget this conversation," he grinned at her as he stood up from the bench, but it was not his usual smirk as it did not quite reach his eyes. Bella could still see some pain in them. With a forced laugh, he leaned down close to her ear. "Oh and Bella? I'm definitely out to steal your shop!" Turning his head, he pressed his lips firmly to her cheek, harder than he had the night he visited her house. His lips seemed to burn as he held them there against her soft and silky cheek. As he pulled back, he sighed against that spot, and Bella suddenly leapt up, still with a stunned look on her face. She looked into Edward's piercing jade eyes for a moment, covering her mouth to stifle a gasp at what she thought she saw burning in them, before turning and running away.

Edward watched as she disappeared back into the crowd. He sank back down onto the bench for a moment, covering his face with his hands, elbows propped up on his knees as he hunched over; he was overwhelmed by the feelings coursing through him. What must Bella think of me? I was far too…forward, for lack of a better word. And her face, which is usually so easy to read, was so difficult to figure out. I hope I haven't offended her…or worse scared her off for good!

Silencing his despairing thoughts, Edward walked away from the bench and went off in search of Alice and Jasper so he could take them home.

~~O~~

When Bella reached home all flustered and in a rush, Charlie was concerned.

"Bells, you alright? You look kinda freaked out…"

"No, yeah, Dad, I'm fine. It's just um really hot outside."

"Well, where's Ali? Isn't she with you?"

"Oh no, Edward said he'd drop her home later, because ummm well Jasper and Alice wanted to stay longer and get dinner, so I came back on my own, becauseeeee I was uh not feeling well."

"I thought you just said you were fine…" Charlie scratched his head, confused by Bella's unusual behavior.

"No, no, Dad. I'm fine, just tired I think. So I'm gonna go to bed, um Alice should be home soon."

"Well, you seem kinda wound up, but okay…Just relax, Bells," he called after her, but she had already shut herself up in her room.

Bella opened up her journal and began to furiously write in a new entry. It was essentially her method of pinning down her whirling thoughts in an effort to make sense of them and sort them out.

Mar 30, '00

I basically have no idea what just happened today! I honestly thought that it would just be a relaxing day at the fair, but no of course nothing is ever simple with EDWARD CULLEN! Alice and Jasper were nowhere near us the entire time! Well except for at the beginning when Edward met me at the carousel. Oh and that hug! What was that? I mean I think he held me in his arms for at least 5 minutes straight. That just felt….perfect! But I know it's wrong because I think he has a girlfriend! At least, I'm assuming that's who the blonde bombshell who was at the birthday party is… But still, I don't understand why he's behaving like this with me if he has no interest in my store! He barely let go of me at all today, either holding my hands or keeping his arm around me. I do not belong to you Edward! You can't just play around with me because you're interested in me now! Oh god, I think he is interested in me! He was kidding about wanting the shop and serious when he said he spent time with me because he wanted to… Maggie was right! No, this is so wrong! We are so not right for each other and I'm sure this is just temporary infatuation. Although… The bangles!

Bella paused in her frantic writing to glance down at her arm which she just realized had been jingling with her new bangles this whole time. They were a pristine cerulean blue set, interspersed with glistening silver ones. The blue bangles had a simple dot design on them while the silver ones had a more intricate pattern and were each adorned with a tiny bell tassel hanging off the bottom. Bella knew that such exquisite and beautiful jewelry could not have been cheap. God this can't be real silver can it? Bella returned to her journal, writing faster now, her hand trying to keep up with her thoughts.

Oh my god, he bought me the most beautiful bangles I have ever seen, let alone own! And they go perfectly with this blouse he kept complimenting me on. What are we doing. Heck, I have no clue what he's doing, but then what am I doing? His speech on bonds of life and those of passion and love seriously are scaring me. I mean, there's no way that he meant us right? God, why am I even entertaining these thoughts? This needs to stop. I can't deal with this right now! I can't be in love with him. There is no way I just thought that… I'm such a dead duck!

Oh my god. I love him.

I love Edward Cullen! His perfect face and his beautiful heart and his beautiful mind… He's just so nice and loving… But there's no way he loves me back. I mean, even if he did, we are from two different worlds. And I can't leave my family! Charlie and Alice still need me! Oh God, what do I do?

Tossing her journal into a drawer of her bedside table, she knelt down next to her bed and began to pray for guidance and for help, not just to God, but also to her mother.

Mommy,

I know I haven't talked to you in a long time, but I hope everything is going well up there. I just want you to know that Alice, Dad, and I love you and miss you so much. I've been really busy taking care of everyone since you left us, but that's no excuse for not talking to you. The thing is, sometimes it hurts too much to think of all the things I have to do without you! Maggie is getting married soon. You would have been so excited to prepare for it with Mrs. Byrne. And dad just celebrated his birthday a while ago. His health hasn't really been improving though, but I'm still hoping that he won't join you for a while. Alice and I still need him!

The reason I've decided to brave my fears and talk to you again is because…I've met Edward Cullen as I'm sure you've seen from up there. Mommy, I've never felt this way before, and I've never needed you more in my life!

With that last thought, Bella broke down into tears, sobbing as her heart was torn in two different directions. I love him, Mommy. Why does life have to be so hard? I can't abandon my family for marriage yet, and I don't even know if he feels the same way, but I love him so much!

~~O~~

Edward stepped out onto the balcony, leaning on the edge of the railing and peering out at the stormy Colorado River, thinking back on his day with Bella and how perfect yet torturous it felt. Esme quietly came up next to him and rubbed his back before resting her head there and sighing.

"It's okay Edward," she murmured soothingly, moving her hands gently across his back.

"I love her, mom. I really, really love her." He sighed. "Is this wrong? I mean what about…you know? Dad and Rose…"

"It's okay sweetie. We can't help who we love. When they find out, they'll understand." Ducking under her son's arm, Esme being nearly a foot shorter, she hugged Edward from the side, fitting perfectly there. "Son, tell me about her."

"Well, she's slightly mad, actually I think she's completely insane. She makes the funniest faces, talks way too much, blushes at everything, and yet all her idiosyncrasies are so loveable. Everywhere she goes, she breaks something. Oh and vases? She calls them pots! "

"Pots?"

"Yep! But whenever I'm near her… I don't know what she does to me but I just… She's mad, mom. Actually, I think she's completely in–

"Insane, I know, you said that!" Esme giggled at her son's lovestruck ramblings.

"But god, she's beautiful, and caring, and kind, and sweet, and quirky, and fun and–!" Edward sighed. "And I just can't stop thinking about her. I love her!"

"So tell me, Edward. What's the name of this mad hatter you love?"

"Her name is–"

~~O~~

"Rosalie!" Carlisle cried with joy. "She is the perfect girl, don't you think Elizabeth? Renée? I want your opinions. The Hales are just outside in the living room but I wanted to ask you both one last time. Are we sure?"

"I'm happy with it," Elizabeth began. "But…"

"Yes, but what does Edward think?" Renée finished.

"What's the need to ask him? She's his girlfriend, and Edward will do anything for our family. These are family decisions, not just his. So it's decided then, she will be our daughter-in-law. I can't wait to announce it to everyone. Edward and Rosalie will be so happy!" Carlisle grinned.

~~O~~

"Shhh, shhhh, Jazzy. It's okay. It's okay." Siobhan soothed. Hugging Jasper to her tightly as she rocked him back and forth, trying to hold back her own tears.

"No it's not okay! I don't wanna go to boarding school! Dad, Edward, why can't I stay here with you?" Jasper wailed as they entered his room. "Why are you sending me away?"

"Jasper, it's tradition. Your ancestors went there, your grandfather went there, I went there, and Edward went there. You can't break the traditions of this house, right?"

"No, I s'pose not," Jasper sniffled.

Edward grabbed his brother and pulled him into a tight hug. "Heyyy Jazzy, I love you very much, okay? You know that right?"

"Yeah. O-O-Okayyyy." Jasper sobbed.

"Just remember one thing okay? Mom always loves me more!" Edward laughed.

"Heyyy, Dad, make him stop!"

"Edward…" Carlisle warned.

"Okay, okay, sorry Jazzy."

Siobhan and Esme stood at the door, drying their eyes as the three men hugged each other together for the last time.

As Edward drove his brother to the station, they noticed a girl hanging around outside the gates to the house.

"Edward, stop the car! It's Ali!" Jasper cried, jumping out before the car had even fully halted.

The two kids ran to each other and grabbed the other in a strong hug. Pulling back, Jasper wiped hastily at his eyes, not wanting a girl, even thought it was Alice, to see him cry.

"Oh Jazzy, I'm going to miss you so much!" Alice cried. "You have to write to me every week at least, do you hear me! Or…or else I'll fly all the way out to that Riverside Military Academy in Georgia and beat you up!"

"Okay, Ali, I promise. I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too Jazzy."

The two friends hugged each other one last time, before Jasper quickly pecked Alice on the cheek and jumped back into the car. This time, although Alice still kept one hand on her cheek where Japer had kissed her, she did not run away like she had the first night it happened at her house. Instead, she stood at the gates and kept waving to the car until it disappeared from her sight.

~~O~~

"Edward, come into my office, the Hales are here." Carlisle ordered.

"Yes Father," Edward replied obediently, stepping into the room. Everyone was assembled there: Carlisle, Esme, Elizabeth, Renée, Mr. & Mrs. Hale, and of course, Rosalie.

"Edward… You're in love, aren't you? You love her don't you?" Carlisle stated loudly.

Edward felt so hot and claustrophobic at that one moment, terrified that his father knew his secret. Somehow his father must have found out that Edward's heart had committed a transgression against his father's plans for his future. Edward was not ashamed of his love for Bella, though. He was just terrified of what the consequences of disobeying his father would be. Nervous that he was about to be in so much trouble with both his family and the Hales, Edward looked down as he replied, "Yes papa." He was so scared, he couldn't even look Rose in the eye.

"Ha-ha! What did I tell you Esme! Do I know my son, or what? I am so happy today, Edward, so, so happy!"

Edward looked up, shocked by his father's reaction. He looked to his mother who looked away, shaking her head sadly, unable to meet her son's eyes. The reality set in for Edward, the disappointment almost crippling, nearly bringing him to his knees as he realized what had just occurred. I'm engaged now… to Rosalie Hale.

"Just promise me you will keep her happy, son." Carlisle requested. "Keep this family's daughter-in-law happy."

"Yeah, Dad, I will." Edward responded automatically, his voice sounding dead and drained to him. "I'll keep Rose so happy," he choked out.

Elizabeth and Renée exchanged worried glances with each other as they noticed Edward's morose reaction. They looked to Esme, who looked as crushed and miserable as her son, and they instinctively understood.

Perhaps thankfully, Carlisle and the Hales were too busy congratulating each other on the impending union of their families and too busy opening champagne to notice the dismal moods of the others in the room.

Carlisle shoved a velvet ring box into Edward's hand and slapped him jovially on the back. Rosalie came forward and Edward immediately knelt on one knee, operating as on autopilot now.

"Rosalie Hale," he whispered, trying his best not to cry. "Will you please do me the great honor of becoming my– wife?" He swallowed and finally looked up at her, opening the box to reveal Elizabeth's engagement ring, an elaborate diamond ring, a prized family heirloom.

Rosalie looked down at the love of her life and whispered, "Yes," as tears of joy poured down her face.

Edward lifted the ring and slid it into place on her left hand's fourth finger. Still unable to believe the course his life was taking in just a few short moments, he allowed Rosalie to pull him up and kiss him.

As her lips met his, Edward felt a stabbing pain in his chest, and his stomach was roiling as he stood still while Rosalie pressed her mouth against his.

She immediately noticed the lack of response on her now-fiancé's part. Pulling back, she looked into his eyes and her heart shattered at the pain that she saw there. Shocked, she turned to see Esme staring unhappily at them until felt Rosalie's eyes on her. Esme quickly turned away.

Rosalie grabbed Edward's face again and whispered to him, her own voice now cracking with pain.

"Who is she?"

Author's Note 5/10/11:

Hi, so I think I've updated pretty quickly compared to other chapters. I should have been studying for a test, but I took a break to work on this one and lost track of time as I kept writing and writing! I read this over quickly for blatant errors, but I'm still looking for a Beta, so until then, I will still have to apologize to your guys for any typographic/grammatical errors. Sorry!

What did you think of this chapter since it was a little less light compared to previous ones? What do you guys think of Edward and Bella's revelations? So is Rosalie going to be mad, sad, or both? And do you think she's going to be the bad guy in this story? Let me know what you guys think whether you like the story so far or even whether you don't in a review! If you have any questions, just review or PM me so I can get back to you. It really does help if you let me know what you think. Thanks so much for reading!