Author's Note: Thanks so much for all the reviews! Pretty much everyone that reviewed gets a virtu-cookie for knowing that Edward's last line comes from Sweeny Todd. Good job! lol

Also, Ben, Angela's boyfriend, comes up in this chapter. Unfortunately, I don't have his last name or any of his characteristics besides the fact that he is short. I know what you're thinking; I should just go look it up already. Well, I can't. My boyfriend (who took like four months to read Twilight) and his sister still have my book. So, that being said, I apologize for I can guarantee what I write will be wrong. If it bothers any of you, once I can look up all of his info, I will revise this chapter. So I am sorry and please don't hurt me! Thanks.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. It all belongs to Stephenie Meyer. I could never claim the world and characters she has created. I am just having a little bit of fun with them. However, should she like to hand over Edward and his silver Volvo, I would certainly not object.


Chapter VII: What She Wants

In the end, he got about three to four hours worth of sleep for many different reasons. One, he felt that it was his duty to keep a constant vigil on the outside window. He felt that it was his responsibility to listen for breaks in the silence. Even though he was certain that nothing would be coming, he still had an uneasy feeling as he watched Isabella sleep.

Part of it had something to do with the fact that she tossed and turned in her sleep. She seemed restless and it pained him to see her like that when he could not comfort her. He also had a feeling at it was not just due to the evening's events. Edward knew, mostly as a result from the evening prior, that Isabella was not as fragile and delicate as he liked to treat her. She was strong, independent, and firm. But as she slept, that version of her completely washed away. When she was awake, it would sometimes hide under an embarrassed surface but he was realizing now that he could always see it lurking there. Now, she seemed like all hope was lost. Something inside her dreams made her feel scared. Luckily, it only came in intervals that were slowly becoming more spaced out as morning approached. It was in the times of peace that she tended to talk in her sleep. Edward heard his name muttered more than once.

Currently, she was an angel of the rainbow, draped in colors that complemented her porcelain skin. An arm of sea green was raised above her head. A sheet of pink was under chin while a lavender blanket covered the rest of her slender body. Mahogany hair with brilliant curls was splashed across an orange and yellow pillow as though creating a barrier between her and the rest of the world. Beneath lids that were presently still were eyes that he longed to behold. The lovely chocolate brown that seemed to create a vast pool that could eat him up had a shine that rivaled that of the stars that he was watching set.

He spent the morning hours looking about her room with more attention. The pictures on her end table were of people, seemingly friends from back home. The largest one with a silver frame was the picture of a beautiful woman. She had short, light hair and bright eyes that held all of her emotions. She was smiling brightly at something out of the frame, her pure happiness apparent. She had a slender, lithe build that was accented by the simple gown that she wore. He gathered that the woman that Isabella kept close to her person was her mother. It was obvious that Isabella got most of her looks of beauty from her mother as well as the radiant eyes.

As for the pictures that covered her walls like framed wallpaper, they were paintings of all different kinds. Edward immediately recognized some of the larger pieces as Monet. They stood out for their vibrant use of color and abstract skills. The others were equally striking but Edward was not sure he had ever seen the artist. He knew that those that were not Monet were by the same artist for they held similar qualities. It was difficult to describe, but the blending of color and the method of portraying the subject were related in the remaining frames.

As the light from the rising sun was beginning to make its way over the trees from the forest, Edward heard Isabella begin to stir from her slumber. He turned towards her, his head leaning against the wall behind him. He saw her legs twitch then stretch under the covers. Her arms reached out to her sides while a yawn overtook her mouth. She moaned softly as she began to rub the sleep from her eyes. She stayed lying down as she looked to her right. She frowned then turned back to the window. When her eyes fell on him, she broke into a smile. She carefully sat up and pushed the covers off of her. She made her way over to him as he made room for her on the bench.

"I thought you left," she said as she sat down. She once again pulled her knees to her chest and rested her chin on them. She smiled lightly, sleep still evident in her beautiful eyes.

"I wouldn't have done such a thing," he answered.

He turned to look out the window. Her eyes followed his gaze and she looked to the rising sun, a titanic reminder to a new day. The colors stretched out in wide arms over the forest and reached through the window at the couple. The room was ablaze with color, enhanced by the colors already on the wall. The blue walls turned green. The yellow ceiling was a golden fire. The white floor was a manner of all colors, reflecting those from the wall, the ceiling, the bed, and the light that was bouncing off the grand mirror. Isabella herself was a world of colors. She smiled as she looked into the sun, letting its rays warm her skin. The smile on her face was real, alive, bright…brighter than the sun, the stars, and the moon combined. Her smile alone warmed him more than even the summer sun ever could. It spread from his fingertips and toes, setting his whole body alight in the goodness that was Isabella.

Edward chuckled, amazed by the sight in front of him. Isabella turned back to him at the sound, her fingers twitching. She gazed at him, question in her eyes. He just shook his head. He was sure that the words would never come to him, even if there were words to describe, if he found that he had the courage to speak them aloud. She laughed lightly and enjoyed the rest of the sunrise. Within minutes, the room was returned to its former glory, the display of breathtaking lights over for another day. She turned to him once again.

"How did you sleep?" she asked. She seemed worried as to what his answer would be. It was present in her eyes.

"Fine, Isabella." That was all he said on the matter. He was not the one she should be worried about. "You?"

She smiled. A blush crawled across her cheeks as she looked back out the window. "Fine as well." Edward merely raised his eyebrows as if to question her answer. She caught on, the blush growing deeper by the minute. "Well? What did you see or hear? Go on, Edward. I know there must be something."

Edward looked at her seriously. He sighed before speaking. "I saw what I assumed was you experiencing a nightmare. Possibly a few times."

Isabella sighed herself in what seemed to be relief and leaned to the side to rest her head against the window. She closed her eyes at the chill. "It's a common occurrence. Nothing to bother."

Edward shook his head. "Certainly seemed to be a bother, Isabella."

"It had nothing to do with last night if that is what you're thinking." She shook her head and looked at him. "You would have terrors too if your mother died." She gasped after she said it and shook her head vigorously. "No, I didn't mean that. I apologize."

"There is no need for that. I pressed when I shouldn't have. Forgive me." He lowered his head to avoid her gaze and he looked down at his pocket watch to the time.

"You should be going, before the town wakes," Isabella said, a smiled evident in her voice. Edward laughed despite himself as he looked back up at her. "Thank you again."

Edward waved her thanks off with his hand as he stood up and stretched. He could feel Isabella's eyes on him as he did so but continued anyway. He walked over to her bed and sat down as he pulled his shoes on. She got up from the bench and crossed the room to the door. She peeked her head out and looked around.

"Well, it seems as if the coast is clear." She bit her lip as they walked out into the open and made their way to the door at the end of the hall that hid the maid's staircase. She clutched his hand behind her as she took the lead down the steps, moving slowly as to avoid tripping as well as to mask any sound. Edward followed, occasionally glancing behind him.

They finally made it to the back door leading outside. Isabella quietly undid all the locks and opened the door. The morning air rushed in and chilled them both. Edward quickly walked out into the yard, ready to close the door behind him when Isabella caught his wrist. He turned around as to save her from turning him around herself.

She was smiling as she looked up into his eyes. He could see the ideas forming as she opened her mouth. "Angela and I will be in Naperville Park today. We should reach the north end by the lake around one in the afternoon." She smiled even brighter as she let go of his wrist. She made a move to close the door and he was about to turn away when she pulled it back open and moved into his arms. He enveloped her in an embrace without a thought. He distinctly heard her sigh and he smiled. She pulled away and placed a kiss on his cheek before running back to the door and closing it. Edward lingered long enough to hear the locks being put back into place. He slowly turned around and walked back to his car in something of a daze. It was not until he was safely inside with the trees covering him that he brought a hand to his cheek. His skin seemed to burn where her precious lips had touched him. After a few minutes, he started up the car and drove home. He saw few people on the road and by the time he pulled into his driveway, the lack of sleep from the other night caught up with him.

He dragged himself through the gate and across the yard. As he walked into the house and removed his shoes, he grumbled about the length of their yard. He was sure that he did not even have the effort to make it up to his room so he stumbled into the living room and curled up on the couch. He was asleep by the time his head hit the pillow.

He woke what felt like minutes later by a noise near his left ear. He groaned and tried to roll over but the noise persisted. He grumbled as he opened his eyes. The light of the sun was still shinning through the front facing windows, not yet at its peak. He looked around with squinted eyes to see what the source of the noise was. He jumped about a foot in the air to see James, their butler, sitting at the other end of the couch. His bald head gleamed in the light and his blue eyes that were usually soft and tranquil were ablaze and dark. He was wearing a suit as usual. Edward then noticed that he had a fire poker in one hand. That was never a good sign. James could have quite the temper when he wanted.

"So," he began, his voice composed like the rest of him. But Edward was not fooled. He knew that it was merely the calm before the storm. He had done something. "Where were you last night, Mr. Masen?"

Edward swallowed with difficulty. If anything happened in the house, James knew about it first. Even though he had retired long before Edward left, he should have known that James would find out. "Oh, well, I was at a friend's," he blurted out too quickly.

James nodded. "Really?" He examined the poker in his hand with what looked like curiosity.

Edward nodded, sitting up and moving as far away from James as possible. Even though the older man seemed out of shape, Edward knew better. He was a force to be reckoned with. "Yes. We were working on an English assignment. I fell asleep and it was late so I just decided to stay. Sorry."

James nodded again. He did not look over at Edward but continued to inspect his weapon of choice. "Of course." Edward foolishly thought he had outsmarted the man for once. He sighed audibly and leaned back.

Just then, James turned on him and poked him in the chest with the poker. Hard. "Will you be sticking with that story, then, Mr. Masen?"

Edward grimaced as he rubbed the tender spot on his chest. "Which will get me in more trouble?" James poked him again, this time in the thigh. Edward let out a cry of pain. "James!" The man before him grinned and turned the poker around in his hand. "Fine. But I was with a friend."

James looked into his eyes before deciding that he was truthful. "Shall I ask who the friend was?"

"I'd really rather you didn't," Edward said, successfully earning himself another poke. "Ouch. You wouldn't approve." Poke. "Nothing happened!"

James sighed and shook his head in disappointment. "You know very well that no one else would see it that way or even care. The fact of the matter, Mr. Masen, is that it happened." He shook his head again, touching the point of the poker. "And with Miss Swan on top of it all."

Edward choked on his own spit. "What makes you think that?"

James laughed as he got off the couch and placed the poker back in its holder by the fireplace. "Notice how you failed to deny it?"

Edward growled and threw his head back, hitting it on the frame of the couch. "I really need to work on that."

James laughed again as he walked back to the couch. "Should tell your parents is what I should do."

Edward sighed as looked up at James. He had known the man for as long as he could remember. He always protected him and, when it was called for, punished him before his father's hand could come down on him. James was strict, but fair. "Will you?"

James seemed to ponder the thought for a moment before he smiled. "I suppose not, Mr. Masen. However, no more midnight excursions."

Edward just laughed. "I'm almost eighteen, James."

"Not yet, you're not."

Edward shook his head and looked to the clock on the wall. It was already noon and Isabella had told him that she would be at the park by one. He knew that she was hinting for him to meet her there; he was not that much of a simpleton.

"Have somewhere to be, Mr. Masen?" James asked, a knowing smile on his face. James knew everything.

Edward shrugged and smiled before retreating upstairs. James called after him with a serious, "You're lucky that I like you so much," before he reached his room. He set out some clothes that would be decent for the outside weather and moved to the bathroom to get ready.

He was out of the house forty five minutes later wearing a black spring suit without a tie. He decided to walk to the park, eager to relish in the fresh air that nature had blessed them with so early. It was a beautiful day in the middle of March, already relatively warm. All around him, spring was starting to pop up. The doors to the houses he passed were open to the sun and its warmth after being closed to the harsh winds of winter. Children were running around out in their yards with yells from their mothers to keep clean following them as they went.

The walk to Naperville Park was not far. It was located in the middle of the town, easily accessible to its residents. It stretched on for about three miles with different walking paths situated through it. It had its own small man-made lake with a family of ducks and a few geese. The center of the park held what was known as the Wedding Garden. Every couple that was married in Naperville visited the garden after their wedding to toss a coin in the fountain for it was believed that it brought luck to their marriage. Even unengaged couples could be seen walking through the flowers on the stone paths towards the fountain in the center, hoping for some of the luck as well.

Edward entered the park from the south end. He walked past the large blue sign that the community council bought the year prior welcoming everyone to Naperville Park in white lettering. He chose a dirt path in the sunlight that was not covered by trees. He passed little children hanging onto the arms of their father, a woman walking her little poodle, and an older couple on the side of the path, taking in all the scenery at their leisure. Young lovers were out in numbers. They gazed into each other's eyes from a foot apart on benches and smiled shyly. They strolled along the path, the women holding delicately onto their gentleman's arm with one hand while the other held a silk parasol and the gentleman stood erect with one hand behind his back and his eyes forward as though unaware of the lady's eyes on his features. The gentleman told stories while the woman listened eagerly. Edward was sure that he even witnessed the beginning of a proposal when he passed by the outer boundaries of the Wedding Garden.

Edward just caught sight of the lake when the bells from the church tower only a few blocks away chimed out the time of one o'clock. He took the quickest path around the lake and moved to the north end where the lake ended a grassy expanse ideal for summer picnics opened up. It was several yards long with no path running through it. Behind it, the trees began again with a path leading into them. There were several other paths that came off of the area, leading to every place in the park. As Edward walked onto the field, he saw that he was not the only one that appeared to be waiting for someone.

Edward walked up to the boy that was his age. It was Ben Dawson from school. He was known to be courting Angela. He was a short boy, at least a head shorter than Edward. He had sleek blond hair that was so tidy that it put Edward's to shame. He had dark eyes that always seemed to be roaming around, never fixed on any one thing…unless Angela was around. He too was dressed in a spring suit and he was bouncing on the balls of his feet as he watched a path to the right of the lake that emerged from a group of trees. When Edward was within a yard of him, Ben finally noticed him and walked over to him, his hand outstretched.

"Hello there, Edward," he said in his usual booming voice. Edward believed that he talked louder to compensate for his tiny frame.

"Hello, Ben," Edward said as he shook his hand. "I suppose I can venture as to why you are here."

Ben laughed as he turned back to the path he had been watching. "Yes, I'm sure you can. And should I be bold enough to take a guess as to why you are here as well?" Edward gestured from him to continue as he looked out at the lake. "Miss Swan, by any chance?"

Edward nodded, laughter present in his voice. "Yes. Miss Swan, indeed."

Ben laughed then smiled up at him. "I didn't know that you were with her."

Edward shook his head as his hands moved in motion as to ask him to stop. "Oh, no. You have the wrong idea. Isabella…Miss Swan and I…we're not…no. Absolutely not."

Ben laughed again. "Alright. If you say so." He looked up at him with disbelieve written all over his small face.

Edward shook his head at Ben as two women came into their line of vision from the path Ben had been watching earlier. Isabella and Angela were walking together out of the trees, laughing about something. Soon, they too were walking on to the field towards the men. Both were wearing lightweight spring gowns with long sleeves. Angela's was a pale green and Isabella's was yellow with a flower pattern on the lace. She wore a sun hat with a yellow bow around it, accenting her outfit.

She walked up to Edward and smiled, a blush already on her cheeks. "Hello, Edward," she said softly.

"Isabella," he said, smiling down at her.

Ben and Angela walked off without a goodbye, too absorbed in each other. They took the path into the woods behind the field, obviously looking for some privacy.

Isabella laughed. "He's so in love with her."

Edward looked down at her as she laughed. It rang out across the field, enchanting everything around him. When she noticed his gaze on her, she fell silent, the blush reappearing on her cheeks.

After a minute, Edward silently offered her his arm which she took with a smile. They chose a path that was near the edge of the lake. They walked in silence for a few minutes, watching the ducks float across the still, green surface. Isabella stopped for a moment to watch a little boy send a wooden boat across the lake.

"I've always wanted to go sailing," she said once they started walking again.

"You never have?" Edward asked. He tried to look into her eyes but the brim of her hat prevented him from doing so. He reached up and gently tilted it back, revealing her handsome face.

She laughed at his gesture, her cheeks pink once more. "No, I have not had the pleasure."

"Well, then I shall have to take you some time," Edward said stoking her hand than held onto his arm. "My family, Mary Alice, and a few friends go to Lake Michigan every summer. We have a house on the shore and my father owns a sail boat. We usually spend all day out on the lake. You'd love it."

Isabella smiled. "That would be delightful."

Edward nodded, pretending that she would be able to attend. But he knew that her father would never even give the idea the slightest amount of consideration. It would be out of the question. They both knew that but it was easier to pretend otherwise for the time being.

They talked quietly of other things as they walked through the park. Eventually, they came upon the north entrance to the Wedding Garden. Isabella smirked and gently pulled Edward onto the white stone path. They were immediately surrounded by rose bushes and small orchid trees. Flowers of every kind were in bloom off the many paths that led around the garden. Isabella was obviously uncertain of which to take. However, they soon found themselves in the middle of the garden, facing the fountain.

The stone fountain was at least ten feet in diameter at the bottom with three other smaller tiers above it. Sparkling water gushed from the top about five feet from the ground. The bottom of the fountain was littered with different colored coins, all wishes of eternal happiness and luck.

Edward reached into his pocket and produced a silver coin. He held it out to Isabella. She smiled and took it from him slowly, their fingertips brushing. She then let go of his arm and walked to the edge of the fountain. Edward sat down on a stone bench a few feet away, watching her. She stood in front of the fountain, just looking at it carefully. Then, she flicked the coin and it spun out of her hand and plopped with a splash into the pool of water below. She watched its descent to the bottom before moving back to Edward. She sat down next to him and smiled.

"Yes?" he asked. While he could not read her like everyone else, he knew that she wanted something. It was in her eyes just like it had been there the night before.

"Can you tell me the story of the Garden?" she asked as she looked around her.

Edward laughed. That was the last thing he had been expecting. However, he did know the story. Everyone who was born and grew up in Naperville knew the story of the Wedding Garden and how it came to be.

"All right," he said, drawing it out like it was a punishment. She laughed. "Once upon a time, in a town far away," he started, causing another laugh to issue from Isabella's lips. "A man named Joseph Naper fell in love with the town beauty, Almeda Landon. She was the daughter of a rich man who owned the land that Joseph and his family farmed on. Joseph knew that it was out of the question to marry someone so apart from him in wealth and status but he could not help but love her. He sent her romantic love letters that quickly had her as much in love with him as he was with her. They met in secret, away from the eyes of her father and the rest of the town. So their love affair began and it was not before long that they longed to be married. They talked of it often, trying to come up with a sensible way to make her father see reason. However, before they had the chance, William Dunes, the man Almeda's father wanted her to marry, caught them together and told everyone of their secret.

"Almeda's father was furious. He locked Almeda up in her room and shunned the Naper family from his land. They had nowhere to go for no one in their town would take them in out of fear of Mr. Landon. So, they journeyed west. On their first night out, much to their surprise, they were joined by Almeda who had run away from her father.

"After weeks of traveling, they came to a nice sized area that was uninhabited that would be good for farming. They set up camp and named their land Naperville. Soon after, Almeda and Joseph were married. It is said that they were married in the center of a naturally occurring garden. They lived long, happy lives and their love never wavered."

Edward sighed. "Many like to think that this every garden is the fabled garden of Almeda and Joseph. Personally, I have my doubts that there was a garden to begin with. Still, every couple that is married in this town comes to this fountain directly after and throws a coin in. It is said that if they do, they will have a long marriage filled with love and happiness."

Edward looked down at Isabella to see a frown on her face. When she noticed his gaze she smiled sadly.

"It was raining on the day of my parents' wedding," she said, looking at the fountain in front of her. "My mother didn't want to ruin her dress and my father was fearful of them both catching a cold. So, they forwent this activity." She shrugged before looking back up at Edward. "I know that I'm being silly and superstitious but I've always wondered…." She broke off, shrugging again. She turned away from Edward, seemingly embarrassed by bringing it up.

"You always wondered if it could have saved their marriage?" he asked, finishing for her. He knew that he was being forward and discourteous for bringing it up but he could not help himself. Isabella turned to him and nodded. He gently took her hand in both of his and looked her in the eye.

"There is nothing to say, Edward," she said as he searched for words. He laughed lightly. She knew him. "It's fine. I've just always wondered…."

She sighed, gave his hand a squeeze, and looked around the garden. She smiled as she took it all in. However, Edward could tell that there was something that saddened her. Deciding that it was probably to do with her mother, he let it go, settling to stoke her hand with his thumb. He also noticed that her right hand twitched, similar to how it did that morning while she was watching the sunrise.

As they sat there, a couple a few years older than them walked past. The man had his arm around the woman's waist possessively. He was smiling down at her lovingly as she held her left hand up in front of them. She was examining the diamond ring on her finger with a bright smile. A few feet from Edward and Isabella, the couple stopped and kissed passionately. Edward turned away for he felt like he was intruding. He heard Isabella sigh next to him and she gave his hand another squeeze. Her head rested on his shoulder for a minute before she straightened back up. The couple had continued down the path and Isabella was gazing after them.

Edward looked down at her and she seemed to sparkle. Her eyes were bright and the smile on her face was wide. She looked up at Edward, the smile still on her face. Her chocolate eyes searched his as they seemed to smile at him with a hidden message. He looked deep, trying to decipher what she could possibly be thinking. But, as always, he could not muster up anything. It frustrated him to no end. He could not take it anymore.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked quietly, still peering into her eyes.

She laughed lightly, a blush forming on her cheeks. She broke eyes contact for a moment before restoring it. It was less intense than before.

"Us."

That was all she said. One word. The word that haunted him in his sleep because there never could be such a thing as 'them'. It was impossible.

He did not know how to respond to her. He never expected her to be so truthful. But she was. He could see it in her eyes with the way she looked at him. He was sure that it was the way he looked back at her.

"You know your father does not approve of me, Isabella. We have spoken of this before," he said, feeling that she needed to be reminded of the fact. He pulled his hands away from hers tenderly, ashamed with himself that he let it get this far. "We are going against his wishes."

Isabella frowned and shook her head. She took his hands back in her grasp tightly and looked him in the eyes as if daring him to take them away from her again. "That is not what I want." She sighed and looked away from him. She looked around at all the couples that were sitting on benches similar to them and those that were strolling along the paths. She looked down at their intertwined hands. "This is what I want." She looked into his eyes, smiling up at him. He felt like she was looking right into his soul, pleading with it. "I want to see where this goes, Edward."

She was pulling at his heartstrings with her looks. He knew that he could not say no even if he wanted to. But he did not. He knew that what he was doing was wrong. Her father said no but they were defying him. They had defied him last night and it seemed as though it was going to continue.

"Do you always get everything you want?" he asked, laughter in his voice but it was a serious question.

Isabella shook her head as she looked up at him with a smile. "No, I don't. You were avoiding me for the longest time."

Edward laughed as he placed an innocent kiss on her hand. "Well, it seems as though I couldn't keep up with that, could I?"

She smiled up at him, her happiness radiating off of her. He smiled back, lost in her eyes. And he did not want to be found.


There it is! Chapter 7. I told you things would be heating up, did I not? Well, I guess this isn't our exact definition of 'heated' but this is 1918.

I don't really have much to say. Just give me some reviews! I love hearing from you all!

Pumpkin.