Once again I want to thank all of those who spend some of their time reading my fluff!  This really is a surprise for me! So thanks. Seriously, guys!

Here's my third chapter. Just Bella's POV this time, but Edward's is almost done, too.

Edward, Bella, Jasper, Alice and Emmet: again, not mine.

Read and review if you like. Pretty please? You make my day. Enjoy.

P.S. Thanks to kouga's older woman for the hint ^ ____ ^

Chapter 3

BELLA'S POV

Water seemed to calm my nerves a bit. Just a bit.

"I asked Emmet to raise the temperature of the pool. The four of us are like icebergs and I am quite positive you don't enjoy freezing…" Edward whispered, carefully placing his hands around my waist.

I knew I should have shivered at his cold touch, seriously, but the electrifying feeling was much closer to a lava flow being spilt onto me.

"By the way, this bikini really looks great on you!" he said, his golden eyes inviting.

Time stopped: all I wanted was to prove him that all I ever felt great on me were his lips, but I was sure this might have crushed my already weak self-control, so I decided to attack him in a different way instead and started squirting water onto his beautiful face.

Sometimes the fact that he could not read my mind was helpful, because I caught him of guard.

"You…little…cheater!" he shouted out, laughing, as I swam away. "You want war, then? As you wish!". And with that he started splashing me stoutly and for some time Forks' weather seemed to have returned to its normal torrential rains.

We spent some time splashing around and teasing each other until Jasper, Alice and Emmet joined and it really became a mayhem.

"You don't want to be the only one having fun, do ya?" Emmet blurted out, all of a sudden, jumping at Edward's throat and trying very hard to push him under. Jasper did not lose the chance to help. Edward struggled briefly and then dived.

The rest I could actually not make out at all, because their moves became so fast that my useless eyes had no chance to perceive. I only saw Jasper and Emmet disappear underwater as well and then some foam.

Thank God I knew they were only joking or I'd have felt conscious. Jasper and Emmet were not good opponents in a fight. Edward had often mentioned how glad he was that they were 'on our side'.

"And you think they'd start behaving their age at some point…" Alice said, shaking her head and startling me.

"Yeah…well, it's hard to believe Edward is actually 80 years older than I am!" I agreed.

"Boys will be boys – she shook her head again, watching the troubled water, in a sweet way – but we love them anyway, don't we?"

"We do…" I confirmed. And I did love that childlike vampire more than my own life.

"Alice, do you mind if I ask…" I hesitated for a moment.

"What, Bella? Hey, you know you can ask me anything, right?" she encouraged me.

"Yeah, yeah, I know, but promise me you will be careful and not think about this conversation when Edward's around. Please…" I knew this was going to be complicated.

Edward really seemed to be a bit too busy trying to get the better of his brothers to be paying proper attention to me and Alice, but still, you could never know.

"Is it difficult for you and Jasper… – I started again, trying to sound relaxed - Well…when you are close or alone not to…oh, darn!" I miserably failed at my attempt to be calm. Why did I have to be so utterly ridiculous? It was a very normal instinct, after all (at least as human standards went)! At least that's what I had heard, never having experienced anything of the sort before.

Alice started laughing softly. "Oh, Bella! Of course it's difficult, you silly girl! The fact that we are not so flamboyant about it as Em and Rose doesn't make it easy. We live in a house full of vampires with extra-developed senses, which makes it almost impossible to be private about it! Not that it was easier when it was just me and him…I still remember the agony we went through before getting married." She shook her head, but her smile was sweet and slightly embarrassed. Seeing Alice so vulnerable was a first, but it helped me relax a little. And for real this time.

"Really?" I sounded relieved and Alice couldn't help laughing again.

"Oh, yes. He was even worse than Edward when it came to being old-fashioned…The first time we kissed he thought I would slap him for disrespecting me! He was so ashamed of himself."

It was difficult for me to think about Alice and especially Jasper this way, but it was evident that they simply hung on each other's words. Being apart was as excruciating for them as it was for me and Edward. Even now, after so many years together.

"I know what Edward thinks about this, Bella, but you have to believe him when he says he's restraining himself only to protect you. He's in earnest." She looked at me, her eyes set.

"I know…I know, it's just that sometimes it simply gets so frustrating. I fell like I am the only one in such a misery, even if he assured me he feels just like me… - I was almost whining in misery, now – But I know he would never hurt me…" I added, closing my eyes.

"No, he would never hurt you, Bella. But you know Edward's life-motto concerning you: 'Better safe than sorry'!" she said, imitating her brother so genuinely that I couldn't help laughing. She joined me and it was some time before we stopped giggling.

Alice found her voice back first. "I think Edward liked your outfit, though." Alice's voice was innocent, but I knew better.

"As if you had not seen this! – I said, grinning - Alice, you know I love you and you truly are a sister to me, but please, don't push this poor human and your brother to the edge, uh?" I pleaded.

"Hey, this is not pushing it to the edge! I am offended you think so…If I had forced you to try on all that sexy lingerie I tried on the other day at Victoria's Secret and then sent him the image, now THAT would be pushing him to the edge!"

I might have imagined it, but I thought I heard a faint moan coming from the exact spot where the three guys were now assembled, playing ball and talking quietly.

Oh. No. How worse could this get?

"Alice, you didn't!" I growled through my teeth.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist! He won't be mad, though, don't worry…but that image will stuck with him. I'll have to remember that for later!" she flashed one of her impish smiles, almost talking to herself.

"Oh, Alice…" I said, an exasperated tone in my voice "What am I going to do with you!?"

"Thanks are in order! Believe me!" she was simply beaming at me now.

"Emmet! – she called out – Rose will be back in five minutes. She bought you a present. And Esme wants a chat with me and Jasper! Edward, Bella, you can stay as long as you want, of course! Charlie won't be home till late!" she blinked at me and swam out of the pool, followed by Jasper and Emmet.

And I, I was left alone with the most fantastic creature that ever blessed Earth.

"Thanks, Alice!" I murmured, unsure whether I felt more annoyed at her plotting or grateful for having such a wonderful sister!