Sorry! I've had a hard time with this chapter. This is kind of the way I wanted this chapter to go but not really. The date is present but it's not much of one… you'll see why!

Also, this is probably my longest chapter yet. I figured you deserved it since it's been a few days.

Thanks to my reviewers once again:

roocullen, Alexa Daley, angieLATgirllmfaoXD, Michele, Kylie, Katherine-The-Crowned, obsessedwithjamespotter, Lessien-Dorthonion, dancing jordan, Socialxxhazard, xXxElianexXx, snookiepooh94, puppyluv03, -Vandos-Girl-, slitherinprincess3, EdwardCullenxxxCHARMED-4-LIFE, BellandGinny, xlynnx, Khlarka2 and Thyta.

Now enjoy and be sure to review! I wanna try to reach 200 with this chapter!

Chapter Twelve

Past Remembered

Edward looked at me in confusion and I felt my cheeks become hot.

I shouldn't have said anything. Now he probably thinks I'm insane.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

I let out a breath and turned my gaze from him. Stupid Bella, I thought. How was it even possible that he still had this effect on me? His beautiful topaz eyes bore into my body as if they bore into my very soul. My heart rate quickened as he continued to stare at me.

"Bella," Edward said. "What do you mean?"

"You said you didn't remember much from your human life," I replied.

He nodded and stared at me oddly.

"But the only thing you really remember is your mother."

"What are you getting at, Bella?" he snapped.

I inwardly winced. Obviously I had hit a soft spot with Edward. "I've seen her," I quietly replied. "She said that I shouldn't be at the hospital and to take care of you if you were to survive."

Edward's eyes widened in shock. Or was it surprise? I don't know. Maybe he just thought I was plan crazy.

He confirmed my suspicions when he started laughing at me. I glared at him. "You really think you've seen or even talked to my mother?" he laughed. My eyes narrowed even more and I found myself wishing that I had Jane's power of making people feel pain. I'd love to do that to Edward right now.

"I have!" I exclaimed, edging myself to the corner of my bed. "Hair like yours with green eyes! I'm not lying, Edward!"

"I never said you were lying to me, Bella."

I sighed in frustration. I crossed my arms over my chest. "Then why won't you believe me?"

"Because," he said, standing. Edward walked over, lifted me up then sat down and placed me into his lap. "Carlisle has mentioned to you what my mother looked like. You may have just dreamt her up."

"Was there a Mister Bennett back then?" I asked, glaring. I'd prove to Edward someway or another that I was telling the truth. "He looked to be about fifty, a bit plumb and probably about five-foot-eight."

"First name?"

So he wasn't going to give up that easily. Rats. I searched my mind, willing to think of his name. Edward continued to stare at me with an eyebrow raised.

"William," I quickly said. My eyes widened at the name. Moments ago I hadn't even known the man's name but suddenly, I knew almost everything about William Bennett. "He was your parent's lawyer."

Edward stared at me before smiling slowly. "Bella…" He leaned close to me and placed a gentle kiss on my jaw. "You should sleep, my Bella."

I wanted to tell Edward that I wasn't his Bella and that I never would be his again but I couldn't. My eyes felt extremely heavy now and I reluctantly lay down in my bed. Edward pulled my quilt over me and lied down next to me, pulling me close to his body just like old times. It was nice, him holding me like this. After so long of not being held by Edward, his body temperature felt like heaven. It didn't bother me at all.

"Sleep," Edward whispered after placing a kiss on the side of my head. "I'll be here when you wake."

I finally let my eyes droop shut and had my first dreamless slumber in years.

FRIDAY

Oh how I wish I could have stayed in bed today.

I was dreading today; especially my upcoming date with Edward but Alice wouldn't allow me to stay in bed. She arrived at promptly 6:30 this morning, bouncing up and down on my bed. I had managed to grab hold of the bars on my headboard but Alice was stronger. She grabbed hold of my ankles and tugged so hard that my bed broke.

But now, here I was at 6:30 in the evening, trapped in front of Alice's vanity mirror once again. Alice worked quickly, making the torture less bearable. She ended up putting my hair in a half-up do with some loose curls. She clipped a few strands into a beautiful diamond barrette. My makeup was all neutral colors, which I liked. Finally, it was time for the outfit. I had given Alice full reign to pick it out.

"Ready?" Alice asked me. Her eyes twinkled with excitement and I nodded, trying to hold my breath. Alice disappeared into her walk in closet before emerging with a black bag. She slowly unzipped it and I gasped when I saw what lied within.

It was a beautiful cerulean blue dress with tank style sleeves and a deep v-neck with an empire waist. It looked like it ended just below my knees. "And for your feet," Alice said. She pulled a shoe box out from the bottom of the bag and opened the lid. Cerulean blue Lasso Kors sandals sat inside. I grimaced at the sight of the 4 inch suede heel.

"You want to kill me don't you?" I asked. I already knew that I'd end up falling.

Alice giggled and began removing my sneakers to put the shoes on. "You'll be fine." All I could do was sigh.

"Alice," I began. She watched me intently as I chewed on my bottom lip. "Edward said you saw us going on a date."

"I remember," she replied while helping me put on my dress so I wouldn't ruin my hair.

"How well did you see it going?"

"Very well." She hesitated. There was more she wasn't telling me.

"Alice?"

"Until the last ten minutes," she quickly replied.

"Great."

So basically, even though Alice hadn't said it, tonight was going to be a disaster. I wanted to know what she had seen but that would make me feel uncomfortable. If I knew everything she saw, the date would be a complete catastrophe the moment I met eyes with Edward.

"You look perfect," Alice smiled. She placed a kiss on my cheek and grabbed her jacket. "See you later, Bella."

"Wait!" I called to her. Tiny Alice stopped in her spot and turned to look at me. "Where are you going?"

"All of us are going to a movie. You and Edward on the other hand are staying in."

"So then why did I have to get dressed up for nothing?" Alice raised an eyebrow in my direction. "Okay. Sorry for the stupid question."

"I'll call for you once I make sure Edward's downstairs."

I nodded just before Alice disappeared downstairs.

For five minutes I paced Alice's bedroom staring at photographs from years past. Plenty of times my eyes had landed on ones of me and Alice. She had missed me just like I had missed her.

But then I glanced at a picture of a girl with Edward. This girl had beautiful strawberry blonde hair and her eyes were the gold of a vegetarian vampire. She clung tightly to a grimacing Edward. In permanent marker, the words 'Devil Reincarnate' were written across the girl's body. Devil horns, a beard and tail were drawn on her.

I glared at the picture before quickly picking it up and stuffing it into my purse. I'd ask Edward about that later.

"Bella!" Alice called up for me.

I took a deep breath and left the comfort of Alice's room. Slowly, I made my way to the stairs and my breath caught when I saw Edward standing in a black suit. His hair was messy as always and I had to admit that he looked rather handsome.

The car honked, causing me to jump. Edward chuckled while Alice glared at the door. "I better get going," Alice said. She danced to the top of the stairs and kissed me again on the cheek. "We'll be back around ten, Bella and then I'll take you home to Charlie."

I opened my mouth to say something but I didn't have time to speak. Alice was already gone.

Edward's POV

She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. Perhaps even more beautiful than the last time I laid my eyes upon her. I never wanted to tear my eyes away from her. She had a few more curves than back then and she was actually wearing makeup.

Bella surprised me when she arrived this afternoon, giddy about being made over by Alice. If only I could read her thoughts then I'd know for certain if she was really excited about going through with tonight.

"You look presentable," Bella said. Her voice brought me out of my trance and my eyes met hers. I smiled and she clasped on to the railing in order to hold her balance.

"And you look absolutely gorgeous," I replied as I met her half way on the stairs. She blushed and I held out my hand for her to take. Bella placed her delicate hand in mine and I brought it to my lips, kissing it gently. "I hope you like spaghetti."

Bella smiled brightly and her beautiful brown eyes twinkled with happiness. "I love spaghetti!" All I could do was chuckle and lead her carefully down the stairs.

I led Bella into an extra downstairs room and was pleased when I opened the door to hear her gasp. Alice had transformed it to look like we were sitting outside underneath the stars. If it wasn't for the rain, we would have had our rendezvous outside like I had originally planned.

"So am I going to be the only one eating?" Bella asked as I helped her into her seat. I simply shrugged. No need in ruining the surprise.

I still wore a smile as I reached for the large pasta bowl filled with spaghetti. I placed a portion on the two plates on the table while Bella helped herself to some salad. "It looks delicious," Bella said, happily. She bent down to take a bite but then stopped.

"What's wrong?" I asked. She looked like she was having an internal battle with herself. "Bella?"

Bella's POV

Alice had said the date would go great until the last ten minutes. But how could I enjoy this lovely meal with that picture on my mind? I know I'd regret it later but I had to get it over with. I let out a sigh and reached down into my bag, pulling out the picture.

"Who is this?" I asked, showing Edward the picture.

Edward carefully took the picture and when it was safely in his hands, he looked it over. "Where'd you get this?"

"Alice's room."

"She's no one, Bella."

"Obviously she's someone if Alice took the time to give the girl a little makeover."

Edward chuckled at my sarcastic remark. His eyes were beginning to turn from ocher to pitch black. Was it anger I saw? Or was he simply thirsty? And if he was indeed thirsty would I be the one to free him from his thirst?

"She's no one you should be worrying about, Bella," Edward snapped. "This girl doesn't exist."

"But who is she, Edward?"

"She's of no importance!" he shouted.

I had pushed Edward over the edge. His eyes narrowed as he glared furiously at me. Why did this girl anger him so much and why wouldn't he tell me?

"What are you keeping from me, Edward?" I asked, glaring at him. "You want me to be yours again so then why are you keeping her identity from me and why does Alice have a picture of you and some other girl?" I could feel my own blood boiling.

What if he moved on…?

That question tore at my heart and I couldn't help but remember how I felt in my past life when Edward had left me because I supposedly wasn't good enough for him. I wrapped my arms tightly around my body, hoping to hold it in place. Why was I still feeling like this 144 years later? Why was the hole in my chest reopening when I had the opportunity to start over?

"Bella?" Edward asked me. He sounded genuinely concerned over my well-being and current emotional status. I heard the sound of his chair move backwards before being engulfed by strong, cold arms. "It's okay."

"But it's not," I croaked. "You love another."

Edward was speechless at my statement but after a few minutes, he began running his long fingers through my curled hair. "I could never love anyone like I love you, Bella," he told me. "The girl in that photograph? She never had my heart."

"Then why'd you get so defensive when I asked about her?"

"Because I'd rather keep her in the past."

"Edward…"

He sighed in defeat and I smiled inwardly at my victory. But I was still worried about what he'd say. Edward had always held my heart just like I had always held his. And even though I had no plans of admitting that to him yet, I didn't care.

I loved Edward Cullen. I loved him more than anything in this entire world. I would die a thousand deaths if each new life meant that I could be with him.

"Her name is Tanya," Edward finally said. I looked up through my eyelashes at him. "She's one of the vegetarian vampires from Denali, Alaska."

"I remember you mentioning her back then."

"Well you should know that she's completely delusional."

I laughed at Edward's snide comment. He laughed too, never loosening his arms from around my body. I could feel a blush creep up my cheeks.

"She thinks she has a chance with me," Edward continued to explain. "Tanya and Alice used to be friends you know but when Tanya found out that I was in love with a human, she became infuriated. What was even worse was that Alice liked you and Tanya doesn't like to compete for attention. Tanya practically danced with joy when we broke off our engagement. She still thought that she stood a chance."

"Did you ever give in?"

"Never. I couldn't. Bella, I spent the last 143 years moping around because I'd rather do that and live in complete solitude than be with anyone else but you. I love you, Bella. I always have since the moment we met in 1905."

"You… remember…" I whispered to him. I was sure that I was in complete shock. Just two days ago, Edward had been laughing at me for believing that I met his mother but now here he was, practically admitting that I was right.

"After your dream that one night, when you had finally gone back to sleep, I ran home and talked with Carlisle. He remembers a young girl named Isabella who came to see me and my mother on our death beds. He just didn't think you were that same girl. You died a week later and by then we were already gone." My breath caught in my throat as Edward told me the story. "Bella, I swear… if I had any knowledge that you were going to die then, I would've had Carlisle change you. I wanted to be with you more than anything. You know, back then, people got married quite young. Before your father died of the Spanish Flu, I was going to ask him for your hand."

I jumped in surprise and leaned back to gaze into Edward's eyes. The blackness was fading and beginning to turn a beautiful topaz, the color that I loved so much. Despite everything we had been through – James, not getting married, Victoria, the werewolves, and the Spanish Influenza – Edward Cullen loved me. He wanted to marry me and be with me.

And perhaps I just wanted to be with him too.