A/N: Definitely not your typical Bella arrives! Enjoy!

xo

A

4.

Bella arrived the following night as planned. She and Rose greeted each other with squeals and hugs, and she rolled her eyes and made faces at Rose while Mike held her way longer than he should have. They all crashed in Rose's room, catching up on the latest gossip from their home town and dishing on the new neighbors. Mike remained mostly silent, gazing dreamily at Bella.

"That was a little cruel, don't you think?" Bella snickered as Rose finished up the story of Emmett and Angie's phone call.

"No way!" Rose declared. "I won the sister of the decade award for it! And besides, it was fun watching him squirm! Right Mike?"

"Huh?" Mike snapped out of his Bella-induced coma and turned his attention to Rose. "Oh, right. Sure."

"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" she pursed her lips.

"What?" he shook his head. "Of course I did!"

"No you didn't!" she laughed. "You were too busy making goo-goo eyes at Bella!"

The girls laughed heartily as Mike's cheeks flushed scarlet and he let out a stream of embarrassed mutterings. Rose rolled over on the bed and glanced at the clock, which glaringly told her it was now 1 a.m.

"Don't you have to be at the shop early tomorrow?" she asked Mike, rolling back over and propping herself up on her pillows.

"Yeah," he yawned. "But I'll be fine." He grinned sleepily at Bella, who sighed and rolled her eyes.

"I know you Michael Newton," Bella chided. "You'll be a bitch if you don't get enough sleep. Go to bed."

"I told you I'll be fine," he insisted.

"No, you won't," she chuckled. "You'll be a bitch. Now go!"

"Alright, fine! I'm leaving!" he got up when Bella chucked a pillow at him. "I'll see you guys tomorrow." He closed the door behind him and Rose sighed.

"How long are you going to let this go on?" she looked over at Bella.

"Let?" Bella quirked an eyebrow. "How many times over the past twelve years have I told him I don't like him that way? Shit, Rosie, it's not my fault he can't take a hint!"

"I guess you're right," Rose frowned, "Some guys just don't get it."

"What is it?" Bella asked when Rose went silent.

"What?" Rose sat up. "Nothing. It's nothing."

"No, something's up," Bella joined her. "I recognize that look anywhere. Something's going on and… wait! It's him, isn't it?

"What do you mean?" Rose bit her lip and turned away.

"Don't play that game with me. I invented that game!" Bella scolded her. "What happened?"

"I…he…" Rose fumbled over her words. "You know how I told you about the phone call last night?"

"Yeah…" Bella gestured for her to continue.

"Well…" she swallowed hard. "Afterwards, he…ah… he tried to kiss me."

"What? When? What did he just grab you or something? What a pig! He-"

"No! No it wasn't like that!" Rose cut her off mid tirade. "We were cleaning up, and I was standing at the sink putting something away. He reached around me and I turned around in his arms. He leaned in and I…I…" she swallowed hard and met Bella's anxious gaze.

"You what?"

"I turned away."

"You WHAT?" Bella shouted this time. "Why?"

"I don't know!" Rose sputtered. "I mean, I barely know the guy but he's…he's so…"

"You really like him, don't you?" Bella smirked.

"What? No! I mean, I like him… but…." she sighed. "It just seems too fast, you know?"

"Hmmm," Bella smiled knowingly and nodded her head.

"Bella…" Rose frowned at her. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking we're going to have to get you two together and end this foolishness," she rubbed her hands together deviously.

"Now wait just a second!" Rose held up a hand. "Don't you go playing matchmaker again!"

"So it didn't quite work out with Paul…" Bella trailed off.

"Or Jared. Or Sam," Rose pursed her lips. "Or any of the other guys you set me up with."

"Oh come on!" Bella defended herself. "They weren't that bad!"

"They were douche bags, Bella!"

"But Emmett's not…"

Rose's expression softened and Bella jumped at the opportunity.

"Come on!" she pleaded. "Let me do this? Please?"

"Ugh," Rose groaned. "Alright. Fine. But if this backfires, I'm blaming you!"

"Yay!" she clapped her hands excitedly. "Okay, here's my plan. We're going to the beach tomorrow."

"And…"

"And what? Once he sees you in that hot little two piece of yours, he'll be done for! Besides, it will give me a chance to get to know that delectable friend of his!" Bella grinned and tapped her fingertips together. "Yummy!"

"You are something else."

Bella just laughed and crawled under the covers. She kissed Rose's cheek and turned out the light.

They woke early the next morning and pulled all of their beach necessities together and stuffed them into Rose's SUV. They dressed in similar two piece bathing suits and sarongs, then drove over to Edward and Emmett's at 8:30. Bella was first to bound out and run up the front stairs. She knocked excitedly on the door, grinning at Rose who lagged behind her, still reluctant about the whole plan.

There was some mumbling at the door before it was whipped open, revealing a very tired and very shirtless Edward. He rubbed his eyes and blinked, then looked down at Bella. His jaw nearly hit the floor.

"I…uh…I…um…" he stumbled over his words. Bella put a hand on her sarong-clad hip and jutted it out slightly.

"Is that how you always greet your guests?" she asked.

"Well, no, but…" he stuttered.

"I'm Bella, Rose's cousin," she stuck out her hand, which Edward grasped and shook slowly.

"Edward."

"I think that's the first coherent thing you've said!" she giggled, then pulled him gently into his own house. "Now come on, cutie, we're going to the beach! You need to get dressed. Where's your room?"

Edward looked back at Rose in wonderment, and she smiled and shrugged in return. She stood at the foot of the stairs and took a deep breath as she gazed up. She could hear Emmett's gentle snores and smiled to herself before ascending slowly. She padded to his door and pushed it open silently. He was sprawled in the center of the bed, tangled in a mess of sheets and quilts. Suddenly brave, she tip toed over and climbed on. She crawled across the bed and carefully slung a leg over him, straddling his torso and sitting on his stomach. She stared at his bare chest and found she couldn't help herself as her fingers danced across his smooth skin. She traced the outline of his pecs and let her hands wander down to his abs. As she began to run her fingers down his sculpted stomach, he grabbed her wrists and flipped them over, pinning her hands over her head. One knee rested between her legs and the other outside her hip. He smirked.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he asked, his voice husky from sleep.

"Oh good," she half smiled. "You're awake."

"You could say that," he secured both her wrists with one hand and brushed an errant hair from her face, letting his hand linger on her cheek. "Now, want to tell me why I have you pinned to my bed?"

"I was trying to wake you up," she answered. "We're going to the beach."

"The beach?" he released her and sat back on his heels. "Are you nuts? Do you know how many people will be there? We'll get mobbed!"

"No we won't," she grunted as she pushed herself up on her elbows. "It's a private beach. Only residents are allowed out there, so there won't be a huge crowd." She was about to continue when a throat cleared loudly from the door way. They turned to see Bella leaning on the frame, grinning, and Edward standing behind her, eyebrows raised. Rose blushed furiously and Emmett scrambled backwards, misjudging the size of his bed and falling gracelessly on the floor. Edward stifled a chuckle, where Bella just outright laughed at him. She grabbed Rose's hand and turned to Emmett as they were leaving.

"Get dressed. We're leaving in ten," she gave him the once over and a wink, then breezed out the door. Edward looked pointedly at Emmett before proceeding behind them. Emmett hauled himself to his feet and hurriedly pulled himself together, grabbing a towel from the linen closet as he launched himself down the stairs.

"Took you long enough!" Bella bounced up off the couch, Rose right behind her. Edward remained seated and Bella glanced flirtatiously over her shoulder. "Quit staring at my ass, Cullen!"

Emmett guffawed as Edward sputtered and stood, blushing a deep crimson. She took his hand and yanked him out the door to the truck, leaving Emmett and Rosalie alone in the house, staring at each other. He swept a hand toward the door with a gracious smile. She nodded and walked out in front of him. They all piled in the SUV and Rose drove them out to the beach. It took about twenty five minutes to get out there, but the sound of the crashing waves and the absence of a huge crowd made the trip entirely worth it. They picked a spot in the soft sand and the girls set up camp while Emmett and Edward tossed a Frisbee around by the shoreline.

"Good looks must run in that family," Edward commented as he threw the Frisbee to Emmett. " Did you see Bella?"

Emmett caught the flying disc and turned to glance at the girls, finding he could only stare at Rose's toned, athletic form. She was laughing at something Bella was saying and sweeping her hair up off her graceful neck. Her suit was simple, a plain black bikini on anyone else, but on her it was sexy. He cast his eyes briefly on Bella, and found her to be a petite, brunette version of her cousin. She adjusted her blue top and lifted her sunglass on top of her head, catching Emmett's stare and waving at him. He blushed and returned the wave, quickly turning back to Edward and tossing him the Frisbee.

"Yeah, she's cute," he muttered, and cringed as the disc flew over Edward's head and landed in the water. His friend scowled and chased it to the shore line, picking it up and shaking out the excess water. He walked back up the beach and they resumed their game.

"You like her, don't you?" Edward asked, breaking their momentary silence. Emmett merely swallowed hard and didn't answer right away. "I know what I said before, about going slow and getting to know her first. But I've gotten to know her, too. And…I can't believe I'm saying this…you were right. She is different. She's witty, charming, and brilliant. Not to mention beautiful."

Emmett beamed. Though he had never really sought Edward's approval, the fact that his friend now agreed with how he felt about Rose warmed his heart. Edward was like a brother to him, and his acceptance meant the world to Emmett.

"Most importantly, she's not Lauren," Edward continued. "She's a pure soul, and my gut tells me she won't break your heart."

"But what if she doesn't feel the same way?" Emmett frowned. "I mean, I really care about her. What if she turns me down?"

"She won't, trust me" Bella chimed in as she sauntered up behind him. She patted him gently on the arm, then sashayed over to Edward, whose eyes sparkled as he watched her. She boldly wound her arms around his waist and smiled up at him, holding his gaze for a moment then turning her attention back to Emmett. "She's waiting for you, Sweets. Go get her."

Emmett grinned, then turned and left Bella to work her magic on Edward. He walked casually up to the blanket where Rose lounged under the umbrella, engrossed in a book. He watched her for several minutes before she acknowledged his presence by glancing up at him over the rim of her sunglasses.

"Can I help you?" she asked, to which responded with a simple shake of his head and an innocent smile. She narrowed her eyes, sensing he was up to something. Her instincts were right, and before she could blink he had crouched, slid an arm around her back and one under knees and lifted her right out of her chair.

"What the hell are you doing, McCarty?" she shouted as he carried her down to the water and began wading in. "Put me down!" He just chuckled and walked out further into the waves, continuing on until he was waist deep.

"Still want me to put you down?" he grinned. " 'Cause I can do that you know." He made to drop her and she screeched, clutching on to his neck.

"You…" she growled. "Don't you even think about it!"

"What's the matter, is the angry little kitten afraid of the water?" he taunted and let his arms slip again, this time letting the water lap up over her waist. She yipped at the icy waves.

"I swear to God, Emmett," she warned. "Don't you dare drop me!"

"What? Drop you?" he asked. "Okay, if you say so."

With that he released his hold on her and let her fall into the ocean. As soon as she went under she came up, screaming at the frigid temperature. She was greeted with his impish smile and sparkling eyes, and instantly forgot about how cold she was. She returned his smile and approached him slowly, placing her hands on his chest. His grin turned into a seductive smirk and he raised an eyebrow. She stared at her hands for a moment, then gradually raised her eyes to his. She brought her face close to his and stared deep in to his eyes, causing him to swallow hard.

"Pay back's a bitch," she breathed, and before her words could register, she shoved him back into the water with a heavy splash. She laughed as he surfaced and dove away, swimming a little further out. He caught up to her quickly and after a short game of cat and mouse, he had her arms pinned behind her. They both panted heavily from exertion.

"Now what are you gonna do, tough guy?" she asked between breaths. He smirked and pulled her against him, reveling in the heat of her body pressed up against his. He slid one hand behind her neck and drew her into a kiss. It was slow and tender, and Rose found her arms winding their way around his neck to bring him closer. She felt his arms tighten around her waist in response. Being there, in his embrace, lost in his kiss, somehow felt right to her. She whimpered as he pulled back and rested his forehead on hers.

A sudden applause from the shoreline interrupted their moment. She buried her face in Emmett's neck and he turned to see Bella clapping profusely and Edward whistling through his thumb and index finger, his other arm wrapped firmly around Bella's tiny waist. He chuckled, and in a swift, dramatic motion he dipped Rose back toward the water and kissed her passionately, earning another round of hoots and hollers from his audience at the water's edge. He righted her and she looked up at him, lips swollen and eyes glazed over. She giggled nervously and clutched his shoulder for support.

"That doesn't make us even," she whispered. "I'm still going to get you back."

"I know," he kissed her once more and felt her melt. "Just thought I'd try my luck."

She threaded her fingers through his and they walked hand in hand out of the water.