Hey guys!

I told you i'd update! Yay me, I finally managed to get The Road Ahead moving again (thank le lord!)

Anyway, I'm not too sure about this chapter, it doesn't seem to flow like the others do...but I couldn't be bothered to change it, and the ending's not that bad, and I wanted to post something new. So here it is! I hope you like it more than I do x

DISCLAIMER - Twilight is not yet mine, but then again, if it wasn't, it would never have existed. And a world without Edward Cullen is not a world at all.

Think about that...a world without Edward Cullen. Hurts, doesn't it?

Read on, my brave warriors!

Edward's POV

This was perfect. Absolutely, wonderfully, brilliantly perfect.

I looked down at Bella's sleeping form, her lips twisted into a peaceful smile, and my heart swelled with happiness. This was what I had been dreaming of – having Bella wrapped up in my arms, her head on the pillow next to mine, her sweet strawberry scented hair spread out in a fan over it. I'd dreamed of being able to hold her like this, only now, it was completely real.

Bella sighed in her sleep and I hugged her tighter, inhaling the smell of her hair, still marvelling over how much I loved her, and how she might love me too.

I couldn't actually believe it had only been three days since I had first met her in person, and only a month since we'd first discovered each other. It felt like she had been occupying my mind and dreams now for years – I couldn't even remember what it had been like not knowing her. And to think it had only been three days…it felt like much longer than that. So much had happened in those three days, and yet here, at the end of it all, I was in my bed, next to a sleeping Bella and was very nearly dating her properly.

That certainly was a strange, but incredibly uplifting thought.

It was horrible to think that I was going to have to leave her in the morning; I didn't have a day off like she did. When you worked in a hospital, the only days off you got were the weekends (if you weren't called in) and nights (if you weren't called in). I was thanking my lucky stars no one had needed me tonight, because I definitely would have gone, and then this never would have happened.

Funny how luck can play a big part in these sorts of things.

But tomorrow I was planning to make her my girlfriend officially – in my book, if you didn't say the words, you didn't properly ask – and then Bella would be with me and I could…do all the things I had ever wanted to do. I was tired of watching Emmett and Rosalie, and even Alice and Jasper interact as couples, and now that I had Bella – and I wasn't ever going to let her go – that world was open to us too.

My smile grew as Bella mumbled, "Edward." She twisted over and snuggled into me, her small arms winding around my waist. She'd told me that she talked in her sleep, and I'd always wished I could hear. It was as delightful as I thought it would be.

"I love you, Bella," I whispered in her ear gently, kissing the top of her head and feeling ecstatic that I could.

"Love you, Edward," she murmured back, and even if she was asleep, she had never looked more beautiful.

I closed my eyes then and let myself fall asleep too, only because I knew tomorrow would be even better.

Bella's POV

"Edward?" I murmured, as the light filtering in through the shutters woke me. I was aware of the absence of his warm arms, and – in my half-awakened state – I started wondering whether I had dreamed the whole thing.

"I'm here," his quiet voice whispered back, startling me a little with how close he was. I opened my eyes a crack to find him squatting down beside the bed, his eyes level with mine, a gentle smile on his face. He was already dressed, and he stroked my cheek gently, making me blush, "Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Pretty good," I managed to stammer, smiling back at him timidly. I pushed myself up onto my elbows and cupped my face in my hands, "You?"

"Best ever," he grinned then stood up again; I noticed he was already dressed.

"What time is it?" I asked, stretching and sitting up properly.

"About 8," he answered, "I have to go soon, my shift starts at 9 today, but you're free to stay here as long as you want."

"Oh," I frowned in disappointment, annoyed that he had to leave so soon. I yawned again, still very tired, and Edward sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled the covers back up over me.

"Sleep, Bells, you must be knackered after yesterday."

"It's not…too bad," my words were marred by yet another long yawn in between and Edward smirked.

"Come on," he said, shuffling so he was sitting next to me and putting an arm around my shoulders, "you need your rest." I sighed and obeyed, sliding back down so my head was against the pillows. Edward slid down with me and wrapped his other arm around my waist, "I have a good thirty minutes until I have to go…there's no need for me to move for a while," he murmured.

"Good," I sighed back, shivering slightly as Edward kissed my forehead, keeping his lips there then slowly moving them up to my hair and kissing the top of my head.

I shuddered again at the burning feeling racing through my veins, and I could feel my face heating up. I looked up at Edward to see a quick smirk flash across his face before it was replaced with his usual crooked smile. I sighed and tried to calm down; thinking that maybe going to work today would be good for me.

Edward and I sat together in a comfortable silence, his head resting on the top of mine and my eyes closed; I was dozing and trying to get in as much sleep as I could before I went home. "Bella?" Edward asked after a while.

"Yeah?"

"What are you thinking?"

I was too tired to give him my what-does-that-mean look, so I just kept my eyes closed and answered simply, "About how I need to get up soon."

"Why?" Edward half-whined, "I don't want you to get up."

"You're leaving."

"Yes, but I'm staying for as long as I can so I can be with you," I blushed and Edward sighed, "Why are you leaving?"

"Because I want to go to work today."

"Why?"

Telling the truth here might cause a little awkwardness, so I just laughed quietly and said, "To clear my head a little, you know? Yesterday and this morning have been so completely surreal that I need something normal to do." That was close to the truth, at least.

"Surreal…I think I understand that." Edward kissed my hair again, then sighed; I watched him as he stared at the wall for a while before turning his attention back to me. "Well, come on then," Edward stood up suddenly, taking me with him then setting me on my feet. I stared at him blearily.

"What're you doing?"

"I'm taking you back to your house, then I'll go to work with you, if that's ok."

I smiled, taking his outstretched hand, "Sure, that's fine."

We walked downstairs together, Edward's arm winding around my shoulders again; it felt so natural I hardly noticed it was there until we entered the kitchen. Alice and Jasper were sitting at the table, chatting and eating pancakes, but they both looked up as we came in. I blushed furiously at how Alice grinned madly when she saw Edward's arm, and kept my head down as he pulled out a chair for me, kissed my cheek, then went off to grab the plate of pancakes sitting on the counter. Alice's smile was almost reaching her ears when she leaned over and said, "So, what did you and Edward do last night?"

"Erm, nothing?" I squeaked, glancing to Edward for back-up as he sat down next to me, pulling his chair up close and putting his arm around me again.

"Actually, Alice, Bella and I are going out on a date Saturday night…so I guess that means we're dating," he said confidently, in a finalistic sort of way, grinning widely, his green eyes twinkling as he stared down my shocked look, "What?" he said, as Alice squealed loudly, "We are."

I barely heard Alice shouts of, "Eeep! Oh my god! That's so great!" as I was too wrapped up in my own mind. We were actually dating?

Well of course you are, a sighing voice said, he asked you out, didn't he?

Still, the thought of it sent my mind reeling. Edward and me…dating? Somehow I still couldn't wrap my head around the concept. I would need something a lot more…final before I could actually believe it. My confidence on this had dwindled down since this morning, and all my old insecurities were rushing back, with a vengeance.

"Bella?" Edward shook me gently, "Are you ok?" I nodded mutely, trying to make my smile reach my eyes even though I couldn't think straight. Alice was still ranting.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Edward sighed, then whispered in my ear, "Come on." I let him pull me away from the table into the hall, trailing behind, slightly miserable now, even if I didn't exactly know why. Swinging me around suddenly, he pushed me back against the wall then put his arms either side of me, closing me in. "Bells," he said quietly, "what's wrong?"

I would have looked down, but he had me trapped in his eyes. I bit my lip instead, "Nothing."

"Bella, I know you. Something's up. Was it because I told Alice?"

"Not exactly…" I hedged; Edward sighed again.

"Bella, do you actually realise how much I care for you?" he whispered, moving closer; the scent of him was beginning to disturb my thought processes, "Because I can tell you, if you'd like." I managed a small nod, and Edward moved even closer, "Bella, I would never be happy just being friends with you. That would never be enough for me…I like you too much. You are too beautiful and too wonderful to pass up, and that's why I said yesterday…I've fallen for you, Bella. It's you," he touched my nose with his, "that I want, Bella. It's you that I need." I was just staring at him, taking in his words, hardly able to believe that someone was saying this about me. Me! "Do you get it now, Bella? I asked you to come to the party with me on Saturday because I want you to come as my girlfriend. I want to be with you that way."

"You do?" I whispered, feeling my spirits start to lift and a timid smile begin to spread across my face. Edward smiled back, then pressed his lips to my cheek.

"I do."

I was still frozen against the wall, not daring to breathe as Edward kissed my cheek slowly, for fear of ruining the moment. This time I knew what might happen, and I didn't want it to stop.

Edward pulled back slightly, our gazes locked, an inch of space between us. My heartbeat began to race and I felt like my whole body was vibrating with the force of it. My brain was sending me wild signals, a little part of me chanting, this isn't real, this isn't happening; you're going to wake up…

But I didn't wake up. Edward was still there as I blinked, and I felt his hands slowly slide to my cheeks, cupping my face in his hands and pulling me slightly towards him. His warm breath made my cheeks even hotter as he whispered, "Bella…" and then, suddenly, so suddenly I didn't even see it happen, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine.

The sensation was incredible; at once the heat inside me flared and my whole body besides my face began to tingle. Edward's lips were moving softly with mine and I twisted my arms around his neck and sunk into it, feeling as if my legs would give way at any moment but not caring at all.

Edward pulled back for a second, his breathing as heavy as mine, then he kissed me gently again, moving one down my ribs to my waist and tugging me softly so I was crushed against him and he could wrap his arm completely around me. I stayed where I was, completely and blissfully happy; I had never experienced anything like this before. Edward kissing me was…better than the pleasure of eating chocolate, better than sinking into a warm bath…even better than that Swedish massage Alice sent me to last week.

He tasted like sugar, honey and mints all rolled into one, his lips were infinitely soft and his lemony-washing powder smell was all around me. I couldn't see or think about anything but him, and when his lips parted mine gently, I let him, overwhelmed by the feeling and completely wanting more.

Edward kissed me for a second longer, before lightening the pressure slowly then pulling away. My eyes were still closed and I gasped, my breathing ragged, my lips tingling. I could feel my pulse beating through them. Before I had even gathered myself, Edward clutched me tighter again, pressed his lips against mine one last time, then whispered against them, "Bella?"

"Wow," I sighed; still not opening my eyes.

He chuckled, "I would say so." Every time his lips moved they brushed mine, and I quickly kissed him again before answering.

"Yeah."

He sighed, the warm air rushing across my face again, and that was when my legs finally gave out. I collapsed, tightening my arms around his neck to keep myself from falling to the floor. "Sorry," I smiled shakily, "That's going to take some getting used to."

"Maybe on Saturday we can do some more practise…"

"That sounds nice."

"Hmm," Edward was still holding me up, and he suddenly grinned, "That must've been quite some kiss."

I rolled my eyes, "You men and your egos."

"What?" Edward shrugged, setting me on my feet then retreating a step; the cold air rushed into the space between us and I found it a little easier to begin breathing again, "Look what I did to you! That's something to be proud of, for a man."

"Well, look what happened to you," I teased, still trying to steady my breathing. I put one hand to his face and fingered the skin around his eyes, "Your eyes look all glazed over." I giggled as he shook his head quickly and rubbed them. "Nope, still all unfocused," I laughed, and he took my hand again, kissing it and smiling too.

"Let's just see how you fare next time."

"I'll be waiting."

Edward chuckled then pulled me to him again, "I still don't know why you blanked out me earlier," he mused, twisting our fingers together, "care to share?"

I shrugged, nonchalant, that whole little panic attack seeming very silly now, "Just you said we were dating…it took me by surprise, that's all."

He raised a brow, "Why did it surprise you? What did you think we were doing?"

"I'm a real worrier, Edward," I explained softly, "I can never be sure of anything. I wasn't even sure what you meant yesterday…so it took me by surprise."

"Oh, Bells," Edward sighed, dropping down to kiss me softly, "Do I have to confirm everything for you?" he smiled serenely, and I blushed, then Edward said, "Well, I don't mind asking again, Bella, if it makes you more sure of me. Would you like me to?"

I shrugged, looking down at the ground and shuffling my feet, "I dunno…"

"Bella, look at me." I did, reluctantly, and Edward leaned down to touch our foreheads together, "Bella, will you be my absolutely official, one-and-only girlfriend? And by that I mean MORE than just friends, and by that I mean letting me take you to dinner, going to-"

"Edward." I cut him off with a finger over his lips, smiling, "Thanks." And with that I kissed him for the fifth time that day.

"I suppose that means yes, then?" he breathed, and I giggled.

"I guess it does."

"So we completely understand each other now, correct?"

I nodded, trying to keep myself from grinning ear to ear, "I'm still holding you to Saturday, you know."

"Now that, I'm counting on."

Yay! So now i'm all set up for the fluuuffff and you all know how much i love fluff.

I've decided to fill this space up today with random things from whats been going on with me...which is nothing really. My shoes are still falling off, I bent the buckle on one of my shoes (Which cost loads so my mum was NOT happy) aaand I have a russian test tomorrow. Which i haven't revised for, since i've spent all day on fanfiction (and seriously, I do not regret it at all heeehee).

Oh, and I just started watching Top Gear on Dave, and omg it is one of my new favourite shows. I can't believe i've been missing it (for the past few years i always thought it was something like grease, but a tv show!).

Anyhoo, ranting aside, Review if it so pleases you! (And i hope that it does, i love hearing your comments!)

TTFN folks!

Love, ATO xxxxx