Chapter 3: If you give me a Good Night

Fish Friend

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, Steph. Meyer does.

Note: I need reviews to know how to improve, so R&R. Thanks a bunch to my awesome Beta reader, you rock LionessRampant1212!

Edward sat on the couch, and adjusted me so I could look up at him. "So," his velvet voice said softly, and just that made my mind spin. "About this deal… I have a proposition for you." I blinked slowly, confused. What did he want from me? "If you give me, say, a good night, I'll change you… in a few days." he bargained. Edward was holding me close, and his iron cage around me kept me from moving my head in the slightest way, so I was trapped looking into his brilliant topaz eyes (not that I was particularly complaining…).

"'Good night'?" I quoted with confusion, though eagerness was spreading through me. He would change me, under a few silly circumstances! I knew I was breaking down, soon I wouldn't care what he meant by 'good night', and my mind would focus on other things. Edward and me for eternity, together no matter how long the time. My mind wandered to things that would be possible for him and myself when I was no longer delicate, doll-like.

Then I was snapped out of my trance by his voice answering my clumsy question.

"If you cooperate with me. If you give me what I want that evening without a…disagreement or two." he grinned down at me, and at my perplexed expression looking amused, and let his fingers trail down my cheek slowly, leaving a trail of shivers in their path. "If you dance with me, for example. If you let me flaunt you about for a while in front of people, Bella. If you…well, I suppose not perform, but behave nicely," he sounded eager at the idea. The phrase 'Bella the pet' popped into my head and I tried not to giggle.

I failed to suppress my laughter completely, and Edward lowered his nose to mine, tauntingly sweeping it across mine. My giggled stopped immediately at his causal touch, and my heart spluttered against my rib cage as his lips met mine. It was not a controlled kiss, and I vaguely understood that he might have been trying to get me to agree more easily. Whatever the reasons, my little will power was crumbling quickly. He withdrew after a moment, and it still left me gasping.

"Will you?" Edward breathed into the skin at my right temple. I nodded submissively, gasping for air, so I could not entirely answer with words. He withdrew, satisfied. "And…if I don't…behave well?" I managed to gasp.

"Well," he smirked, "Then I'll just have to wait until you agree to marry me to eternally damn you." The corners of his mouth tilted down, but his good humor continued. He set me on my feet, and stood swiftly beside me, as to stop me from swaying too much.

"Shall we go? Carlisle, Esme and Alice are waiting." He held out his arm to me, and I took it.

"Aren't the others coming?" I asked cautiously. Edward shook his head, "They're on a hunting trip." I nodded, but wondered if this was just coincidental. He helped me carefully down the stairs, and I avoided falling on my face only by this. Esme looked at me adoringly.

"You look wonderful, dear." she said, then gave a smile to Alice. "What was that about needing me? I think you did just fine on your own," she said appraisingly.

Alice grinned at me, winking. "Well, after a few hours of fidgeting she finally understood that it would be over with quicker if she just sat still."

I blushed, but stood with my eyes glued to the floor, embarrassment coming over me once again. Teasing me was easy…couldn't they find another victim? But I looked up as Edward gently took my hand and lead me towards the door, where a simple black limo sat outside. As Edward helped me in, my blush retreated momentarily, and once Edward was firmly beside me, I relaxed.

I knew I shouldn't relax. There was so much that could happen in the coming hours. Edward forcing me to dance; letting him flaunt me. I wondered whose idea this was…Alice's or Edward's. Something clicked into place. Their absences yesterday were probably to find a dress for me, and a tux for him. I'd have to clarify my theory with Alice before the week's end. At least I had summer vacation for the next few months, until I had to go to college, that is.

It was about an hour drive to where this ball was being held. The hour could have been reduced by one of the Cullen's driving, but this idea seemed to have occurred to them a little too late, which was a first. Edward sat, one arm around my shoulders, for most of the ride. Alice was chattering away about something human enough to keep the driver from catching on to us, he was human, afterall.

As we arrived at the party, I winced at the horrors that awaited me. It was a big building of course, a hotel, in fact. And there were two times the amount of limos than I had ever seen in my life in one place. We exited out car, and the driver drove away. I was leaning heavily on Edward, as to not trip and fall as I was bound to do at one point tonight.

We entered the hotel, and Imy mouth felt dry. It was extravagant, with a high ceiling and striking architecture; it was hard not to be amazed. Edward led me into the ballroom, and I winced at the music. It was slow, and steady, a constant stream.

Edward grinned down at me. "Do we still have a deal?" he asked, his eyes doing the unfair smoldering thing again.

"As long as it's not too much dancing." I agreed, giving in. He whisked me off to the dance floor then, so fast it made my head spin. As he wrapped his arms around me, he whispered in my ear. "There is no such thing as too much dancing."

I think I danced for the first hour straight before I was able to convince Edward to give me a break. He seemed happy enough as we lingered by the wall, watching Esme and Carlisle dance. Even as Alice approached us, his good humor lingered. He clearly was not reading much of anybody's thoughts, because he was still smiling as he greeted her.

"Hello, Alice." he said contentedly.

"Edward." she croaked. He was listening immediately at the sight of her wide eyes, and hoarse, rushed voice.

"What?" he said urgently.

Alice answered with one of the few words I would ever fear in entirety all my life.

"Victoria."