I still want fifteen reviews, but with this and the last chapter's added together. I am being merciful. Give me the fifteen reviews I want, and I will tell you what happens with Victoria in the next chapter.

Whoops, I just let that slip, didn't I? Please, review, I think I'm losing interest in this story, just when I've got a plotline. Review, and I give you cyber oreo.

I stirred, burrowing deeper under my quilt. It was freezing! Soft, frozen lips whispered across my cheek and jaw. My heart pumped faster, waking me up when I didn't want to.

"Mph," I pulled the covers up. "Let me sleep!"

Edward pressed his lips to my ear and murmured, "Alice wants to take you shopping, since we have no school."

I leaned into him. "Why?"

"Does she ever need a reason?" he chuckled. "She's taking you, with or without one."

I climbed out of bed muttering about mutiny and injustice. "Human minute, please."

Edward smiled. "You don't need one, you look beautiful."

My mouth dried up as my heart went into hyper drive. I could tell Edward heard it, because he laughed, throwing back his head and showing off his sculpted throat.

"Minute," I choked out, then I fled to the bathroom.

I locked the door behind me, then began to strip. I paused for a moment, thinking I'd heard the doorbell, then continued, sure no one would be awake. I pulled off my shirt before I realized I would need help with the bandage encircling my waist. Dismay filled me.

There were two options: call my dad in here to have him undergo quite possibly the most embarrassing moment of his (and my!) life. Or, I could ask Edward. My cheeks flamed at the thought.

Maybe I could get it off myself. My fingernails scratched at the fabric without result. I couldn't even find the end of the stupid thing, how was I supposed to get it off?!

A knock startled me. I opened the door a hair, hiding my body behind it, and peeked out.

Alice stared back at me. "Hey, Bella. I thought you might need some help getting ready this morning." She grinned. "Besides, I have an outfit for you to wear today, and how are you supposed to do that if you don't have it?"

I opened the door all the way with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was overjoyed at the idea of an extra set of helping hands. Oh the other, the sight of the stuffed and lumpy duffel in her hands brought only one word to mind:

Torture.

Alice dropped the bag unceremoniously on the floor. There was a rather heavy sounding thud. She caught my look.

"Oh, come on, Bella! It won't be that bad." she rolled her eyes and reached for the bandaging.

I blushed as the fabric came off in shreds under her nails, leaving me almost completely bare. I hurriedly pulled off my jeans I'd worn to bed and jumped into the shower, gratefully sliding shut the curtain.

The hot water was heaven.

Honestly, I don't think I've ever felt anything so good. Well, except anything to do with Edward. Other than that, this was blissful.

I took my time, dawdling longer than necessary. Once the water started to cool, I pulled the towel from the rod and shut off the tap. I dried myself as thoroughly as possible before stepping out with the towel wrapped firmly around me.

After I'd gotten my underwear on, Alice walked over, a new bandage in hand. She put this one on as quickly as the last had come off. Then, she held out a pair of white denim capris in one hand.

I eyed them skeptically, but put them on. But when Alice pulled out the pink - baby pink - crop top, I put my foot down. Literally.

I stomped my foot. "No, Alice. There is no way that I am wearing that." I shook my head for added emphasis. "Sorry, but no." I thought I heard Edward's laughter from the other room.

She looked slightly disappointed, but pulled out a turquoise baby doll tee without complaint. When that was on, she handed me ankle socks and a pair of designer tennis shoes.

"Oh, Alice," I groaned. I hated when she spent extravagant amounts of money on me.

Alice laughed, like tinkling wind chimes. Then, she steered me toward a stool and shoved me into it. "Stay," she said sternly. "And not a word out of you!"

"Yes, ma'am," I replied meekly. I sat still under her torture - ah, beauty - treatments. She plucked, pulled (I think I lost half my hair), and - well, let's just say I was detailed.

Finally, she was done. I stood and started to rush out, but Alice caught my shoulder. "No, look in the mirror first!" She was practically dancing with excitement.

I rolled my eyes and glanced toward the mirror. I had to look twice. Whoa. That's all I've got to say.

Somehow, Alice had managed to fix my hair into perfectly natural curls and arrange them to frame my face. My makeup was very modest, excepting the blue tinge lining my upper eyelid. Soft, barely there silver eyeshadow took up the rest of the room. There wasn't so much of it that it overwhelmed me, just enough so that you had to look closely to see. My complexion was flawless, with my cheeks tinted a golden-pink. My lips had gloss on them, a very pale mauve.

Crystal studs glinted at my ears, and a sea blue glass bead necklace was draped around my neck.

"Wow, Alice."

She hugged me, squealing quietly in delight. "Edward is going to flip."

A smile lifted a corner of my mouth. "That's something I'd like to see,"

Alice skipped downstairs, saying something about making muffins. I walked to the door of my room, and stood there. I didn't have butterflies - these were too big. Try sharks, or toucans, or something such. Finally, I shoved the door open and walked to my closet, not looking at Edward.

I pulled my wallet out of my backpack and stuck in one of the designer handbags I'd gotten from Alice. I had to let her have her way occasionally, else my torture sessions would be more unbearable.

Hands grabbed my waist in a frozen grip and spun me about. Edward pressed his mouth to mine in a kiss that seemed to shatter any fences he'd erected. I pulled away in horror, remembering.

"Edward, my lip!" It felt bruised still, and a little sore from the kiss.

His topaz eyes stared into my own, making my legs feel like jello. He took my face in his hands, and deliberately kissed my lips several times.

Edward pulled back when I was gasping and leaning against him. "I'm not worried about that. I am in perfect control." he stiffened and pulled back, still holding me up with hands on my shoulders. "Unless you're scared I'd hurt you, like I almost-"

I cut him off by giving him an answering kiss. My heart was pounding furiously in my ears. Suddenly, like something had given way, everything went dark and numb for a moment. I blinked open my eyes to see Edward's face centimeters from my own. He was cradling me in his arms against him, kneeling on the floor.

"Bella! Are you alright?" One hand caressed my cheek gently.

I pressed my face into his cool hand. "You made me faint again," I accused, still breathless.

"I'm sorry," he looked contrite.

My face split into a grin. "Don't be," I chuckled, "It's nice to know you're not the only one who's irresistible."

"Let's not get arrogant," Edward arched an eyebrow, eyes laughing.

I reached my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. I left a trail of them down his jaw, across his throat, and up to his ear, where I whispered, "Make me,"

My cheeks flamed at my words, I'd never said anything so saucy in my life. I breathed, "You won't be able to resist me."

Suddenly, he grabbed my face and pulled it down to where he could reach my neck. He moved to press his lips to the hollow of my throat, then opened his mouth. Then, he exhaled, his frosty breath erupting goose bumps along my body.

"La tua cantante, I would be more careful. You smell delicious, remember?" he chuckled.

I could hear my heart trying to pound its way out of my chest. "That just made my day," I said, and leaned in to kiss him again.

After a few minutes, there was a knock on the doorframe. Me and Edward broke apart and looked to the doorway. I was scared it would be Charlie.

Instead, it was Alice, a grin threatening to split her face apart. "I just wanted to tell you, Bella, that it's time for breakfast." she laughed. "Although, I didn't expect to have to tell Edward that your lip gloss doesn't match his complexion."

I flushed, cheeks hot. Edward was, indeed, wearing my lip gloss. I reached up and swiped at his lips with my index finger. I moved to wipe it on my pants, but a squeal from Alice stopped me.

"Bella!"

I flinched, and smeared it on Edward's dark blue sleeve instead. He laughed. "Sorry about that Edward. I have to agree with Alice, though, pink isn't your color."

Then, I realized my Dad would flip if he saw not only Alice, but Edward in my room uninvited. "Charlie!" I jumped up.

Alice laughed. "He's gone. He let me in as he left. Now, come eat, before it's cold."

Edward stood and threaded his arm around my waist. I noticed something. "You changed," I accused. He'd left!

"I was only gone for a minute, I didn't want to be in wrinkled clothes when you were all clean and fresh. I have to hold my own." This he explained quickly, with a very boyish grin.

I laughed, his humor was infectious. "And here I was thinking I would have to compete with you!"

His eyes softened. "Bella, you're beautiful. Anyone who says otherwise is going to get a visit from me." He ran a feather-light finger from my temple to my jaw. I shivered in delight. "For you to think otherwise is belittling."

Were this a movie, the crowd would be going 'aw'. As it was, I was melting.

Alice looked up at us from the bottom of the stairs. "Come on, Bella! There's a sale, and if we don't hurry, all the good stuff will be gone."

"Since when do you care about sales, Alice?" I asked, bouncing down to walk beside her into the kitchen.

"I don't, but you do, or you should. It means I spend less money on you."

Less money? I was all for that. I grabbed one of the chocolate chip muffins out of the basket, and a napkin from the counter. Edward tossed me a water bottle, which I missed, but Alice quickly caught.

"Careful, there, Bella," she laughed. "I'd to have to tell Carlisle that the reason you're in the ER again is because you got beaned with a bottle of water."

"Let's go!" I said, shoving her toward the door. It wasn't really for her benefit, she was a rock wall, but it made me feel like I was hurrying. I threw my purse's strap over my shoulder and rushed toward the door when Alice finally started moving.

Edward grabbed my wrist. "Wait a moment, please Bella." He smiled as I looked up in confusion. "I have a gift for you," He kept talking as I opened my mouth to sputter indignantly. "And I didn't spend a cent on it."

I sighed in resignation. If it was a present, all the better that he didn't spend money on it. "What do I have to do?"

"Close your eyes," He said, scooping me up.

I obeyed, then felt a cool breeze that meant we were outside. Edward set me lightly on my feet, keeping a solid grip on me, because I was still a bit dizzy. "Open,"

I did, and was confused. We were in the front yard and facing the driveway. Oh, wait, I could see something peeking out from behind Edward's Volvo. My mouth hung open. A black Lamborghini Gallardo SE.

I spun around, furious and wanting to hit something. Didn't spend a cent? Ha! More like several thousand dollars.

"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen!" I screeched, clenching my fists. "This - this car costs more money than I've ever thought of! Probably more than my house! What on earthwere you thinking?" I punctuated this statement by smacking his shoulder with a balled fist.

Edward wore a cautiously smug smile. "I was thinking I wanted a new car, one not so inconspicuous and much more powerful; Also, that I wouldn't need my old one anymore."

Wait, now my head hurt. Really hurt, like try migraine. It was also throbbing. An articulate "huh?" was all I could manage.

He smiled more indulgently. "You don't have a car anymore, love. I just bought a new one, therefore, I have no need for the Volvo."

Beginning to understand, I said tartly, "You don't need your Aston Martin, either."

Edward laughed. "Yes, silly Bella, but at least we don't have to rent a slow, bulky limo for special events. And if we crash someone else's limo, they won't be happy. We have insurance."

He held out a ring with two keys on it. I reached up and snatched them, then hugged him. I was touched that he'd thought through any arguments I might have had and then gone out of his way to do away with them. Although, I was pretty sure Alice had helped him a bit.

I looked up at him, trying to convey my gratitude.

Edward kissed my lips lightly. "I love you, too, Bella. Now go, you'll miss the sale."

I groaned. "Save me from this undeserved torture!"

Just then, Alice called from the passenger seat of the Volvo, "I'll let you drive, slowpoke, if you hurry!"

I kissed Edward's cheek and dashed to my new-old car. I'd never been in the driver's seat before; it made me feel powerful! As I gunned the engine and sped away, I thought I caught a flash of red in the trees, but when I looked again, it wasn't there. Oh well, I did have a head injury. On to the mall. Joy.