Wow two chapters within 24 hours! I know, I know, I amaze myself sometimes. ; )

Thanks for the reviews from the last chapter! I really appreciate them.

Oh and I wanted to make a correction that SparklingTopazEyes pointed out to me. I have been spelling Emmett with only one "t" when there's two. Oops. Thanks again SparklingTopazEyes.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. I own Joe, Mel, and Rachel.

Please R&R.

Chapter 13

On Sunday I decided to work on my homework. When I was done I started to clean my room. It was not really a hard task to do. It only took about ten minutes. I know. I am such a wild child.

I then spent the rest of the day organizing my CD's and books. I became so bored that I ended up putting them in alphabetical order.

When I was done it was only a little past three. I decided to grab a couple of books and a beach towel and headed outside into the backyard to read. It would do me good to get some Vitamin D on one of the rare sunny days in Forks.

I found a nice spot at the end of our yard on the edge of the woods. I lay the towel down on the ground. I curled up on it book Pride and Prejudice in hand and began to read.

One minute I was lost in the relationship of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett, the next I was day dreaming of the one person who has starred in my dreams for the past week.

It felt like hours later that I had woken up engulfed in total darkness. How long had I been asleep? I quickly looked around at my surroundings as my eyes adjusted to the darkness.

I glanced toward the light that was leaking through the dining room and kitchen windows of the house. This was odd to me. We had lived in this house for four months and not once had we used the dining room. What was the special occasion?

I gathered up my books and folded up the towel. I then made my way across the house to go inside. I stopped when I noticed that Emmett's big jeep was parked in front of our house.

Weren't they just suppose to drop Joe off? Why were they still here?

I was torn on whether not to go in. I sat down on the back steps. Going in would lead me to face Edward. I did not know if I could handle that.

For the first time since waking up, I glanced into the dining room. I could see Joe setting the table. He had set out six plates and I counted an equal number of silverware sets. They must have been staying over for dinner.

Crap. How am I suppose to make it through a dinner with him. I had to make enough polite conversation with him to prevent my mother from accusing me of being rude. Of course she would wait until after they left before she cornered me. I could not even sit next to him with out a struggle in AP Biology.

After five minutes of sitting there I decided to go inside. As I got up to go inside I heard the kitchen door sliding open and close. I looked to see the porch light washing over Edward standing there.

"Bella," his voice asked. I was still hidden in the dark.

"Y-yes," I managed to respond. For some reason I found myself sitting back down. He came and sat next to me.

"I noticed you sleeping out there by yourself when we first got here. You looked so peaceful," he admitted sheepishly.

"I am surprised my mother did not come to wake me up," I said. "You wouldn't happen to know what time it is," I realized I had left my phone in my room.

"It is a little past six," Edward informed.

"I have been out for three hours," I said more to myself. "I bet my parents did not even realize I was not in the house."

"Well they thought you were sleeping. Just in your room instead of the backyard."

"Oh," I said. Figures. Edward is the first one to notice me through a window that my parents have been walking past all day.

"I think they must have been busy. I do not think they meant any harm by it."

"Yeah I know. I am sort of used to it anyway though," I always say too much when I am around him.

"Explain that please," Edward manage to demand while keeping his voice light.

"It's nothing really."

"Bella," he whispered soothingly, "Please."

I do not know if it was his voice but for the first time I started talking. Well to say I just talked would be an understatement. Opened a floodgate would be a better way to describe it.

"It's just that I have always grown up with these two older sisters who have always been perfect, Mel and Rachel. They both are destined to be amazing. I have no doubt that they will succeed. Both of them beautiful and intelligent. The center of attention where ever they go. It's the most difficult thing to even attempt to live up to them."

I took a deep breath before I continued. "Joe is having no trouble at following in their footsteps. He may be doing his own thing with baseball, but his future is so bright. No one can deny him that. I want him to succeed so badly myself, I guess it's easy to see how my parents could overlook me sometimes. The future doctor and lawyer daughters. Sport's star son."

"I know I sound like I may be jealous and whiny about my 'lack of attention'. It's so pathetic and childish of me I know, but I really do want my family to find happiness," I trailed off embarrassed.

"Bella," I could feel his gaze locked on my face. I am sure he could read my face.

I know it will end up hurting me later, but I turned to meet his gaze.

"Edward," I breathed as I turned to look at him. I was instantly met with those caring eyes. How I have missed the feeling of warmth that I felt.

"You are not pathetic at all."

I just blushed in response.

"You are one of the post selfless people I have ever met."

"I doubt that," I muttered.

"Bella," he whispered again as he leaned into me.

My breathing became labored as my heart rate was out of control. Such a familiar reaction. Except this time it intensified. So much stronger.

He was so close.

What?! Was he going kiss me? I do not know if I could handle that. My brain was freaking out.

My heart on the other hand, had me leaning toward him. My stupid heart was not getting the message from my brain. This was dangerous territory.

I found my heart winning. It was telling my brain to just shut up.

Edward and I were so close now. I could feel his breath on my chin.

"Hey you guys it's time to eat," Emmett called from behind us, causing me and Edward to jump.

This also caused my brain to start working again.

"Oh. I am sorry," he said with amusement at our closeness.

Emmett slipped back inside and closed the door. How much did he see?

I started to scoot away from Edward, but did not get far. He stopped me by grabbing a hold of my hand gently. A tingling feeling swept through my hand and up my arm.

Edward then stood up, pulling me to my feet with him. He did not say anything as he started walking toward the house. My hand was still in his as we walked into the well lit kitchen.

I now took a good look at the angel I stood next to. He was wearing jeans and boots. His shirt was black collared one that was unbuttoned slightly at the top to reveal a white undershirt. His hair was messier than ever, but it only made him look better. Edward looked like a male model.

I took a look down at my own clothes. I was in a pair of old jeans and had a plaid flannel shirt thrown over a white camisole. My hair was thrown in a loose ponytail. I must have looked so out of place next to him.

"Hey," Edward broke me out of my thoughts. His finger was under my chin pulling it up to face his. "You look beautiful."

I felt my self blush.

"I am always trying to tell her that," Renee's voice came from the doorway, taking both of us by surprise. She had a smile on her face as she looked at us.

I realized that my hand was still in Edward's. I quickly let it go while he was still a bit surprised to react. I immediately ached for it again. I felt like I had lost apart of me. This feeling scared me.

I made my way over to the sink to wash up for dinner. I heard Renee leave the room. I then felt Edward walk up behind me. I made room for him next to me at the sink.

We stood there side-by-side in a comfortable silence. The awkwardness I expected to feel, never came. My brain could not seem to think coherently with him around. It was like my heart had taken over again.

When we were done we made our way into the dining room. Everyone was already seated around the table absorbed in a conversation about baseball.

Edward and I took our seats quietly in the only chairs left. They were right next to each other. We had managed to avoid becoming the center of attention.

Of course that was until Emmett noticed us. He had just finished telling my family about his heroics when he hit a homerun to win a game last season.

"Well look who decided to join us."

Joe snickered.

Renee was beaming.

Charlie looked confused at their reactions.

I could feel myself blushing.

Edward grabbed my hand under the table and gave it a squeeze for support.

"Mrs. Swan this dinner looks amazing," he stated, trying to take the focus off of us.

"Why thank yo-."

"According to Emmett that's not the only thing that looks good to you," Joe cut in.

"Joseph Charles Swan," Renee scolded him. "Where are your manners? Now leave them alone."

"Sorry," he mumbled.

This caused Emmet to snicker.

She then turned back to Edward, " I am sorry for his rudeness. As I was saying thank you for the compliment. However, once you try it, you will taste that it is nowhere near the level that Bella cooks on."

My blush brightened as she looked in my direction.

"Well I am sure it's just wonderful," he assured my mother. He then turned to Emmett. "It is probably a million times better than when Em tries to cook."

This seemed to shift the conversation off of Edward and me. Emmett was now explaining his cooking experiences. They were bad, but very humorous.

After the shift, Edward went to drop my hand, assuming that I did not need it anymore. I simply held onto it tighter in response. I was so much calmer under his touch. Realizing what I wanted, he did not let my hand go for the rest of dinner.

When dinner ended Emmett and Edward said that they really must be going. It was getting late and we had school tomorrow.

"You guys are welcome back any time," Renee said giving Emmett a hug as we were saying our goodbyes.

"Most definitely will do Mrs. Swan," Emmett said as he moved on to give me a bear hug.

"You guys need to come out to dinner at our house next time though. Esme would love that," Edward added as he was now giving Renee a hug.

"That sounds great. I am looking forward to meeting Esme and Carlisle. They sound like wonderful people."

When it was my turn to say goodbye to Edward, my heart rate sped up. He engulfed me in his strong arms for a hug, but still remaining gentle. It felt so right to be there.

Edward held onto me a little closer than I usually would have allowed anyone to do.

I seemed to hold onto Edward longer than what I previously would have allowed myself to do.

We pulled away when we heard snickers from Emmett and Joe.

Before he left he turned back around to face me and leaned down. I felt his lips brush against my cheek. He looked me in the eyes once more to check my reaction.

My face was probably as red as a tomato.

After they left I went upstairs to my room and lay down on my bed. I sighed in content as I could still feel the electricity from our embrace. My heart was still winning the battle with my brain.

I was in my own high. Edward was the drug.

I felt myself growing more and more tired. It was not even eight at night. A lot earlier than I usually go to sleep. I know I should get up and take a shower, but I did not want to. I felt myself slip into the darkness.

I dreamed again of Edward Cullen.

What it felt like when his lips touched my cheek.

The feeling of being in his arms.

How my hand felt in his.

Okay, what did you think?

Were you expecting that?

Did you like it? Did you hate it?

Do you think Bella should let her heart take over from now on?

Did you want to throw a toaster at Emmett? ha ha.. don't ask why I thought toaster.

Let me know what you think.

Please Review!!

Love,

Jane