Stephenie owns all things Twilight.

Hard and fast—'Rigidly adhered to - without doubt or debate.'

Edward POV.

The smell of strawberries swamped my senses as I slowly woke up. I opened my eyes and realised that Bella was still in my arms, as she had been last night, curled up into my side like a kitten.

I sighed in contentment as I tightened my hold on her and kissed the top of her head. My mind began to race and my heart began to beat erratically as I realised just how much I loved having Bella with me, loved seeing Bella, loved hearing Bella laugh…I wondered when it had all changed from liked, to love.

"Just tell her…" Jasper startled me with his whisper from behind me.

I turned my head around to look at him and smiled. Jasper was holding a slumberous Alice in his arms as if she was the most fragile, expensive, precious thing in the world.

"You told Alice?" I whispered back my question as to not wake up the others.

He nodded his head lightly as a smile played on his lips. "The day I asked her to be my girlfriend…" he admitted before he ducked his head down and planted a lingering kiss on Alice's forehead, causing her to instinctively snuggle closer to him.

I nodded my head in understanding. I already knew that I needed Bella to know just how much she meant to me before this cruise finished, I just never imagined that I would be declaring my love to her after only knowing her for almost three weeks.

I turned my attention back to Bella as she began to stir. "Edward?" she mumbled in confusion as she grabbed hold of me and pulled me closer to her.

I tightened my hold on her once again as she settled back into sleep and whispered, "I love you". I realised that she probably wouldn't remember hearing that, if she did hear it at all, but I felt as if a great weight had been lifted off of me now that I realised that I loved her.

"Put that thing back where it came from or so help me... so help me, so help me" I groaned, while Bella giggled at Emmett's singing which woke us up some time later.

"Morning all!" His cheery voice came from behind me before he let out a monstrous yawn. "Hey pumpkin" he then whispered, receiving a mumble from Rosalie.

Bella and I sat up and turned to face the others as they woke up as well. I noticed that Emmett still had Rosalie's bikini tied around his upper arm and Jasper still had Alice's miniature sock dangling on his foot. I looked down to my foot and took off Bella's pink sock before scooping her into my lap and resting my head on her shoulder.

"What do you want to do today?" I asked her as I rocked us lightly side to side.

"Don't mind…up to you" she muttered back as she laced her fingers with mine.

"Swimming…?" I asked as I looked to the rest of them.

An exited chorus of 'yes' ran through the room including Bella before we all laughed as Emmett untied Rosalie's bikini from his arm and handed it to her declaring, "You might need this back…"

"And we need to get changed…so why don't we meet you guys a little later?" Alice suggested as she got up and stood beside the bed. When none of us made any motion of moving, she began to slowly unbutton Jasper's shirt that she was still wearing from last night.

Once she opened three buttons up and was showing off her sternum and a hint on her breasts, she smiled wickedly while Bella and Rosalie began to chant loudly, while clapping their hands, "Off. Off. Off!!" I heard a smack and looked to see that Jasper had smacked Emmett as he began to join in on the chant.

"All right! Emmett, Edward! Out!" Jasper called as he got up from the bed and re-buttoned Alice's shirt with shaky hands.

Bella laughed beside me before she kissed me lightly and ushered me out of the room.

Bella POV

A little while later, we were all at the poolside, towels in hand. I threw my towel down on the same sun lounger as Edward before everyone else followed suite and gave me reassuring words before Alice and Rosalie took off their tunics and vaulted into the water after Emmett and Jasper. I pulled my tunic off as well and left it on the sun lounger.

I smiled at Edward as he grabbed hold of my hand silently and rubbed his thumb against the back of my hand before he let it go, gave me a quick kiss on my lips and jumped into the water, leaving me alone at the poolside. I stood with my hands planted firmly on my hips as I watched the other four in the middle of the pool, splashing around while I waited for Edward to emerge from the water.

When he finally came back up seconds later, I dropped my hands from my hips and stood, mouth agape as he shook his head, effectively moving his dripping hair from his eyes. Jealously coursed through me as I realised that other women had noticed the model like man in the pool who had a cheeky grin on his face.

"Come on Bella, I promise, I'll catch you…" the sexy model with the green eyes promised me as he held his arms out to me. I pushed back my fear as I saw the seriousness in his eyes. I took a deep breath before I jumped in, feet first to Edward. I began to panic slightly as I felt the water rise up, coming to my waist, breasts, neck, but then it stopped. It didn't reach my head. Two strong arms which were wrapped around my waist prevented me from sinking any further into the water.

"Told you so…" a soft voice whispered in my ear before lips began to press against the small area behind my ear and then around to my jaw.

I hugged myself closer to him, feeling safe in his arms. "Told you so? What are you 5?" I laughed as I ruffled my hand in his wet hair.

"Come on, let's get you swimming…" Edward sighed before he loosened his tight grip on me and slowly began to move away from me, toward the rest of the group.

I swam the best I could and thankfully Edward was there to hold me up whenever I got tired in the deeper part of the pool. As I was held safely in Edwards grasp, I marvelled at how graceful the others were compared to me as I flapped in the water, trying to keep afloat.

"I'm getting a little tired Edward…" I admitted as I turned around in his arms and gave him a kiss on his nose.

He gave me a nod of understanding before he called to the others, telling them that we were getting out. Edward swam with me back to the poolside and grabbed hold of my hips, hoisting me out of the pool in one fluid movement.

"My, my, we are strong!" I laughed as I got up and watched him get out after me. I stared at him, taking in the incredulity of his beauty. My eyes roamed over his muscular torso as the water ran off of him, over each of his contour of his muscles to the next and down to the floor. I giggled as I heard gasps around me. I tore my gaze from Edward and saw that tens of women were out right staring it him; one woman was even fanning herself with her book.

"And what exactly are you laughing at?" My green eyed god turned and asked me as he walked forward and pulled me tightly against his chest.

"Ohhh nothing…nothing…"I giggled as I ran my hands slowly up his toned chest, to his neck and finally sunk them into his hair, pulling his head down to mine while his hands rested comfortably on my hips. Edward pressed his lips to mine with as much passion as I was planning to give him. I smiled against his lips as I felt his hands begin to roam over my back and his tongue trailing my bottom lips. I opened my mouth, allowing his tongue to meet mine as I pulled closer to him, getting lost in his touches as my heart began to speed up in excitement.

Before I passed out from lack of breath, Edward broke his lips from mine and began to kiss a trail to my ear. "We've got quite an audience…" I shivered at the roughness in his voice from the lust. "Your plan worked, all of the guys around us know that you're mine…" he whispered, completely confusing me.

I pulled back from him, with a clear confused look on my face as I looked to him and then around the deck. My eyes picked out every woman, noting their jealous glares. "What are you talking about?" I whispered in his ear as I leant up to him once again and hugged him close to me, feeling a little intimidated by all the women.

"Bella…are you being obtuse again? Don't tell me that you didn't notice the guys ogling you." Edward asked with disbelief dripping in his words as he grabbed hold of my shoulders, pulling me back from him to look at my face.

"Didn't you notice the women who were ready to jump you?" I asked back with an arched brow as I set my hands on my hips defiantly.

"No, I didn't notice, I'm kind of attuned to this one woman actually, no one else compares to her, so I find that there's no point looking at anyone else…" As he spoke, he leaned in closer, dropping his voice to a whisper. My hands dropped from my hips as my eyes began to well up with shocked tears. That was the most beautiful thing that I'd heard before.

"Edward…" I gasped in amazement while my throat began to close up with emotion. I knew that this was the perfect moment and I might chicken out if I didn't take this opportunity to tell him how I felt about him. As Edward ran his hands up and down my arms softly, patiently waiting for me to continue, I felt something push into me as I opened my mouth to speak.

I stumbled forward and shut my mouth, thankfully being caught by Edward while he glared at the random guy who'd knocked into me. Aggravation bubbled through me as I realised that that guy had just ruined our moment.

Edward could obviously tell how annoyed I was as he rubbed my back, still glaring at the guy as he vanished around the corner. "Are you alright Bella…?" he asked me softly as he turned to look at me.

"No…that guy just ruined everything! All I wanted to do was tell you that I love you, and he ruined it!" I hissed. I froze as I heard Edwards gasp. That's when I realised that I'd spoken aloud.

Slowly, I looked up to his face and saw the most shocked expression that I'd ever seen on his face. I looked away quickly, trying to work out which way I could run to hide from him when my eyes settled on Alice, Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper not far from us. The guys both had smug looks on their faces while Alice and Rosalie looked as if Christmas had come early.

"Bella…" Edward's soft voice drew my attention back to him. My heard beat erratically, making me feel slightly worried about my health as I turned to look at him. My eyes settled on his chin, I just couldn't look him in the eyes for some reason.

I scrunched my eyes closed tightly as I felt Edwards hand at my chin, tilting my head up with the intention of making me look him in the eyes. "Bella…I want you to look me in the eye when you hear what I have to say next…" the calmness in his voice almost, but not entirely hid his irritation at my closed eyes. Even as I panicked at what he was about to tell me, I obeyed and opened my eyes to drown into his green orbs.

"Bella…I love you…don't ever doubt that." Tears escaped my eyes at his words. He spoke with conviction, passion, love and determination. There was also a slight threat in his words as he pressed on the word 'ever'. I faintly heard a small applause and cheers from beside us as Edward pressed his lips to mine and kissed me tenderly, showing my the love he had just declared to me.

Once we broke apart, I looked to Emmett, Jasper, Rosalie and Alice who were all beaming and still clapping weakly. They soon climbed out of the pool and dried off while Edward and I stood where we were, simply staring into each others eyes, wishing for this moment to never end.

"Renee's going to be so happy!" I heard Alice laugh from somewhere behind me. I smiled and gave Edward a small peck on his lips, signalling the end of our 'moment' and then turned around to face everyone.

"What about Uncle Charlie! I wonder how he'll react…his little girls are all fallen in love…" Rosalie wondered aloud before Emmett pulled her into his embrace and muttered 'I love you' into her neck as his grip tightened on her waist.

I smiled at the pair, slightly surprised to see someone as big and tough as Emmett looking all soppy as he told Rosalie that he loved her.

I gasped as I felt Edward bite down softly on my neck as I kissed me. "Mmmmm you taste really good…" he chuckled in my ear as he pulled me back, closer to his chest.

"I swear you're a vampire or something…that's the second time you've bit me…" I informed him as I turned my head to look at him.

"Shhhh…don't say it too loud!" he laughed as he ruffled my hair. I unfortunately pulled from his embrace to pick up my towel and throw on my tunic.

"Rose…put that damn top back on before I make you!" We all laughed at Emmett's threat as Rosalie stretched, groaning as she passed a group of young guys who were drooling at her feet.

Rosalie's evil cackle washed over our laughter. She soon put her top on to keep Emmett happy and led the way, walking hand in hand with him back to our rooms.

"We've got tonight all sorted, so all you guys need to do is get dressed and meet us out here at 8pm." Jasper informed Alice Rosalie and I as we reached the doors to our rooms.

"'Kay cool…" I said as I pressed myself against Edward and kissed him passionately, revelling in how free I felt now that I'd told him that I loved him.

"Bella…come on, you can do that later, we have to get dresses!" Alice hissed as she grabbed my arm, trying her best to pull me from Edward's strong grasp. I couldn't help but laugh against his lips as I realised that he was trying to pry Alice's hand from my arm as he continued to kiss me.

"Sorry…good things must come to an end…" I sighed before I shot Alice and un-amused glare.

"Not all things" Edward smiled back at me before he reluctantly left me.

A few hours later, with loads of help from Tanya as always, the three of us were all dressed and ready to meet the guys. We stood outside, waiting for them.

Seconds after I knocked the door, the guys came out wearing the same tuxedo's they'd been wearing the other night to the Vintage night. Even after having seen Edward in the tuxedo before, it didn't stop me from forgetting to breath, he looked literately breath taking.

"God, I can't believe how good you look…" Edward murmured against my neck as he pulled me into his arms and span me around. I took his complement and thanked him even though I couldn't see that I looked that amazing. I wore the simplest dress imaginable; it was strapless, black and long. Alice on the other hand wore a long black dress with gold trimming around the bust and a small square cut out beneath her sternum, showing a small patch of her pearly white skin. Finally, Rosalie. She wore the most skin tight dress imaginable. It was strapless, it pinched in at the waist, accentuating her tiny waist and perfect hips and then went down and flared at the knees, creating a sort of mermaid look to her from the knees up. The black dress was polka dotted white and had a black bow at the bust. From the way Emmett was running his hands over Rosalie, I guessed that he loved her in it.

I linked my arm with Edwards and let him lead me to the elevator, and then down to the lowest deck to the one place that I had been desperate to go to, but hadn't, until now. The two story theatre. I squeezed my arm against Edward, showing him without words how exited I was to be here. I tried to take in as much as possible of the place, so I didn't even notice that we'd sat down until Edward squeezed my knee, startling me out of my little world.

"Wow…sorry…this place is so beautiful!" I told him as l leant over and kissed him softly.

"I know…because you're in it…" he chuckled as he gave my leg another soft squeeze.

Edward POV.

I felt like the luckiest man alive today. The woman I love, told me that she loved me, dispelling all of my worries that she didn't feel the same way, and now I was in the theatre with the five most important friends that I'd ever had. Watching Bella smile and gasp as she saw something new in the theatre that grabbed her attention made me smile, I loved to see her happy.

"Ohhh my god! I've only just realised that we're sitting in the front row!" Bella exclaimed as she grabbed hold of my hand that was on her knee and gave it a tight squeeze.

"Bella! Would you please relax!?" Rosalie asked before she turned her attention back to Emmett.

"Sorry…" she mumbled back before she bit her lip to keep her excitement in.

Soon, the whole place was full and the show began. "Romeo and Juliet?" Bella asked me as she took in the scene on stage.

I nodded my head and smiled at her. I knew that she'd want to see this so I made sure that Tanya got us tickets for it. As the thought ran through my mind, a small movement at the side of the stage caught my attention, and sure enough, there was Tanya giving me a thumbs up. I chuckled and gave her a wave before I pointed her out to everyone else.

"What is she doing there?" Jasper asked as he finished waving and wrapped his arm back in its rightful place, around Alice's shoulders.

"She told me before that she likes to watch the shows from back stage." I informed them as I turned my attention back to the act.

Some time later, as the play went on; there was an unexpected pause in the acting. An important looking man in a suit stepped forward and announced, "Now, we are looking for one gentleman and one lady who would be willing to act out a small part, we do ask for those who know the words…"

I knew that Bella would probably hate me for this, but could hear her throughout the whole play so far, whispering the words under her breath. I had no doubt that she knew all of the words. I shot my hand up and pulled Bella's with it. She gasped and tried to pull her hand from mine, but gave up as the man on stage pointed to us and asked us to come up on stage while the crowd applauded. I laughed as I heard Emmett whistle.

"Right then…I can see that you two are a couple, this shouldn't be too hard for you to act out…" the man on stage laughed before he gave a brief talk to the audience, asking them to be quiet and give us a loud round of applause once we finished.

I took a deep breath as the theatre silenced, ready to begin. I was slightly nervous, but I managed to zone out everyone else and focus only on Bella. Once she gave me a nod of her head, I began.

ROMEO [To JULIET- If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

JULIET - Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
Which mannerly devotion shows in this;
For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.

ROMEO - Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?

JULIET - Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.

ROMEO - O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do;
They pray, grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.

JULIET - Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.

ROMEO - Then move not, while my prayer's effect I take.
Thus from my lips, by yours, my sin is purged.

At this point, I did what was done in the play and softly pressed my lips to Bella's…Juliet's…

JULIET - Then have my lips the sin that they have took.

ROMEO - Sin from thy lips? O trespass sweetly urged!
Give me my sin again.

JULIET - You kiss by the book.

A loud round of applause shook the theatre, causing a blushing Bella to tuck herself into my chest. We gave the crowd a bow before we were directed off stage and back to our seats by the man in the suit. Once we sat down and Alice, Rosalie, Jasper and Emmett had finished complementing us and the crowd had silenced, the rest of the play continued.

"I love you…" Bella whispered in my ear before she pressed her lips to mine. I muttered the same three words against her lips before we broke away and concentrated on the rest of the play.

The performance, unsurprisingly received a standing ovation at the end. I caught sight of Tanya making her way to us, smiling like a lunatic. "Come on!" she ordered as she grabbed my wrist and Bella's in her hands and pulled us forcefully up on stage.

Another wave of applause shook the theatre as Bella was given a smaller bunch of roses like the leading actress had. I simply got the pleasure of holding Bella's hand while she lived her five minutes of being on the theatre stage.

"I LOVE YOU" she shouted over the noise of the crowd before she jumped into my arms and buried her face in the crook of my neck. I hugged her tightly to me, swaying her side to side in my arms.

I set her back down after a few moments and allowed Tanya to lead us past the cast and crew on stage, around to the back where it was quieter and Alice, Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper were waiting for us.

"That was so romantic!" Alice screamed as she hugged Bella. Thankfully, Rosalie took the bunch of roses from Bella's hands and started sniffing them, then shoving them under Emmett's nose.

"That was lovely Edward…" Tanya whispered in my ear as she stood behind me. I nodded my head, showing her that I hear her while I continued to watch a teary eyed Bella explain to Alice and Rosalie what it felt like to be on stage. "I heard her telling you that she loved you…" Tanya carried on in a whispered tone. I turned around, having heard the smile in her voice. Sure enough, there she was beaming excitedly at me.

"Come here cupid!" I sighed as I held my arms open for her. I registered the panicked look on her face as at my words and wondered why she would be worried by what I had just said. "Tanya?" I whispered and watched as the panicked look vanished from her face and was replaced by a smile.

She wrapped her arms around me as I wrapped mine around hers. "Sorry, I was just wondering if Bella would kick my ass for hugging you…" she gave a small chuckle after she poke, then pulled back from the hug.

"Don't be silly…" I shook my head at her, knowing that Bella wouldn't be that unhinged. "Thanks again anyway for introducing us to our neighbours and helping me with the date and the tickets for tonight and everything." I told her sincerely as I squeezed her shoulder.

"That's alright Edward; I was just doing my job." She answered before the cast and crew began to make their way backstage to where we were. "Come on guys" she called as she began to lead the six of us out, to the corridor.

"Thanks Tanya!" Jasper hugged her before Emmett took his place.

"That show was ace, thanks for the tickets!" Emmett thanked her before he let her go to regain her breath.

"Remember, there's an auction night tomorrow night…" Tanya called after us as we were walking away, back to our suites.

My longest chapter yet! Hope you liked it! Had a bit of writers block with this one, but managed to get it done in the end once the ideas started flowing again. I made a woopsie on the A/N of the last chapter, there are now, 3chapters left, I forgot about one of them…the most important one at the end of the story!! My bad!

They all love each other now…all together… "Awww!!" You like the Romeo and Juliet moment!? I sure did!! And Edward getting out of the pool….phwar:D

Review for me please…go on…press that little button on the bottom left!!