Hello again! I hope you're all enjoying this Christmas season.

Thanks to everyone reading and everyone who has this story on alert and/or favourites. A special thanks to Emolicious Angel, omewutdahalearo, Tnxthi, Fudgie-chan, aebteach, BSF16 and magically dorky for reviewing – I'm glad you guys are enjoying it and your response means the world to me!

By the way, I owe magically dorky a lollipop for guessing the 10 Things I Hate About You quote! For anyone interested it was the "Was I that transparent?"

On with the show!

Seven Swans a-Swimming

Friday the Nineteenth of December

I woke up – in my own bed this morning – and was surprised to see that the heating system was turned on. I got up and drew the curtains. Great, I thought, snow.

I must admit, it did look quite pretty on the rooftops of the cottage-style houses that lined the street outside. It was like living inside a snow globe. But spending your life in Phoenix doesn't really give you the best preparation for icy conditions. Maybe I'd just stay indoors today.

As I walked down the stairs, my mind clicked – I couldn't stay indoors all day today, otherwise I wouldn't...

There was a quiet knock on the door; I spun my head surprised, what time was it?

I opened the door slowly, not wanting to let any cold air in.

"Good morning Bella," came Edward's amused voice.

I felt my cheeks turn red as I looked down at the pyjamas that I was – unfortunately – still wearing.

Edward didn't seem to mind, he just smiled at me. I opened the door further to let him inside. He stepped inside gratefully, shaking the snow off his jacket as he walked in.

"I was going to take you to the lake today," he explained, "Only..." he indicated to the snow outside.

I nodded, "Umm... I'm going to go upstairs and get changed," I told him, "Help yourself to anything in the kitchen, I won't be long."

I dashed upstairs and changed quickly into the warmest clothes I owned. I grabbed my coat off its hook and raced back downstairs after hastily brushing my hair. I checked the clock in the lounge – it was ten o'clock already. The darker sky outside made it seem much earlier. I almost collided with Edward at the door to the kitchen.

He smiled down at me as I walked past him into the kitchen. I poured myself a bowl of cereal and sat at the dining table. Edward sat down opposite me.

An awkward silence settled upon us as I ate my breakfast. Once I'd finished I rinsed my bowl in the sink and turned to Edward.

"Did you get my note yesterday?" he asked me.

"Yes," I answered, "Eventually."

"I didn't want to wake you," he said after a pause.

I just nodded.

"Is something wrong, Bella?"

I looked up at him, "No," I answered too quickly.

He raised his eyebrows and then said, "Is this about yesterday?"

"No," I answered, "Well yes, but it's not you." And it was true. I'd spent the better half of last night wondering about him and about how I was going to ask him the questions I had stored up in my mind. There was a part of me that was afraid to ask. I knew it was illogical, but there was something about Edward that could make me feel both completely comfortable and yet utterly terrified at the same time. The sensation itself wasn't unpleasant, just strange.

"Take me to the lake," I said suddenly.

Edward looked at me, surprised, "It's cold outside," he pointed out.

I gave him a look.

"Ok," he said slowly, "I'll take you."

I didn't understand why I'd asked him to take me either. I guessed it was because there was obviously something at the lake he wanted to show me, and I figured I could clear my head.

We walked out the front door; I locked it on the way out.

It had stopped snowing and there was only a slight breeze. But it was definitely cold.

I jumped inside Edward's car which, he informed me, was actually Carlisle's.

I nodded. "Why aren't you at work?" I asked him.

"The carnival doesn't open until six on Fridays," he explained.

The rest of the ride went by quickly.

By the time we got out of the car at the lake, the sun was just peaking through the clouds. The light reflected off the partially frozen lake and lit up the greenery around the edges of the water. It looked gorgeous. I stood there, stunned, until I felt Edward's hand at my shoulder.

"I wanted to show you the swans," Edward said quietly, "But I guess the only one you're going to see today is this," he grabbed my hand and closed my fingers around something. I smiled.

I brought my hand forward and looked down. It was the prettiest figurine yet, it seemed to glitter under the sunlight. I placed it carefully into my pocket and turned to face Edward.

"It's gorgeous," I was referring both to the miniature swan in my pocket and the lake.

We spent the remainder of the precious sunlight walking around the lake. At one point I shivered under my coat. Edward seemed to notice and pulled me into his side. I shivered again and smiled. We were halfway around the lake when I noticed that there were people on the other side.

"Who's that?" I peered into the distance.

Edward followed my gaze, "Alice and Jasper," he answered, "and it looks like Emmett and Rose are on their way too." I followed his pointed finger and saw Emmett and Rosalie over by the car.

I looked back at Edward and we continued walking. I was just about to ask him what he thought of Emmett and Rosalie's relationship when I felt my feet slip out from under me. I put my arms out to break my fall, but unfortunately, my uncoordinated self fell backwards into the freezing water. Then, typically, everything turned black.

---

I woke up in a bed that felt strangely familiar. One looks at the blue sheets told me it was Edward's. I tried to sit up but a pair of hands pushed me gently back onto the pillows.

"Try not to move too much Bella; you've hit your head pretty hard there."

Carlisle. Huh?

Carlisle laughed at what must have been a confused look on my face and explained, "Don't worry, I'm a certified doctor. You won't need to go to hospital – only a minor abrasion and you may have slight concussion. I'll give you some more painkillers for the headaches in a few hours."

What was a certified doctor doing working a carnival?

Just then, the door to the tent flew open. Well, the flap of the tent really.

Edward.

He walked over to the bed and hugged me as best he could, "I'm so sorry," he said.

"Why?" I asked, genuinely confused, "I fell in."

"I know but – "

He was cut off as Alice waltzed in, "Edward, stop that! You saved her life!" She walked over to me and hugged me just as Edward had.

I turned to Edward, "You did?"

It was only then that I noticed his damp hair. Oh.

"You should have seen it Bells, it was so...cool! Like something out of a movie." She had a dream-like look in her eyes.

"It was not cool," Edward shot, "She could've died!"

Alice rolled her eyes, "Stop being so melodramatic Edward."

Carlisle chuckled as he walked out of the tent.

I smiled and asked Edward exactly what had happened.

"Well," he started, "You fell into the lake and must have hit your head on the edge of the ice," he paused. "You were unconscious and sinking, so I... jumped in and pulled you out of the water," he seemed reluctant to tell the story.

"You weren't bleeding much," Alice said, "So he carried you to the car and drove you here to see Carlisle."

"How long have I been out?" I asked.

"About half an hour," Edward said.

"Thank you," I told him.

"For what?" he asked confused.

"Saving my life," I said, laughing.

"Oh," he said, "that." And before I knew it we were both in hysterics.

"I'm sorry Edward, I should have warned you of my clumsiness," I said lightly.

"Well," he started, "I guess I have to thank you. We did get to see a 'Swan a-swimming' after all," he indicated towards me and brushed some of my damp hair out of my eyes.

"My swan!" I said suddenly, "did it fall into the lake?" I asked.

Edward smiled, "It got a little wet," he said, taking something from the bedside table and handing it to me. I smiled at the swan in my hands.

Alice stood suddenly and left the room singing softly, "Edward and Bella sitting in a tree, K..."

Edward looked at me, embarrassed.

I looked down and noticed the clothes I was wearing. They were certainly not mine, so I asked, "Whose clothes are these?"

He looked a little sheepish, "Mine," he said, and then he turned bright red, "I didn't change you though," he said hurriedly, "Alice was here..."

I laughed and he seemed to relax. We spoke about a few other unrelated topics when he asked me, "So what did you do without me yesterday?"

"I slept for most of the day," I answered. I neglected to mention that I spent the rest of the day searching for him. It seemed like the perfect moment, so I asked, "So what did you do without me yesterday?"

He paused, smile still on his face, but I could sense that he was thinking hard as he studied my face. I stared back at him, unwavering.

It seemed for a moment that he was going to answer my question when Charlie walked in, "Bella!"

He came over and kissed my forehead. Damnit Charlie!

"Hi Dad," I said instead.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"I'm fine Dad; really, it's no different to any other time I've hit my head. I think I've grown somewhat immune to the more severe effects of my clumsiness."

More than anything I wanted Charlie to leave, he seemed to sense this. He turned to Edward, "Thank you so much Edward," he said, "I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't been there today."

"Forget it Charlie," he said, "I don't know what I would've done either," he gave me a long look. That was all it took for my father to leave us.

"You should get home Bella," Edward said quietly, "get some rest."

"Edward..." I started.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said quietly as he walked out of the tent.

I sat up – against my doctor's orders – got out of bed and quietly followed him. He'd entered the tent next door, so I stood at its entrance with my ear close to the flap.

I heard a frustrated groan that was unmistakably Edward's.

"What's wrong?" Alice.

"She wants to know more Alice," he said quietly.

"Then tell her," Alice suggested.

"You know it's more complicated than that."

"Yes, perhaps it is, but I don't think that you would be in here asking my advice if you didn't actually want to tell her."

"I never asked your advice."

"Edward, stop being mean. Look, you obviously like her – if she can get you this wound up, but then you are quite a dramatic person at times, so this could just be you reacting as only you would – "

"Alice, you're rambling."

"Edward, I really don't see anything bad happening if you tell her."

"What if she doesn't understand?" he asked, almost scared.

"What's there not to understand?" Alice asked him.

"Don't you remember how Rosalie reacted when she found out? I mean, I don't blame her, it is a strange situation."

"Bella isn't Rosalie, Edward."

"This is ridiculous," Edward said suddenly, "I've only known her, what? Five days?"

"All you need is love..." Alice sang.

I heard a scuffle, and then laughter. I sensed the conversation was over, so I went back to Edward's tent even more confused than before I'd left it.

Thanks so much for reading, don't forget to review! You want to know something funny? I'm seeing Swan Lake at the ballet tomorrow night! Lol. I promise with all my heart that you will discover Edward's little secret tomorrow...Can anyone spot the 'Love Actually' quote from this chapter? :P