I was sitting out on the porch. It was probably around ten.

I didn't hear anything. I just know, one second, nothing's there, the next, Edward was standing by the rails beside me.

I smiled. "I always like looking outside at nights," I said softly.
"So," he said. "You've had an interesting day."
I looked up at him and shrugged. "I've had worse."
He chuckled.

His laugh was so perfect. It sounded like ringing bells.

I realized just how close we really were.

I looked up at him. "So, how long does the flirting go on?"
He grinned. "What flirting?"
"You know what I mean," I said firmly.

He smiled. "As long as I want it to."
"Well, that's just mean," I said while crossing my arms. "You actually had me thinking that maybe, just maybe, you like me."
Edward's eyes softened. "What makes you think I don't?"
I looked up at him, still aware that there was literally no way to get closer.

"Is it even possible?" I asked slowly.
"What?" he asked.

"For you to be with a human," I said nervously.

"I'm with you now, aren't I?"

"That's not what I meant, and you know it," I said firmly.

He shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know. I mean, all the couples I know are either two humans, or two vampires. Even if it is possible, it's extremely dangerous."
"Humans aren't that strong," I teased.

"For you," he said softly. "I am in no way in any danger. You, now, you are right now."
"You guys won't hurt me," I said gently. "I know you could but you wouldn't. Would you?"
"Not on purpose," he said quietly. "But, Bella, accidents happen."

"So this is as far as it goes," I said sadly.

He sighed. "I'm afraid so."

"So, if you hated me, why did you risk blowing your cover to save me?" I asked.

"Well," he started. "There's one main reason. I swore up and down it was because if he had hit you, you would've bled, and I would've gone insane. But, the real reason is, there was something about you. I still haven't completely figured it out, but I just want to be around you as much as possible. Even then, even though I acted like I hated you, I didn't."

"So, you love me?" I asked teasingly.

He just smiled slightly. "I don't know. Maybe."
My heart fluttered ten times faster.

He laughed. "Bella, you're going to have a heart attack."
"Maybe," I whispered.

"Did you know you talk in your sleep?" he asked. "I've got a confession."
"What?" I asked slowly. "And yeah. Renee makes fun of me often for it."

He smiled. "At night's, since there's absolutely nothing to do for me, I come sit outside your window. That's what made me decide I didn't hate you. The first day after I met you, I went outside your room. You said my name."
My cheeks started burning. "Uh…"
He smiled softer now and rubbed his finger gently across my cheek. "Don't be embarrassed."
"Well, I am," I said firmly. I looked up at him, and I felt his breathing flutter, like mine.

"I've always wanted to try one thing," he whispered happily. I saw him leaning closer and immediately knew what that meant.

His lips met with mine, and even though they were like ice, I've never felt hotter. I could feel the fireworks.

Heart was flowing through my body.

"What happened to that was as far as it went?" I breathed.

He smiled. "I changed my mind."
I couldn't slow down my breathing, and I knew he could hear my heart beating faster than the speed of light.

"That's good," I whispered.

He nodded. "You'd probably never kiss me again if you knew how old I was."
"How old are you?" I asked curiously.

"You don't want to know," he said softly.

"Yes I do," I insisted.
"You seriously do?" he asked warily.
"I kinda want to know how old the man I just kissed is," I said firmly.

"Can I kiss you one last time?" he asked.
"Last time?"

"Once you find out how old I am, you'll probably be disgusted," he admitted.

"If you promise to tell me afterwards, sure," I said happily.

"A gentleman never backs out on his word," he said softly.

"In other words," Emmett said as he walked out on the porch. He pushed Edward away from me. "He won't."
Edward ran to the other side of me. "Yes I will!"
"You never do," Emmett said. "You kiss a girl, and then we mysteriously have to leave. How ironic?"

"What?" I shrieked. "Whoa now."
Edward narrowed his eyes at him. "Do not!"
"I'm kidding Bella," Emmett said softly. "Breathe. Relax."
I let out a deep breath. "Damn it Emmett. You scared me."
Suddenly, it hit me.
They all knew what had just happened. They all knew we had just kissed.

"Oh my God!" I exclaimed. I jumped back.

Odd. I didn't fall.
"What?" Alice asked as she walked outside.
I blinked. "Nothing."
"I can't figure out what she did that for," Edward whined.
"So Bella's the one everyone should tell stuff to," Emmett teased.

I just blinked.
"She's majorly blushing," Edward observed.
"Aw!" Emmett teased.
I blinked, and Edward was suddenly as close to me as he could get.
"What are you doing?" I asked as I took a step back.
Well, see, my boot must've hit a wet spot on the porch. I don't know. The next thing I knew, I was hitting the porch and landing on my butt.

I blinked and then burst out laughing.
"You okay?" Edward asked gently. He was biting his lip.
"Yeah," I said with a smile.
Alice laughed and helped me stand up. "Clumsy Bella."
Edward walked over by Emmett and they burst out laughing.

I rolled my eyes, and then froze.
"Shit!" I exclaimed. I started walking backwards and hit the wall.
"What?" Alice asked. "Why don't you turn around and walk through the door normally? I swear Bella. You're insane."
"No reason," I said innocently.

Edward studied me carefully.
Emmett looked at where I fell. "Her ass is wet."
My cheeks started burning. "No."
"You are a horrible liar," Edward said with a smirk.
"You would be best just not saying anything," Alice said softly. "Come on."
She pulled me inside before I could protest.
Not that I was going to or anything.

We walked upstairs, and she pulled me into her room.
Rosalie grinned. "How was it?"
"What?" I asked curiously.
"Your first kiss," she said eagerly. "Duh."
"Uh…" I stuttered.
"Come on," Alice said as she shut the door. "It's just us girls."
"But they can hear you," I reminded her.

"No," she said. "Jasper is too busy thinking, Esme and Carlisle are talking, and Edward and Emmett are too busy laughing."
"Still?" I asked loudly, aware my cheeks were burning.
"It's about something else," she said calmly.

I let out a sigh of relief. "That's good. But I don't think I want to know."

"Stop changing the subject," Rosalie snapped. "Details. Now."
"I don't really know how to explain it," I admitted.
"Was it amazing? Horrible?" Alice asked quickly. "Was it boring? A waste of time? Romantic? Passionate?"
"It was amazing," I started. "Horrible, no. Boring…hell no. Definitely not a waste of time. Romantic…kinda. Passionate…I guess. It was incredible. I mean, I've never felt happier."
"Aw! Bella and Edward are in love!" Rosalie squealed.

"Damn it!" Alice said before running to the door. "Rose, help!"
Rosalie was instantly over there, and they both pushed on the door.
"Emmett," Edward said from outside the door. "Would you mind?"
"Sure," Emmett said.

Alice and Rose ran back from the door quickly, and Edward opened the door.
I backed up to the wall. "Alice, you forgot something."
"What?" she asked. "Oh yeah."
Edward grinned. "Alice, Alice, Alice. What did Bella ever do to you?"
Alice crossed her arms. "Hey. I had to know. I didn't think she would just totally forget that you could read minds."
"So you didn't remind me?" I asked, stunned.
Emmett snickered. "Bella is in love with Edward. I can hear wedding bells now."
"Shut up Emmett," Alice, Rosalie, and Edward all said in unison.

"Thanks Alice," I said while nodding. "Traitor."

Edward smiled. "Bella, I've got to talk to you. Alone."
"How do you plan to do that?" I asked.

"Come on," he said eagerly.

"Okay," I agreed.
He grabbed my hand, and I shivered at first. He pulled me outside.

"Hop on my back," he said quickly.

I warily did what he said.

"Hold on tight," he whispered.
I tightened my grip around his chest.

He took off running, and at first, I thought I was dreaming. Everything was going by so quickly, and it was all blurry. The trees looked like long lines.
I got dizzy when I watched. I decided it might be best if I didn't.

I closed my eyes and set my head gently on his shoulders.

He stopped suddenly. It was like slamming on your brakes in a car when you realize you're about to hit someone.
My body jerked forward. "Oops."
He let go of my legs slowly, and I jumped off his back.

"Bella, I wanted to say something now," he said softly.

"What?" I asked curiously.

"I think I'm in love with you," he whispered.

I couldn't do anything but smile. I mean, I was breathing too heavily, and my heart was pumping too fast.

"I think I'm in love with you too," I said happily.
He smiled, and I felt his cold arms wrap around me. "I'm a hundred and eight."

"So?" I asked before pushing myself closer to him. "Age doesn't matter to me."

"Can I still kiss you again?" he asked hopefully.

I smiled. "All you want."

His lips crashed into mine, and I immediately wrapped my arms around him.

I don't even remember doing this, but my mouth slightly opened.

He jumped back quickly. "Whoa."
"Sorry!" I exclaimed. "Oh God. I'm an idiot. I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," he said after taking a deep breath. "We're good now."
He wrapped his arms around me again.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.
He smiled. "It's okay Bella." He kissed me softly. "It's not your fault. I almost got carried away too. Now that would've been bad."
I sighed. "I still feel bad."
He shrugged. "Don't. It's fine. We're all good now. Oh, and by the way Bella, happy birthday."
I froze. Oh yeah. Even I had forgotten.
"September thirteenth," I whispered. "You remembered."
He nodded. "I wouldn't forget."

I smiled and kissed him softly. "Thanks."