Disclaimer: All these characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.

My eyes fluttered opened the next morning. I looked at my clock and saw that it was twelve o'clock in the afternoon. This surprised me because I normally never slept this late. When I bound down the stairs I saw that Alice was sitting at the kitchen table talking to Charlie as he was cleaning his plate at the sink.

"Good Afternoon sleeping beauty." She playfully chided.

I gave her a smirk, still in a sleepy stupor to respond. I made myself some eggs and toast and sat down next to her. She let me eat and didn't start to talk again until I finished my coffee.

"So Charlie filled me in a little bit about how dinner went last night."

I groaned and put my head in my hands remembering last nights dinner.

Alice laughed. "Don't worry about it, my brother is just being an ass, and Charlie seems to like James so that's good right?"

I nodded uneasily to her.

"Alright well I want you to come over to my house to get ready for today. Esme wants to take pictures there and everything. What time did James say he was picking you up?" My eyes widened in surprise when I realized that I didn't talk to James about the driving arrangements.

"I don't know, I didn't talk to him about it."

Alice gave me a disapproving look telling me that it was important that I find this information out. Just then however Charlie came back into the kitchen.

"Oh Bells I forgot to tell you but I'm working the night shift tonight so I wont be here when you get home from the dance." He looked apologetically at me.

"Its ok Dad. I'll be fine." He always got a little worried about leaving me home at night . Little did he know that I really never slept alone in the house. Edward was always with me. Charlie turned to leave and then called over his shoulder. "Oh and James called earlier."

I gulped and looked back at Alice who was grinning at me. I sat there for a minute not really wanting to get up to get the phone. Alice pointed at it and gave me a fierce look telling me to get it over with. I dragged my feet up to it the entire way. When I finally managed to call him, he picked up on the second ring.

"Hello?" The sound of his voice gave me goose bumps and made me instantly nervous.

"Um James its Bella." I spoke quietly into the phone.

"Oh! Hello Bella!" He sounded more cheery and smug.

"Hi James, I'm just returning your call." I really just wanted him to get to the point of why he called and talk to him about the driving arrangements so I could hang up.

"Oh right, well I just called to ask if 6:30 o'clock was a good time to pick you up?" I remembered that the dance started at 7 so I thought that was reasonable.

"Yeah that sounds good. I'll be next door at the Cullens so just go over there." He was silent for a second.

"Excellent. I cant wait to see you." I shuddered at his words and the way they slid out of his mouth. I could tell in his voice that he was smirking through the phone.

"Ok bye." I hung up and turned back to Alice. "He is picking me up at 6:30 at your house." She jumped up excitedly.

"Great! Lets go to my house now and hang out before we start getting ready." I nodded and went up stairs to change. I knew that I would probably take a shower at Alice's so I just brushed my teeth and washed my face.

When we went into Alice's house I looked around a bit to see if Edward was anywhere in sight. Unfortunately I didn't see him anywhere and walked up stairs with Alice. Edward's door was shut as I passed it and no sound was coming from within. When I made it to Alice's room I saw that she had put out on her dresser all of her makeup, hair dryers, curling irons, straighteners, etc. You name it she had it. She really was prepared for everything. For the next two hours we just hung out and listened to music. Alice painted my nails and toes to match my dress. At three o'clock she sat up.

"Alright listen we both need to jump in the shower now. I'm going to jump into my bathroom but you can use Edward and Emmett's. I nodded and took a towel and the shampoo and conditioner that I had brought over from home to the boys bathroom at the end of the hall. When I went inside I unchanged quickly and folded up my clothes on the floor. The room was misty and warm as if someone had just taken a shower. When I pulled the shower curtain back, I saw the water drops on the tile floor and walls. I turned the hot water on and stepped in. As I washed my hair and body I became consciously aware that this was the same shower that Edward stood countless times naked under its water. Just the thought of being in the same place where he was naked made my skin tremble. I closed my eyes and relaxed under the soft fall of the water. I felt a cold air blow through the shower curtain but I dismissed it as the air vent. Unfortunately two seconds later I heard the sink water turn on. I then realized that I hadn't locked the bathroom door. Alice had been known to come into the bathroom when I was showering to brush her teeth or wash her face but I knew this couldn't be Alice because she was in her own bathroom showering. Before I had time to think about who it was I heard his voice.

"Hey Emmett can you hand me the shaving cream in there." My throat clamped up as I realized that it was Edward who was standing outside the shower curtain. He also thought that I was Emmett in here taking a shower. I looked around frantically for the shaving cream and had it in my hands. He started to get impatient and stuck his arm in the shower so I could hand it to him. I stepped back away from his arm, afraid that he would see me. I carefully put the shaving cream in his hand and the arm disappeared. I so badly wanted to peak and look at him. I went to the other side of the shower and pulled the curtain back slowly to steal a glance. He was standing at the sink with a bare chest and just his gray flannel pants on. At the moment he was lathering the shaving cream on his face to start shaving. The sight of him caused me to catch my breath. I should have made my presence known right away but I was caught up in the moment of seeing him standing there in his glory. My shower was over and I really did need to get out now. I stood still for a moment thinking about what was the best possible way to get out of here without him seeing me. Just then however there was a knock on the door. "Hey Edward hurry up and finish that shower I need to jump in now." I bit my lip nervously knowing my cover was blown. I heard the door open up.

"Wait …Emmett?" Edward voice sounded confused.

I stuck my arm out of the curtain to grab my towel off the rack and wrapped it around my body. Then slowly I pulled the curtain back and revealed myself. Edward just stood there with wide eyes and a half shaved face looking intensely at me.

"Hi." Was the only thing I managed to say until I picked up my clothes and turned to leave Edward standing there. Emmett was still in the hallway and chuckled when I walked by him. I shot him a glare. I made my way back into Alice's room where she was standing there in her in a button down shirt and shorts. She threw a similar outfit at me.

"Change into this for now while we do your hair and makeup." I nodded and changed and then sat on a stool in the middle of the room. I blow-dried my own hair since I had learned to pick up the craft from Alice, while Alice tended to her own hair. Her short hair was already dry and she had started to straighten it before even half of my thick long hair was completely dry. After she finished straightening her own hair, she started to help me with mine. She rolled different sections into curlers and then used the curling iron in different places. I was beginning to cough and choke on the amount of hair stray she would apply on each spiral curl. Next I sat down at her large vanity. After leaving the curlers in my hair she began to apply my makeup. I zoned out during the progress and next thing I knew Alice was smiling down at me in a pleasing way. She took out my curlers and then started to get herself ready. I put lotion on my legs and arms before starting to get into my dress. Once I put the dress on I stood in front of her long mirror to take in my appearance.

I was baffled at the image of the young woman who stood in front of me. The floor length red dress flowed down my body and clung to my curves to accentuate my womanly features. It fit my bust perfectly and cut down into a v in the back. My hair was in big flowing curls that fell over my shoulder and back in ringlets. My makeup was done to look smoky with my long dark lashes extending around my eyes. My lips had a soft pink gloss over them since Alice had said that I couldn't have drastic eyes and lips. It had to be one or the other. I guess I was playing attention to makeup instructions after all. Once Alice was in her dress she turned to face me. She had a purple strapless dress on that didn't cling to her like mine did but flowed down in soft layers. The color looked excellent on her porcelain skin and black hair.

"Alice you look beautiful!" She smiled and looked me over. "Bella James is going to pass out when he sees how you look." I cringed at the thought of James liking what he saw. Alice noticed and gave me a confused look.

"About James Alice, see… I don't really like him at all like that."

"Then why are you going to the dance with him?" She asked.

"Well I needed a date to go to the dance and he asked me so I just said yes without thinking." She laughed at this.

"Its alright Bella, I'll stay by you at the dance then if you aren't going to be comfortable next to him all night." I shot her a grateful look and let out a relieved sigh.

"Oh God thank you Alice! He gives me the creeps sometimes." She handed me a pair of matching heels and I looked at them painfully. I was not really a heel kind of gal but I would put up with them for the night.

When we were both finished we began to make our way down the stairs. I was walking especially slower then usual. Once I came into view of the Cullen's big living room I saw Esme standing there with her camera taking pictures of Edward…and Victoria…in front of the fire place. She had on a green dress that was short on her chest and legs. She certainly looked beautiful I thought, but she didn't leave much to the imagination. She had her arm draped around his side and was hugging him to her. My stomach dropped knowing that I would have to see this all night long. Then Edward's eyes met my own and I stood there as they roamed my body from head to toe before settling back on my face again. His eyes were dark and smoldering. I couldn't break his stare and just stood there looking back. Esme broke me out of my trace by pulling me into a hug. "Bella you look stunning dear."

I smiled sheepishly at her and she directed Alice and I to stand in front of the fire place. I passed by Victoria and Edward. Victoria met my eyes and smiled friendly at me but I knew it was just a show. "Oh Bella you clean up very nicely." I fought back the urge to slap her and smiled. Emmett came in the room then with his date Jessica by his side and stood with us. Carlisle was by the door and opened it to reveal our friend Angela with her date Ben. She came by Alice and I and we all exchanged compliments on our dresses. Angela and Jessica's mothers were both there and taking pictures. Esme wanted pictures of Alice and I alone as well as her two sons alone. I never had so many pictures taken of me in my life and my smile was starting to hurt.

As I was walking out of the picture for the next set of people to stand there Esme spoke up. "Bella honey you stay there, I want a picture with just Edward and you." Edward made his way over to me and stood at my side with his hands in his pockets. It definitely felt very awkward since we had not been on good terms lately and we had just had the shower encounter. Esme seemed to sense the discomfort and urged us on. "Get closer you too!" We both took a step into each other and Edward brought his hand out of his pockets to place an arm around me. The second I felt is fingers tips touch my bare back I gasped at the electric current it shot through me. His hand rested just between my shoulder blades and then slowly trailed its way down to my longer back. His fingertips grazing the back of my spine gently the whole way down. Edward's touch was sensual and soft but sent sparks throughout my whole body. I turned my head to look up at him and realized that he was staring down at me. We stood there looking into each other's eyes. He opened his mouth and was about to say something to me when Victoria appeared next to him glaring at me. She then turned happily towards Esme.

"Mrs. . Cullen can you take some more pictures of Edward and I?" At her words Edward's hand left my lower back. I cringed at the loss of it but the fiery tingling feeling from where his hand had been placed on my skin was still there. I stepped away and went to sit by Alice and Angela on the couch. As I was passing by Esme she whispered down to me. "I can hate her if you would like me too." She said this is a jokingly manner and I just gave her a warm smile and shook my head telling her it was alright.

I sat of the couch and continued to watch Edward. He looked so handsome in his black tuxedo. His hair looked more tamed then usual. I really couldn't tear my eyes away from him. I was addicted to the sight of him. He would meet my gazes and neither of us would break eye contact until one of us was pulled out of it by our surroundings.

"Earth to Bella!" Alice waved a hand in front of my face.

I blink and turned away from my wonderful view of Edward and met Alice's face. "Huh? Oh sorry."

She studied my face and looked curiously at me. "What is up with you? You seem a little distracted. You didn't respond when I was talking to you."

I gave her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, I'm just thinking that's all. What did you say?"

"I was just saying that both of our dates aren't here yet." I looked around suddenly realizing she was right. I had almost forgotten about the fact that I was going to the dance with James. I just shrugged my shoulders letting Alice knowing that that really didn't bother me. She laughed at this and I joined in with her. I went back to glancing at Edward and saw that he looked tense and rigid, staring in the direction of the front door. His eyes shot quickly to me and I saw him take a step in my direction. His face looked like he was conflicting something in his mind. I looked at him trying to figure out his reaction. I turned my head to the direction of the door and saw that James and Alice's date Derek had arrived. James had his all to familiar leer on his face and bee lined to stand in front of me when he saw me. I stood up quickly not liking the feeling of power he emitted towering over me.

"You look very alluring Isabella Swan." I didn't know how to respond and his tongue flicked out quickly to lick his lips. Derek came to Alice's side and Esme turned to us.

"Alright you four, we don't have much time but I want to get some pictures in before you head out." Edward and Victoria had stepped aside and we took their spots. James had his arm around my hip and seemed to be clinging me to his side. It was just for the pictures I thought. After a few snaps I pulled to walk away but his strong grasp on me kept me in place. I looked up at him with anger in my eyes for not letting me go but he just snickered and turned to Esme.

"Mrs. Cullen can you take some pictures of Bella and I just by ourselves? I would like to have one of those for personal reasons." Esme didn't seem to catch on his innuendo but I saw Edward standing a distance behind his mother and he looked on anxiously shifting his weight from foot to foot. After Esme snapped one shot Edward spoke up.

"Alright everyone we should leave now. Bella you can ride with me since Emmett is taking his own car with Jessica."

My eyes lit up to the thought that I would get away from James for some time and spend some alone time with Edward. Maybe he would tell me what he was going to say while we were taking pictures. But then I suddenly realized something as I glanced over at the annoyed looking red head standing next to Edward. I wouldn't be alone with Edward, I would have to sit in the car the whole ride there with him and Victoria and that did not seem like an enjoyable ride at all. He looked at me hopeful eyes when James suddenly spoke.

"That's OK Cullen I can drive my date to the dance. You go on and drive your girl over." I winced internally at James calling Victoria Edward's girl. Edward's face turned expressionless and then angry. Victoria was beaming up at Edward. She obviously liked that statement. As much as I didn't want to be ride with Edward and Victoria, I really did not want to be alone with James.

Alice seemed to bounce at my side just then. "Derek came with James so we will be sharing a car with you guys." She whispered into my ear. I smiled relieved that at least Alice was there with me which made me feel a lot better. Her company would definitely help me and the ride there with James didn't seem too bad now.

Edward was speaking up again not willing to back down. "Well James I just think its better if I drive her since I can bring her home as well so you don't have to go out of your way."

I knew he felt like he was helping but I was eager now to go with James since Alice would be with me and spoke before thinking. "Edward just go ahead, I am going to go with James." After I said this I realized it sounded as if I had preferred James's company over Edward's. Edward's face look confused and then hurt before he turned away with Victoria hanging on his arm. He didn't look back as he went out the door.

James snickered to the side of me and I felt very guilty. Before I had more time to think however I was being pulled by Alice towards James's SUV. The ride went by fast since Alice and I talked the whole time in the back seat almost as if our dates weren't there. I got the impression that Alice wasn't that into her date either.

When we stepped inside the hotel that was hosting our winter formal, Alice and I gasped at how beautiful everything looked. There was an ice blue and silver theme throughout the ballroom with beautiful lights cascading up and down the ceiling to give the impression of a starry night. We went off to go find our table and put our purses down. James and Derek followed close behind and took a seat next to us. I did a quick scan around the room to see if I could spot Edward but he was no where to be found.

James was looking at me deviously when my eyes met his. "I am going to get a drink do you want one?"

"Yea sure." I said turning away quickly so I could continue my search of Edward. Alice pulled me to my feet and on to the dance floor that was crowded with people. I didn't really dance that much so I mimicked what Alice was doing. The amount of energy she emitted when she was dancing made me laugh and I was actually enjoying myself. We danced for long time with people joining in and out. I told her as best I could over the loud music if we could get a drink. I was craving a ice cold cup of water. We headed to our table when James appeared next to me with a cup in his hand.

"Here you are." He said while handing me the cup. I took a sip quickly just thinking of quenching my thirst instead of what it was he had given me. I spit it out quickly when the taste hit my mouth.

"What the hell did you give me?" It tasted horribly. I knew that it must have been alcohol even though I had never tasted it before. Edward didn't drink since he was strongly against it. He never said why but I think it was because his parents had been killed by a drunk driver. He had never told me that I couldn't drink but I abstained from it because of him. I also never had the desire to drink and didn't go to parties. I had on occasion stayed up late with Edward on the weekends so he could pick Emmett up and occasionally but rarely, Alice from a party.

James leaned in close so that his breathe sweep across my face. He had the smell of liquor on him and looking closer at him I saw that his eyes were redder then usual. His voice sounded raspy in my ear. "I got you a soda, with a special ingredient to help you loosen up a bit."

"No thank you" I said through gritted teeth and pushed past him to the nearest table to get a glass of water. I downed the glass quickly and the taste of vodka was slowly starting to go away. I looked around for Alice and saw her looking back at me apologetically as she was being pulled back to the dance floor by Derek.

James appeared in front of me again. "You know you have to dance with me at least once tonight."

I looked around quickly to see if I could find any plausible excuses or exits to get out of the situation but my eyes met none. When they returned back to James's face he looked at me victoriously sensing my defeat and stuck his hand out. I slowly put my hand in his trying my hardest to hide me grimace. He began to tug me forcefully toward the dance floor as if I would run away at any minute. I did think about it for a second but his iron stone grip on my hand begged to differ. He was nice enough to ask me to the dance so I could suck it up and dance with him right? I kept repeating this in my head over and over. Suddenly when we had arrived in the middle of the dance floor surrounded by people, James spun around and let go of my hand. The loss of contact was only fleeting when he grabbed my hips and pulled my body into him. I gasped at this and his all to familiar leer returned to his face as he looked down at me. My arms just hung at me side as he grinned into me with the music. It was one of the most uncomfortable and unpleasant moments of my life. As luck would have it the song was just ending and I started to pull away. Unfortunately I am not a lucky person and a slow song started up.

"Tut Tut where do you think you are going?" He questioned when he sensed my body retreating. He moved his one hand from my waist to the my bare back. His other hand took my arms one at a time from my side and brought them up to rest on his shoulders. Then after being satisfied he pulled me in closer so my chest was touching his. The hand on my back was on the same place that Edward's hand had been. The feel of it there was no where near the same effect that Edward's touch had given me. James's touch felt uncomfortable and unwelcome, almost as if by instinct my body knew that it did not belong in James's hands. I was thankful at least that he was not speaking and I could look around for Edward.

I lifted my gaze and was met with the eyes I had been searching for the whole night. His green eyes pierced into me across the room where he was swaying to the music with Victoria wrapped around him, her eyes closed and her head resting on his chest in contentment. I felt the lump in my thought form at the sight of both of them but I did not break his stare. He just looked back at me with a dejected expression. His brow was furrowed and serious.

Throughout the whole song we never broke eye contact and even though we were both in the arms of another I tried to imagine that it was him that was holding me. I emptied my mind from everything that had happened this year and blocked out everything and everyone around me, except for him. For a brief moment I forgot about James holding me and Victoria holding him, and it was just him and I in the room. My peaceful moment was cut when the song ended and James whispered into my ear.

"I like how you play hard to get Bella. The game is more exciting this way don't you agree?" I looked up at him confused.

"What game?" I asked.

"Come on Bella, I get that you don't give it up like most girls but lets just stop delaying the inevitable and get out of here and end this already." His voice sounded ragged. I think the alcohol was starting to have its affects on him. My body stilled at his words.

I started to feel my anger growing but was giving him to benefit of the doubt before I erupted. "What are you saying exactly James?"

He smirked thinking that I was playing along. He brought a finger up to my collar bone and started to trace a line down my skin to just above my cleavage as he spoke. "I don't think you are as innocent as you seem and I think you owe me a little something for time I spent in this ridiculous charade of yours playing hard to get." I was about to roar at him when he held up his index finger to let him finish. "Don't worry I will forgive you once we go back to my place and you give me what I want." After he said this he hiccuped and stared down at my cleavage.

I couldn't hold back now and slapped him across the face. He turned towards me and glared with fire in his eyes. I snarled at him. "I will never give you anything James, do you understand me?" With that I turned and walked away. I could have sworn I heard him laughing devilishly but I ignored him in search for the one pair of eyes that could bring me my comfort again. Edward was no where to be seen however and I let the ballroom to check outside. I didn't want to be at the dance any longer. I looked at my watch and saw that there was still an hour let to go. Thankfully I found Alice coming out of the bathroom.

"Alice do you know where Edward is?" I said fast hoping to get to him quickly.

"Yeah he left a couple of minutes ago with Victoria. Why what's wrong?" My stomached dropped as I heard that. I'm sure my face did as well.

"Nothing I just don't want to stay here anymore I think I had enough of the dance." She put her arm around my shoulder to cheer me up.

"Well then you will be happy because I heard Emmett saying that he wanted to leave early to get some food at the local diner if you're up for it?"

I really just wanted to go home and sleep to forget about the night but the idea of leaving even to go to a diner sounded fine by me and I nodded eagerly. I did realize that I was very hungry and maybe the food would help distract me from thinking about what Edward and Victoria were doing with each other at this very second. Emmett, Alice, and I were the only ones to go to the diner since both their dates wanted to stay at the dance until the end. My mood was still low but they both made jokes and teased each other to cheer me up. I told them about what James had said and asked them not to say anything about it to anyone. Emmett offered to kick his ass but I just chuckled and told him I hit him myself which made him roar with laughter. Apparently the thought of me hitting someone was hilarious. We stayed at the diner for a little over two hours. The food had given me energy and I was no longer tired. I was dreading now having to go home alone to think about him with her.

When we made it home Edward's car wasn't in the driveway and I tried to ignore that fact as best I could but the pain was slowly seeping in. I said goodbye to Emmett and Alice and made my way into my dark house. I got a glass of water and drank it slowly as I felt the first tear fall down my face. Everything was so quiet and calm around me but inside my emotions were like a violent storm. I turned off the lights downstairs and slowly made my way up into my room. My door opened slowly and I turned on my light switch. There sitting on my bed with his elbows on his knees and his head hanging down was Edward. He looked up at me slowly. He still had his tux on but the white shirt was unbuttoned and his hair was in a messy display. His eyes looked painfully at me and then back at the floor.

"Where did you go after the dance?" he whispered. I was still standing in the doorway looking at him.

"I went to the diner with Emmett and Alice." He nodded his head but still didn't look up at me.

"Where did you go with Victoria?" The words came out fast. I needed to know.

"I told her I was tired and wanted to leave so I dropped her off at her house and then came here." I mulled it over in my head and but then realized his car wasn't here when I came home.

"You're car wasn't here when I came home." I said point blankly.

He finally looked up at me with his same pained expression and ran a hand through his hair. "I came here and waited for you until after the dance. You never came home so I drove around hoping to spot you." I stared at him in disbelief. This was more than what Edward usually admitted to me.

I sat down on my bed next to him needing him to explain himself to me. "Why Edward? Why were you looking for me?" He ran his hands over his face and looked at me directly. "I needed to know you were safe."

I breathed out the breathe I was holding in. I had hoped he would have given me a different answer. I looked down at my hands in my lap so he wouldn't see the disappointment in my eyes.

His hand slowly moved towards mine and placed it over them. I looked back up at him.

"Bella what's happening between us?……. I feel us pushing apart more and more." He left go of my hands and look away. "Carlisle came to me the other day and told me that upon my graduation from high school I'm going to receive a trust fund that my parents had set up for me. The settlement money from after the car crash will be in there too. I didn't know about any of this." I now grabbed his hands in my own and turned him to look at me.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I wasn't angry or hurt by him anymore, I needed to be there for him I realized. His sad expression made my heart break.

"I wanted to tell you but things have been so weird and tense between us that I didn't have a chance to bring it up. But the reason why I bring it up now is because it got me thinking about them and what my life would have been like if they had never died." He raised is hand up to cup my cheek and looked into my eyes. "Bella, my parents death was the worst thing that ever happened to me in my life…but in a horrible way I could see it as the best thing to happen to me too..." I gasped at his words but he continued on. "It… it brought me to you." His thumb was brushing away the tears that were falling down my face as he spoke to me. "I can't…I can't have you out of my life." I stared deeply into his green orbs slowly grasping his words. "You don't understand how important you are to me. You're all I have, just promise me you won't go away, because not having you in my life would be the worst thing that could truly ever happen to me." His voice broke at the end as he let go of my face to cover his own. I brought my hands up to cup each side of his face now so he would have to look at me.

"Edward don't forget about your family that loves you and is there for you. You're not alone." I tried to reassure him.

He slowly shook his head in my hands. "I know that they love me and I love them but when I think of my true family, who give me the strength to be a better person, to be my true self, and who make my life better every day…. I think of you."

The tears were cascading down my cheeks now like a waterfall. I wrapped my arms around his neck and threw myself into him. He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

"I'm here for you always Edward. I'm not going anywhere." I sobbed into his chest. He buried his head into my hair and stroked my head to soothe my crying. We both stayed like this for a while until my crying started to die. Then he laid back on my bed bringing me with him to lay against his chest. I snuggled into his chest while he stroked my back with his finger tips to calm and relax my tears. The emotions that had been bottled up from the past few days had finally erupted tonight and now I was drained completely after letting them all out. Edward just held me as I cried into him and I started to doze off when he began to hum a lullaby to me. My eye lids began to get drowsy with sleep. He didn't speak until my crying had come to an end.

"Bella?" Edward whispered.

"Hmm?" I murmured in my half sleep like state.

"I didn't get the chance to tell you how beautiful you looked tonight…" It could have been him that said the words or my dreams that had started to engulf me but I felt Edward's lips kiss down on my head before I fell deep into one of the most peaceful night slumbers I had ever slept…warm, safe, and loved in Edward's arms. This was where I belonged.

Author's note:

I hoped you enjoyed the chapter. I'm really sorry that it took so long to get it up. I have been so busy and haven't had the time to type it. I already know how many more chapters it is going to be before it ends since I mapped it out and I am about half way through. I am still very busy since school started again but I am going to try to post up a chapter a week. Maybe more if it is a good week : ). I am sure there are errrors in the chapter and I apologize since I rushed to get it up finally. Please review! Both good or bad responses to the chapter are welcomed, it encourages me to write more. Thanks guys!