"Emmett, you don't have to follow me everywhere." It had been a week since the attack and Emmett had made sure that someone was always with me. Today we were in the grocery store. I needed to pick up a few more things for the Thanksgiving Dinner I had promised Alice.

"Don't be ridiculous, Bella. You're too beautiful for your own good. I'm not going to let something ever happen to you again."

I rolled my eyes, "Who's being ridiculous now?"

He just shrugged and continued to follow me down the aisle. I picked up the last few items and headed to the checkout lane. Emmett paid, of course. The Cullens never let me pay for anything. Then he walked me back to the apartment. It took nearly half an hour to walk, which made me glad for Emmett's company. It also helped that he could easily help me carry the heavier bags.

It was dark when we arrived back at the apartment. "So what do we do now?" Emmett we like a little kid. He was so impatient to get onto the next step.

"Well, we'll leave the turnkey out to defrost, and we'll start cooking in the morning."

"What am I supposed to do till then?"

I laughed, "Maybe Rose wants to do something. You've been spending too much time with me. I'm sure she misses you." I was actually trying to gain some alone time with Edward. In the week that we'd been dating, I was watched like a hawk.

"She's worried about you too. She thinks that you should take some self defense classes."

"I'd end up knocking over the whole class by accident. That would be just because I tripped over the mats."

Emmett laughed. It wasn't something that was too hard to picture. "I still think it wouldn't be a bad idea for you to try something. Maybe just work out with Rose sometime. She wants to tell you her story."

"Her story?"

He nodded. "It's not my place to tell you, but you'd be surprised what hides behind those beautiful violet eyes."

I could see the love in Emmett's eyes when he spoke of Rose. I couldn't imagine her any different that she was now. What secret could she possibly be keeping from the rest of the world? "I'd actually like that. Rose and I haven't spent much time together. Just warn her of my inability to stay vertical."

He laughed again, "You've got it."

Alice came bounding into the kitchen, "Bella, guess what, guess what." She was bouncing so hard I wasn't sure that her bones wouldn't shatter.

"I don't know Alice, what?" I leaned against the counter as I waited for what had her so hyped up.

"We're going to a dance club tonight."

I was horror stricken. Was she serious? "I don't think that's a good idea." I was trying to keep my mind away from the image of me on the dance floor. It would not be pretty. "I think that I should stay here."

Emmett looked down at me, "You're not staying here. I'm not letting you out of my sight."

I rolled my eyes, "We've already been through this, Emmett. You can't watch me 24/7. Even if you watch me all the time, something will still happen."

"You know she's right." I turned to see Edward standing in the kitchen entrance. How had I not noticed him coming in? It was like he moved in silence. "She seems to be a magnet for danger."

Alice eyed me thoughtfully, "Though most of it is due to her lack of balance."

"The reason why me at a dance club would be a really bad idea."

Edward walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "I think it would be fun. You really need to get out of this apartment."

I laughed, "Wasn't it you who refused to let me sleep in my own room. I'm pretty sure you're the one who's been keeping me here."

"That's true, and I have my reasons for keeping you here."

I looked into his eyes carefully, "Why do I get the feeling that this isn't about my safety?"

"Because it's not. It's about mine."

I laughed at his words and he frowned slightly, "How could be being here make it safer for you?"

"Simple," he squeezed me tighter. "When I have you here, I'm not pulling my hair out trying to figure out where you are and if you're safe. It's a lot less stressful, and my school work doesn't suffer."

"Well then, maybe Alice and I should just move into the apartment. Then you'd be guaranteed to be on the Dean's list."

He looked thoughtful for a moment. Then a slow smile spread across his face. "I'm sure that can be arranged."

My mouth gaped open. He was completely serious. "Edward, that won't work and you know it."

Edward looked deeply into my eyes. "I don't see why not. You're here all the time anyway. My parents love you and wouldn't mind if you couldn't pay the rent. Is money the issue?"

I shook my head and laughed, "I can think of a few reasons, and yes one of them is money. Another is the dorm. Freshman have to live in the dorm, remember."

He sighed, "I forgot that one"

"Besides that, the main reason is Charlie. You met my father. He would never agree to an arrangement that put you and me under the same roof. I mean, he already put me in an all girls' dorm."

He rubbed his chin across the top of my head, "Yeah, he does seem a little over protective."

I laughed, "He's the police chief. What would you expect?"

"I'll figure something out. Waking up with you makes the whole day better."

I leaned into his chest and let his scent surround me. "I'd have to agree."

Sometime during out little conversation, the others had disappeared. I looked around the kitchen to make sure that no one was hiding and lifted my face so that I was looking into his eyes. I stretched up on my tip-toes as he held me tighter against his chest. Our lips met and I felt every part of me melt against him. Our lips moved together as I snaked my arms around his neck. He gently lifted me and placed me on the counter so that I didn't have to reach so far. I wrapped my legs around his waist holding him against me. I didn't want to give him the chance to go anywhere.

He pried my lips open with his own, and I could feel his breath in my mouth. His tongue met mine and my brain went dead. I couldn't remember where we were or how we'd gotten there. All that mattered was that Edward was kissing me.

"Couldn't you two get a room?"

I sighed and pulled back to glare at Rosalie as Edward chuckled against my shoulder. "As far as I know, I'm the only one who cooks, making this my room more than anyone else's."

Edward was still chuckling with his forehead resting on my shoulder. He reached around to unwrap my legs and pulled me from the counter. "It seems that we are always interrupted by someone."

"Well, Edward," Rosalie was still leaning in the doorway. "Maybe you should find a more private place and time."

He nodded to Rosalie, "You have a point."

Alice barreled into the room. "Come on, Bella. You've had enough Edward time. We only have two hours before we leave, and I haven't had time to do your hair or your makeup."

I looked at Edward pleading in my eyes. He raised his hands apologetically and shook his head. He would not be saving me. "Traitor"

"Sorry, Love. I can only hold her back so long. But once you're on the dance floor, you'll be safe."

I laughed and rolled my eyes, "When am I ever safe?"

His eyes smiled down at me. "I won't let go of you once." The promise was able to get me out of the door and into the chair in our dorm.

Alice worked on me for what seemed like an eternity. Finally she handed me a dress and began her own small improvements. It took her five minutes.

I looked at the dress in shock. "Alice, you have got to be kidding me.

She looked at me in the mirror as she fixed her eye liner. "What's wrong? The blue looks amazing with your skin. The dress covers everything important, and I'm letting you wear flats."

"Alice, the hemline comes up just below my ass. I'm not sure anybody wants to see my legs."

She snorted and I looked back at her. "Edward does."

I shook my head, "Alice, this is just too revealing. I'm not putting it on."

Her eyes flamed and she turned to me. "You will wear it, Bella. It will look good on you and I have spent a bit of money to acquire it. I'm not taking no for an answer tonight."

She was using that voice. The one that left no room for arguments. "Fine, Alice, but if I get attacked again…" I trailed off and turned toward the bathroom.

Looking at the dress in the mirror, I could see that it did look good, but I was still uncomfortable. I didn't want people to think that I was something that I wasn't.

As I walked back into the room, there was a knock on the door. I reached it and opened it to see Edward. He looked amazing. He had changed from his jeans and t-shirt look to a pair of black slacks and a forest green button up that looked amazing with his eyes. Eyes that were so wide examining me that I thought they might fall out at our feet. "Blink Cullen, it's just me."

His eyes finally met mine, "I can't let you go out like that."

Alice stood behind me, "Why not? She looks beautiful."

"No," Edward disagreed. My heart sank slightly, "She looks hot. She looks too sexy to be seen in public."

I shrugged and turned back into the room feeling lighter. I sensed him following me. "You were the one who let Alice torture me."

Alice was standing with her hands on her hips, "And she is going out tonight. I'm putting her on that dance floor whether you like it or not, mister. So deal with it."

I turned back to Edward and he was still staring at me. I laughed internally. I needed a picture of his face right now. It was hilarious. I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned into him. "I wouldn't mind if he held me hostage."

I could see Alice roll her eyes. I knew we'd be at the club tonight, but it was fun messing with her. "You're both coming because Edward's driving."

Edward looked over at Alice, "And how am I supposed to drive with this distraction in the car?"

"Dear God!" Alice threw her hands in the air and threw a jacket at me. "Will this help?"

"A little" he admitted, though he had me pulled so tight against him that I couldn't get the jacket on.

Eventually, we moved to the car. Jasper was leaning against the hood and Alice ran to him and jumped into his arms. It amazed me how effortless the whole move was. She jumped into the air at the same moment that he held his arms out for her. She wrapped her legs around his waist and peppered his face with kisses. I had to laugh at the scene.

"Alice, are we going out, or are you going to do Jasper right there on my car?"

Alice's legs loosened from Jasper's waist and her feet touched the found. She glared at Edward before sliding into the backseat, pulling Jasper with her.

Edward chuckled and held the door open for me. Once I was in, he closed the door and climbed in the driver's side. He placed my hand on the console and began to draw patters on my open palm, eventually lacing his fingers with my own.

The ride took 15 minutes. When we reached the club, I saw Rosalie's red convertible. The BMW looked out of place with all the other college student's cars. I heard Edward mutter 'ostentatious' as he turned off the engine.

Alice leaped out of the car and Jasper quickly followed her. I watched them as Alice nearly flew through the door. I didn't want to get out of the car. Edward could sense that. "You know if we don't go in soon, they're going to come looking for us. Emmett's not been real happy that I didn't escort you back to your dorm"

I sighed and leaned my head back against the seat. "Everyone is too worked up over this. Nothing happened, I'm fine."

Edward squeezed my hand and I looked at him. He brushed some hair from my face. "You don't realize how precious you are to us." He caressed my face. "Me in particular the idea of you not being here is unbearable. I wouldn't survive it." He leaned forward and placed a light kiss on my lips.

When the contact was broken, I sighed. "Fine, let's go inside."

He smiled and we got out of the car. It wasn't long after entering the club that I found myself on the dance floor. It was frightening. I felt like I was going to fall and knock over all the dancers on the floor.

Edward closed the distance between us. He pulled my back against his chest and rested his hand on my stomach. I didn't know how I was supposed to concentrate on my feet with him so close. He kissed my neck, "Relax, Love. You need to feel the music."

I let my body relax into his. His hips guiding mine to move to the rhythm of the music. At first I felt awkward, but soon I began to follow his movement. It reminded me of the point in Dirty Dancing when Johnny was teaching Baby to dance at the staff party. "See this isn't so bad," Edward whispered into my ear.

"No, but if you let go or me, I'll kill you."

He flipped me around and pressed our bodies together tightly. "There's no problem there."

The song ended and the DJ pulled the microphone down to his face. "Alright, alright. We're gonna slow it down now. So you guys grab your girls and show 'em that you care." He began the song and as "A Moment like This" began to play, I leaned against Edward. I laid my cheek against his chest and listened to his heartbeat.

"Have I told you how amazing you look?" He leaned down and kissed my hair.

I laughed, "No, I think your initial response was to just stare at me."

I could feel the chuckle rumble through his chest. "You have no idea how tempting you look." As if to prove his point, he turned my face up to his and claimed my lips with a passion that made my body feel as if it was his.

A moment like this
Some people wait a lifetime, for a moment like this
Some people search forever, for that one special kiss
Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me
Some people wait a lifetime, for a moment like this