Disclaimer : SM owns Edward & Twilight, not me (sadly!)

Again this is all from Edward's point of view.

20th June 1993 (Edward's 10th birthday)

I opened my eyes to the sun coming through my bedroom window. I rubbed out the sleep and stretched my arms above my head. Then I realised what day it was today; my birthday. Not only that but because my birthday was on a Sunday, I got my party today too.

Smiling, I jumped out of bed and stretched again. I caught my reflection in my full length mirror as I was stretching out. My mom told me last week that I'd had a growth spurt. I was taller than my very annoying big sister who I had now named Shorty. She hated me calling her that and because she was my bigger sister I wasn't allow to call her that according to her; I thought it was funny. Alice was twelve next month; nearly a teenage. My dad kept rolling his eyes every time mom mentioned it.

I shoved on my dressing gown and went downstairs. I was greeted by my dad at the kitchen table, reading his Sunday newspaper.

"Morning Son" he called, "Happy Birthday!" I sat down opposite him in my usual spot to see a small silver wrapped box where my breakfast bowl should be.

"Thanks Dad" I mumble while trying to figure out why my breakfast was gone and why I had a box instead.

"Mom!" I shouted.

My mom breezed into the room with a big smile on her face. "Happy Birthday honey!" she came and kissed the top of my head, "You want your breakfast now?"

"Yes please Mom" I answered. "What's this?" I held the box up so my mom could see it.

"It's one of your birthday presents" Mom answered me "From Emmett". My now not so little brother on hearing his name came running through the kitchen door; he must have been watching TV.

"Yes! That's my present to you" he grinned.

I saw the kitchen door open again and Alice waltzed through it. She just looked at me then went to sit next to Dad.

"Alice" Mom warned, "Do you have something to say to Edward?"

"Happy Birthday" Alice answered; she just sounded bored and annoyed.

"Thanks Shorty!" I chirped with a smile, knowing it would have really annoyed her. She gave me a dirty look but didn't saying anything back; Mom must have told her to be nice to me as it was my birthday. Cool. Wonder how far me & Bee can push her today, I thought.

The thought of Bee made my smile even more.

"When's Bee getting here?" I asked eager to see my best friend as soon as I could.

My mom chuckled, "Soon honey, soon".

"How soon's soon Mom? Can I call her to come over now?" Mom chuckled again. "Edward, you're not even dressed yet?" she questioned. I just shrugged.

I didn't see Bella yesterday for our normal Saturday. Charlie, Bella's dad wasn't working, for once. It was the first Saturday in forever that he hadn't work so they were spending some 'Father, Daughter quality time' together. Bella told me she would have preferred to spend the day with me but I didn't believe her. She loved spending time with her dad and told every chance she could to do it. It didn't matter anyway as we would spend all of my birthday together.

I had to spend yesterday with sister though. She just moaned all day about everything. My mom took me, Emmett & Alice to the shopping mall to get some last minute things for dad's hospital fun day next weekend. We all sat on a bench outside a store while my mom went in.

I sat chatting with Emmett when I realised an older boy from our school, Mike was staring at us, smiling. Well he wasn't looking at me or Emmett; he was looking at Alice. Alice smiled back at him until she saw me looking in their direction. Alice just huffed, crossing her arms. I think Mike was Alice's boyfriend. Ewww! I thought that's gross!

After breakfast, I decided not to open my present from Emmett til my party. I think he was a bit disappointed but he'd be okay. I had a shower, got ready then asked my mom again when Bella would be coming over. She just rolled her eyes at me and told me to be patient.

At one pm, I looked out of the window. My party was due to start in an hour. The sun was high in the sky; it looked like it was really warm outside. My mom and dad started to decorate the house with balloon and banners that said 'Happy 10th Birthday' on them. I helped my dad with the balloons even though I couldn't tie them. After the decorations where finished my mom told me, Emmett and Alice to go play outside for a while as they wanted to sort the food and stuff.

As I stepped outside in my backyard, I saw a giant blow up swimming pool with a big slide going into it. I dashed over to it as I heard my dad laughing behind me. I turned to see him walking over with the hosepipe. "I think we'll need some water in here".

"I'm having a pool party?" I was stunned. "Thanks Dad, this is so cool!" I beamed hugging him around the waist.

"Hold this and I'll turn the water on" Dad said as he handed me the hosepipe. I was so excited about the pool and slide I was bouncing on the spot. Dad went to turn the water on as Emmett joined me at the pool side.

"Do you like your surprise Edward?" he asked with a smug grin on his face.

"Yeah this is awesome! Can't wait to show Bee!"

"She already knows Edward. Everyone does" he answered.

I frowned a bit on hearing this news. Bella was rubbish at keeping secrets especially from me. "I wonder why she didn't tell me." I wondered out loud.

"Because her dad told her if she told you, she couldn't come to the party" Emmett explained. "And Mom needed to tell everyone you were having a pool party so the boys brought shorts and the girls brought swimming costumes."

"That makes sense I suppose"

Water started to come through the hosepipe and I stood with Emmett while he chatted about how cool it was that I'd let him bring Garrett, his best friend to my party. Well, I thought it was only fair as Kate; Alice's best friend was coming and so was mine.

Once the pool started to fill up, I left the hose running and found my mom. She was in the kitchen making sandwiches.

"Mom, mom, thank you for the pool party. This is so cool!" I hugged her tight. She kissed the top of my head as she did this morning, "That's okay honey. The hardest part was keeping it a surprise" she smiled. I frowned again.

Suddenly, the kitchen door opened as Alice stepped through. She was dressed in a pink and white checked bikini top with a pink short skirt. All her tummy was showing. And her boobs; yeah Alice had started getting boobs. I overheard my mom talking to her about them saying she was becoming a woman and something called a ' monthly cycle' I think. Alice already had a bike that she never used so maybe now she was becoming a woman; she needed to start riding it once a month. Mom was a woman but she didn't ride a bike. I was very confused.

Alice put her sunglasses on and smoothed out her long black hair. She smirked at me. "Mom, she can't wear that!" I pointed at Alice's swim wear.

"Why not honey? It's gonna be a pool party, everyone will be in their swim wear" my mom stated. Alice smiled too sweetly at me and waltzed out of the house. Argh! I hate girls! I thought.

My dad walked through the kitchen door. "Edward, Charlie called me a minute ago, he and Bella are on their way over. You need to get changed before people start showing up. Mom brought you some new swim shorts; they're on your bed. And remember to put some sun cream on!"

Bella's coming! I raced up the stairs as fast as my legs would carry me, pushing my bedroom door open wide, banging it on the wall. There on my bed were some orange swim shorts. I quickly changed into them keeping my t shirt on. Rubbing some sun cream on my arms, legs and face, I ran back downstairs ready to greet Bella.

As soon as my foot hit the bottom stair, the door bell rang and I ran to get it "I'll get it Mom!" I shouted. I opened the door to see a box wrapping in blue birthday paper. Behind the big box was my small best friend, Bee.

"Hey Bee! You okay?" I asked trying to find her face behind the box. I crouched and ducked my head underneath the box then looked up to see Bella's big brown eyes smiling down at me.

"Happy Birthday Edward!" she chirped. I jumped back to my feet as Charlie took the box off her. "I told you it was too big for you Bee. Hi Edward, Happy Birthday. Shall I ..."

That's as much as I heard as I grabbed Bella and started to pull her along behind me, out to the back yard. I stopped by the side of the pool and nodded toward it "You knew about this" This was a fact; I already knew it was true.

Bella bit her lip and nodded. "I only found out a few days ago but I couldn't tell you cause my dad said if I told you, I couldn't come today .." She looked down at her feet.

I turned to stand in front of her putting my hands on her shoulders. "It's okay Bee. I know you couldn't tell."

She looked up at me and smiled which made me smile. I loved to see Bella smile.

"Edward honey! You have more guests here!" my mom shouted me from inside. Again grabbing Bella's hand we made our way back into my house.

I saw my dad and Charlie shake hands as Charlie left just as my two friends from school got here, Peter and Randall. Both had presents in their arms as I welcomed them to my party. My mom took the presents and put them with the others I had so far. I'd been really good and not opened any yet, not even the ones from my mom and dad. Peter and Randall both knew Bella even though she didn't come to our school. They both knew she was my best friend since forever and if they came round to play at my house, she was nearly always there.

So me, Bella, Peter and Randall went outside and started chat about school stuff and what we all did yesterday.

"Awesome!" Peter shouted as he saw the pool and slide. "Your mom and dad are so cool letting you have a pool party". He stripped out of his t shirt quickly, taking off his trainers and socks. Randall and I quickly followed.

I looked over at Bella who was clutching the front of her t shirt. She was biting her lip, she was nervous. Huh?

Both Peter and Randall started to jump in the pool and splash each other.

"Come on Bee!" I said. "Whatcha waiting for?" She looked round from left to right then pointed at Alice who was sat with Kate at one of the tables my mom had set up for food.

"Er, I think I'll wait …. er I need to talk to Shorty and her friend" She turned and walked towards Alice and Kate quickly.

"Bee!" I stepped forward and shouted after her but she didn't stop. I just saw the back of her long brown hair as she quickly walked away. Strange I thought. Bella was sort-of friends with Alice, probably because she was a girl. I shrugged my shoulders and ran to the slide and started to climb. When I got to the top, I gained my balance and stood. I posed like Peter Pan with my fists on my hips. The boy that never grew up; that sounds like a good idea. I jumped to sit then flew down the slide, make a big splash. I got to the edge and jumped over, running to the slide again.

When I got to the top I saw Emmett and Garrett run towards us. With one big jump, Emmett drive-bombed in the pool, Garrett wasn't far behind. I laughed, shaking my head at my little brother.

Peter, Randall, Emmett, Garrett and I were taking turns at going down the slide. It was fun but I really wanted Bella to join in. Everything was so much more fun when she was with me. I looked over to where I last saw her with Alice and Kate but none of them were there. I got out of the pool to see my mom had put each of us some beach towels out. Grabbing one of them, drying myself off as I went, I walked towards my house. My mom and dad were in the kitchen sorting the food out.

"Mom, Dad, you seen Bee?" I asked. My mom and dad looked at me then each other.

"I think she's with Alice and Kate. I'll go find her." Mom said. Then she whispered something to my dad but I couldn't hear what she said. Once my mom had left the kitchen, my dad came over to me and kneeled down.

"Son, I know you and Bella are best friends but just remember she's a girl so sometimes she may want to be around other girls and not a gang of boys". He nodded toward the backyard.

"I know she's a girl dad, I'm not stupid" I pouted. "I just want her to come play with me on my birthday. It's not the same without her" My dad smiled at me as mom entered the kitchen again, closely followed by Bella. She had taken off her t shirt and shorts and was wearing a dark blue swimming costume with lighter blue flowers on it. She looked pretty.

"You look really pretty Bee" I smiled. Bella smiled back but looked at her feet. "Thanks Edward" she whispered.

"Come on! You've been missing all the fun" I started to walk outside, waving for her to join me. Bella looked at my mom who nodded then she started to follow.

"Bella's here!" I announced once we got to the pool "Now the real fun can start!" I looked at her to see her beaming back at me.

I managed to convince Bella to have a go on the slide after a few minutes of her being in the pool. Once she did it once and decided she actually did like it, she was on it all the time. I'm really glad mom and dad got a big pool because they were now six of us in there.

My dad came out of the house with a beach ball. "Thanks Dad!" I smiled as I watched him go back into the house. I saw Alice and Kate, both in those silly bikinis, sat at a table again, talking and putting sun cream on. They've not been in the pool once. Silly girls. I looked over at Bella who was zooming down the slide; she was a girl but I didn't really see her as a girl. Maybe that's what Dad was talking about early I thought. I shrugged to myself. "Who wants to play catch?"

We'd been playing in the pool for a while when dad shouted for us all to come out for a bit for food. We all jumped out and dried off with our towels. Everyone got some food and sat at the big table my dad had set up. Bella and Emmett were sat either side of me as we talked and had our food.

"Birthday present time" my mom sang holding a pile of presents. We all got up and sat in a circle on the grass. Mom started handing me presents. I got a Transformer action figure from Peter, a video called ET from Randall, a blue Transformer's lunch box from Garrett and a football from Kate. I got handed Alice's present and rolled my eyes when I opened it. A Thomas the Tank Engine picture book; how old does she think I am? I thought. I glared at Alice who was smirking at me.

"Stupid sister thinks she's so clever" I mumbled.

Putting that to the side, Emmett was literally bouncing when I had the box he wanted to give me earlier. I smiled at him then ripped the silver paper off quickly. Opening the box, I saw a Nintendo Game Boy game. I gasped because I didn't have a Game Boy even though I'd been telling my mom and dad for ages that I wanted one. That means that …

As if my mom read my mind, she said "I think you'll need this to go with Emmett's present" She handed me another box. I made quick work of the paper; I had a big grin on my face as I saw the Nintendo Game Boy packaging looking back at me.

"AWESOME!" I shouted, jumping to my feet, running towards my mom. I nearly knocked her off her feet with the force of my hug. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you".

Running to my dad I did the same. I got back to my spot on the grass and showed everyone the box as I started to try and get the Game Boy out.

"Wait you still have one more Edward" my mom stated as she give me a big box. I recognised the wrapping paper from earlier; this was Bella's present to me.

I looked at her as she smiled at me "I hope you like it. It's not as cool as a Game Boy though" she looked down at her lap.

Smiling I ripped off the paper. My eyes nearly popped out as I stared at the skateboard in its box. I stared at Bella then back at the skateboard. It was green with the Ghostbusters logo in the middle. I loved The Ghostbusters and always wanted a skateboard. It was the coolest present everyone had ever given me.

I dived at Bella and gave her the biggest hug ever along with a kiss on the cheek. The force of me diving at her knocked her on her back so I was lying on top of her. "Thank you Bee. You're the best; you know that right?" I whispered into her neck.

Quickly, I pulled myself off her and grabbed her hand to help her sit up. Bella had pink cheeks. "Are you okay Bee? I didn't hurt you did I?" I worried.

"No I'm okay Edward." and I'm sure I heard her whisper "Silly Edward" under her breath.

"Mom! Dad! See what Bee brought me!" I shouted over with my new skateboard held out in front of me.

"We'll need to get you a helmet and some knee and elbow pads" Dad said. I rolled my eyes. No way I'm wearing those!

A little while later, after another round in the pool, Mom called us over to the table again. It was birthday cake time! My mom had baked me a cake and had written 'Happy 10th Birthday Edward' on it in blue. I had 10 candles as well.

I smiled as everyone sang happy birthday to me. Bella was stood next to me singing; she never sung in tune but I didn't mind. When I blew out my candles I wished for every birthday to be like this; having fun with my family, maybe not my annoying big sister. But especially being with my friends; with my very best friend in the whole wide world, Bella.

26th June 1993 (5th annual 'Seattle Emergency Services Summer Fundraiser')

Making sand castles in the sand box was something that me and Bella had each year we were at the fundraiser. No one else was allowed. Emmett wanted to come with us every year but this was something that me and Bella had always done together, alone. It was like our special thing.

This year, it rained a lot the day before so the sand was really wet. The sand castles didn't look great; they had black bits in them and were a bit runny. In the end, we managed to build a small collection of castles before giving up.

We decided to sit on the swings instead. I was swinging back and forth a little; my skateboard under my feet.

I could see all the people at the fundraiser; it was a lot bigger this year than it was last. They were tables with games, raffles and food like cakes and buns. There were three bouncy castles this year as well as balloons for sale; even a small train on a track that went round in a circle. My dad decided on a barbecue this year; I could smell the meat cooking. Mmmmmm I thought as my tummy grumbled.

"Bee. You wanna get something to eat? I'm starving!" I said while looking at my dad cooking lots of stuff on the barbecue. I'd asked Dad earlier what he would be cooking on the barbecue. There would be steak, sausages, corn and chicken. Dad insisted on doing the cooking himself, wearing a chef's apron that said 'This is what the world's greatest Dad looks like'. I think mom brought it him.

After a couple of minutes, I realised that Bella hadn't answered me so I turned to face her. She was silently crying next to me. I jumped to my feet, nearly falling over my skateboard. "Bee, what's wrong? You okay? Are you hurt? Do I need to get Dad?" I panicked.

Bella shook her head as she looked down at her feet and wiped the tears with the back of her hand. "No" she whispered.

"What's wrong Bee?" I asked softly this time. "Why are you crying?" I crouched down in front of her, putting my hands on her legs to make sure I didn't fall over. "You know you can tell me anything, Bee"

"I..." she shook her head again, she still didn't look at me. "It doesn't even matter."

"Yes it does. Please Bee; tell me how I can make it better?" I pleaded.

Then she raised her head, looking my straight in my eyes. Her pretty brown eyes were all red from her crying as well as her nose.

"Please tell me" I whispered, looking straight back at her. I could see my worried reflection in her watery eyes.

She bit her lip and looked down again. "It's just my stupid dad. He's always working and ..." Then she started to cry again.

Standing up, I tugged Bella's hand and pulled her off the swing then we walked just a few steps to the grass. I sat down, gently pulling Bella with me. Once we were both sat side by side, I threw my arm around her shoulders. She grabbed the front of my t shirt and sobbed into my neck. Bringing the other arm around the front of her, I hugged her until she stopped crying.

"Sorry Edward" she whispered after a while.

"Don't be sorry Bee. We're best friends right?" I felt her nodding against my neck. I stroked her hair a few times; Mom did this to me when I was upset and it always made me feel better.

We sat there for a while in silence. I just hugged her with one arm and stroked her hair down to her back with my other hand.

She eventually stopped crying and then suddenly sat up straight and looked at me. She held her little finger out, Pinky promise, she didn't want me to tell anyone about her crying. Releasing her from my hug but keeping one arm round her shoulders, I linked my little finger with hers. "Pinky promise" I whispered.

"You know you owe me a new t shirt, right? You put your snot all down this one" I smiled.

She gave me a watery smile and a little giggle. That's my girl I thought proudly.

I suddenly realised that sounds like Bella was my girlfriend. I looked at the crowds of people across the park; I could feel my cheeks going red. Bee's my best friend who just happens to be a girl I said to myself.

"Silly Edward" Bella said softly. This made me smile; I've always been 'Silly Edward' from the moment we meet. Turning back to face Bella, she didn't look her pretty self. Her eyes were all red and puffy from her tears but she was beaming at me. I looked over to the barbecue again, I think food will have to wait if Bee doesn't want anyone knowing she's been crying I thought to myself.

"Come on" I said. "Let's go back to the sand box; the sand may have dried now so we can finish off this year's masterpiece".

I jumped to my feet and grabbed my skateboard by the swing. "And then you can watch me go on my skateboard. I'm getting better you know!"

Bella got to her feet, "I believe you"

"And after that, we can go and eat" I stated as my tummy growled, loudly.

"Er, I think you need to eat now Edward."

"It's okay Bee. My tummy can wait".

After making another six sandcastles, we headed a little closer to where everyone was to a section of pathway that was flat. I showed Bella how I could have one foot on my board and I used the other to push myself forward. I couldn't stop properly yet so Bella stood and grabbed my t shirt when I got to her to slow me down.

"You wanna have a go?" I asked breathlessly after my latest attempt.

"Edward. Do you know me?"

"Er yeah? Bee?" I answered, confused.

"Well if you know me, you would know that I can trip over my own feet without needing to use a skateboard to help that"

I chuckled; she had a point. Bella was the clumsiest person I knew.

"Come on Bee. I'll hold you, you won't fall." Bella looked at me, frowning.

"You're sure I won't fall?" she questioned.

"Pinky promise" I stated. After linking our little fingers, Bella cautiously stood on the board and grabbed on to my shoulders. "Edward! Don't let me fall!" she screamed not me as I started to move her along the path.

I rolled my eyes, "I won't. Pinky promise, remember?"

I moved her slowly along the path; her finger nails were digging into my shoulders. When we got to the end of the line, she tried to get off the board. As she stepped off with one of her feet, the skateboard moved sending her leg in another direction. She screamed as I caught her.

Bella was grabbing onto my waist like her life depended on it; I said "Told you I won't let you fall". She looked up at me and smiled.

Later that day when the sun had started to set, I helped my dad load up the car with the stuff from today. Charlie had come and picked up Bella about ten minutes ago.

As I placed another box in the trunk, I turned to my dad, "Dad, why does Charlie work all the time?"

"Well son, he's a policeman so he has to work a lot. He's a really important man."

I frowned. "But you're a doctor, you're important too but you don't work as much as Charlie" I questioned.

"It's difficult to explain Edward"

I rolled my eyes "I'm sure I can keep up"

"Well ..." my dad was struggling with the right words. "Bella only has Charlie, right?" I nodded thinking back to the day she told me her mom was in heaven. "But you have me and Mom, we both work to make sure you, Alice and Emmett get the things you want."

I frowned again, "But you said I couldn't have a puppy when I asked." I was confused.

"Well … that's …." he shrugged again. "What I meant is both your Mom and I work but Charlie is on his own so he has to work more. And no, you still can't have a puppy."

I pouted. No fair.

"Why do you ask, son?" Dad questioned.

"Oh no reason. I was just thinking about Charlie earlier... And why he wasn't here today. I thought it would be work"

"Has Bella said anything to you? About Charlie working so much?"

"No" I shrugged. I hated to lie to my dad but I knew Bella didn't want me to say anything so I didn't. Pinky Promise I thought.

Lying in bed that same night, I felt restless. I turned over trying to get to sleep but I couldn't. Pictures of Bella looking heartbroken and sad filled my head every time I closed my eyes. My dad said that Charlie needed to work so much so Bella could have the things she wanted. I think Charlie loved to work too much. I was sure being a policeman was really cool and I knew catching bad people was really, really important but so was Bella. After my mom and dad, even before Emmett, she was the most important person to me.

I drifted to sleep with happy thoughts of me and Bella, forever best friends.

So what you guys think to this chapter? Hope you liked it. Next chapter will be leading up to Edward's 16th

I just want to thank my friend & beta SweetLovinCullen for all her help and support with my story. If you haven't already checked her current story, Unexpected Love, go do that now at www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6113033/1/Unexpected_Love