Sorry again! I know this must be meaningless because I am saying sorry a lot, but do believe me when I say that my life has been completely hectic! And now, for a very important chapter, I hope I don't disappoint…

Chapter 33


Edward POV

Bella looked breath-taking as she descended he stair in her dress. She looked adorable once she realized that the family weren't coming to dinner with us. I studied her features carefully and was relieved to find that there was no regret to be
found in her eyes.

"Where are we going?" She asked curiously.
"It's a surprise." I knew she hated them and I chuckled softly as she frowned but didn't complain. We rode in a comfortable silence, but as my eyes roamed her face, I couldn't hold my thoughts any longer.
"You look amazing tonight." She blushed but otherwise didn't acknowledge the compliment. She had done the same thing earlier and I wouldn't let it pass again.
"Bella, you truly are beautiful." I said gently and she looked up.
"No I'm not."
"Why do you think that?"
"I'm just average- nothing special here." She stated confidently and I just shook my head incredulously.
"How will I make you see yourself clearly?" I asked sadly.
"Easy, there is nothing to see." Always so stubborn…
"We will just have to see about that." I muttered and she just smiled before looking out of the window again.

I pursed my lips- this night wasn't going as expected so far and I desperately needed to lift the mood. I was nervous, even though everybody assured me that Bella loves me. I would be a fool not to believe them and notice the love itself in her eyes, but I could only hope that her love was even a fraction of the love I held for her.

I could see Bella starting to get impatient and I had to hold my smile back.
"So are you going to tell me now?" She gave in and I shook my head.
"I hate surprises." She grumbled.
"Oh, I know." I smirked and she huffed.
"Don't worry, we'll be there soon enough." I hope she enjoyed the evening. Some may call it cliché, but isn't romance just that; cliché? Where would be without roses and candles?

We finally arrived as I pulled up in front of the restaurant. I handed the valet the car keys and went to open Bella's door. She was already blushing.
"Edward!" She protested. "This is one of the most expensive restaurants in Seattle!"
"Let me spoil you." I laughed while pulling her out of the car. She was obviously embarrassed as she hid her head by my shoulder. I led her up to the front desk.

"Hi, my name is Frankie, how may I help you tonight?" Asked an overly enthusiastic teen, probably happy she got a job in such an important restaurant.
"Yes, reservations for two, under 'Cullen' please." I said politely.
"Oh, of course!" Frankie started to hurriedly flip through her book, unintentionally ripping out a few pages in her haste- it was rather amusing to listen to her flustered thoughts.

Oh he is cute! No Frankie, no. He has a girlfriend! Just concentrate on keeping your job! Cullen… Cullen… Where are you? Oops, I will have to find some tape later. Oh Cullen! There you are!
"Here we go, the balcony." I nodded as she led us to our table.
"Your waiter will be here in just a minute." She smiled and I returned the favor. She seemed slightly dazed as she stumbled away. Bella looked at me disapprovingly.
"What?" I asked innocently.
"Oh you know what." She snorted. Apparently, I 'dazzle' people as Bella says it.

"Hello, my name is Marco. I will be your waiter tonight." Wow, that girl is beautiful! His thoughts screamed at me. He handed us our menus.
"Do you already know what you would like to drink?" He mainly asked Bella but was still polite. Bella squirmed slightly under the attention and I took her hand to reassure her and to send a hint to Marco. Damn, should have known…
"Bella?" I asked while smirking slightly.
"A coke please."
"Two cokes." I confirmed and Marco walked away with a small ounce of defeat. I couldn't be to mad at the boy; his thoughts were innocent, only wistful. He had no intention of doing anything rash.

"See anything you like?" I asked Bella who had already picked up her menu.
"Yes, the mushroom ravioli." She smiled. "So what are you going to eat?"
"Ummm." I quickly glanced at the menu. "Lasagna." I picked randomly. When Marco returned, he was an exemplary waiter and took our order honestly. I was quite impressed when he returned with the food after fifteen minutes.

"Bon appétit." Marco smiled before walking away.
"Isn't this restaurant supposed to be Italian?" Bella giggled when Marco was out of hearing range. I too noticed the irony and laughed. She ate her food and sighed contently.
"Is it good?"
"Delicious." She exclaimed happily. I watched her eat for a while as I pushed the food around in my plate.

"We're the only ones in the balcony, it's very peaceful." Bella noticed.
"I rented it out." I stated matter-of-factly and got rather worried when Bella started choking on her food.
"You what?" She finally gasped.
"I rented out the balcony for us tonight." Anger flashed in her eyes. "Don't protest and enjoy your food, you can't change anything now." She slowly picked up her fork again and started eating.
"Thank you." She mumbled shyly.
"Anything for you." I said with perhaps a bit too much emotion.

We discussed a little bit of everything over the evening- I was stalling. Several times I saw her glance at the grand piano in the corner.
"Do you want me to play for you?" I asked once she had finished her dessert. Her eyes lit up and she nodded eagerly. I took her hand and sat her next to me. I started playing her lullaby. I had written this a while ago and was looking for the right moment to play it to her. Bella's eyes were rimmed with water as the melody played. I finished with a flourish and Bella let out a shaky breath.

"Wow" Was all she muttered.
"You inspired it." I said gently and she blinked at me in astonishment.
"Come, I have something else to show you." I pulled her forward and threw some money on the table. Bella followed me wordlessly as I led her back into the car. We drove once again in comfortable silence. Once we reached our destination, I stopped the car and flashed to her side.
"Come on my back." I said lifting her. "Close your eyes." I whispered. She followed what I said obediently.

She had already been to the meadow before. I had brought her once when she was still recovering, so she probably knew where I was taking her. There was only one difference now for the occasion. I had equipped the trees with fairy lights –must thank Alice- and had brought some blankets for Bella.

"Keep your eyes closed." I reminded her as I set her on her feet and sure enough, they were still clamped shut. I led her to the middle and set the blankets down before sitting Bella down.
"You can open your eyes now." As soon as she did, her face filled with wonder as she looked all around the meadow.
"What? How?" She stuttered as she took in the lights.
"Do you like it?" I asked nervously.
"I love it! It's beautiful!" She exclaimed in awe. I sat down next to her. I had to get it out now. I wanted to make this night special, no matter if it sounded cliché; Bella was enjoying herself and she was the only one whom I needed to impress.

"Bella," I started. "You don't understand how guilty I feel about everything that has happened to you." Her face fell.
"Edward, its okay, just stop-" She sighed.
"No, let me finish." I said gently. "It hurt our family above anything else to see you lying on that hospital bed… However, they had each other. They had comfort, love." She seemed confused at what I was saying. "Bella, I had that too. I had love." I said softly. She looked pained for a second so I picked up her hand.
"I love you." I said simply. Her heart missed a beat as she stared at me. She didn't say anything, so I continued.
"I have all along, but I couldn't see- no. More like, I refused to see. I love you." I repeated. She sat there a bit longer without a word. I grew anxious as she didn't reply. I turned my head away; more heartbroken than embarrassed.

"I love you too." Came her tiny voice. I whipped around to see a gentle smile on her lips.
"I love you too." She said once again as I was filled with elation. I slid to her side and lifted her into my lap with my arms securely around her. She giggled and rested into my embrace. We basked in each others presence until she broke the silence.
"Since when?" She whispered. I looked down at her and felt compelled to tell the truth.
"The night in the hospital before we told you what we are." She nodded her head thoughtfully.
"I felt it too, before realizing it I mean. I just didn't know what I was feeling. It was the first time…" She trailed off suggestively.
"Me too." She looked astonished and I gave her a kind smile.
"You are the only person I have ever loved and will ever love." She snuggled deeper into my chest.

"I love you." She mumbled and I smiled.
"I will never get tired of hearing that." She lifted her head and grinned at me.
"I love you." I was simply euphoric at her words. How could I not be? I laid down, pulling her with me. She giggled once again as she fell on top of me.
"You're too hard." She laughed jokingly.
"Oh am I?"
"Yes." She smiled so I smirked and pulled away.
"No, no, no. But very comfortable." She mumbled while worming herself back into my arms. I smiled into her hair.

"I don't think I could have done it." She said thoughtfully.
"Done what?"
" I had convinced myself to hide me feelings- to take what I could get. It was becoming increasingly difficult- I don't think I could have done it." I breathed in, letting her scent envelope me.
"Well, I'm glad you don't have to."
"Yes, that's a very good thing." She smiled while yawning.
"Are you tired?" I knew she was, but I didn't want to be patronizing.
"N-n-no." Her speech was distorted by another yawn and I chuckled. I started humming her lullaby, hoping she would sleep.

"Did you really write that for me?" She asked timidly.
"Yes, only for you." I said and she pulled herself closer to me.
"Thank you." She whispered before fully relaxing in my arms and giving into sleep's temptation.

I lay there in the meadow with her a while longer until she started to shiver. I gently lifted her, taking care not to wake her up, and brought her to the car. I set her into the backseat and she reluctantly let me go even in her sleep. I brushed a few strands of hair from her face and kissed her forehead.

Everybody was waiting for us when we got home, and by judging their smiles; Alice had already told them what had happened. I didn't say a word as I smiled gently and walked past them, carrying Bella to her room. I laid her on the bed and took her shoes off, but then decided she still needed more comfort.

"Rose?" I whispered. She appeared in the doorway, walked in and chose Bella a set of pyjamas. I walked out of the room while Rosalie changed her. Rose then left without a word to join the rest of my family who were leaving me alone to enjoy the simple but exquisite presence of my love.

"Edward…" Bella mumbled. "I love you." No, I really would never get tired of hearing that.
"I love you too." I whispered and climbed onto the bed. Bella automatically shifted towards me and I took her in my embrace.
"Sweet dreams my love." I said before humming her lullaby once again.

This day couldn't have gone any better.

Oh I hope I didn't disappoint! It took a lot of thinking for this chapter and I decided that they wouldn't share a first kiss yet, because it would maybe have complications on Bella's side. May I just add, THAT I REACHED 300 REVIEWS! You guys stay loyal, even when I falter and I truly thank you for it!

Special mention for my next chapter in the one-shots, it will be chapter 32, previously in Esme's and Bella's POV, now in Jasper POV. This was asked by RunEdwardRun, thank you again and so incredibly sorry I haven't done that for you yet. It is coming!

Last notice. I do take all criticism and I honestly don't mind it, but there are authors out there who may be more sensitive, so try and keep the criticism constructive instead of rude. So, to 'anonymous' point out my mistakes and I will gladly correct them for you, but don't go around putting people's stories down when you don't even have the guts the sign your name.

Thanks once more to all my readers! You are incredible!