DISCLAIMER: I do not own Twilight. All rights are reserved to Mrs. Meyer.

I mean no disrespect.

Chapter two

I heard Bella moan as she took in the decorations. Alice had tried to keep it understated, but being to Bella this probably seemed far too much. She really needed to get used to this, eventually.

I inhaled her scent and my throat burned dully.

"This is a party. Try to be a good sport."

"Sure," she muttered.

I bit back my smile as I walked over to get her door for her. I offered her my hand, helping her out of the car.

"I have a question."

What is she going to come up with now?

I waited for her to continue.

"If I develop this film, will you show up in the picture?"

She looked so adorable, the way she looked up from under her lashes, somehow afraid I might take offence.

I couldn't contain my laughter and was still laughing when we walked into the house. My parents and siblings welcomed us with a chorus of 'Happy Birthday' and I could feel Bella go rigid as she took in the room. It was completely covered in pink. Pink roses, pink candles and a pink birthday cake. Why did Alice have to buy such a big one? It wasn't like anyone but Bella was going to eat it.

Why does she look so shocked? Alice asked silently.

"What do you think, Alice?" I muttered to low for Bella to hear.

Oh. Too much pink?

I look up at the ceiling and then down.

I wrapped my arm around Bella's waist and bent down to kiss her hair. As I inhaled the venom flooded my mouth and I swallowed it back.

Poor thing, she looks terrified, Esme noted before she came over to hug Bella.

Carlisle put his arm around her shoulder.

"Sorry about this, Bella," he whispered. "We couldn't rein Alice in."

I caught Rose's eye and noted that she wasn't as openly hostile as she used to be, but it wasn't a whole lot better.

Take it or leave it, Edward! She half snarled at me. I rolled my eyes and attempted to block out my family's thoughts.

Emmet was relaxed as always. He was grinning hugely and I was glad Bella didn't respond to us like other humans, because otherwise she would be running from the display of teeth as fast as her legs would carry her.

"You haven't changed at all," he told Bella in a disappointed tone. "I expected a perceptible difference, but here you are, red-faced just like always."

The red in her cheeks got darker. "Thanks a lot, Emmet," she said, making Emmet laugh.

"I have to step out for a second," he said, winking at Alice. "Don't do anything funny while I'm gone."

"I'll try."

After Alice had congratulated Bella she towed her to the table with the cake and the gifts.

"Time to open presents," Alice announced in a cheerful voice.

Bella's face fell visibly and I had to struggle to keep from laughing. Of course I knew what her presents were and I was sure she would love the gifts. Eventually.

"Alice, I told you I didn't want anything." Bella started.

"But I didn't listen," Alice interrupted her.

She took the camera from Bella and handed her the first gift.

"Open it," Alice ordered.

I knew the box was empty and Emmet was in fact now making sure that Bella's gift was in place, without a chance of her returning it. So I watched her, prepared to be amused.

And she certainly didn't disappoint. Her brow furrowed when she pulled the paper from the box and she stared at it, not knowing what to think. She looked so adorable I had a hard time not to run to her side and take her up to my room with me. I thought about pulling her close to me and gently kissing her soft lips.

Stop, right there Edward. I reminded myself.

Bella had now opened the box, seeing that it was empty she looked even more befuddled than before.

"Um…thanks," she said timidly.

Rose smiled and Jazz laughed.

"It's a stereo for your truck," Jasper explained. "Emmet's installing it right now so you can't return it."

The pucker between Bella's eyes disappeared.

"Thanks, Jasper, Rosalie," she said, grinning widely. She probably remembered my remark about her radio.

"Thanks, Emmet!" she yelled, making sure he would hear it.

Emmet's laughter reached into the house, which set off Bella's too. She really, really, really was cute. And I wanted to hold her close so badly.

Maybe… I mused, letting my mind wander for a second. Then I was interrupted by Alice's stern thoughts.

Edward, don't you dare ask her to come upstairs! This is a party and I didn't go through all this trouble for you to get her out of here as fast as your feet can carry you.

I bit back my laughter as I saw what Alice had seen. I lightly shook my head back and forth to reassure her that I wouldn't go through with my idea.

"Open mine and Edward's next," Alice almost yelled at Bella. She was so excited she was almost hopping up and down. Alice held out the package and Bella spun to glare at me.

"You promised," she hissed.

I was about to say something when Emmet came charging through the door.

"Just in time!" he cheered.

Bella was still glaring at me.

"I didn't spend a dime." I told her. I got distracted by a lock of hair that was in her face and brushed it away gently. I could feel my finger burn with need to touch her again, but I decided against it. Bella's heart hammered faster than before, which pleased me and again I only wanted to have her to myself.

Bella drew a deep breath and turned back to Alice.

"Give it to me," she sighed.

Emmet chuckled.

Bet you ten bucks she'll be blushing after she opens this one and then embarrass herself by kissing you a bit too enthusiastically in front of all of us.

I wanted to punch him, but reined myself in and waited for Bella to open her present. Bella took it from Alice and rolled her eyes at me.

She stuck her finger under the paper and jerked.

"Shoot," she mumbled before withdrawing her finger and checking it carefully.

I smelled in an instant that she had broken the skin and immediately my throat burst into flames.

This is going to be bad!

I less than half a second my own thirst was boasted up by the others in the room and it took all my strength not to jump at Bella and drain her.

Jasper flipped when he smelled the fresh blood and was about to pounce.

"NO!" I yelled at him and threw myself at Bella to defend her, only making the monster in me roar harder, the thirst was raking my throat. I stopped breathing to soothe the burning, but it was intensified by my siblings and Esme, so it barely helped. The only one in the room who's thirst hardly added to mine, was Carlisle.

Stay calm Edward, keep Jasper away from her, he thought, calm and deliberate.

In my attempt to keep her safe I had knocked Bella into the table, sending her, the table and it's contents to fall to the floor. The glass plates shattered and Bella, being cursed with the worst luck in the world, landed in the middle of the broken glass.

I felt Jasper crash into me and a thundering sound echoed through the room. I could hear his growl next to my ear and his teeth snapping, but all I could think about was Bella.

She had tried to break her fall by catching the blow with her hands, but she crashed straight into the shards of crystal that were scattered al over the floor and her thin skin was pierced, making her blood flow quickly out of her arm.

O, god. Bella, I'm sorry.

I wanted to tell her, but I couldn't use my breath to speak. I was holding on to my strength for dear life in order to keep her safe.

Emmet had grabbed Jasper from behind to restrain him, but he was still thrashing wildly, focused on Bella and the blood that was dripping from her arm.

Bella now looked up at us, dazed by the whole situation. In the mirror of her big brown eyes I could see my family. The monsters that we were, were clearly visible and I felt repulsed to my core.

Bella, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

A/N: I know this chapter is short, but I thought it best to stick to the chapter end from New Moon.