I own : an awesome Ron Jon Purse and eleven instant apple cider packets, Yum!

I don't own : Twilight (any of it) or the music I make reference to (well, I do have it on iTunes and some on CDs, but I don't think that's what they're talking about…)

EPOV (Edward)

She turned in my arms. My arms; she was in my arms, finally. "You're good." She leaned down and kissed me; a kiss that was far from the innocent pecks I forced her to indulge me with when she was human. "You're really, really good."

I twisted my hand into her hair; knotting it, I'm sure. She brushed her hand along the nape of my neck before pulling back to unlock my hand from her hair. "Slow," she whispered against my lips.

"You started that one…" I smirked, hoping that she would be forgiving. Even though she was still Bella, she had gained a bit of a temper and I wasn't ready to test it. Soon, but not yet. I'm sure of her want to stay, but, as much as it pained me, she wasn't sure of mine.

She grinned at me, stroking my cheek. "I know." I turned my head quickly to kiss her palm. "What happened, when you went back to the dance?"

"Didn't Renesmee tell you? Or Alice? Or Jasper?" I laughed as I named off a few family members. "Did the rest of them make an appearance yet? They've all been considering it."

She giggled as she settled into her former position, laying her head in the crook of my shoulder. I could not be happier at this very moment…

"I refused to talk to them; only Alice and Jasper came to see me. And Renesmee wouldn't look at me the first night and yesterday she wouldn't come near me. She's convinced that I'm furious with her, and I'm not exactly arguing with that theory right now." She sighed. "But honestly, I couldn't let Jasper in the house. My emotions have been all over the place the last two days."

I stroked her arms; lightly, lovingly. "I am elated that we're… us. I'm sad that we're apart for the time being. I'm livid with Renesmee and Alice; disappointed in Emmett, Rose, and Jasper. I'm concerned about Esme and Carlisle. I've been lonely the last few days, and I've felt guilty. But I also feel love… and a little bit of lust. I don't think I can be around Jasper till this bet is other with." She laughed as she concluded her thoughts. "I'm all over the place and I still can't help but feel okay with how things are turning out." She took my right arm and wrapped it around her waist; to which I gladly gripped to.

This is where I wanted to be.

"Practice helps… but only so much. I'm having the same problem, love." Her breathing hitched when I called her that. And I would be lying if I didn't admit I was a little smug because of that. "I held it together when I had to run back to the formal. I pulled off the pained, rejected man very well, I believe." Hell, I've had years of practice at this point.Bella scratched her nails lightly over my arm, still wrapped around her waist, allowing me the time to continue. "Alice and Renesmee were the only vocal ones. The others were too shocked to say anything, but still the only things they could ask were, 'what happened' and 'where were you.' They knew that you weren't coming back but they couldn't bring it in themselves to realize they failed." Although they actually hadn't.

"What else?" she whispered, although I knew she didn't really want to know. As much as she wanted them to suffer for their meddling, she was still feeling guilty over it.

"I yelled, at everyone. Even Renesmee, she looked so heartbroken and I know Jasper felt my remorse for that, but he didn't feel anything else. I left them there and ran home. Once there, I ran straight to my room, past Esme and Carlisle; they were completely in the dark from the plan. One by one, they came to apologize but I turned them away. Rose and Jasper are innocent except for wanting you and me to be happy. And Emmett is still scared of Renesmee. It was all Alice and our daughter; they were the masterminds."

"I'm not surprised. I figured as much." She mumbled, closing her eyes as she thought through my words.

We lay there for hours, till the sun began to creep up over the horizon. "Bella."

"Hmm?" she was afraid, of course, but basking in our position left her with very few coherent thoughts. I'd still give anything to hear them.

"We have school in a few hours. The family will be home shortly and Renesmee will wake soon; I have to go." I regretted ever agreeing to the bet, if I hadn't we could just skip school and no one would care. Although that wouldn't be a very good model for Renesmee.

"I know," she sighed, holding my arm over her waist just a bit tighter.

"I don't want to go," I confessed.

"But you have to," she finished.

"I love you, that doesn't change. We'll play the roles you want, teach them a lesson about minding their own business, and then… we'll be off to Isle Esme." I teased.

She pushed me off the bed quickly, but I caught myself before causing a crash to wake Renesmee. "We'll see, Edward." She closed in on me as I backed away. "Hold still," she pleaded.

I immediately halted my movements to be rewarded with a kiss. A kiss that would have to last the next 18 hours, at least. Who knows when I'll be able to sneak out again?

"I'll have to avoid you as much as possible, you know?" She whispered into my ear as she held herself to me.

"I know," I mumbled in her hair. "I'll miss you."

She pulled back, stroking my cheek. "We have biology and none of them are with us." She smiled. "I have a surprise for you." She pecked a chaste kiss on each corner of my mouth.

"Can't I just have it now?" I begged, not wanting to leave this perfect bubble.

She giggled; much like a teenager in love. "No, it'll be more enjoyable then, I promise. Now go, I need to get ready before Renesmee wakes up."

I sighed and kissed her forehead once more. "Goodbye for now, love."

"Bye, Edward," she whispered; her voice shaking.

BPOV (Bella)

I smelled like him and as much as it pained me, I had to wash him away if only to fool Renesmee and the rest of the family.

His scent would linger in my bed, for which I was grateful. I'll need to be downstairs before Renesmee wakes so she doesn't detect anything. I wasn't sure if she would, but I couldn't afford to take the chance.

I hopped in the shower, enjoying the warmth that was entirely too hot for a human. I lavished myself in the strawberry body wash, hoping Edward would appreciate it throughout the day. Even in passing, I wanted him to know I cared; that I was all in this.

A voice interrupted my thoughts about my lovely night with Edward. "Mom?" Her voice was tentative, almost shaky.

I dipped my back under the spray, washing away the soap. "Yes?" I replied, no overly enthusiastic. She had manipulated me, after all.

"Can I talk to you, Mommy?" There it is. She felt guilty; she was resorting to "mommy." Anytime she wanted something or felt she was in trouble, she used that name.

I attempted to sway her away. "Can it wait?"

"No, it really can't." She paused and I let her continue. "Mommy, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have gone behind your back. I really thought it would help you both. And I just wanted us to be happy, especially you and Dad. It was all my fault, and I'm so sorry, Mom." Her words were rushed and they caused my heart to sputter. I had to swallow the words back in my throat versus telling her everything was fine and that all was forgiven. She hadn't learned anything yet. And Alice needed to understand the lesson just as much.

I sighed heavily. "I understand you're sorry, honey. And I'm glad you are and that you know it wasn't right, but it's not that simple."

"But it could be, Mom. Dad didn't know a thing about the plan, I swear. Can't you just forgive him and be with him?"

I shut off the water, grabbing the towel a second later. "It's just not that simple, Renesmee. You need to let what happens, happen. And right now… nothing is happening with your father and me." I wrapped the towel around myself and opened the curtain. "Now go and get ready, we need to leave soon."

Renesmee wiped a tear away and I nearly lost it. Think of the bet. Edward called you a bad actress. I continued to berate myself into not giving her a hug and confessing everything, but honestly, I didn't care if Edward thought I was a bad actress as long as he stayed with me. It wasn't about the bet, but about the lesson I wanted Alice and Renesmee to learn. One down, one to go…

"Okay." She walked down the hall, as I walked to my room, breathing in the scent of him, one more time before school.

A/N: Happy Valentine's Day! Here's your gift from me to you…

Now, here's the deal… the shower gel isn't Edward's surprise and most of you might guess what it will be… but let me know what you think it will be… I'm curious how it comes across.

FYI, I got a new puppy yesterday and I might as well have a child, so bear with me when it comes to updating, I will keep this story going till it's over… promise.

Read, Review and Comment – You know I love it!

-kmwhyte