DISCLAIMER: Twilight is still owned by Stephanie Meyer… bummer.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Here's another chapter. Sorry for not updating sooner! I haven't had access to a computer. I have posted the prelude and chapter1 of a new story! It's called A twist in my story and I just couldn't stop myself from posting it today. That doesn't mean I'm abandoning this one. Promise. =D

-BPOV-

We had been in Edward's room for about an hour doing homework. Okay. I was doing homework. Edward had finished fifteen minutes after we started and now he was sitting on his bed, watching me over the book he was supposedly reading.

I rolled my eyes and slumped onto my side on the black couch that was positioned in the corner of his room.

"Brain dead!" I exclaimed.

Edward chuckled.

"Perhaps you need a break?"

I smiled and sat up on the couch.

"I think I do." I walked over to the bed and crawled up so that I was sitting beside him.

"What are you reading?"

He closed the book and handed it to me. I groaned.

"Didn't we finish Dracula in English lit. a month ago?" I asked.

He nodded and sat back against the headboard.

"Indeed we did." he agreed.

I just stared at him.

"I'm reading it again because I like the book." He explained with a shrug.

"Why?" I grimaced.

He chuckled.

"Why don't you like Dracula?" he asked and scooted away from me on the bed before shooting me that crocked grin that I loved.

I wrinkled my nose.

"I've never liked vampire stories all that much." I stated simply.

He gasped.

"And what, may I ask, is wrong with vampires Ms. Swan?" he asked in mock hurt.

I rolled my eyes and snuggled closer into his side. He immediately wrapped his arm around me, allowing me to borrow in further.

"Perhaps you do not have the right perspective."

"Enlighten me oh great teacher." I replied sarcastically and Edward smirked.

"I will." he said resolutely. He picked the book back up and turned to the first page. I frowned. I hadn't been serious but it seemed he was going to punish me for my sarcasm.

"Just listen with an open mind." he suggested before resting his chin on the top of my head and holding the book in front of him with the hand that wasn't wrapped around my side.

"Fine." I sighed. At least I was comfortable. It was odd how at ease I felt with Edward.

I don't know how many pages he read when I yawned unintentionally. I was actually getting into the story by that time. Vampire stories didn't sound so bad when Edward was involved. I felt my eyes droop and before I knew it I was drifting off to sleep. I could hear my lullaby being hummed to me by an angel somewhere in the distance.

-EPOV-

Bella said my name twice as she slept and I smiled to myself. I felt great regret when it was time to wake her; she looked so peaceful and comfortable snuggled next to me. But I knew everyone would be arriving back home in an hour.

"Bella." I whispered.

She didn't move.

"My love." I called a little louder.

She moved a fraction of an inch and mumbled, "Love you." I smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. She blinked a couple of times and then her beautiful chocolate orbs were focused on my face.

"Everyone will be here soon." I told her and she stretched.

"I'm sorry I feel asleep."

She burrowed her head back into my chest and she seemed embarrassed.

"It's quite alright." I assured her. "You must have needed your sleep."

She yawned and I chuckled while I played absently with a lock of her hair. I pulled lightly on the curl and watched it bounce back before I curled it around my finger.

"I guess." She admitted reluctantly. "I haven't been sleeping well recently."

I frowned.

"Why not?"

She shrugged and sat up.

"Nightmares."

"Would you like to talk about them?" I asked. I was worried. Sleep was detrimental and I hated to think that there was something that was troubling her so much that it kept her from getting enough rest.

She shook her head and a little sadness flashed in her eyes.

"Just… memories." She whispered.

I winced. I knew she thought of her brother often and it made me feel so helpless. I wished there was a way to erase the pain and leave her with only good memories of Zach.

"Don't worry Edward."

My frown deepened. She wasn't supposed to be comforting me!

"How long do we have before everyone gets here?" she asked.

"About an hour." I responded, still distracted with my thoughts of how to help her.

She got up from the bed and I looked over at her.

"Are you ready to do this?" she asked.

"Of course." I smiled. I knew she was changing the direction of the conversation to something more enjoyable. I wanted to hear more about her nightmares so that I could think of a way to help her but I didn't press the matter further. I knew Bella would tell me more when she was ready.

"How about you?" I asked.

"Of course." She repeated my response and smiled tenderly.

"Would you like something to eat before they arrive?"

Bella nodded and I got up, kissing the top of her head on my way to the door.

"I will go fix you something."

---

"Is there anything you can't do better than me?" she pouted.

I looked over at her with amusement. She had just finished her meal and was sitting at the table as I cleaned the dishes that had been used..

"What do you mean?"

"That was wonderful." She sighed, seeming slightly disappointed that it was edible. She motioned towards the newly clean plate that I was drying.

I laughed.

"You know, you're too perfect." she commented and I rolled my eyes. "You're making the rest of us look bad."

"The way you see me is absolutely absurd."

She was about to retort when Alice danced into the kitchen. She looked from me to Bella and then back to me.

"What are you guys doing here?" she asked suspiciously with a twinkle in her eyes.

"We were eating." I told her. "And now I am washing the dishes. Would you like to help?"

Alice huffed and sat down beside Bella.

"Bella!" She whined. "I thought you loved me!"

Bella looked at her in confusion.

"I do love you Alice." She assured her sweetly.

I smirked. She was going to walk straight into this one.

"Then why won't you tell me what's going on?" she demanded.

Bella grimaced and looked to me for help. I set the fork I had been rinsing down and came to stand behind Bella. I put my hands lovingly on her shoulders and glanced at her tenderly before turning to my cousin's shocked face.

"What would you like to know?" I asked calmly.

Alice shrieked.

"I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!" She cheered and I smirked.

Alice giggled.

"Heck! I knew it before you knew it!"

Her face suddenly became accusing and she glowered at me.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? You could have trusted me! Really. For two people who supposedly love me…"

"We didn't tell anyone Alice." I reminded her gently, cutting off her rant.

She crossed her arms over her chest and sat back in her chair with a huff.

"How long ago did you two finally get together? Why aren't you telling anyone? Why didn't you tell me?!"

"It was only last night." Bella answered one of her many questions and Alice seemed slightly happier and a fraction more forgiving.

"And don't be mad at Edward." She sighed. "It was my idea not to tell anyone."

Alice turned her disapproving frown to Bella and I moved forward slightly in a protective move that didn't even make sense. I would never have to protect Bella in Alice's presence. I knew she loved her but it was a reflex reaction that did not listen to reason.

"Why?!" she exclaimed.

I frowned.

"Alice." I warned. "Calm down."

Alice huffed.

"I wanted a little time to get used to the idea and just be with Edward without worrying about what everyone else thought." Bella explained timidly and I squeezed her shoulder.

Alice sighed.

"I suppose that is understandable. It's actually very cute!… I still wish you would have told me."

Bella smiled brightly and I gave Alice a thankful glance. I was glad she wasn't going to hold a grudge. It would be painful to see Alice and Bella fighting. Alice had been Bella's first real friend when she moved here and I knew they cared about each other.

"You're the first one we told." Bella tried to emend.

Alice beamed.

"Really? That is so sweet! I really do love you both. I can't believe it took so long for you guys to break down."

I chuckled. Alice never stayed mad for long and once she was excited about something there was no stopping her.

Alice looked from me back to Bella and there was something in her expression that made me wary.

"I will forgive you under one condition."

I smirked.

"It looks as if you have already forgiven us."

Alice shot me a look.

"What's your condition Alice?" Bella asked curiously.

She retained an evil glint to her eyes and she smirked at me before exclaiming,

"You have to tell me right away when you're engaged!"

"Alice!" I exclaimed and she smiled at me angelically, completely unabashed.

"What's going on?" asked Emmett curiously from the doorway.

I looked up to see my entire family standing in the entrance to the kitchen, Rosalie and Jasper in tow.

---

"Edward, we all love Bella and it is evident that you love her very much." Carlisle began.

I had been herded into his home office in the back of the house shortly after I spotted my family in the kitchen.

"And your mother and I are exceedingly happy for you both. You are wonderful together."

My mother nodded her head in agreement and sent me a warm smile. I smiled back before returning my attention to my father, trying to correct the wrong assumption.

"But marriage is a very important commitment that cannot be taken lightly."

"Da"

"Not that we think you haven't put some thought into the decision." My mother interrupted me. "We just don't think you have known Bella long enough to take that step yet."

I smiled tightly. I knew they were trying to approach the topic as gently as they could and they were doing a wonderful job. Really. But the problem was that they had jumped to the wrong conclusion. They had arrived only in time to hear Alice squeal, "You're engaged!" in her overly excited tone. They had assured me into the office immediately and I hadn't even realized what they were talking about at first. Now they were trying to talk me out of marrying my girlfriend of exactly twenty-three hours.

"We are not getting married!" I finally got out.

Esme and Carlisle exchanged looks.

"I'm confused." Carlisle finally said.

I chuckled. That was an immense understatement.

"Alice was giving Bella and I a hard time because we had just told her we were together… officially."

A smile illuminated Esme's face and she squeezed my hand.

"I am so happy for you dear."

I smiled warmly at my mother and my father chuckled. I looked at him curiously.

"It's about time." he chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and ran a hand through my hair.

"It seems Bella and I were the last to know."

Carlisle's eyes sparkled.

"It would seem so." he agreed.

As we were walking out of my father's office he motioned for me to stay behind.

"I knew that first time I met Bella at the hospital that she meant a lot to you." He commented.

"She does." I said with feeling.

Carlisle nodded.

"I am happy for you son. You smile more since you met her and I am sure you are good for her as well. It's good to see you happy again."

I looked down at my feet. Sometimes I forget how hard my evident happiness must have been for my family.

"Thank you." I had always respected and admired my father and I was glad to have his approval, although I could not imagine anyone not approving of Bella.

---

Everyone else reacted much the way we thought they would. Jasper was all quiet approval and calm joy while Rosalie acted as if she didn't care one way or another. Maybe she didn't. Emmett declared that he had won the bet and he and Alice got into a heated argument.

I chuckled and sat down on the couch beside Bella and she intertwined our fingers together without hesitation.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

I smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"Everything is perfect." I responded. "Okay" was not an adequate word for how I was feeling.

"Aww!"

I looked up to see that Alice and Emmett had put their argument on hold and they were staring at us. I rolled my eyes. Alice winked and then turned her attention back to Emmett, her hands on her hips.

"You changed you answer Monday! You gave them until Prom. I said they would be together this week. Next week at the very latest!"

"But after dinner last night I said tomorrow!" He declared, pouting.

"They were already together by then!" Alice huffed indignantly.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hope you liked it. If you read it please review. Plus don't forget to read my newest story if you like this one! Thanks!

-PREVIEW ON NEXT CHAPTER-

"Would it be okay with you if someone joined us for dinner tonight?" I asked nervously.

I had already invited him and he would be here in a little over half an hour so I really hoped Charlie was in the mood for company.

Charlie narrowed his eyes suspiciously. I hadn't had anyone over since I moved here. I had always gone to the Cullen's and on occasion to Alice's. I had even gone over to Angela Webber's house once but I had never invited anyone over here. There wasn't really a reason; I just hadn't.

"Who?"

That was the question that I didn't want to answer. I looked at my fingers, twisting and untwisting them anxiously. This was one father/daughter milestone that I wouldn't have missed.

"Edward Cullen."