A/N: There is a ton of stuff going on in this rather long chapter. I tried breaking it up but it just didn't feel right so you all have plenty to read.

Please hit that lil review button when your done and let me know what you think!

Enjoy

Chapter 2- Party time

Eventually, Edward and I had to come back to the real world. We saw the first rays of light beginning to brighten the sky, and I came back to my senses. I sat up on his couch like a bolt of lightning. Charlie was going to be awake soon, and if I wasn't home, in bed, when he woke up, we would have serious problems. Edward looked at me with a puzzled expression and I responded by saying my dad's name. Edward grinned at me and moved in a blur from the couch to a pile of shredded material that had been my clothes. I realized that of the clothing I came over in, I only had a bra and tank top that were still wearable. Edward grinned like a kid on Christmas morning when he realized that my clothes were completely unsalvageable. Just then, Edward's phone began to buzz across the desk.

Edward grabbed his phone and groaned when he saw the number. Before he flipped open his phone to answer the call, he grumbled Alice's name with an eye roll and then started talking to his dark haired sister; he spoke so quickly I couldn't understand him. In a matter of 30 seconds, Edward was back off the phone again and moving around his room in a blur. I looked at him, trying to figure out what was so urgent. After a few seconds of watching him move almost too fast for the human eye, I said his name.

Edward turned to me quickly and rushed out, "Charlie's waking up early, and is going to check on you. We have to get you back to your house now."

Then, I was back in Edward's arms and he dressed me completely before I realized what was happening. I looked down and saw that I was wearing a similar sweater to the green one that Edward had destroyed, only this sweater fit as if it was knitted for me, and the exact same jeans. I realized that this had taken some planning, and also who had known what was going to happen. I hissed out Alice's name as if it was a swear word.

Edward flitted over to me, laughed, and scooped me up in his arms.

"I wondered why she had been keeping me out of her head for the last few days. She has been singing constantly in her mind, and translating them into other languages," Edward explained with an adorable and goofy grin, which had spread across his whole face. "Alice is the one who suggested the hunting trip knowing that I wouldn't want to go due to your birthday. I am sure that they are all having a good laugh at our expense. Especially Emmett," as Edward spoke he looked down at me as if he had just seen the sun for the first time and it made me realize how incredibly lucky I was to have my wonderful angel in my life.

However, his statement made me groan. This would mean that by now, the whole family knew we were no longer virgins. My face will be constantly blushing for weeks.

Once we flew through my bedroom window, I hurriedly tried to get undressed and into my pajamas, but after a moment, Edward rushed over and in less than a second helped me finish.

Then I saw my bed skirt flutter and I heard Edward hiss out, "Bella get in bed now!"

I ran across the room and threw myself in bed. The moment I had my covers up and over me, I heard the door handle begin to jiggle.

I was far too excited to fake sleep with any amount of skill so I decided to act as if I was awake, but not out of bed yet. Charlie opened the door and looked surprised to see me lying in bed with my eyes open. I flashed Charlie a smile, hoping that he wouldn't notice how keyed up I was.

"Hey, dad!" I said energetically.

"Happy Birthday, Bells," Charlie stammered out.

Since he seemed so shocked that I was awake, I thought I needed to explain why I was already up before he started to get suspicious.

"I woke up a couple minutes ago. I think I am just so ready for this day to be over with that I wanted to get it started," I brightly said to my father with a hint of playful annoyance.

Birthdays were not my favorite thing because of all the attention they focused on me. I knew my father would completely understand, having similar feelings about his birthday. Add in the dream from last night and I was definitely not looking forward to my birthday. It meant that from now on I was going to be older than Edward, time marching on for me, pulling us further and further apart. I think the fact that most of my statement was true kept Charlie from detecting the lie that I told him - since one part of this birthday was the most memorable experience I had ever had in my life, and one I was sure to treasure always. Charlie let me know that he would be downstairs, and then shut my door.

Before I could turn around, I heard Edward escape from the small space under my bed. I turned around and moved as fast as I could, and snuggled back into his waiting and outstretched arms. Edward pulled me eagerly to him and we sat together for a few minutes until I heard my stomach grumble.

"Love, you should really go get something to eat," Edward gently said to me in response to my stomach's audible announcement of my appetite.

I frowned unhappily, not wanting to leave his arms to satisfy my stomach and said, "Nope, I just want to sit here with you."

Edward chuckled, gently squeezed me and said with a grin, "I know, love. I would be happy to sit here all day with you, but you need to eat and I need to go get ready for school. I'll be back the second Charlie leaves."

He smiled down at me as his eyes danced, sparkling with apparent joy. I wrapped my arms around him even tighter and said, "After last night… well this morning, I don't think I want to ever let you out of my sight again. I know it's silly, but I can hardly stand the idea of you walking away, even for a few minutes."

Edward squeezed me slightly and said, "I know, love. I don't want to leave this room either but we need to get ready for school. I can't wear the same thing I did yesterday."

Edward leaned down, kissed me sweetly, and then disentangled himself from me, setting me on my bed. At the loss of Edward's presence, I felt my face turn into a pout without my consent. Edward looked back through the window after he climbed out, and flashed a huge smile at me as he blew me a silly and theatrical kiss before disappearing from view.

After Edward left and some of my excitement wore away, I did have to admit that I was rather hungry and tired thanks to my late night activities. I stumbled down the stairs and into the kitchen to pour myself a bowl of cereal. My mind was across town with Edward and it took me a moment to realize that Charlie was talking to me.

"Yah, dad?" I asked, once I realized that he was speaking.

"Bella, you're a million miles away. I was just trying to say that I know you don't like birthdays much Bells, but, happy birthday," Charlie said slightly awkwardly.

Charlie was holding out two gifts towards me. I groaned, rolling my eyes and reluctantly taking my gifts with the skill of a practiced martyr.

I opened up the first gift, which was skillfully wrapped in bright paper with a large, artful bow. I knew immediately without looking further who the gift was from. It had Renee's unique style and class all over it. Inside there was a beautiful, empty scrapbook. I examined it and smiled slightly to myself. It was such a Renee gift. Then I turned my attention to the other gift. It was sloppily wrapped and had a slightly squished pre-made bow in the corner. Again, no card needed to tell me who was giving me this gift. It screamed Charlie. I was surprised that he had actually gotten a bow on it. I ripped the paper open to find a new camera. My mouth opened into a small "O" shape.

I sputtered out, "Wow Ch-dad you really didn't have to do this, but I love it!"

As I waited for Charlie to leave, I spent the time going over how my new camera worked to distract myself.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and I saw a familiar shape through the glass. Apparently, Edward couldn't wait any longer to see me either. I flung the door open and threw myself into Edward's arms, not caring that Charlie was being forced to witness my display of affection.

Edward leaned down and whispered in my ear so softly that only I could hear, "Happy Birthday love."

Then I heard Charlie clearing his throat behind me, obviously reaching the limits of his patience for our display. I let my arms down, took one of Edward's hands, and faced Charlie.

Edward greeted Charlie politely, but my dad merely nodded in return and started to turn away before Edward spoke up again, "Charlie, would it be alright with you if Bella came over this evening? My family wants to have a birthday party for her."

I groaned and silently mouthed the word no at my dad, trying to get him to say he would rather have me spend the evening with him.

A mischievous grin spread over Charlie's face and then he said, "Nah, I'll just be watching the ball game anyway. Bells, if they are doing something fun over at the Cullens' for you, you should go."

I rolled my eyes and muttered, "Traitor," under my breath, before I turned and walked out to the door with Edward.

Edward looked at me with obvious amusement at my reply to my dad's betrayal and then softly laughed, dragging me out the door with him.

Edward had given my dad an excuse about needing to be at school early this morning when we left, but now I wanted to know why my gorgeous boyfriend had come to get me early. I looked at Edward with a curious expression and when he looked over at me, he laughed and grinned, shaking his head as he read my unspoken question from my expression. We drove up to his house and parked the car in the garage. I started to head up towards the house but Edward caught my attention with his lips. I reeled, thinking only incoherent thoughts about how fabulous a kisser my Edward was.

Finally, as I was getting dizzy, Edward's lips left mine and he huskily said, "Bella, do you have any idea how much I truly love you?"

I gave him a huge smile and his eyes began to burn into me. Before I knew it, I was in Edward's arms and he was running into the forest kissing me in a way that should be illegal.

We reached a small clearing in the woods; Edward stopped running and shifted me so I was standing in front of him. Suddenly, I needed him all over again. I threw my arms around him, kissing him with all my might. Edward gasped as I did this, and threw himself into the kiss with equal passion. However, before the kiss was allowed to develop further, I heard a twig snap and someone clear their throat behind us. Edward looked over my shoulder and rolled his eyes at our intruder. I whipped around quickly to see who had ruined our moment, when I saw Alice skipping over towards us. Apparently, the family was home from their hunting trip.

"Ok lovebirds, we need to get to school and if you two start that up again there is no way we are going to see a classroom until this afternoon, if ever," Alice joked with us.

Edward rolled his eyes again and said, "Alice I don't understand how someone so small could be-"

Alice and I interrupted in unison with, "-so hugely irritating."

With that, Alice and I were in a fit of giggles. I turned to Edward who was looking at both of us with mock annoyance and kissed him lightly. Then Edward grinned down at me and scooped me up in his arms running back toward the house.

Thanks to my lack of sleep the night before, the school day passed quickly. I had most of my classes with Edward and I spent them staring at him, eager for the school day to end so I could have more time with him. In my classes without Edward, I fell asleep due to my exhaustion levels. Mr. Varner assigned me detention for sleeping in class and so I completely missed the crowded lunchroom and all the extra attention from my classmates due to my birthday. I didn't mind detention in the slightest, especially when Edward wandered in, carrying my lunch and somehow dazzling Mr. Varner to allow him to stay with me.

I had gym class at the end of the day. Edward had begged and pleaded with Ms. Cope to be in my gym class, using his most convincing moves, and Ms. Cope was eventually able to get him in. I was looking forward to having time with Edward. We were doing our mandatory dance class and I knew that without Edward as my partner it would have been a nightmare. After last night, I was already sore enough.

Throughout the day, my body had progressively become achier in protest to the awkward positions I had put it in last night. I walked out into the gym after dressing out into my gym shorts and short sleeved t-shirt and searched the room for Edward. My eyes finally found his and a huge smile flashed across his face. However, in a split second, his eyes went wide with panic and worry as he hurried over to me, a little too fast for normal human speed. As soon as he reached me, his face went from a look of worry to agony, and self-disgust.

I looked up into his beautiful concerned face and softly said, "Edward, what's wrong?"

Edward stared at me in disbelief for a moment and then he harshly said, "Bella did you look in a mirror before you walked out here?"

I stepped back, looked into his face, and slowly shook my head no.

"Bella, I am so sorry. I can't believe I did this to you. You're covered in bruises, love. I-" Edward got choked up, and was unable to speak further.

I looked down at my arms and legs and saw the deep purple marks that were developing all over my body. I started to panic and my brain went wild in many different directions. After a moment, I knew that the first thing I needed to do was calm Edward down.

"Edward?" I questioned softly.

In an agonizingly broken voice he said, "Yes, love?"

I wrapped one arm around him and used the other to adjust his face so that he was looking into my eyes.

Then, with as much emotion and care as I could muster, I said, "Love, please, please, please don't stress about this. I bruise very easily. Usually once a bruise shows up, I have forgotten where it came from. Don't blame yourself. Considering it was our very first time, I think we did exceptionally well. I would not trade last night for anything in the world and although I am a bit stiff and sore from the um- exercise, it feels like I spent an hour at the gym. Edward really I'm fine. Last night was the best night of my life."

Edward looked down at me his eyes raging with conflict. Before Edward could reply however, our PE coach, Coach Clapp, decided to get the class started.

Edward sat on the gym floor, still deep in thought. I sat in front of him and used him to lean on while we listened to the instruction from our teacher. Edward lightly wrapped his arms around me, being extremely careful not to put any amount of pressure on me. I turned to face him for a moment, rolled my eyes at his excessive restraint and used my arms to wrap his around me more securely. Edward complied but did not hold me any tighter than I forced him to. I started to get annoyed, but I hoped that after we talked more he would stop being melodramatic about a few bruises.

Once we were on our feet and gliding across the gym floor, Edward looked down at me with his eyes burning with a confusing mix of emotion. I gave him the warmest, most loving look I could and then snuggled against him as we danced, until Edward pushed us into a more formal stance. I looked up at Edward quizzically as a small version of my favorite smile danced across his lips and in his eyes, mingling with the other emotions that were still swimming there.

Edward finally said softly, "Coach Clapp is thinking about coming over here and separating us, apparently we look like we are having too much fun."

I smiled up at him as a small giggle escaped my lips.

Edward gave me a frustrated look and said, "Well now you've done it, love, he's coming over here to switch our partners."

The coach walked over and separated Mike, Jessica, and us. Mike took me in his arms a little too eagerly and Jessica looked thrilled at the idea of dancing with Edward.

I put a martyred look on my face for Edward, and then looked back towards my new partner. Mike was not the dancer Edward was, and so we moved awkwardly across the floor. Suddenly behind me, I heard Edward growl quietly and my eyes went searching for him. However, at that moment, my feet tripped Mike up and we both ended up on the floor in a heap. My forehead found Mike's left shoe on the way down and I winced at the knot that was going to accompany my newest injury. Edward stopped dancing with Jessica and looked ready to murder Mike and rush me out of there all at once.

Edward carefully helped me off the floor and looked into my eyes.

"Bella, I think we need to get you to Carlisle to make sure you're ok love," Edward said hurriedly as the coach came over to assess the situation.

"Maybe I should have left you with Edward, Bella," Coach jokingly said as he looked at my head. "I think you'll be ok, but I am going to send you to the nurse to make sure," Coach Clap said dismissively as he walked away.

Edward followed the coach and then requested that he be allowed to accompany me to the nurse. Coach Clapp laughed and made a remark about Edward accompanying me no matter what he said. Edward gave him a hard smile and nodded his head.

After changing out of our gym clothes, Edward walked me to the office and up to Ms. Cope's desk.

Using one of his award winning smiles on her, he said softly, in his most alluring voice, "Ms. Cope, Bella hit her head in gym and I would be more comfortable having my father check her out. Would you mind excusing us for the rest of the day?"

Ms. Cope smiled broadly at my dazzling boyfriend and gushed, "Of course dear."

Edward then put his arm around my back and walked me out of the office to his car.

The drive to the hospital was a silent one. I looked at Edward a few times, trying to start a conversation, but the look in his eyes told me that he was not ready to talk. Once we arrived at the hospital, Edward escorted me to Carlisle's office. Edward knocked on the door and said something so soft that I could not hear it. After a brief pause, Edward opened the door and ushered me in.

One extremely awkward conversation and embarrassingly full examination later, we walked back to Edward's car. Edward had insisted on having Carlisle make sure that I had not sustained any other injuries besides the visible ones from our first time together. I was surprised completely when Carlisle agreed with him with a concerned look on his face. I finally acquiesced when I realized that it would get Edward to relax and be more willing to touch me again. The look of overwhelming worry was gone from Edward's face since Carlisle had told him that I was completely fine, and the bruises were the only injury I had sustained from our activities of the night before. Edward kept one hand on the wheel while he drove and wrapped the other one around my shoulders in a loose hug. We fell into easy and light conversation as we drove to Charlie's house.

I jokingly asked Edward why he had growled at Mike. He groaned, and reluctantly told me, "Mike's fantasies were screaming in my head. I growled in response to one particularly vile idea he had involving a school dance and too much alcohol."

I giggled as I responded, "Poor Mike is going to be crushed if he ever gets it through his thick skull that I would never be involved with him like that."

I told Edward that I needed to watch Romeo and Juliet for English before we went over to his family's house. I knew that I wasn't going to get out of the party, however, I was trying to delay it for as long as possible.

I cuddled into Edward as we lay together on the small couch. Before long, I could not concentrate on the movie. I turned to face Edward, who had a longing look in his eyes. I quickly pressed my lips into his and wrapped my arms around his neck. Edward kissed me back eagerly. His hands started to wander all over my body, pulling me close into him. Edward's hand happened to move across one of my worst bruises and I involuntarily flinched. Edward immediately released me from his grasp and stopped kissing me.

"Edward, I'm fine. Don't stop," I said as fast as I could with obvious desire.

Edward looked at me, torn between lust and fear, not wanting to cause me any more pain.

Then a flash of resolution moved across his icy pale face and he slowly said, "Bella, I am not saying we will never make love again, but I will not make love to you until the bruises heal. I don't want cause you any more discomfort."

I pouted and attempted to wiggle back into his arms.

Edward laughed and said, "Love, I know. I want you too, but I want to keep you safe even more. Please just wait a few days."

Then suddenly Edward sat us both up, keeping hold of my hand only. I said Charlie's name and Edward gave a small smile and nodded.

I turned my attention back to the movie, trying to be caught up so that when Charlie came in, I would seem engrossed in the film. Charlie came in the door with an audible sigh meant for Edward, further demonstrating the theme of 'unwelcome' that Charlie constantly felt the need to share after last spring's disastrous trip to Phoenix. Even though I constantly reminded Charlie that the trip to Phoenix and my resulting injuries were my fault, Charlie seemed to place all the blame on Edward. I rolled my eyes at my dad's audible display of annoyance, and Edward winked at me before greeting my father.

"Good afternoon Charlie," Edward said with complete ease and respect.

Charlie grumbled out something that sounded like 'hi' and shuffled into the room.

Charlie turned to me and said with more animation, "Hey, Bells."

I smiled up at my dad and returned his hello.

Before I got any further, Edward said, "Charlie, we will be leaving as soon as we finish the movie. I won't keep her out too late. Would you like to join us?"

Charlie looked at Edward hard for a moment, obviously warring internally with his hatred for parties and his desire to keep his own eyes on both of us to make sure we stayed out of trouble.

"Nah, I think I'll stay here and watch the game. I'm not a big fan of parties. Bella, don't worry about dinner, I'm in the mood for pizza," he answered.

I turned my attention back to the movie, just in time for the scene where Juliet wakes up to find Romeo dead beside her. I saw Edward watching me from the corner of my eye.

"As much as I don't agree with Romeo on many counts, I know that I could not live in a world where you don't exist," he told me sincerely.

The passion and conviction of his statement shocked me. I wanted to say something, but Edward pointed towards the stairs and I saw Charlie come down them a moment later. After we completed the movie, Edward and I said goodbye to Charlie and walked out to his Volvo. Edward drove, and after a few minutes I realized that we were not headed to his house, but to our meadow. When he pulled off the road, I looked at him and he smiled. Before I could open my mouth, Edward had scooped me up in his arms and we were moving at a speed only my gorgeous vampire could manage. I loved the feeling of flying through the forest in his arms. Every time we made this run, I remembered the first time we had come here and Edward had decided he wanted me more than he wanted my blood.

When we arrived in our meadow, Edward set me down in the grass and said, "Stay here, love. I'll be right back."

Then he kissed me quickly and flew out of sight. I stood there for a few moments, taking in the beauty of our meadow. Even without the sun, our meadow was beautiful and calming. After a moment, I got tired of standing and sank down into the grass. As I sat, I swept my fingers across the tips of the lush blanket of emerald turf. Behind me, I heard a soft and familiar laugh. I whipped my head around and saw Edward looking at me with his eyes warm and full of adoration. I stopped breathing when I saw him as I realized, yet again, how amazingly lucky I was to have this perfect creature in my life.

"Bella, love, please stand up and close your eyes," my Edward softly said.

I smiled at him and complied. I heard a slight wind and could feel Edward near me but I resisted the urge to open my eyes and look at him.

Finally, Edward took my hand and said, "Open your eyes my Bella."

I fluttered my eyes open to see Edward on one knee in front of me, looking up with eyes that were scorching into mine and full of love. I suddenly got nervous. Edward was on one knee and he seemed nervous too. I audibly gulped and Edward laughed quickly.

Then, he rushed out, "Bella I need to ask you something but I want you to listen closely and not make assumptions until I finish ok? I need you to know that this has nothing to do with me turning you into a vampire. That is not what we are discussing here. I will not doom you to my fate."

I nodded, not able to talk. Wild thoughts were running through my head and it did not escape my attention that he was on one knee, typical stance for a boy about to propose. My mouth dropped open in a small 'o' as I waited, almost breathlessly, for Edward to talk.

"Bella, I love you with every fiber of my being. You are my life and purpose now. I cannot imagine not having you in my life. I do not know what miracle brought you into my existence, but I am incredibly thankful for it. Bella, I want to spend the rest of my time on this earth loving you. I am asking you to promise to be mine for the rest of our lives. I am asking you to wear a promise ring from me. Will you, love?" Edward said as he looked up at me, his eyes shining with hope and love.

I looked down at him in shock. I didn't know how to process this. He wanted me to marry him. I gulped at the idea. I loved him with every part of me and knew there would never be anyone else for me. If he was saying what I thought he was, I was glad that he had not straight out proposed. I was not ready to get married and my mother had some very strong opinions about marriage, especially right out of high school. I knew that she did not want me to follow in her footsteps. He waited patiently for me to think. Finally, I was able to work out what I wanted to say. I knew what my answer would be but I needed to make sure that I was responding to the question he was actually asking me.

So I took a deep breath and said as evenly as possible, "Edward, you are not asking me to marry you now but for me to promise to marry you at some point. This is a promise ring and not an engagement ring, correct?"

I pointed to the small square shaped bulge in his front pants pocket. Edward smiled warmly at me and nodded. I took another moment, silently rejoicing that he hadn't proposed. I knew I would have had to say no to that because I didn't want to get married at eighteen, and Renee would kill me. However, I knew I wanted to be his wife, someday - a someday that was in the not too distant future, but not today.

I took a deep breath and smiled at my wonderful Edward.

"Edward-" I realized that I was going to get very mushy on him, and I didn't want to embarrass myself in that way, but I didn't want to come off as joking, so I hastily rethought my response.

Edward looked at me with a worried expression forming in his eyes. I knew I had to respond quickly, before he started thinking that I was going to say no.

Therefore, I smiled at him again and softly said, "Yes, love, I promise to be yours."

Edward's face blossomed into the most breath-taking smile I had ever seen. It was triumphant and victorious. It was like a bright, dawn sunrise after a newly fallen snow. Edward threw his arms around me and swung me around, while pressing his lips to mine. He only stopped when I pushed away to catch a breath before I passed out.

Slowly, he put me down and pulled a small black velvet box from the front pocket of his perfectly fitted, casual, gray khaki pants. He opened the box slowly and turned it to face me. Inside the black cushioned box, glittering in the diffuse light coming through the cloud cover, was a gorgeous ring. It was white gold or silver with rows of diamonds set in an oval. It was perfect and delicate and exactly the right thing for me. I looked up at Edward for more information.

Edward smiled at me and softly said, "It was my mother's engagement ring. I will get you your own engagement ring, but I thought this was fitting for your promise ring because I know how you like personal gifts."

I could not get words out of my mouth, so I threw my arms around his neck and pressed myself against him. Edward smiled, and then crushed his lips into mine. We kissed for a long time, only pausing so that I could get air. However as much as I pushed for things to go further, Edward kept us from anything other than amazing kisses and kept reminding me that he didn't want to hurt me anymore than he already had.

Eventually I felt Edward's cell phone vibrate in his pocket as we continued to kiss. Edward sighed and answered it, reluctantly pulling his lips away from mine. Even with my imperfect human hearing, I could hear Alice yelling at her brother through the phone that he needed to get home and that we were ridiculously late. Edward smiled at me, collected me into his arms, and ran back to his car.

In fewer minutes than I thought possible, we were back at Edward's house. No matter how many times I had seen the Cullen's home, I fell in love with it every time I returned. It was the perfect symbol of who the Cullens were as a family. However, as much as I loved Edward's family, I was not looking forward to a birthday party where all of the attention was centered on me. I groaned as Edward pulled the car into the garage.

"Do we have to go in?" I looked at him with a small pout.

Edward smiled at me and said, "Bella, I need you to do me a favor. The last real birthday any of us had was Emmett in the 1930's. Please cut them some slack, they are all really excited. Oh, and when I say all, I mean all of them."

My eyes went wide. Emmett and Rosalie were supposed to be in Africa on another honeymoon.

Edward squeezed my hand and said, "Rose will be on her best behavior today, don't worry, love. They also know that I was going to give you a promise ring, so don't worry about the family assuming too much."

I put a grimace on my face, and with my most reluctant voice I said, "Alright Edward, let's get this stupid party over with."

Edward laughed and took my hand, pulling me toward the house.

It was much worse than I had imagined. Alice had gone completely overboard. There were pink and white decorations everywhere, including an over-the-top pink birthday cake with glass plates on Edward's piano. Next to the ridiculous cake was a small stack of presents and even more candles and roses. It seemed like every spare inch of the room was covered in birthday decorations and regalia. I looked very pointedly at Alice and shot her a look full of daggers. My best friend was across the room in her husband's arms, practically vibrating from the happy energy radiating out of her. This was what she loved to do best. I had a slight suspicion that it was also my best friend living vicariously through me, making up for all the birthday experiences she could not remember as a human. Esme and Carlisle came over and hugged me in turn.

Carlisle said in an extremely fake serious tone, "Sorry about all this Bella, we just couldn't rein Alice in."

I rolled my eyes at my future father-in-law. I giggled slightly to myself at the new idea of Carlisle as a more official part of my family, and the step that had been taken to start to change that relationship.

After a moment, I felt all eyes on Edward and me.

After an awkwardly silent pause, Emmett spoke up, "Well, what happened? Alice won't tell us!"

Edward laughed, took my hand that now held his mother's ring and brought it up to his lips, kissing the ring that was now mine. Then he held my hand purposefully so the small and delicate ring threw light around the room. Suddenly everyone was hugging me. Even Rosalie hugged me, although the look of total annoyance at my existence never left her face. Even Jasper braved a slight hug that had so little pressure behind it that, had I been a bubble, I would not have popped. It was the first time since Phoenix that Jasper had come near me and it did not last long. The pained expression that was usually on his face was momentarily worsened by the familiar contact he had just shared with me. I appreciated the obvious difficulty it was for Jasper to give me that simple show of sisterly affection and I flashed him a huge smile, letting him know I appreciated his effort. For a quick moment, Jasper nervously grinned back, before his pained and tortured expression slipped back on his face.

Alice then interrupted with, "Bella it's time for you to open your presents!"

She was barely able to keep her speech slow enough for me to understand.

Suddenly Rose stepped forward with a grin, and said, "Ours first, Alice," as she handed me a box, wrapped in silver paper.

I opened it up and found an empty stereo box. I looked up at Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper with a puzzled expression.

Emmett laughed and said, "We got you a new stereo for your truck. I installed it while you were watching Romeo and Juliet this afternoon, that way you can't return it."

I laughed at Emmett's statement. Alice was always one-step ahead of me. She knew I would not willingly accept such an extravagant gift if I had a choice. I put a very goofy fake grin on my face and thanked them. They all laughed and Alice took the box out of my hands, replacing it with a small square package, wrapped in the same thick silver paper.

I stuck my finger under the edge of the paper, yanking it open with my finger. The thick wrapping paper sunk into my skin, leaving a rather large paper cut. I yanked my hand out to examine the damage. I saw one small drop of blood form on my finger and suddenly I was flying backwards, towards the floor, as Edward put himself between me and Jasper's razor-sharp, venom-coated teeth, which were suddenly inches away. As I hit the ground, I felt something warm underneath me. I looked quickly and realized that we had run into the piano, and all of the glass plates had fallen onto the floor and shattered. I had sliced my arm open on the fragments when Edward knocked me to the ground, protecting me from Jasper. Everything happened so quickly that my body had yet to register the pain. I tried to get myself back together and focused on Edward, but the overwhelming smell and sight of that much of my own blood was too much for me and I fell into blackness.

In the darkness of my mind, I screamed out for Edward repeatedly until my mental voice was completely exhausted. I was searching the darkness for my love, frantically feeling his presence, but not finding his face. Then suddenly, the panic grew, because I could no longer feel Edward's presence with me and I began to scream. Finally, I felt a pressure in my fingers, was able to respond, and slowly blinked my eyes open.

I looked up into Charlie's worried face. I was lying in a hospital bed, being taken care of by a concerned nurse. I looked around the room frantically for Edward, but did not find him or any of the Cullen family, which was very strange. I could not imagine Edward leaving my side when I had passed out from an injury, unless the scent of my blood had pushed him too far. With that thought reassuring me, I looked towards the door expectantly, waiting for Carlisle to come through it. The nurse hurried out of the room mumbling something to Charlie about going to find the doctor, so I sat up slightly and took in my surroundings.

I was sitting on a bed in the hospital ER. My injured arm was completely bandaged up and I was still wearing my clothes. My shirt was completely ruined, covered in blood and frosting. The sight of my blood made me slightly woozy, but I forced myself to ignore it. I was quite a mess, but I had definitely had worse. I smiled up at Charlie reassuringly. He looked at me with a troubled expression and hugged me to him. Something was wrong in Charlie's eyes. I couldn't pinpoint what was causing such a distressing expression on his face; I knew he was worried about me getting hurt, but this went beyond that. I couldn't put my finger on it. Then, just beyond the curtain that was obstructing my view, I heard someone shuffling towards me, going through some papers. I looked up, pleasantly waiting for Carlisle to come around the curtain.

I was disappointed when I saw Dr. Gerandy come around the corner carrying my chart. Something in the back of my mind, which was still fuzzy, told me that this was not a good sign. Carlisle should have been the one taking care of me. Edward would have wanted his father to make sure I was all right because he knew Carlisle would be thorough. I was sure Dr. Gerandy was a great doctor, but he did not have the superhuman powers that Carlisle did. I realized that having Carlisle taking care of me had made me slightly spoiled. Again, I was struck with the absence of my favorite doctor. Something had gone very wrong after I passed out. I was anxious to find out what was happening with my other family and why none of them were here to make sure I was ok. I was suddenly very worried and frightened.

Before I had time to ask however, the doctor addressed me, "Well young lady it was quite a chore getting all that glass out of your arm. Good reason for you to stay away from glass plates. Your arm will be just fine. I will give you a couple light painkillers to help you sleep the next couple of nights. I am also going to send home care instructions to make sure the wound is properly tended."

Dr. Gerandy reached out to shake my hand before leaving. As I reached out towards him, I looked down at my good hand and stopped breathing. My ring, the one that Edward had put on my finger only hours before, was missing. Eyes wide, I looked at my dad for an answer and his expression told me that I was never going to be okay again. I gasped in air and a scream ripped from my throat as the world briefly went black again.

Reviewers get Edward's thin but expensive black shirt ;)