Here it is... Chapter 8, update 3 out of 4.

Chapter 8 – One Surprise Too Many (Bella's POV)

One month later…

I looked at my desk and saw an envelope sitting on it. The clear, elegant script identified the sender immediately. Edward, I thought. Of course. Ever since Edward and I had gone horseback riding, we had become increasingly close. It was very clear to anyone who saw us that there were feelings that were stronger than friendship between us, yet somehow the topic never came up.

I sat down at my desk, opened the letter, and began to read. Dear Isabella, he wrote. I apologize for the lack of advanced warning but I would like to invite you to join me for a picnic today. I have a surprise for you that I think you'll enjoy. Your friend, Edward. P.S. I have already confirmed our plans with both of our parents.

Immediately, I wrote and sent a response to Edward. I was excited to see him and anxious to find out what Edward's surprise was.

At 12 o'clock, my carriage pulled up in front of Edward's house. Edward was waiting for me, a picnic basket at his feet. He helped me from my carriage and kissed my fingertips. His lips didn't leave my hand until I said, "Weren't we supposed to be going on a picnic, Edward?"

Edward straightened up with a laugh. "I do believe you're right," he said. He picked up the picnic basket and took my hand. Hand in hand, we walked around the house, and headed towards the trees lining the backyard. For a brief second, I panicked. Edward laughed. "Don't worry," he said. "It's not that far and there's a path." He gestured to a break in the trees. Hand in hand, we began to walk through the trees.

After five minutes, we emerged into a meadow so beautiful it took my breath away. It was perfectly circular and filled with purple, yellow, and soft white wildflowers. Somewhere in the distance a stream babbled away. I turned to Edward, speechless.

"Do you like it?" Edward asked.

"It's beautiful," I said. "How did you find it?"

"I was wandering one day and I found it." He shrugged. "It's no big deal. Shall we set up the picnic and eat?" Together, we lay out the blanket and began to eat. Once we finished, we sat and talked. Conversation ranged over a variety of topics, however, Edward never brought up the surprise. Finally, I could stand the suspense no longer.

"Edward?" I said.

"Yes, Isabella?" he said.

"Edward, please, call me Bella."

"Yes, Bella?"

"Didn't you say you had a surprise for me?"

"Yes, I did. Would you like to know what it is?"

"If you're ready to show me what it is, I'm ready to see it."

"Okay then, Bella." He turned his body towards me. I angled my body towards him in response. He reached across the space between us and took my hands.

"Bella, there's something I need to tell you," Edward said without looking at me.

"What is it, Edward?" I asked.

"Bella, I…" Edward's green eyes found my brown ones. "I love you, Bella." I was shocked. I didn't answer. "If you don't feel the same way, Bella, I understand," Edward panicked. "I just thought that…"

"No, Edward, wait," I interrupted. "You just caught me off-guard, that's all. Of course I love you, Edward."

"I'm glad to know that, Bella," Edward said. He pulled me against his side and wrapped his arms around me, holding me there. We sat like this, talking, for hours.

The sky was growing dark when Edward told me that I should go home. Reluctantly, we packed up the remains of the picnic, returned to his house, and went our separate ways for the night.

That night I could barely contain my happiness. As I brushed my hair, all I could think was Edward loves me. Edward loves me. In a state of bliss, I danced my way past my window… and stopped. Coming up the street was a man and a woman. They were clearly a couple by how close they were to each other and how they touched each other. Something about the man seemed familiar. I watched them, waiting for them to step into the pool of light coming from my window.

The woman stepped into the light first. She had curly strawberry-blond hair and dark eyes. She was beautiful, almost as beautiful as Rosalie. I recognized her as that girl, Tanya, from a party of the Cullens' several weeks ago. Then the man stepped into the light as well. I gasped as the reason for his familiarity became clear.

That man was familiar because that man was Edward.

Dun, dun, dun. Big cliffie here. Well, life can't always be cloud 9, can it?

Reviews are welcome and appreciated.

xoxoxoxoxo, TwilightTeen212