BPOV

That night, Edward and I made love until the sun was breaking the horizon. We fell asleep in each other's arms, and thankfully, no one woke us up or interrupted our alone time until about 5 the next night. Alice made us separate so she could get some details, which I was proud of myself for withholding.

Charlie came by at about 7 to pick me up and had no clue that I hadn't spent the night with Alice. Once we got home, I went right up to my bedroom to work on the pile of homework that was waiting for me. I had barely sat down when there was a soft knock on my door.

I looked up to see my mother sticking her head into my room. "Bella? May I come in?" I nodded as I began working on an essay for English.

"Bella? Can we talk?" I could hear her sitting down on my bed behind me. I sighed and stopped typing, turning so I was facing her.

"Okay, mom. What do you want to talk about." I tried to figure out what she was thinking by looking on her face, but she was unreadable.

"Bella, I want to talk about you and Edward. You know, your relationship…" Her voice trailed off and I knew what this talk was going to be about. It's something we need to discuss, even if it's uncomfortable."

OH MY GOD! My mother was about to have the sex talk with me. This was going to get uncomfortable fast, especially since I am the world's worst liar. "Um, mom… why now? I mean… Edward and I have been dating since April. Plus, we dated a bit before that last fall. Don't you think this talk is a little late?"

"Am I too late for this talk?" Renee immediately caught my blush and sighed. "That's what I figured."

We were silent for a few moments before I gathered every ounce of courage to speak again. "Um, mom… if it makes you feel better, Edward and I are 100 percent sure of our feelings. That's why we, you know…." I was looking at the floor, too afraid to look my mother in the eye.

"Well, then, I guess that we can skip the semantics of the act and move on to other things. Like safety. Are you two being safe?"

"Yes, mom. We've always used protection. But…" I knew that a condom wasn't perfect and there was still a chance at getting pregnant with them. I didn't know how to ask her to take me for birth control.

"Well, as your mother, it's my job to ask, no tell you, that you have the option of going to my doctor and getting a prescription for birth control. Would you please ease my fears and go to the doctor?" She looked pleadingly at me, and I controlled my emotions and face enough to keep her guessing.

"Yes mom. I was trying to figure out how to ask you that. That sounds like a good idea." I hugged my mother. She knew me well enough to ask things that I needed to ask about.

"So, now that that's out of the way… Let's not tell your father about this talk… I don't think we really want Edward shot at while he sleeps tonight."

My mother stifled a giggle as best she could, but it still slipped out and soon we were both giggling as we began imagining all the colors Charlie's face would turn, how he would protect his little girl, and how surprised Edward would be when he would inevitable show up while others were sleeping.

My mother left after a few more scenarios were thrown out and we had each fallen onto the floor laughing. I returned to my homework and had my essay almost completed when my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID and smiled as I answered it.

"Hello, Edward… What's up?"

"I don't think you want to ask me that one. It may lead to a painful situation that you and I can't fully satisfy without each other's company." I smirked when I realized what he was talking about.

"Oh I don't know…. I mean, my mother just had the talk with me, I'm sure she'd get me a vibrator if I asked. Just as long as I control my moaning so others can sleep." I wished that I could see his face, because it was a lot easier to be bold when those beautiful green eyes weren't piercing into my mind.

I heard Edward cough on the line, and when he spoke, his voice was slightly strained. "Carlisle just had the same talk with me. He even gave me a massive box of condoms just in case you and I are at that step in our relationship." I laughed at that scenario. Who knew Edward's uncle would be that forward with him.

"Well, my mom ended our conversation by telling me she was getting me put on the pill and that we're keeping this a secret from my father. We'll have to see how that one works out. She can't keep a secret to save her life." I smirked when I realized that she had to keep a secret to possibly save Edward's life.

We talked for a few more minutes and then we both went back to finishing our homework. We talked about the upcoming basketball season and what Edward wanted for his birthday in a few days. He was refusing to tell me what he wanted.

I knew I would have to get him something special, but didn't know what. I knew I would have my work cut out for me if I expected Edward to enjoy his birthday this year, especially since this was his first birthday since his parents have died. What a way to celebrate your 16th birthday, right?

EPOV

Ugh! My birthday… I didn't feel like celebrating it this year. Last year had been disastrous. Well, at least my idiot brain was disastrous.

I had been wanting to ask Bella out since the beginning of the year. Then my mother and sister spring a party on me for my birthday. Alice obviously wanted the attention, because she invited people from school that I usually don't hang out with on a regular basis, including my ex-girlfriend.

Bella looked exquisite at the party and, when I could, I would sneak up to her to chat. By the time the party was over, I was exhausted so I excused myself to my room. I ended up falling asleep before I could undress fully. When I awoke, the house was quiet and dark.

I walked down the steps to get something to drink and that's when I heard her say my name. At first I though Bella was still awake on the couch. I moved closer to sit with her and talk, but I soon realized that she was sleeping and talking in her dreams. I stood back and just watched this wonderful creature sleep. She stirred and woke, noticing me watching her.

I don't know what came over me at that moment. I had no idea where the courage came from, but I walked right up to her and kissed her. She seemed surprised, but didn't pull away. I got my drink of water and went back to bed.

Bella and I started going out after that, but by Thanksgiving my brain had decided that my big mouth should ruin my happiness. I blabbed to the entire school that I was sleeping with Bella, and then our relationship was over.

For the next few torturous months, we barely spoke. Bella never seemed to be eating lunch in the cafeteria even. I spoke with Coach James and found out that he was keeping an eye on her. She was even working on things for the basketball team for him. I thought it was considerate that he was keeping her safe and happy during lunch when I had broken her heart.

Then she started dating Mike Newton. That little leech had weaseled his way into Bella's head and made her believe that he was good enough for her. When I heard what he tried to do to her on her birthday, I had to use every ounce of self-control to restrain myself and not kill that bastard. At least she liked her gift I brought her.

After that we were on better terms and by spring break we were ready for our second chance. That trip changed my life. I knew by then that I had completely fallen in love with Bella Swan, but I didn't know how to tell her. Thankfully, our hearts, or rather our hormones, did most of the speaking for us, and by the end of the trip we were back together.

Since then, with the exception of the beginning of the move, we had been inseparable. I was thankful at the same time as I was loathing the accident that stole my parents from me. But that accident also brought me back to Bella. When I'm away from her, even if it's just for a night, I feel incomplete, like a part of me is missing. It's very unsettling.

I guess I will have to come up with a way to make this birthday worth celebrating.

A/N: So, there's a little filler chapter. The next chapter will be Edward's birthday. I haven't decided if a lemon will be involved or not. I also want to include the beginning of basketball season on that chapter. With Jacob on the team, they should have some interesting moments. Also, Coach James' character begins to take shape. Pay attention, some hints as to what happens in the future are going to be revealed in the upcoming chapters.

Don't worry. I don't see Bella and Edward breaking up anytime soon. Lauren and Jessica will definitely try lots of different things to make that happen, but by now these two have decided that they are soul mates and can't live without each other.

Hope you all are having wonderful times this holiday.

Lisa