A/N: Well, I have some ideas on how this story should proceed, but my life is just not cooperating. I started writing this chapter Sunday and I am seriously pissed!! My car and job are just un-freaking-believable… My car decided to spring a major leak, plus the brakes went out the window. Needless to say, my Christmas is looking like I'm spending way too much money again. And then there's work. I'm back on my boss' crap list. Apparently, I started well this week and then decided to suck the rest of the week. Thank God that I'm off from work until January 5th. I don't know if I could deal with that on Monday.

Anyway, I'm done ranting. This chapter was a lot of fun to write, and I hope that you all enjoy it. Send me a review. I'm going to start writing the next chapter(s) as soon as I post this. I'm hoping to finish cleaning my house and pack for my trip to Pennsylvania this weekend, so as I wait for the dishwasher and washing machine, I'll be typing. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday and are safe and with the ones you love and care for.

MUCH LOVE!

DISCLAIMER: I'm not Stephenie Meyer, but I really wish I were right now. Especially since I really can't afford a new car but still need one! Oh Santa…

BPOV

November 5

Well, today had been interesting. My mother first took me to the doctor's office. He did a full exam and wrote out a prescription for birth control. He also made sure to give me a bunch of pamphlets on safe sex, STDs, and teen pregnancy.

I tried to refuse them, but then I ended up with a lecture from my mother and the doctor about how girls who "aren't educated and prepared" are the ones who end up in the pamphlets. I about died from embarrassment at that comment.

Mom and I went to the drug store to get the prescription filled. While we were waiting, she began asking questions. "So, Edward's birthday is tomorrow. Anything planned?"

I could feel the blush rushing to my cheeks even though I had nothing to blush about. I knew what she was really asking. "Um… I don't know what to do for his birthday. I've run out of time and I have no idea what to do for him. He just lost his parents, I doubt that I can do anything for him."

"Bella… I'm going to tell you something, something that Elizabeth once told me. In fact, she said this last year on Edward's birthday. We were talking before the party even began, before you and Edward even began dating the first time." She sighed then, and I swear I saw a tear roll down her cheek.

I pulled her to a nearby bench beside the pharmacy window. "Mom… what are you talking about?" She was silent, and the tears flowed faster down her cheeks. "Mom… I know she was your best friend… please… I loved her too. I need to know."

"Bella," her voice was hoarse, and she was barely holding herself together. "Elizabeth loved you. She said that if it were her choice, you would become her daughter someday. Before the party, she said how you and her son were made for each other. That the first time she met you, she knew that you were Edward's soul mate."

I gasped. Elizabeth had been like a second mother to me, and to know that she thought of me as a daughter made my heart swell. I knew those words that Elizabeth had spoken were true, because Edward was the other piece to my soul. I couldn't live without him, and those few days I had tried, I felt dead inside.

I hugged my mother. "Mom… I don't know how to live up to that. How am I supposed to be that amazing when I'm just plain, old me. I don't deserve him." I could feel more tears begin falling down my cheeks.

My mother looked over at me shocked. She cupped both my cheeks in her hands. "My Bella, my baby… How can you not see how amazing you are. Your father and I are so blessed to have you in our lives. You bring joy to others and you are a shining star. And I've seen the way you light up Edward's life. You really are his other half, his better half if I'm speaking with my bias. He makes you complete." She hugged me tightly and I began to shake with the tears that were escaping.

"Bella, don't doubt yourself. I know your father will want to kill me for saying this, but Edward is your life. He is the one that you are destined to be with. Don't fight it or look for ways you don't measure up. They aren't there and you are worth any obstacle life throws at you two. And, worst comes to worst, you will always have your father and me… and Emmett too. We love you and will support you and whoever you choose to make you happy."

I could barely choke out a thank you or an I love you. My mother never ceased to amaze and surprise me. Just when I thought she was flighty and more child-like than an adult. Then she comes through and knows how to make me feel like I am worth Edward. I knew in that moment that I needed to get something for Edward to show him that I knew he was my other half and that I wanted him for always.

Renee and I pulled ourselves together and picked up my prescription. We drove across town to the mall in revered silence. Mom and I continue walking in silence as we perused the window displays. I didn't know if I should get him something from a clothing store, something from the sporting goods store, the music store, or maybe a piece of jewelry. Whatever I got him would have to be perfect.

My mom stopped us in front of the last place I ever thought about: Victoria's Secret. I could feel my face heating up from just the idea of my mother shopping in here with me. I mean, my mother was eight months pregnant. I know those things happened between married couples, but I really didn't want to think about it.

"Oh come on, Bella. I just think that if you are going to be doing things with Edward, you should look the part. Besides, it's like playing dress up, or dress down, depending on how you look at things."

I gawked at my mother. Here is the woman, who just a few short hours ago was warning me about using protection, and now she was talking about buying sexy lingerie for Edward. I just never got her. And I never knew what she was going to do next.

She pulled me into the store and started browsing. I stood back and watched my mother pull a few pairs of baby dolls off the rack and held them out to me. "So, which do you like?" she said after a few moments.

Thoughts about my mother and father that no child should ever be subjected to flashed before my eyes. "UGH! Mom! I don't want to help you shop for lingerie. That's… I mean, there are just some things that children should NEVER know about their parents."

My mother flushed but then broke out into a smile. "Bella… I wasn't buying these for me. I thought you might want something special for Edward's birthday. And as for the other… well, you're right, some things should always remain a secret. So I promise, I won't show you if I buy anything for myself."

We shopped for an hour and I did end up buying a blue baby doll, despite my total and complete embarrassment. Especially when mom paid for it. We walked around the rest of the mall and I finally came to a stop in front of the music store. Mom and I walked in and right away my eyes were drawn to the beautiful black grand piano they had sitting in the middle of the floor. My feet moved closer and I remembered a recent conversation with Edward this week.

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"Bella, are you happy?" His gorgeous green eyes smoldered as he looked down at me.

I was confused. I was pretty sure that Edward knew how happy I had just been. We had just finished making love while his family was out. "Of course, Edward… I thought you knew that I was happy. That was amazing."

He smirked at me and chuckled slightly. "That's not what I was talking about. I was more talking about the bigger picture. Are you happy?" His eyes were searching for the answer as if it were written on my face.

"Edward, I am happy with you. When I'm with you, I feel like I'm home, like nothing can hurt me. How about you? Are you happy?" I was suddenly self-conscious. Maybe this was his way of breaking up with me.

"I feel… like there are only three places I feel totally at home anymore. One is when I'm playing sports, especially basketball. I feel in control out on the court, nothing can catch me off guard. The second place is when I'm playing my piano downstairs. I can give myself over to the music and let it figure out anything that's bothering me. I've been writing some songs recently. I'll have to play for you some time soon."

I reached up and captured his lips in a sweet kiss. "I'd love to hear you play. You're my favorite basketball player as well, so at least I can kind of share your two passions. Wait! You said three places. What's the third?"

He kissed my lips and wrapped his arms tighter around my waist. "The only other place that I feel human, is when I'm with you. You bring me home. You're it for me, Bella. I want this, I want you. Forever." His fingers reached up to wipe away the tears that I didn't realized I had been crying.

"I love you, Edward Anthony Masen. I want this too." I laid my head on his chest and listened to his heart. I had never felt this close to him before.

"I love you more than life itself, Isabella."

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I sat at the piano and pressed a couple of the keys lightly. Edward's piano was beautiful and it was a place where he could be himself, without having to explain it.

I looked to my right and saw a rack of leather-bound composition notebooks, the kind a composer puts his work in. I practically jumped up to run over there. I pulled a black notebook from the shelf and felt the soft material with my fingertips. Blank sheet music was already inside. This would be perfect for Edward, especially since he has been writing lately.

I was about to head to the cashier when I noticed that the store was advertising a job for someone to come in and teach piano lessons. I asked for an application and paid for the notebook. I went to a card store and bought some music wrapping paper for the notebook and some heart wrapping paper. I figured I would let him unwrap the baby doll when we were alone.

We returned after that and I made my way up to my room. I quickly wrapped Edward's presents and laid back down on the bed. I closed my eyes and soon was asleep and dreaming about the love of my life. I hoped that he would like his gifts, especially since he has given me so much already. I would never be able to give him enough things to make up for all he's given me.

A/N: Well, there it is. I know the end was a little abrupt, but please bear with me. I will be trying my best to update Monday.

Next up: Edward's birthday

Coming soon: Basketball season and Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a family emergency that may cost someone their life…

Happy holidays!