For those of you questioning my sanity on the subject of ranch and spaghetti… IT IS AMAZING. Just trust me. It's like pizza and ranch. I made my cousin's girlfriend try it and now she loves it. So don't knock it 'til you try it.

I'm glad that everyone enjoyed the first kiss! I enjoyed writing it since I've never written one (that in depth) before. Also, if I said that you would see the dinner scene in this chapter, I lied. BUT IT IS IN THE NEXT ONE! I swear.

Also, I was told that the link to the TCFanfic Awards didn't show up. Apparently FF doesn't like even their own links. Do an author search for TCFanficawards. You'll find the link :)

"With every day, and from both sides of my intelligence, the moral and the intellectual, I thus drew steadily nearer to the truth, by whose partial discovery I have been doomed to such a dreadful shipwreck: that man is not truly one, but truly two."

---Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

EPOV

Bella flicked the suds from her fingers and smiled as they landed on the collar of my shirt, "All finished." She reached out to wipe the soap from my shoulders, but my hand caught her wrist.

"That was uncalled for, Isabella." Our eyes met and I watched as the blood rushed to her cheeks, a blush decorating her pale face.

"Sorry." Bella's smile was anything but, and when she gently tugged her wrist from my hand I narrowed my eyes playfully.

"You're a horrible liar." I reached out and gently tugged on a strand of her hair.

"I never said what I was sorry for," She batted her eyelashes before stepping backward, away from the sink. I released the strand of hair, letting it fall to rest against her shoulder, "I'm only sorry because we have to leave now." It felt as though she wasn't saying something, but I wouldn't press her for an answer.

I cupped my hands and let water from the faucet fall into them. It dripped between my fingers and rinsed away the soapy residue. When I turned to dry them off with a dish towel, Bella was standing there, the towel dangling from her fingers, "Thanks."

She nodded and leaned against the counter, staring at me pensively, "Do we really have to go?"

"Unless you want your parents to report you missing."

Bella rolled her eyes and brushed her hair back, "I doubt they'd report anything. It would be the best day of Tanya's life if I was missing."

"Bella, I know she's not your mother, but is she really that bad?"

The brown eyed girl sighed and shook her head, "I'm sure there are worse people in the world, but she tops my list."

I winced at the bluntness of her statement. It was obvious that Bella didn't think any good of her stepmother and I didn't blame her. My arm wound around her waist, bringing Bella's lithe frame close to me. She sighed and coiled into my chest, her arms locking around my neck, "Can't you kidnap me? I'll live in your basement if I have too."

"Not yet, Bella, but maybe one of these days you'll find someone to take you away. He'll sweep you off your feet and you won't ever look back." I gently stroked my hand up and down her back and she relaxed against me. We stood, and I waited for her to be calm enough to leave, "Don't forget, we'll see each other tonight."

"I know…"

Bella's voice trailed off, so I unhooked her arms from around my neck, "Come on, love." She laced our fingers together and I pulled her toward the front door of the house.

We walked slow, hoping to delay our return to the boardwalk. Bella swung our hands, smiling, "This is nice."

"Nice?" I glanced over at her and she shrugged, "I think I have a few other words that describe this, none of them being nice." Bella looked down at the sandy path that lay before us, and I realized that her feelings had been hurt, "This is paramount; the greatest day of my life."

She glanced back up at me and smiled, but no words were exchanged.

By the time we reached the boardwalk, the sun had risen above the shoreline casting a harsh glare on the town. People hurried about their business and the ocean lapped at the edges of the beach, "It's so beautiful."

"Please tell me you're talking about the water and not the sweaty, shirtless tourists."

Bella laughed softly and nodded her head, "Of course I'm talking about the water. Don't you think it's stunning?"

"It's even better looking at night, when a certain brown-eyed girl is using my t-shirt as a seat and the moon is lighting her eyes."

BPOV

He spoke as though he was from a different era, and I loved everything he said. It felt like we were kindred spirits; lovers reincarnated. Edward's pale complexion complimented his square jaw, and soft full lips. When he caught me looking, his lips twisted up into a smile.

"Is there something I can do for you?"

"Just checking to make sure you're still there." Edward squeezed my hand as we walked, our movements locked into a steady pace. His hand was warm as he cradled my palm, the thumb gently stroking over my flesh.

"Edward! There you are!"

Mrs. Cullen's arms were full of shopping bags and Edward's father walked beside her, his expression concerned. Edward's sisters stood close to their parents, both smiling as we approached, "Sorry, Mom, we were hungry."

His mother smiled and handed the shopping bags to her husband, then Mrs. Cullen embraced Edward, "Well I'm glad you're not dead."

"Mom, you could have called my cell phone."

As she pulled away, I heard her whisper softly, "I know. We've been with the-"

"Bella! Where the hell have you been!" Her shriek was easily recognizable. I gripped Edward's hand and Mrs. Cullen stepped back.

"We were hungry and Edward was nice enough to have lunch with me."

Tanya's lips curled up, pursing as she gave Edward the once over. I felt him squeeze my fingers. When Tanya spoke again, her voice now sickly sweet, "Well tell us where you're going next time, baby." She was cooing and stepped closer to me, extending her hand to Edward.

I was impressed when he glanced at the hand, as though he didn't want to touch her. Edward's father cleared his throat, and Edward took her hand into his, "It's nice to meet you."

"Now tell me, what's a handsome man doing with Bella?"

I swallowed and blinked, trying to keep any emotions in. Tanya could compliment someone and put me down in the same sentence without anyone else knowing, "Bella's amazing. Any man would be lucky to have such a beautiful woman in his presence."

A girl, who I assumed to be Edward's sister stepped forward and gripped my hand, pulling me close to her, "Hi Bella. I'm Alice. We're going to be great friends."

Edward smirked and withdrew his hand from Tanya's, but he kept up his suave appearance, "Bella and I ate lunch and I thought she could go shopping with my sisters."

Tanya smiled again menacingly, "We were taking Bella shopping before she snuck off with you and we plan to finish the trip before dinner tonight. So if you don't mind," She snapped her fingers, "Bella, it's time to go. We must find you something decent for tonight."

Alice frowned when I stepped away from her, "We'll see you tonight, Bella."

I glanced over at Edward and sighed before moving to stand beside Tanya, "Thanks for lunch, Edward," she paused before continuing, "I'll see you tonight."

"Yes, you will. Now let's go before all of the good clothes are gone."

EPOV

I scowled as Bella trailed after her stepmother. The woman really was a bitch.

"Edward, how did you buy Bella lunch when you didn't have this?" Rosalie extended her hand, and my leather wallet was dangling between her fingers.

Smirking, I reached out and grabbed my wallet, "We went back to the house and I made her lunch."

Alice raised an eyebrow, "Is that all that happened, Edward Cullen?"

"Yes, Alice. I have more self-restraint than to jump her on our first date."

"I'd certainly hope so. Or I'd reconsider how I raised you." Esme was smiling as she leaned into Carlisle, who despite his bag laden arms was holding her snugly against his chest.

"When did you get here?"

Carlisle chuckled as he peered at me from overtop of Esme's head, "We were worried when your morning shopping trip turned into an all day affair. I was only looking out for your safety."

"Or you wanted an excuse to poke fun at me. I'm surprised you didn't bring your digital camera. 'And this is Edward, trying on the same pair of pants for the 50th time because Alice isn't sure if they're tight enough. Doesn't he look adorable?'"

My father smirked and rolled his eyes, "You think so highly of me, son."

Rosalie clucked her tongue, ending our playful banter, "It's getting close to dinner time and Edward has nothing to wear. We need to get a move-on."

Alice nodded her approval and grabbed my wrist, "Let's go, little brother."

--

The gray dress shirt they found was slim-fit; it hugged every dip in my body. Alice assured me that Bella would love it.

"Alice, I swear to God, I have about 30 shirts that look exactly like this one."

Alice rolled her eyes, waving a hand at me, "Are you going to school to be a fashion designer, Edward? No, so leave clothes to the experts."

I glanced in the mirror and smoothed down the soft material. Every aspect of my wardrobe for that night had been handpicked by Alice and Rose. Even my underwear was no longer sacred.

My sister impatiently flicked the cuffs of my shirt up, propping them around my wrists, "There. You look as good as it's going to get."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

The pixie like girl smiled before walking from my room, "Come on, then. It's time to leave." She suddenly froze, "Oh! I forgot. If Bella mentions something about a little black box, she's not talking about the one from an airplane."

BPOV

"Do you think he'll like this?"

Tanya scoffed, "Bella there is no outfit that will make you look any better. But I'll try because you're my stepdaughter." She paused and fingered through the dresses on the rack as I stood beside her silently.

Daniel and Charlie were sitting on the leather sofa in the waiting area of the dressing rooms. I could hear soft music wafting into the changing rooms, noise from Daniel's ear buds.

"Here, try this on." She shoved a blue dress at me and began tapping her foot. We could shop for her all day but when it came to buying something for me, Tanya wanted to hurry up and finish.

I stepped behind a dressing room door for the second time that day, reminiscing on my time with Edward. He'd yanked me in after him, an attempt to hide me from the Step-Bitch and I wished he were here now.

"Hurry up, Bella. We need to get home so I can check on dinner!"

Once my clothes were off, the dress was on, and Tanya nodded after her inspection, she tugged the tag from the fabric and started toward the cash register, "It looks good. Now let's go."

--

I stood before the vanity in my bedroom, smoothing out the rumples that had formed in my dress. Tanya had haphazardly thrown it into the backseat and it wrinkled on our way home.

"You look like Mom in that dress, Bells."

Daniel leaned against my doorframe, his dress shirt ironed to perfection. I swallowed thickly and turned to look at him, "Do you really think so?"

My brother smiled and walked toward me, his eyes shining, "Of course." I blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall at the mention of my mother. Daniel sighed and pulled me into a hug, murmuring against my hair, "Tonight will be fine, Bella."

"Can I spill gravy on Tanya?"

Daniel chuckled and stepped back, "I'd love for that to happen, but I don't know what she'd do to you."

"What's the worst that could happen, Danny? If she kicked me out, I'd be happy. If she locked me in my room, I'd escape," I gestured toward my balcony, "She's already taken away everything, except you. What else could she possibly do?"

"If she tries to off me in my sleep, I'm blaming you." Daniel was grinning, "So don't do anything too dramatic."

His polished shoes clicked as he walked away and the calming smell of his cologne lingered in my nose.

The curtains covering the door that lead to my balcony blew and the smell of water replaced that of my brother. When I walked over to shut my door, I noticed a small black box, resting against the floor of my balcony and a note was beneath it.

You are the only one who has ever touched my heart. It will always be yours.

Edward

The white gold caught the setting sun and brought a beautiful glare to the bracelet. I gasped at the extravagant gift but smiled at where he'd put it. If I didn't wear it, I'd hurt his feelings; but it seemed too early to be exchanging gifts.

Part of me wanted to wear it and rub my stepmother's nose in it, but the other part of me worried about the cost. We'd known each other for a day. Did he think I needed expensive gifts to be interested?

I removed the bracelet from the box and clasped it around my wrist. A small heart charm dangled from the chain and from the moment I put it on, I knew it belonged there.

"Bella! Our guests are here!"

Tanya had disguised her voice, hoping to hide her real self from the Cullens. But something told me that they weren't fooled.

"Coming!"

So far all of my chapters, excluding the prologue, have been 7 pages in Word. I'm pretty proud of myself…Show me some love?

Be the first to find the word that Jace Wayland hates and the next chapter will be dedicated to you! I'll give you a hint, Edward says it.

The next chapter was so much fun to write. If I get 20 reviews (Yes, I'm begging) then I'll post it. I'll actually have to write this story again then because I've saved up chapters! For those of you who are also reading No Other Path, No Other Way, that should be posted soon!

Hayden

P.S. REVIEW PWEASE! *pouts*