Disclaimer: I am not Stephenie Meyer, so I do not own these characters :( Except the gothic woman :D

About: A little…well a long chapter about the little London village (still looking for ideas) and the preparation for Bella and Edward's time alone.

Title Explanation: Bella is cautious of this new woman…more irony…vampires shouldn't be scared, right?

Please R & R and enjoy. More reviews the quicker I update :D

RagdollRanny

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Vampire Chills

The town was beautiful. You could tell that the locals took pride in making it so. Even in the colder months you could imagine that the perfect gardens would still look…well…perfect. I strolled through the garden, holding Edward's hand tightly in mine.

There were birds high up in the trees, too scared to come down, and I could hear small rodents scuttling deeper into the flowers and bushes.

Renesmee and Jacob walked a little behind, weighed down with a few bags which mostly contained typical English food.

Scones...and the likes. I think Jacob had a sweet tooth for scones; he'd bought a lot of them. We'd passed a small group of little clothes shops which I was dragged into by Nessie. It seemed Alice had gotten the desired effect of a mad shopping craze out of my daughter. She'd given up on me when Renesmee felt the need to dress impressively.

Now the sky was getting dark, darker than it had been all day, and after checking the time on the old clock tower, we decided it was best to go back. We'd spent the day browsing shops and trying to not spend too much. We had all week to visit these shops and we didn't want to draw attention by giving ourselves a reputation of being loaded with money. We just wanted to fit in.

As we walked through the park I noticed a young woman sitting on one of the park benches. She had thick black hair which curled around her neck and fell down her back. She had fantastic eyes. They were quite large, but this only made her more attractive. The colour was a golden brown, and they were very pretty. She had lined her eyes with a neat wave of eyeliner, which only emphasized her face more. Her lips were painted a vibrant red, but it suited her well. Her skin was pale…but nothing like I knew I was. Her dark hair had the effect she was probably going for…mysterious. Her gothic appearance was very medieval, and this only emphasized her pale complexion. If I was human I would have found myself being very jealous. I was slightly awed by her looks now but being what I was, I knew she was probably thinking the same thing of me.

Tied around her head was a deep crimson ribbon, which trailed down her back, entwined with her curls. She was wearing a black, under-bust corset over a red silk shirt. On her legs she wore dark jeans which flared slightly at the bottom. From a distance she reminded me of the style worn in the popular Van Helsing movie.

She was quite slim, though she was large busted, and she was staring right at me. My assessment had only taken around a second, but I suddenly felt like I'd been staring for ages. I directed my eyes away, and focused on what Renesmee and Jacob were doing. Jacob was spinning Nessie round as if they were dancing. He hopped down some of the steps leading from the garden and turned to face Renesmee, his arms open wide. She backed up a few steps and launched herself. She flew quite high in the air, and after I made sure Jacob had caught her, I turned my head to check upon the woman sat in the garden. Luckily for me she was looking through her bag which was placed next to her, and I breathed a sigh of relief that she didn't see what could have been classed as a supernatural act.

I rushed the group quicker so we could get back to the hotel before one of them did something stupid again.

~***~

As we walked towards our room, we heard voices coming from Carlisle's larger room. I gathered that everyone was in there. We knocked on the door and heard as someone unlocked it. Emmett stood there grinning like a stupid Cheshire cat.

"Yes…how can I help you?" he said, trying to keep a straight face.

"Just let us in Emmett," Edward muttered placing a hand on Emmett's arm which was currently blocking the way in. Renesmee and Jacob joined us from behind.

"I'm sorry, but why do you need to come in. We didn't order anything," Emmett said, sneering at me.

"You'll be ordering something in a minute," Renesmee said. Emmett looked confused. "A taxi to take you to a hospital when I break your face," she finished. Even Emmett's mouth dropped. Only Jacob laughed. I guessed he was used to it.

During the shock I managed to push Emmett's arm away and squeeze through the door.

"Heya everybody," I said, waving. Alice sat crossed legged on the floor rifling through different bags. She looked up as I spoke.

…Oh no!

"Bella, look what I found…you have to come shopping with me…perfect clothes…look what I got," she splurted, throwing bags and clothes at me. I backed away, dropping dresses from my arms, and a pair of very small lingerie which landed on my shoulder. She continued talking and I tried to look interested.

"You had a fun day," Edward said to Jasper, nudging him in his ribs. He smiled when Alice turned to look at him.

"I always do," he said just before Alice launched herself into his arms.

"Right, so we're all here and I presume you all have things you'd like or need to do, so if you could just remind us before you disappear," Carlisle reminded us. I looked at Edward, planning to ask him if there was anything he wanted to do, to find him staring at Alice.

I stayed quiet, in case she was having a vision. The strange thing was, however, her eyes were perfectly clear, so I had to presume Edward was giving signals by 'deciding' things to get the message across. I felt myself looking confused, just as Renesmee walked over.

"Mom, do you mind if me and Jake go out for a few drinks?" she said, looking embarrassed. She had drunk before, as I trusted her, but I guess with the different drinking age she wasn't sure.

I nodded, and stroked her cheek.

"If you're sure love. Please, just do be stupid about it," I said, laughing to show I was joking. She smiled and put her hand over mine which was still on her cheek.

I was greeted by the vision of her kissing Jacob, and having a good time. When I came back to focus she looked scared.

"Could you at least warn me if you have to show me something like that," I said. I had come to understand and appreciate Jacob's imprinting on my daughter, but things like seeing them kissing still caused a small, silent tug at my dead heart. I loved Jacob, as a friend now, but it made me feel guilty for my actions now my own daughter was in love with him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't intend to send you anything," she murmured, dropping her head. I placed my hand on her shoulder and waited till she lifted her head.

"It doesn't matter," I whispered, kissing the top of her head. "Now, go on and have a good time," I said as Jacob joined us. He nodded and I saw the promise in his eyes to keep her safe.

They left the room first.

I noticed that people had gone to do whatever they had to do. Only Edward, me, Alice and Jasper remained in the room. Alice was stood nearer to me, smiling and bouncing on the balls of her feet. I tried to catch Edward's eye, but he was staring at the TV. I wasn't so sure if I believed if he was watching it.

"Bella, come with me," Alice piped. I nodded, lifting a hand to say I needed a little moment.

"Yeah, one second, I just need to talk to Edw-…" I began before Alice grabbed my arm and pulled me into a side room. As it was unexpected I didn't have time to react, but just as she shut the door on me I saw Edward lift his eyes and lock with mine. I hoped I looked really upset after he ignored me.

I noticed I was in a small bedroom, so I marched over to the single bed and sat down.

"What do you want Alice," I said, glaring at the roof.

She had her head stuck inside the bedroom cupboard. She was rustling around with something, and I laid on my back waiting for an answer.

"It's not what I want," she finally said. I lifted my head to look at her.

"I saw before your decision to be more confident…and I also noticed the small desire to be a little more noticeably sexy," she said, wiggling her hips to emphasize 'sexy'. I sat up fully.

"So, what are you doing now?" I said, eyeing the bag she had behind her bag, knowing that she was right about being sexier.

"Making you look sexier," she said pulling an item of clothing from the bag. She held it up and let the clothing slither out.

It was a dress…a short dress.

It was black and it was very tight.

I noticed that down the side there were corset ribbons. I was going to be tied into this dress. I also realized that it had no straps and the bust was entirely dependent on a good fit to stop it falling off.

Alice looked at me as if I was missing something.

"What?" I said slowly, trying to prevent time moving quicker than I wanted it too.

"Well I can tell from your expression you love it, but in order for you to wear it, you need to get undressed."

I stared down at my clothes, wishing they suddenly glued to me.

"Don't even try to run or you'll disappoint Edward," she said, guessing my initiative. Damn Alice and her ways.

Beside the cupboard there was a very pretty dressing panel, the type you can hide behind on one side and get undressed without anybody seeing. I opened it up and began to undress whilst Alice stood on the other side humming to herself. She passed the dress round the stand and I slipped it on. It already fit fine, but once Alice had a look she decided it didn't. She grabbed the ties on the side and pulled. The dress shrank, but I find that the dress felt snug and I wasn't as afraid of the top half flopping forward, revealing me to any onlooker.

Finally she pulled me in front of a mirror to let me look. I fell in love with the dress instantly. Sure, it wasn't my usual style but it clung to my body perfectly. It highlighted my hips in the flattering way, clenched my waist in, therefore making my breasts look twice their size. I smiled widely and didn't even comment on just how high the skirt was.

Damn Alice, knowing my dress size!

Alice smiled beside me and then rummaged back in the cupboard. She pulled out some silver heels and I propped myself on the bed again, trying not to crease the dress. She pointed at the small border of sparkling silver jewels along the top of the dress and how they matched the heels. The hooked them over my feet and made sure they fit. Then she whipped out her curling irons to neaten up what I could proudly claim to be my natural curly hair. She even added make-up to my face, which she explained was to make my pale complexion less noticeable to any humans I may meet. This got me thinking because I didn't know that I was going out after this beauty parlor experience. Alice quickly shut up after I noted that aloud.

She gave me dark, red lipstick and highlighted my lashes with a sweep of mascara. I gasped when I saw my reflection in the mirror. It's been years since I've ever been shocked at myself. Alice clapped her hands in happiness and was bouncing again. After a little more primping, a tug of the dress here, curling a lock of hair there, she had decided I was done. Making me pirouette on the spot she looked me once over then walked to the door.

She stuck her head round the door, making sure I couldn't see out or nobody could see in.

"Are you both ready?" she asked.

"Both!" I whispered. She waved an arm at me, telling me to be quiet. Edward and Jasper must have given an answer because Alice shut the door and turned to me.

"Yes, both. You want to get a good opinion don't you? Edward will clearly be infatuated with you and will obviously say you're gorgeous, even though it's true. Jasper will be able to give a reliable answer," she said, smiling at her own intelligence.

Can't I just believe that I look good and leave the building through a window or something? I thought to myself. I just didn't seem right to purposefully flaunt myself to Jasper, and it was just weird that it was his wife/girlfriend/partner (whatever stage they were in at the moment) was the one who suggested it.

I took a huge breath and puffed out my cheeks. Alice laughed then poked me in the ribs making me blow the air out in big gust. She raised her eyebrows at me.

"Fine! Let's get going then," I said clenching my fists at my side.

"Relax Bella," she whispered as she turned the door handle.

She opened the door wide, with herself hiding behind it. I walked out into the front room and stood before Edward and Jasper. Jasper was still sat on the floor and Edward was sprawled out on one of the couches. He stood up quickly as I entered.

"Bella, I…that dress…it's…you're gorgeous!" he said, taking a few steps closer. His mouth hung open slightly and I found myself laughing at him.

He too had dressed up, in a dark blue shirt which opened slightly revealing quite a bit of his perfect chest. His hair was the usual messy array of waves and curls, and he had shiny leather boots on his feet. I breathed in slowly to calm my sexual nerves.

I turned slowly in a full circle, coming to stop facing Jasper. I stared at him, my silent question present on my face. He looked at me for a while, and I noticed he was a little open-mouthed aswell. Alice came skipping in.

"So Jasper, what do you think?" she said, gripping my shoulder and spinning me round again.

"It's…ah…you look very beautiful," he said finally, looking down at his hands. I felt myself frown, but Alice seemed happy enough with his answer. She sat down in the chair where he was resting against and kissed the top of his head.

Whilst I stood, feeling like some expensive painting in a gallery, Edward had walked up beside me and he placed his hand in mine.

"Would you mind Bella, if I was to take you out tonight?" he whispered seductively in my ear. If I could blush, now would be the moment. I turned to face him and managed to nod in approval.

"Well, let's get going," he continued, slowly pulling me from the room.

"I'll see you later," he called over his shoulder to where Alice sat running her fingers through Jasper's golden hair.

As we left the room and began walking down the corridor, I turned to Edward.

"What was that about?" I asked, listening to my clinking heels on the linoleum floor. Edward chuckled, recalling what he must have 'heard'.

"Well, Jasper thought you look drop-dead gorgeous, but being the polite, married gentleman he is, he was struggling to word his approval correctly, so as not to upset Alice or discomfort you."

I looked forward again and breathed another sigh of relief.

"At least he didn't hate the dress," I murmured.

"Oh definitely not," Edward said, squeezing my hand gently.

~***~

Edward led me down the streets which were very dark now. They were lit with old Victorian style street lamps except that they were electronically powered. With it being so dark you couldn't tell if the sky was cloudy or clear so I let myself believe that the weather was perfect.

We were walking along one of the streets we visited earlier this morning so I wasn't taking in the view just as much as I should have. Instead I was thinking about my time with Edward and what he was planning on. So therefore it took me a while to notice a beautiful young woman walking down the other side of the street parallel to me. I looked out of the corner of my eye, as she walked aswell, so I wouldn't give anything away. It was the same woman I saw earlier, and she was dressed exactly the same. However, in the dark night she created an odd feeling which washed over me.

Hah! I thought to myself, shaking myself back into focus. Imagine me, scared about some human.

However, I couldn't erase the odd feeling I got, so continued to watch her. It was Edward, calling my name which made me forget her.

"Bella," he whispered, stroking a lock of hair from my neck. I stopped walking and turned to face him, my body filled once again with love and desire for this perfect being.

"Yes, Edward," I said back, softly. He had one arm behind his back and a small spark in his eye.

"For you," he said simply, bringing out a large, single rose from behind his back. I gasped at the beauty of it. It was quite a dark red, and the petals felt like silk. I smelt the flower, intoxicated by the most beautiful smells. I could almost envision where this plant had grown and sense the sunlight it had trapped within it.

"Where did you get this?" I asked, slightly breath-taken.

Edward smiled. "When you were in one of your little dazes, I took my opportunity," he said. I laughed to myself.

"It's beautiful, thank you so much," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. I kissed the hollow, and he growled quietly beside me. I laughed to myself.

I removed myself slowly, kissing him with all my effort as I pulled away. The fire flickered furiously, burning through his lips into mine. I smiled softly, and held the rose in my free hand, whilst re-taking Edward's hand in mine. We walked a little further down the street and I began to relax back into myself. I watched as most of the shops had closed for the night and smiled when I saw mine and Edward's reflection in the shop windows. I tucked myself closer under Edward's arm. He happily hugged me tighter.

We walked down a new street that I hadn't seen before and was fascinated by the thick forest I saw sprawling out before us. This village had managed to keep that hidden from me when we got here!

I felt Edward look down at me, checking my response.

I smiled whilst I kept facing forward, but gave Edward a sneak peak of my mind.

'It's beautiful…it's like…it's our own piece of…"

"Home," Edward finished.

I smiled, and glanced around us, before we ran off (at human speed) into the forest.

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Helloooooo :D

Sorry for all those who thought this would be the date and the 'love' scene. I have way too many ideas and my chapters seem to be longer than would be appropriate for one chapter. You don't want to be sat here for hours :D

I promise that next chapter will have the date and the 'scene' even if it goes on for pages and pages and pages :D

Thanks to Woehero and The Straight Lesbian who are making my imagination filled with bubbles and dancing faeries :D Also, TSL…she's my little pile of melted mush :D

RagdollRanny

R & R!!!!!