Author's Chapter Notes:

In this chapter, Edward and Bella talk about the hardest times in their lives. Bella has very intimate feelings for Edward, but does he feel the same? Read to find out in this exciting chapter! *puts on weird news-caster face*

'Tis Chapter Three! Break Out the vitamin water !

I never knew so much could happen within two weeks. Maybe it was because before, there was no Edward Masen in my life. With each moment I spent in his presence, I believe I fell more and more in love with him. His memories became as precious to me as my own were. I cherished the moments when he would laugh, seeing the way the corners of his eyes would crinkle, and his nose would bunch up, making him look like a child. When I wasn't looking at his eyes, I would think about them. I loved the glassy shine of his irises, the green fused with a light blue.

It seemed that he enjoyed my presence, but I couldn't be sure. Maybe the kiss on the cheek he had given me meant nothing, and he had found a beautiful, witty girl that deserved to be graced by his lips. I wanted him to love me back, even though I would never voice it.

There were many things I shouldn't have voiced when I was with him. Through learning about his happy memories such as getting a goldfish named Spot when he was nine, I also learned about the times when he wasn't as strong, wasn't the Edward I knew.

And I'm not talking about flushing the fish.

"How old was Maddie when she . . . she . . .?" I should've kept my mouth shut like a good girl, but curiosity took over before I could think. I regretted that question more than anything I ever had before.

"Seven months," Edward murmured. "Still a baby." I could hear the way his tone sloped into a misery I had never before heard from him. It scared me.

"How old were you?"

"Six years old," he chuckled darkly, no humor in the beautiful noise.

"Good Lord, Edward," I said. I couldn't imagine being a mere child and watching my sister die, watching those around me, including my mother, go with her. Not physically, but intellectually. I knew Edward wasn't like others at school, always a bit more mature, but I had never known why. He had grown up knowing that he would never see his sister grow with him.

"She was sweet," he murmured. "So, so adorable. My mother did nothing but coo over her, pinch her cheeks. Her eyes were a milky blue, just like my father's. He was so proud to say that she had the Masen eyes. But her hair was just like mine, like my mother's. Her skin was pale, sort of ivory." His thumb brushed over my cheek, going in a gentle circle. "Like yours. I liked hearing her laugh. It reminded me of chimes or bird. My mother always said she would sing when she grew older."

He dropped his hand, and I became afraid that I had angered him. The dreamy, distant look his eyes had held before was gone, replaced with a violent fury.

"But then . . . Then I came home one day, and mom was crying. Sobbing. There was blood everywhere, leading into Maddie's bedroom. I saw that my mom was holding Maddie, but there was a gash in her chest. She had been stabbed by some random psycho in her own crib. In her own crib! She died, she was stabbed in her crib! She was killed when my parents were at work, and while I was at school. The babysitter was killed too.

"Whoever killed her will die. I don't care if it's at my own hands, but they will die sometime. I want to see them just as cold as Maddie was, just as still. I want their blood to be on the floor. They don't deserve to live!" My stomach crawled. Edward was never violent, at least not for the time I had known him. He certainly wasn't the type to vow that someone's life would end.

"I'm sure she misses you, wherever she is," I soothed. I took his hand in mine. I hoped my comforting would work; I hated the way anger seemed to radiate from him.

"I guess. I just miss her so much. It feels like I have no way to remember her, and she'll be gone forever," Edward sighed, placing his head on my shoulder. I laid my head on top of his.

"I know, I know," I said softly.

We sat in silence, me rubbing his back in a way I hoped was comforting. His burning rage eventually ran out, leaving only sadness in his eyes. He sighed and squeezed my hand, leaving me practically purring from the warmth we shared. It felt good to have our body heat shared between our palms. But my happiness was extinguished when I saw the single tear slip down Edward's cheek. Before long, they were cascading silently onto my shirt. I couldn't help the fact that his gloom made tears squeeze out of my own eyes. Tears were mildly common from me partially due to the fact that I cried when I was angry, and just moved from Phoenix. But Edward shouldn't cry. I needed his smile, his light.

"Don't be sad," I whispered.

"I just know I'll never see her again, no matter how hard I try," he sniffed. "But she looked a lot like you, except for your eyes." More tears slipped out from the corner of his eyes.

"What do I have to do to make you happy?" I begged. I didn't care what it was. If it brightened his day, it brightened mine.

That had to have been the most beautiful moment of my life. The tiny second of hesitation before his lips touched mine felt so fragile, so precious. It was as if the world had stopped spinning on its perfect axel, waiting for our skin to make contact. But when they finally did, I forgot about all the beauty I had felt before. This second was so much more achingly gorgeous.

Edward's hands slipped to the back of my neck to pull me closer, while my hands tangled themselves into his bronze, tousled hair. Our lips moved together, perfectly synchronized. It was as if we had been born that way. My hands moved to marvel at the broad expanse of his shoulders. I could feel all of the tendons and muscles; so smooth, so toned. I loved the masculine smell he gave off, some sort of mix with laundry detergent.

I pulled back and smiled. There were remains of salt water on his face, but this time, Edward looked ecstatic. He flashed me a brilliant grin and said, "Yup, perfectly cheery."

Chapter End Notes:

I hope you liked that little scene! I tried to show Edward's soft side, but I'm not sure if I nailed it. If you can spare a minute of your time, I would greatly appreciate it if you would review. Thanks!