My eyes rested on Bella's perfect lips, thinking of how full and gentle they were. Even the moments of roughest passions, they always seemed to stay so gentle and smooth. Always beautiful, I thought. And she was beautiful. It was a hidden quality, almost an undercurrent, but it was always present. As far as physical beauty goes, that was always easily viewed. But as far as the internal beauty that she carried . . . It was mind-blowing to think that she could still be so kind, even after all of the bumps life has chucked at her. But she had always been like that, even before the accident. When she had first made a home in Forks, not once did she complain about her parent's divorce or leaving any friends behind. I knew she hadn't been a particularly social person, but she had once mentioned a person or two that she was uncomfortable leaving, including her mother. It touched me that she could be so self-sacrificing.

Among that trait were many others, including her ability to be so patient. With my teasing about Mike Newton and Mr. Higgenbothambatrotham, I would say that she was capable of being patient.

"Edward, shouldn't your mom be home by now?" Bella asked, breaking me from my thoughts. Once again, I was bewitched by her angelic face.

I pondered her question for a moment. At times, my mother would simply call me at an ungodly hour in the morning to say that she was out with friends. "I guess." I told her of my mother's frequent and irregular outings. It sometimes scared me the way my mother would take off so quickly. She hadn't been exactly . . . right, after the crash. I, however, had very little emotional scarring from it. In a way, it was sick. A boy loses his father, yet he feels little pain at all.

She frowned and muttered, "Strange. If she has a cell phone, you could call her."

"It's at least worth a try." I dialed the number and heard four rings until her voice mail came on. "Hello, you've reached Elizabeth Masen. I'm unavailable to take your call right now, but if you could leave a message at the-"

"She didn't pick up," I said. "It was a good try, though. Maybe she'll call later. In the meanwhile, we could do something to entertain ourselves."

Bella shrugged. "Okay. So what do we do then?"

"I'm really not quite sure. It's only 9:30, so we do have time. That is, unless you want to go to sleep now?"

She shook her head as a no. "I am tired, but not enough to go to sleep. We could watch a movie if you wanted. Or we could play a board game, or get you some cooking skills, or-" She had obviously planned to go on, but I silenced her by putting my finger to her lips. She pulled back to kiss it gently.

I grinned, thinking of the perfect movie. "One moment, love," I murmured, racing off to get the movie. Once I was back with the brightly colored DVD case, I handed it to Bella, gauging her reaction.

"Austin Powers," she said quietly. She turned her head to me, a highly amused look on her face. "Austin Powers? Goodness gracious, Edward. You cease to amaze me."

I brushed my shoulder in mock arrogance.

As we started the movie, Bella curled into my side lovingly. Warmth spread throughout my body, but it had nothing to do with temperature or proximity. I laid my head on top of hers. The smell of strawberries wafted up to my nose as I buried my face in her hair.

Laughs ensued as we watched the hilarious movie. At times, we would speak along with the characters. "My name is Richie Cunningham," we both laughed together. "and this is my wife, Oprah!" Even I had to laugh at the ludicrously dressed Fembots. I caught Bella snickering when Austin cried, "Does that make you HORNY?" Needless to say, we weren't necessarily silent and somber during the movie. Then again, who could remain quiet in a film of such quality as this?

We were still chuckling as the movie came to an end, but it died down when Bella said, "I thought your mom would have called by now."

I frowned. "Yeah, me too. Maybe work is holding her up. She often has a lot of paper work." Just as I said that, the phone rang.

"Masen residence," I answered politely.

"Edward, this is mom," said my mother. In the background of where ever she was, I heard loud music, as if she had decided to go to a party instead of take care of her son.

"Hey, where are you?"

"Oh, I decided to spend some time with a friend from work. I won't be home until tomorrow, so don't have any crazy teen parties or play too much loud music that I don't understand, okay?" she laughed. The sound bordered on the edge of hysterics. She was obviously drinking.

"Yes, mom." My voice was strained, trying not to get mad at her for not being responsible.

"I love you, Eddy," she said, ending the phone call.

"I love you, but I love you more when you don't call me that," I replied, but she had already hung up. I turned to Bella and said, "Looks like we have the house to ourselves tonight."

She smiled wildly. "Lovely." In a quick switch from bright to tired, she yawned and stretched her arms above her head. "Can we go to sleep now?" she asked, but since it came in the middle of her yawn, it sounded like, "Cow pee know tea flower?"

I tried to hide my laughs, but it soon became to much for my mouth to hold. "You . . . Said . . ." I exploded in laughs yet again.

"What are you laughing at?" Bella asked angrily.

By now, I was almost in control of the laughter. "You just . . . you . . . never mind. Oh, never mind. I'm guessing that you're tired now. I believe anyone would be after having to face the treacherous Fembots."

"Why yes, Mr. Powers, I do believe I am tired," Bella giggled. She placed her hand in mine, jumping a bit when we both felt the familiar fire between our skin. Ever since our first handshake, I had never forgotten the way the skin on my fingertips began to tingle like Pop Rocks and then become aflame.

As I led her upstairs, I realized what this would look like to anyone else. Two teenagers (almost eighteen), late at night, heading up to a large bed . . . I had to admit, it would look very suspicious. But we both knew that it would be a long time before we were ready for an event such as that. Our relationship had gone no farther than rough, passionate kisses. And to be honest, I think we both were glad it didn't go any farther. Thinking of it now, I thought of a line in one of my favorite songs.

Our innocence is a virtue
But our arrogance will only leave us blind

Bella let go of my hand as she climbed into the deep blue covers, pulling them generously up to her chin. The hard wood of the floor was welcome to my body in the knowledge that Bella would sleep comfortably. Though I had to admit, the sleeping bag certainly wasn't the fluffiest mattress I had ever rested my sleepy head upon. Still, if my love was able to rest in the nicest of conditions, I was content.

"Edward, this may sound juvenile, but can I have a good night kiss?" Bella requested quietly.

"Of course, love," I said, already to my feet. In a few long strides my face was above hers. The kiss we shared wasn't the raunchy, rough grab. It was more like the first kiss we shared, but without the salty tears mixed in with the taste of her lips. My hands found their way to the back of Bella's neck, bringing her closer to me. She responded, pulling herself even tighter to me. Before it could go deeper, I pulled back gently. I kissed each of her eyelids as they sleepily closed.

After I was lying in my own make-shift bed, I heard her murmur, "I'll belong to you forever, Edward. Nothing will take me away from you."

Though she was probably already asleep, I whispered back, "And I yours. You can keep me forever if you want."

For a few moments, I felt nothing but joy. Pure, unmarred joy.

And then the screaming began.