Disclaimer: Nope. Don't. Own. Everything except the plot belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

A/N: Yes, I know I suck; it's been way over a year since I've updated. Let's just say that junior year was a pain in the butt and I basically had no time to write :(. Thankfully, it's summer now, and hopefully I'll be able to update more often now. I hope you guys are still reading!

"Today was a fairytale
You've got a smile that takes me to another planet
Every move you make everything you say is right
Today was a fairytale
"

Today Was a Fairytale, Taylor Swift

Chapter One: Forming the Bond

Bella Swan's Point of View, Age 4

After our brief introduction, Edward's Mommy, Elizabeth, pulled Edward and I towards the car. She and Mommy were talking to each other animatedly, throwing around terms like "fashion show," "Paris," and "models." I immediately knew that they were having grown up talk, and turned to Edward as Mommy had lost me in the conversation once she mentioned "cashmere." I looked at Edward, and saw that he was gazing out into the window, likely enjoying the warmth of the Californian sunrays as I had on our way to the airport.

"Edward," I voiced softly, "have you been to California before?"

Edward jolted in his seat, looking surprised that I'd talked to him. "No," he replied, "this is my first time coming here."

Then he looked at me strangely, and seemed to be contemplating something. He appeared to be embarrassed by his inner thoughts, but moments later, I saw determination blaze in his eyes, and he stated, "Hey Bella, can I ask you a question?"

I was intrigued, wondering just what kind of question had him feeling so uncomfortable. "Sure," I said, eagerly awaiting him to speak.

He hesitated for a moment, fidgeting in his seat, and suddenly blurted out, "Do you have cooties?"

I was shocked, and somewhat hurt. What made him think that I could possibly have cooties? The fringes of my eyes started to burn, my vision becoming slightly blurry. But I tried to hold back my tears, because Mommy had told me that big girls don't cry. My effort proved futile when a tear dripped onto my cheek as I tried to blink away the tears.

Edward seemed horrified at my reaction, and he immediately reached out to me, pulling me into his arms, and hugging me. I sniffed and looked up into his eyes, finding nothing but repentance reflecting in those tantalizing green orbs.

"I'm sorry, Bella," Edward spoke, regret filling his tone. "It's just that my cousin Emmett told me that girls had cooties and that they were weird, so we boys have to stay away from them."

From what I heard, it looked to me that Emmett was one of them. He was like one of the boys who liked to tease girls in my kindergarten, pushing us into mud puddles or putting caterpillars in our desks. Looking at Edward's sad expression, though, I knew that he really felt bad about making me cry, and I decided to forgive him. Mommy had always said that I must give my forgiveness in a formal manner, so I straightened my back and hoisted my shoulders. I looked Edward in the eye and said formally, like what I'd heard Mommy say to one of her clients before, "Edward, you have my wholehearted forgiveness, just don't do it again, okay?"

Edward's face relaxed, a slightly crooked smile appearing on his boyish face. He softened his posture, as he had tensed up when I'd pulled away from him. He tentatively took my hands in his and told me, "Thank you, Bella, I promise to be your friend from today on."

I smiled openly at him, and offered, "Do you want to eat Mac and Cheese with me tonight? My cook Annie makes the best Mac and Cheese in the whole wide world!"

Before Edward could answer, I heard a series of "Awwwws" coming from my left. Edward and I both turned, and saw that Mommy and Mrs. Masen were looking at us with excited expressions.

Mommy told Mrs. Masen, "Aren't they just the cutest?"

Mrs. Masen squealed and replied, "I know right! They are perfect for each other."

Chuckling, Daddy looked at Mommy and said, "I see that you're getting ahead of yourselves again."

"Nuh uh," Mommy denied, "This is the real deal right here. I can already picture them walking down the aisle in fifteen years -"

"—with Bella in a beautiful white gown and Edward in his dashing suit," Mrs. Masen continued dreamily.

"—and when they are done exchanging vows, Edward takes out a ring, puts it on Bella's finger, and -" Mommy added with a giggle.

"They embrace, sharing the most passionate kiss in history," Edward's Mommy finishes, her face flushed with excitement.

Edward and I looked at each other weirdly, as the adults continued to engage in their incomprehensible festivity. I leaned in to Edward, and asked him, "Did your cousin Emmett tell you that adults can be real weird?"

My green eyed companion nodded his head and whispered conspiratorially, "Yes, he said that they could be even weirder than my cousin Alice!"


When we arrived back at the beach house, Edward and I changed into our swimming suits quickly, and raced each other towards the beach. He had brought little plastic shovels and buckets, and we spent the afternoon building a magnificent sandcastle. We even went along the shore to pick up colorful shells to adorn the sandcastle.

We played until the sun disappeared into the horizon, and decided that it was time to go to my house and eat Annie's yummy Mac and Cheese. Edward and I sauntered happily back to the beach house hand in hand.

The duration of our summer days were spent in a similar manner. We would either spend the day at the beach, or go out to visit different places with our parents, or enjoy a day in front of the television, watching cartoons.

Over the course of the summer, Edward and I had become inseparable, constantly in the companionship of each other. As our summer days came towards an end, I started worrying that I would never see Edward again. Edward's family lived in Chicago, while my family resided in New York. Both of our parents were very busy people, so I didn't know when we would ever meet again.

With this in mind, I sat sulking on the steps of my beach house on a bright August afternoon. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear the light footsteps of Edward approach me.

"Boo!" Edward exclaimed when he came next to me, startling me out of self-pitying. "Watcha doin'?"

I turned towards him and pouted, "Nothing."

"Aw, come on! I know something is wrong! If you tell me what's wrong, I'll share my ice cream with you!" Edward stated, pointed to the ice cream cone in his hands.

But I was in such a sad mood that even ice cream couldn't cheer me up. I briefly looked at Edward, and said, "You can eat it by yourself; I don't want any ice cream."

I heard Edward huff besides me. Moments later, Edward's arm came around my shoulders and gently nudged my head onto his shoulder. I turned my head to Edward, looking into the deep emerald pools of his eyes.

"Hey," Edward started in a soft voice. "What's wrong, Tripping Izzy?"

Due to my lack of coordination skills, I was a familiar acquaintance of the floor. Over the summer, Edward had witnessed a fair share of my clumsiness, and has taken a liking into calling me "Tripping Izzy."

"Summer is almost over," I said after a long pause. "I don't want it to end."

Edward caught on to my thoughts, as he abruptly turned me to him and looked into my eyes. "I don't want the summer to end either, but you have to know that our friendship won't end when summer is over."

I stared at him doubtfully, "But you live all the way in Chicago and I live in New York, so we won't be able to see each other!"

He looked at me confidently and said, "Don't worry, Bella, I will convince Mommy to visit your family during Thanksgiving or Christmas, and we can come to the beach house again next summer!"

I thought Edward's plan over, and a smile began to overtake my face as I realized that we might be able to see each other again. Mommy and Mrs. Masen seemed to enjoy Edward and me spending time together, so they would probably agree to visit each other during the year!

Edward gave me a toothy grin when he saw that my mood was improving. He stood up and offered me his hand, "Let's go back! I heard that Annie is making Mac and Cheese tonight!"


Pretty soon, summer ended, and my and Edward's family were saying goodbye to each other at the airport. Edward came up to me and hugged me tightly. I wrapped my arms around him, leaning my head against his chest while I sniffed uncontrollably.

Hiccupping, I lifted my head from his chest, and asked him, "Edward, do you promise not to forget up me?"

He gazed down at me determinedly, "Of course I won't forget you, Bella!"

I felt Mommy walk up behind us and said softly, "Bella, honey, it's time for us to go!"

"No!" I grasped onto Edward desperately, "I don't wanna go!"

"Bella," Mommy replied, "Edward needs to go home now, but you'll see him during Thanksgiving"

"But I wanna be with him now!" I knew I was throwing a tantrum, but I couldn't help myself. I was scared that he would forget about me once he stepped onto the jet.

Edward cupped his hands around my face, and leaned his head towards me. He gently rubbed his nose against mine, and murmured, "Bella, don't you worry! As long as you remember me, I will always remember you."

Pulling my hands to his, I whispered, "Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise."

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