"If you love me at all, you'll simply bring an empty suitcase and a small bag for toiletries and underwear." Alice said, though it sounded more like an order than a simple statement.

"I do love you and my small bag will have a little more than that in it. I need to sleep to, you know."

"We're going to have so much fun when we don't have to worry about those pesky human needs of yours any longer." My dad looked a little depressed and I changed the subject.

"We need to find out as much about Edward's human life as we can without him knowing."

"That means you have to do it. Ask him to tell you stories. I'll do the research on the internet." Esme said. I knew she would research while we were at school so she wouldn't get caught.

"You can also ask Carlisle; he might know something, he did know both of his parents briefly before they died." I remembered. Esme and Alice nodded.

"Yes, Carlisle will be a good source of information." Alice said.

"Alice will you be the maid of honor?"

"Absolutely, thank you Bella." I smiled. My dad paid the bill, despite the complaints of Esme and Alice.

"You didn't eat anything and I am a gentleman. Allow me." They didn't fight with him after that. What did it say about me that I didn't even try to reach for my money; am I conditioned to not pay for anything anymore? Was I taking advantage of their never ending wealth? No, I didn't think so. Edward was faster than me and he said it made him happy to make me happy. I would have to talk to him about that.

"Don't be silly Bella." Alice warned me. She must have seen my decision to talk to Edward. I opened my mouth to protest. She pulled me to the bathroom.

"Bella, it will not end nicely if you approach him about it. He will feel less of a man, he will feel unworthy, especially since we just got back from Italy. He wants to do those things for you. You are his mate; it's his job to meet your needs. You just have a few more of them right now because you're human. Trust me. You're not conditioned at all. We do it because we love you. We don't expect anything in return."

"He's my mate too; what can I do to meet his needs?" I asked desperately.

"Nothing right now. It will change when you do. You make him happy Bella, that's all he needs right now. Spoiling you makes him happy. Let him. Save your money, you can get him a really cheesy tee-shirt for his birthday in Chicago. We will be there for his birthday and the wedding." I smiled, I hoped that he liked what I was planning. We joined my dad and Esme again. I hugged the two women and climbed in my dad's car with him.

"I'm looking forward to this trip Dad."

"I am too, Bella. We'll call your mom in the morning and give her some details to let her know what we're doing. Alice I'm sure will be of great help to us there."

"I'm sure she will. Edward is coming over tonight. I want to tell you the other thing that I want to do that needs both of your help."

"Ok, I want to ask you something."

"Ok, what is it?"

"Has that kid ever come over in the middle of the night?" I blushed.

"Yes. He's there most nights actually. He holds me while I sleep. Nothing ever happens. He wants to be married first and so do I."

"I don't like it, but I guess there's not much I can do about it, is there?"

"Nope, trust me Dad; he's never seen me in any state of undress. I change in the bathroom."

"I'll trust you, just don't tell me anything like that again. I realize that you are an adult now and that you will soon be doing adult things. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't happening under my roof while I was in the next room."

"Ok."

Edward was waiting for us when we pulled up to the house. He opened my door for me and helped me out of the car. I smiled at him and kept his hand in mine. The three of us sat in the living room and I could see how tempted my dad was to turn on the television, but he refrained to see what my idea was.

"I want to make a photo journal of my life. I want to pull out the photo albums and scan certain pictures. Edward, will you write the stories down as my dad and I tell them?" He nodded as I knew he would.

"Dad, will you help me put it all together? Tell mom to dig up as many pictures of me as she can, tell her I need it for a surprise. Will you do that for me?" He nodded.

"Thank you. When I see mom, I will ask her to tell me some stories too." Edward saw his part in that plan as well. What my mom would think is a sentimental moment between just me and her, would not entirely be that. It served a dual purpose. It would show my mom that I've lived a full life when she had to mourn my 'death'. She would have happy memories to dwell on and I would make sure that both her and my dad got a copy of the journal I was going to make. I would personalize each one and make sure that they were delivered for Christmas. I pulled Edward up to my room and told him the last part of my plan.

"I think that's a great idea, Bella. They will both cherish it." He kissed me.

"Your generosity and consideration knows no bounds. I love you."

"I love you too." I snuggled into his side for a bit.

"Edward, when I make my copy of the journal of my life, will you include your thoughts on some of it, like the day we met and things like that?"

"Sure." I disappeared into the bathroom for my human time. He was waiting on the bed for me when I came back in. I called out a good night to my dad.

"You don't have to leave, I told him you're here most nights to hold me while I sleep. I also asked Alice to be the maid of honor."

"You've had a productive night; conversation wise." He commented.

"Yeah, I have."

"What's the real reason you wanted chick time?" He pinned me on the bed playfully. I laughed and shook my head.

"I'm not telling; it's a surprise for you, for your birthday."

"Someone will crack, I'll find out."

"I will threaten you if I have to, to stop you from snooping in people's heads."

"Oh, and what kind of threat would you use on me."

"I can think of a couple."

"Like what?" He challenged.

"Your precious Volvo could meet an untimely end or I could lock my window, and refuse any and all physical affection with you."

"You could try to touch my Volvo."

"I've got connections; you aren't the only vampire I know. Don't try to snoop, ok? I really want this to be good for you." I used my pathetic little power of asking him for something. I knew he could deny me nothing if I truly wanted it. He'd been fighting with me over the changing me to be a vampire thing, but I think even he knew it was a losing battle.

"Alright, I won't purposefully search through minds."

"Good; and thank you." I kissed him and snuggled up into his chest.

"Will you tell me something about your human life?"

"Why? I don't remember much."

"You're about to know just about everything from mine; I want to know more about yours too. Please?" I'm going to border on abuse of power if I keep this up. He sighed, giving in.

"Alright, let me think." I waited uncharacteristically patiently.

"Ok, I've got a few memories; which one would you like to know?"

"I don't know. Pick one? Did you ever have a pet?" He chuckled.

"No, there were no pets; my mother was allergic to pet dander. I wanted a dog so bad when I was a kid. I remember that I hated wearing knickerbockers. They were uncomfortable and sweaty in the summer. In my human time, it was uncouth to be even partially undressed in public. You never saw a man walking around without a shirt on to do yard work. Swimsuits were body suits; even for men. I remember enjoying iced tea after it had been warmed by the sun. I remember going to church, but not paying attention to anything the pastor said."

"What religion were you?"

"We were Catholic. There was a church about a mile down the road from our house."

"Do you still practice now?"

"Not really, though I should get down on my knees and thank the lord for bringing you into my life." I tilted my head and he bent his down to kiss me.

"Tell me more. Did you have a favorite food or chores to do? Did you have a girlfriend?"

"No, I had no girlfriend though there were many that were interested and several fathers sought out my own to try an arranged marriage, but I told my father I wasn't interested. He respected my wishes and politely rejected those fathers. I know that there was a reason why I said no, but I can't remember what it was. Yes, I had a favorite food, but again, I can't remember what it was. I did have chores. I had to collect the laundry from the line and do the dishes every night along with chopping firewood and any other chore I was assigned to do around the house. I had schooling and piano lessons everyday."

"Did you keep a journal?"

"I did."

"When Carlisle changed you, did you go back to your house to collect anything personal to keep with you?"

"I did. I have them hidden in my room. I'll dig them up so I can show you. I have to do it anyway because that's where your ring is."

"What ring?" I asked.

"My mother's engagement ring. She gave it to me the day before she died, telling me to get better so I could give it to the girl I wanted to marry. If you come over tomorrow, I'll get the box down and show it to you." I nodded eagerly.

"Do you have any photographs from your human days?"

"There might be one or two in the box. I was a newborn, so crazed with thirst that I truly don't remember everything I had kept from my human life."

"Were you a good student? I can totally picture you as a rebel."

"Most of the time I think I was. It was seen as a great disrespect on your family if you misbehaved in public. Most people were well behaved so as not to cast shame on their family name."

"What were your parents like?" I asked this one on a yawn.

"I'll tell you more tomorrow when I have some memories in front of me." He kissed me and tucked me in before humming my lullaby until I fell asleep.

A/N: Reviews are wanted and appreciated. Have a great day!