Chapter 2

~ EDWARD POV ~

Cruising to Alaska was not at the top of my list of things to do. But it was to celebrate Dad's 50th birthday, so I couldn't exactly say no. My business, Financial Results, was just getting off the ground, and I wasn't thrilled about leaving work for two weeks. I dealt with financial planning, wealth management, and investment portfolio management.

Jacob, my partner, knew all of my clients, and I knew he would be able to handle anything that may come up during my absence. I had worked nearly around the clock over the last month in preparation for this little hiatus, but I still felt uneasy.

"Edward, geez, put the laptop away, this is your vacation too you know. We're already taking the late flight so you could 'finish at the office' and now you brought work with you?" I rolled my eyes and continued typing. Oh, Rosalie, if only the rest of the world could bat their eyelashes and get everything they ever wanted. Some of us actually had to work to make our place in the world.

"I just need to finish looking at this client's portfolio. I'm not sure that the funds he's considering are financially viable with the downward trend in the European market, but he's adamant that's where he wants his assets." When I looked up she was making that 'blah, blah, blah' gesture with her hands.

"Very mature Rose." I was thoroughly exhausted, and I probably should have taken advantage of the almost three hour flight in order to get some sleep. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to relax until I had this last file sorted out.

By the time they announced our descent into Seattle, I had worked out a financial plan I was happy to present my client with, but I hadn't rested at all. My eyes stung from lack of sleep, and my vision blurred as I pack up my laptop. Glancing at my watch, I saw that it was 10:30pm—we were arriving right on time. Granted, we still had another half hour drive before we got to Eleazar's house. I had every intention of saying my 'hello's' before politely excusing myself and then falling into bed.

Eleazar and Emmett were waiting outside the airport doors to pick us up. "Emmett buddy, what are they feeding you? You're huge man!" I exlaimed. I could tell by the look in Rosalie's eyes that she was 'in love'… again, or maybe it was 'in lust'. Either way, it was always superficial with my sister- you just had to be 'HOT'.

No doubt Mom and Dad would put an end to any ideas Rosalie may have anyway. As far as they were concerned it wasn't appropriate for families that were as close as ours to have these little 'things' as Mom called them. I started to help put our luggage in the back of their Excursion, but Emmett took them from me.

"Relax, I got it covered, just get in." Emmet said as he easily took the bags.

Conversation flowed around me as I leaned my head against the back of the seat and closed my eyes. I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew, Eleazar was announcing our arrival at the house. I couldn't wait to crawl into bed.

"Oh my goodness, it's so late, you all must be exhausted," Carmen said as she opened the door. "We'll catch up in the morning when you've had a chance to sleep." I'd never been more thankful for her than in that moment because exhausted didn't even begin to describe how I felt.

Sleep, however, was unfortunately out of the question. I was set up in Emmett's room, and he snored straight through the night; the sound comparable to that of a chainsaw. It didn't seem to matter how tightly I tried to press the pillows to my ears, I could still hear him as if the pillows weren't there at all. I envied my parents for getting the guest room, and even Rosalie who was bunking with Alice; anywhere would've been better, quieter.

The first rays of sunlight began to shine, and I glanced at the clock near his bed—6 a.m. Emmett was still competing with the sound of jet engines, so I decided to get up. After taking a shower to clear my head, I tiptoed downstairs.

I had found my way to the kitchen and my stomach reminded me that I was starving. There was a bowl of fruit on the counter and I helped myself to an apple and wandered in to the hall. I had passed quite a few photos hanging their last night and wanted to get a better look now that my eyes might be able to focus. I chuckled to myself as I passed a group shot of the Denalis, my family and the Swans. Damn I had been a strange looking kid. I couldn't have been more than thirteen in this picture.

A lifetime of memories came flooding back as I passed all the pictures, then out of the corner of my eye I glimpsed something that caught my interest. The rest of the pictures could wait. On the far wall of the family room was the largest music collection I had ever seen. My own collection was quite vast, but in front of me were what I estimated to be over a thousand different CD's.

"Wow," I breathed in utter amazement.

"It is pretty impressive isn't it? I love my music," a trilling voice spoke from somewhere nearby. I jumped, unaware that I was not alone, and spun around to find Alice seated on the couch behind me.

"Hey, why are you up so early?" I asked her, confused.

"I'm always up early," she chirped. "Sleep is such a waste of time." I laughed, but couldn't help but think —only for those for which the gift is given. I could really have used the gift of sleep.

"This is really amazing! How are they organized?" I asked not seeing a sequence. Alice bounced off the couch to stand beside me. Where did she get all that energy at this hour. I was still dragging my feet. She was obvioulsy excited to talk about our shared passion.

"By genre then alphabetically by artist." She pointed to some little tabs I hadn't noticed. "The genres are all on these little color coded tabs."

"Alice, you are insanely organized. Do you mind if I have a look? I have a collection of my own back home but this completely eclipses mine."

"Sure! No one else around here appreciates my music." She was clearly happy to have someone else marvel at her collection. "I actually have a few more that I bought yesterday. If you like you could help me categorize them."

I turned from looking through her Alternative collection, "Yeah I would love to." She had already disappeared upstairs and reappeared moments later with a bag of about 20 CD's.

I raised an eyebrow, "A few?"

"OK well it's more than a few but I might as well take advantage of my employee discount at the music store where I work. It's really only for the benefits," she giggled. I could see her eyes light up as she spoke about her music.

We sat on the floor and she dumped the bag out between us. I spoke each title aloud as I lifted them out of the pile. "Muse. Lady Gaga. Metro Station. Pink. Linkin Park. Taio Cruz. DeadMau5. The Fray. Akon. Nine Inch Nails. Il Divo. The Script." I was in awe. "Shit Alice, you even have Bob Sinclair. This is amazing!"

By the time we finished filing away the latest of Alice's collection the rest of the family had started to appear from upstairs. I was completely immersed in looking through the CD's, only breaking away when Carmen announced that breakfast was ready. The morning was filled with reminiscing and great food; Carmen really was a great cook.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Carmen said suddenly, "Renee and Bella are driving down today. They should be here any minute." The sounds Rosalie and Alice were making resembled something between a scream and a squeal. I had a sinking feeling that the rest of the day would be filled with giggles and more squeals. Almost as if she read my mind Alice handed me a pair of earphones so I could effectively immerse myself in her collection.

"Alice, you're a star," I smiled and kissed her on the top of her head. Placing the ear pieces into my ears I popped the Muse CD into the player then scrolled through to find my favorite song Undisclosed Desires.

"I know," she smirked, and then winked at me over her shoulder as she danced off towards the front door as someone knocked.

I glanced up, noticing the new person in the room. Apparently Jasper, Alice's boyfriend, had arrived. I took out the headphones as he introduced himself. I felt a little guilty that I was happy when they went off in search of Rosalie leaving me once again to immerse myself in music.

I must have had the volume turned up fairly loud, my eyes closed as I enjoyed the infectious sounds, because I hadn't heard anyone come through the front door. When I opened my eyes I was met with the most amazing creature. She turned to me, and I saw her mouth the words, "Hey, Edward, what's up?"

Quickly removing the ear pieces, I scrambled to respond. "Uh, hey... Bella?" It almost came out like a question. That must be Bella - she was with Renee...people were calling her Bella...she sort of resembled Bella. That was not the Bella I remembered! Where were the Band-Aids and the gangly legs?

My eyes drank her in, from her beautiful toes… up those magnificent legs… her shapely hips and slender waist… perfect breasts… her bare shoulders… the long brown hair that hung in waves half way down her back… amazing, almost exotic brown eyes— Bella.