Special thanks to the readers and reviewers! This chapter goes out to:
Sujari6, Twithish, & Fanficaddict99.
I woke up to loud music. I looked at the time and it was 12:00am; on the dot. I groaned and got out of bed, grabbing a robe to cover my short tank top and short shorts, and walked out the door. The music was even louder once I got in the hallway. The song playing was 'I Need You Now' By Lady Antebellum.
My favorite song.
I shook my head as I walked down the stairs, the only light coming from candles on top of a big cake, shaped in the number 23. As the song ended the lights flashed on, and out jumped Alice, Rose, Jazz, Em, Edward, Carlisle, & Esme. Carlisle and Esme were Alice and Edward's parents, but they were always like second parents for me and Emmett since our parents, Charlie and Renee, moved to Florida for the sunny weather.
I rubbed my eyes and was enveloped in a huge bear hug.
"Emmett…can't…breathe," I choked out. He chuckled and let go of me as Rose hugged me next and pushed a box into my hand.
"Happy birthday sis," she said.
I smiled and shook my head. "You guys know I don't like people spending money on me."
They all shrugged as I carefully opened up the wrapped up box. Knowing me, I'd probably get a paper cut and bleed to death on the floor. Emmett shook his head and grabbed the box from me, tearing the paper open in one big tear.
I rolled my eyes as I opened the box. Inside was a beautiful purple dress. It had spaghetti straps and it was just perfect. I put the dress carefully back in the box and hugged Rose.
"Thank you," I whispered. She nodded as Alice took the box from me and set it on the table.
"Me next!" She squealed. I chuckled and shook my head.
"Kay Alice, let's see what you got me now," I replied.
Everyone laughed at her happiness as she gave me a small box. "Happy birthday," she said, smiling.
I opened the box, and inside was a small charm bracelet, with a big B in the middle, and little tiny hearts surrounding it. It was so pretty.
"Thank you Alice, it's so pretty!" I squealed as I hugged her. I gave Jasper a hug too as he whispered Happy Birthday in my ear.
Next it was Esme and Carlisle's turn as they both gave me a two-sided hug.
"Happy Birthday," Esme said happily.
"Happy Birthday sweetie," Carlisle whispered in my ear.
"Thank you," I told both of them as they handed me my gift.
This one was also in a wrapped-up box. Emmett stared at the gift and I rolled my eyes as I gave it to him to tear open. Once he was satisfied, I grabbed the box from him and opened it. Inside was a beautiful silver necklace, with a pendant that says 'Cullen' on it. I always knew they considered me part of the family, but this necklace most definitely confirmed it. Everyone had some type of jewelry that stated they were part of the Cullen's. The boys had watches, Esme had a ring with a 'C' on it, Rose had earrings, Alice had a bracelet, and now I had a necklace.
I hugged Esme and Carlisle as my tears slid down my cheeks.
"Aw sweetie don't cry," Esme said as she wiped my tears away.
"They're happy tears Esme," I chuckled. "Thank you so much."
"It's no problem dear," Carlisle replied.
"Edwaaaaaarrrrrrrrrddddddddddd," Alice sang. "It's your turnnnnnn."
I raised my eyebrows as Edward handed me my gift.
"Happy Birthday," he said cheerfully.
I smiled, "Thank you." I opened his box and inside was another box. I opened that box and inside was another. I looked up at Edward and he had a smirk on his face.
"Really?" He shrugged.
I kept going at the boxes until I finally reached the last box. Or at least I hoped so. I opened the tiny box and inside was a pair of keys. Or should I say car keys. I pulled the keys out of the box and held them up.
"Car keys?" I asked confused.
Edward grabbed my hand as he pulled me to the front door. Outside, in the big Cullen driveway was a brand new BMW M3. My eyes widened as I jumped up and down and hugged Edward.
"You got me a car!" I squealed. "Thank you so much!" I calmed down a bit and released him.
"But why? I mean a new car?" He shrugged again.
"I wanted to get you a gift no one else would get you. Besides, that truck you have wouldn't even go over 60 miles per hour. You needed something new and improved."
"Hey, don't hate the truck," I replied. Everyone laughed as I ran to my new car and got inside. The car had the brand new smell and I breathed in deeply. Wow, I gotta new car.
I ran back into the house and looked for Edward. "Um by the way, what happened to my truck?"
He chuckled. "I knew your father gave it to you and I knew you would want to keep it, so I put it in the garage."
I smiled. "Thank you."
"No problem," he grinned.
Alice clapped her hands. "Cake time!"
"Alice its 12:30am. I won't be able to sleep if I have cake now."
"So? It's your birthday. You can do whatever you want." I rolled my eyes as she led me to the breakfast bar and grabbed her camera.
"No pictures!" I yelled.
She pouted. "Why not?"
I gestured to myself. "I'm wearing a robe?"
She rolled her eyes. "You look hot though," Emmett commented.
"Ew Em, it sounds weird when you say it," I replied.
"You do look hot," Jazz said. I rolled my eyes but couldn't keep the blush from creeping up on my face.
Everyone whistled as Alice took a pic of me in my robe. "Now take it off," Rose ordered.
I arched a brow at her. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Take it off," she repeated.
"Take what off?"
"Oh for God's sake," she muttered as she made her way towards me and peeled my robe off.
"Rose! I'm not wearing appropriate clothes."
"Neither is Esme," she argued.
I looked at Esme and saw her wearing the same outfit I was, only a different color. Her shorts were a little longer though, and we both blushed.
The guys whistled as they saw what I was wearing and Alice took a picture of the cake. "Okay Ali, let's get this show on the road."
She squealed and clapped her hands as I grabbed a cake knife. "Wait!"
I looked up from the delicious cake to Alice. "What?"
"You need someone to cut the cake with you!" I rolled my eyes as Emmett raised his hand.
"I'll do it!" He yelled. Rose smacked the back of his head.
"Do you have to yell?" she whisper-yelled as he muttered an "Ow."
"Edward, would you?" Alice asked.
Edward nodded and made his way towards me and the cake. He grabbed my hand, which held the knife, and waited for Alice to tell us when to cut the cake. His hand was so big and soft and my hand felt perfectly in his. Well backwards I guess.
She gave us the thumbs up and we proceeded to cut the cake as a couple of flashes went off in the room.
"Wait!" Alice yelled again.
"You know Alice, if you yell wait one more time I'm gonna go to bed," I threatened.
She stuck her tongue out and placed a Princess crown on my head. I arched a brow and she smiled.
I shook my head as Edward put a piece of the cake on a plastic plate. He grabbed a plastic fork and picked up piece of the cake.
"Prepare to get sugar rush," he commented. I smiled as he shoved the fork in my mouth. My eyes widened and I glared at him as he smirked. Another flash went off in the room as I picked up a piece of the cake on a fork and went to feed it to Edward.
Instead, I picked up the cake with my fingers and smeared it all over his cheek. "Thanks for the cake," I smirked.
His mouth dropped in shock and Alice took a couple of pictures. Everyone laughed as Edward swiped his finger across his cheek and smeared it across my nose.
"Oh thanks," I said sarcastically. We laughed as Alice took more pictures and wiped the cake off our faces with a napkin.
Everyone fed me cake and I fed them cake. After the pictures and cake, everyone went up to bed and I stuck around in the kitchen, drinking a glass of water. I felt a hand on my shoulder and jumped as Edward spun me around.
"I never did say thank you for agreeing to help me," he said quietly.
"It felt like the right thing to do," I whispered as I shrugged.
"Thank you so much," he whispered.
"You're welcome," I whispered back.
Then we just stood there, staring at each other, our eyes locked. We didn't notice ourselves moving closer together until we were about 2 inches apart. His eyes darted to my lips as mine darted to his, seeing him lick them. I was so tempted to kiss Edward Cullen.
And that's exactly what I did.
Reviewers get shout-outs in the next chapter! Btw, pictures of Bella's gifts are on my profile (.net/~emilymasen). Also, I am looking for a Co-Writer for this story. If anyone is interested, please either review or PM me. Thank you (: