A/N – A heartfelt thanks to those who have reviewed my story – I can't begin to explain how happy they make me feel. Thank you, thank you!

Chapter 30 – The Surprise

"I love you"

Alice's words enveloped me like a protective cocoon.

She loved me.

Not just affection for a friend, or a high regard or fondness…

But love.

Those same three words had escaped my lips freely before I could even comprehend what my admission would mean.

I hadn't thought about how Alice would react, because I had been caught in the moment.

As the clouds had parted, and the rays streamed down upon us, I was more aware of Alice and my feelings for her than I ever had been before.

It was almost a tactile sensation.

Alice loved me. And the full force of what that meant hit me…

So I kissed her.

I kissed Alice.

I kissed the girl I loved.

I kissed the girl who loved me.

Naturally her lips moulded to my own, willingly and without pretence. I felt her hand wander to the small of my back, and as I copied her movement I felt her lean into further. Her lips left mine as she traced my cheekbone with soft, featherlike kisses.

I was immersed in Alice. Slowly sinking…

And then she stopped and took a small step back.

"Bella, you bewitch me"

I smiled.

"And… you really love me?"

I heard the hesitancy in her question. I took her hand again and held it to my heart like I had done moments earlier.

"Feel" I responded, my voice a tone deeper than normal.

Alice closed her eyes, and a smile appeared across her beautiful face.

She opened her eyes, "Your heartbeat is the most meaningful and compelling sound I have ever heard Bella".

I nodded, adding "A symbol of my love for you".

Alice almost skipped, "I am the happiest vampire that ever lived… or should that be existed…. No, lived – Bella Swan, my heart and soul – you make me feel like I am living again".

I embraced her then, and whispered softly "Alice Cullen, I love you with every beat of my heart".

Alice lifted me in her arms and spun me around.

"I am so… blessed!" she shouted, as she turned me around in her arms again. Before I could take another breath we had both fallen to the mossy ground, with a soft thud.

Alice sat up and looked at me as I scrambled to sit upright.

"Sorry about that Bella, often my emotions can run away with me…."

I nodded, "I believe you" I mouthed, as I tried to catch my breath.

Alice moved so she was now sat behind me, her legs stretched out to either side of mine.

I felt her breath tickle the side of my face, "I have a surprise for you at home"

I turned my head slightly to one side, "Oh really? Do I get any clues?"

Alice shook her head, "No, that'll ruin the fun".

I lent back against her small, but solid, form.

"I could sit like this forever" I murmured, as her arms folded around me.

I felt her lips gently kiss my ear as she whispered back "I wish we could".

I closed my eyes as the rays continued to bath us.

Forever.

Alice could sit here, forever, if she chose to.

But I?

I sighed and opened my eyes as her lips gently brushed my cheek.

"Tell me what you are thinking" she asked, as her lips then kissed my cheek again.

I wanted to tell her, but I knew instinctively it would spoil the moment, so instead I turned "are you sure you can't give me one tiny clue about the surprise".

A smile appeared on Alice's face, "you look rather cute when you're curious Bella".

She was back on her feet before I could blink, holding out her hand she smiled.

"Come on".

I stood, losing my balance slightly – Alice was immediately beside me.

"Think you can manage another run through the woods" she asked, with a twinkle in her eye.

I laughed, "As ready as I'll even be" I answered, as Alice lifted me up into her arms and started to run back towards the car.

It didn't take long to arrive back at the Cullen house.

Alice was clearly excited about the 'surprise' that was in store for me.

Pulling me up the stairs, she halted at the top, a small frown appearing across her face.

"I hope it's ready…" she seemed to whisper, more to herself than to me.

As we walked towards Alice's bedroom door, it opened and a disgruntled looking Rosalie appeared who promptly slammed the door shut behind her.

I'd seen Rosalie looking slightly annoyed before – but this time she was literally simmering…

"Rose?"

Alice's voice was soft, with a hint of concern.

"I tried Alice, I really did try – but they…" (She motioned to the door with her finger) "Wouldn't listen… the three wise men of DIY…."

DIY? As in – Do It Yourself…

Now I was intrigued.

What were Edward, Emmet and Jasper doing in Alice's room?

"Men" sneered Rosalie, as she passed by, adding "Oh, Hi Bella".

Rosalie really was an enigma; one I rather liked.

Before we moved forward, Edward's soft yet serious voice broke through the walls.

"Emmet, you need to use a hammer for that…"

Emmet's voice, less soft and far more comical, replied "Hell no – I can use my fist".

Alice sighed, "Okay Bella, time to address the three wise men…" taking hold of my hand, she opened the door and steered me inside.

What I saw then brought a smile to my face, as I immediately tried to stifle a giggle.

A large bed had been erected against one wall in Alice's room.

Well, partly erected.

It was still missing two legs, and there was a large gap where the mattress should sit.

Emmet was sat cross legged on the floor, one leg resting on his lap.

Jasper was sat beside him, hunched over what looked like paper instructions, although they were a little screwed up – I watched as Jasper tried to flatten out the piece of paper on his knee.

Edward was stood behind his brothers, holding what I assume were the remaining wooden lattes that would house the mattress.

Emmet was smirking.

Jasper looked concerned.

Edward looked… a little stressed. I never imagined he could look that way. As usual, he was immaculate, but his hair seemed to be even more disarrayed than normal, like he had spent countless hours running his fingers through it.

"Boys?" enquired Alice.

Emmet was the first to speak.

"We'd have finished hours ago if Rosa had read the instructions properly".

I found myself smiling again, it really was impossible not to.

"Really" retorted Alice, with raised eyebrows. She placed her hands on her hips, "Pray, continue…"

Emmet averted his gaze down and started to fiddle with the leg that was sat on his lap.

"Emmet?"

Alice's voice sounded partly bemused, but it still had an edge to it.

Emmet continued, though he still avoided eye contact with us.

"DIY is a man's job really….Rose was in the way"

Jasper spoke next, "Rose got a little angry with Emmet's teasing and gave me the instructions…."

And by the look of said instructions, she had screwed them up first before hurtling them at Jasper.

Again, I had to stifle a giggle.

Alice raised one delicate eyebrow.

"Edward" she asked.

Edward shrugged his shoulders and looked at me.

"Sorry Bella, we've ruined your surprise".

So this was my surprise… a bed in Alice's room.

I felt my cheeks blush immediately.

Alice took my hand in hers "I'll explain in a moment Bella, in the meantime…"

I watched as Alice looked from Emmet, to Jasper, to Edward.

"Can I trust you boys with finishing this little task?"

Jasper and Edward immediately nodded.

Emmet looked back up, "Tell Edward I can use my fist to hammer in the nails Alice, I…"

Edward voice cut in again, "That is precisely what caused the problem before, Emmet. You hit the nail too hard and it split the wood, which is what Rosalie was trying to tell you…."

"It doesn't say how to correct split wood in here" Jasper interrupted, pointing to the ruffled paper that was now on his lap.

"So we glue it" responded Emmet.

Edward sighed. "Do you really think it would be safe for Bella to sleep on a bed that's held together with glue?"

Emmet laughed, "And sleeping in a room with a vampire IS safe Edward?"

Jasper suddenly stood. "I think we all need to calm down here, and put things into perspective. Emmet – we are not using glue…"

Alice sighed, "I don't care how you finish the task, boys, just do it".

I watched as Jasper and Edward exchanged smiles, I couldn't help but join in.

Alice continued, "Oh, and Emmet – perhaps you should find Rose and thank her for her assistance earlier".

Emmet snorted. "Help? Don't you mean hindrance? She…"

Alice cut in again and waved her small hand in the air, "I don't care Emmet, just apologise".

Emmet nodded, "Okay boss…."

Alice took my hand again and pulled me from the room.

Slowly we walked back down the stairs and into the living room. Alice sat down and motioned for me to join her.

"I really am sorry about that Bella; I really should explain what just happened".

I nodded.

Alice took a deep breath, an act I found quite endearing.

"I was wondering… well, hoping, that you would…"

Her voice trailed off.

I edged a little closer and smiled.

Alice took my hand, "Would you like to sleep over tonight? We can watch a DVD, I can get a pizza delivered, and maybe Rose would like to join us too…I've never had a proper girlie sleepover before – well, obviously… I don't eat … but…"

Alice stopped and then stood.

"I'm making a mess of this aren't I" she asked, as she looked back down at me.

I reached out for her hand and pulled her back down next to me.

I had never seen Alice look so… nervous… before. I was immediately enamoured with her even more.

"Alice, I would love to" was my simple response.

Alice beamed, "Really?"

"Really – but I do have one question… the new bed?"

Alice smiled rather sheepishly. "Well, you probably noticed before that I only had a small sofa bed… I didn't need an actual bed, because I don't sleep"

I frowned, "At all?"

Alice continued, "No – we don't need sleep, we simply… rest I suppose".

Alice didn't sleep.

I corrected my thoughts.

Vampires didn't sleep.

And Alice didn't have a bed.

Until now.

"You got the bed for me?"

Alice nodded, "Do you like it? It was going to be a surprise".

I smiled, "Alice, I love it – perhaps even more so when the Three Wise Men of DIY have finished putting it together".

We both laughed.

Feeling a little mischievous, I continued.

"It'll be lovely having a double bed all to myself…."

Alice poked me in the ribs.

"You'll have to make room for me too, I insist….."

I smiled, "oh, I think that can be arranged".