Chapter 19

Bella's POV

Two weeks have passed since the revelation. I'm still a bit upset because Edward forgot to mention an important part of his life. The Cullens are a really lovely family and they sure care for their children's happiness. Edward told me that when I visited their house on Valentine's Day, his parents had to remove all trace of Emmett in the house. The same happened when Rosalie visited them but in that occasion they removed all pictures of Edward.

Emmett is one year older than Edward, he should be in university but he had a car accident two years ago and according to Edward he almost died, the recovery process was painful and he lost a year of school. Emmett didn't come to Forks with the rest of the family because of paperwork and other arrangements in France. He was in a different school than Edward and Alice.

Since the surprising announcement I have tried to be friendly with Rosalie, she has done the same but she's not trying that hard. We had a dinner at the Cullen's house courtesy of Edward's mom Esme. The dinner was lovely, Esme is great at planning and decorating. She seems to like me more than Rosalie but that could be me misinterpreting Esme's gestures.

Tonight Rosalie's parents are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary and she invited all of the Cullens to the reception. I was invited because I'm dating Edward, she made that pretty clear. I'm going to make Edward happy that's all. I'm getting ready with Alice's help. Since I'm riding with the Cullens Alice insisted in helping me with the hair and make-up. She has me against her dresser so I don't know how I look; she wants me to be surprise with the final result. I'm wearing a teal chiffon dress that goes all the way down to my toes which are now confided in silver stilettos. Alice helped me choosing my outfit for tonight. I'm still not sure of how I look on it but there's nothing I can do now. Finally Alice directs me toward the vanity mirror and I'm in awe. The girl in front of me is beautiful, it can't be me. Her face looks divine, the make-up is flawless and it highlights her eyes. Her hair is braided in both sides of her head and they come together in a cascade of curls down her neck. To complete the look her lips are a shade of pink as well as her cheeks. It can't be me, but she's doing the exact same movements as me. I feel like crying and Alice takes this the wrong way.

"Don't you like it?" Her puppy eyes are concerned. "Yes. You're great Alice." Her eyes shine with contentment and she hugs me enthusiastically, I can't help but hugging her back. She helps me with the pendant and earrings from her grandmother. "You think Edward will like how I look?"

"Like? He'll love how you look and if he doesn't I'll take care of him." She says with mock malice. We walk out of her bedroom into the living room where the rest of the family is waiting for us. Edward sits down in a couch, he's talking with Emmett. Both of them are wearing suits. Emmet is the first to notice us and almost drops the glass he was holding. Edward turns to see what he's seeing. His eyes wander from my head to my toes. He stands up and walks in my direction. He's wearing a black suit and a pale blue shirt with a lovely tie. He looks radiant; his hair shines as well as his eyes. I feel hot, I must be blushing.

He's looking at me like an animal that's stalking a prey. His eyes don't lose contact with mine. Finally he reaches me and takes my right hand and greets me by kissing my hand while bowing down. I feel like if I'm in a fairy tale. Then with his other hand he brings me closer to him and kisses me tenderly. "You look amazing." It's all he manages to say because we're interrupted by his mom who orders us to turn around for a picture. We obey. Edward has his left arm around me and I in return have my right arm on his waist.

Then we're escorted to the car, we're all going in their SUV. I want to tell Edward that he looks great but words fail me. Instead I just hold his hand and he tugs mine.

We arrive to the Hale's house, though I wouldn't call it a house. I would call it a mansion. It's bigger than the Cullens'. Inside, the house is striking it resembles a French palace. We're greeted by Rosalie and Jasper's parents. Now I know where Rosalie's beauty comes. Her parents are well-looking though that's an understatement. They're so elegant and poise and friendly, something that their daughter lacks. She looks at me in shock; I guess she didn't expect me to look great. We exchange pleasantries and are guided towards the garden.

There are about fifteen round tables with white table clothes, the chairs as well are covered in white linen and a gray lace surrounds them in a bow. Above us a huge tent is lighted by tiny lights, in the center of the tent the dance floor is illuminated by a chandelier. I wonder how they manage to put it there.

We talk about how the school is going. Carlisle talks about his latest project at work. Then we're asked to turn our attention towards the Hales who are holding glasses of champagne while they say their toast. At the end of the speech everyone claps. They Hale family stops by every table thanking us for sharing this moment with them. Rosalie almost seems agreeable, Jasper is shy but he looks more comfortable while he accompanies his parents. I notice Alice and him exchanging glances and I could swear I saw Alice blush. So when the Hales move to another table I say: "Jasper seems like a great guy, don't you think?"

Alice is speechless for the first time. She stutters as she says: "J-J-Jasper is it? I didn't know that was his name." The redness is back on Alice's cheeks, I'll have to find a way for the two lovebirds to dance tonight.

After the Hales have their first dance, the guests are invited to join them in the dance floor. Edward and I dance as well as his parents, Emmett asks Alice to dance with him. Rosalie and Jasper are dancing together and they get closer to us. It couldn't have worked better. Rosalie swaps places with Alice. Now Jasper better ask Alice to dance. He hesitates for a second and extends his hand to Alice who takes it dutifully. "Awww. Don't they look nice?" I signal Edward towards Alice and Jasper. "He better forget about dating Alice." "What are you talking about? Why?" I ask, surprise to hear Edward bitter for the first time. "I know his type. Shy on the outside but daredevil on the inside."

"Do I feel some resentment in your voice?" "No. I just want her to be happy. I don't want her to fall so easily." I guess that's what big brothers do, protect their baby sisters. I just don't know.

After dancing a couple of songs we are asked to return to our places because dinner is about to be served. Alice asks me to go with her to the ladies' room. "So, Jasper?" Alice's eyes are shining happily. I've never seen her nervous. "Do you like him?" "Yes, I guess so. He's handsome isn't he? He's such a gentleman too, did you see how he escorted me to my chair?" "Yes, I saw it. He seems interested in you." We head back to our table.

I'm spending the night with the Cullens. They didn't want my parents to be waiting for me late at night. I'm in Alice's room when someone knocks at the door. I open it and outside is Edward, I let him in. Alice is in the shower, apparently she has a beauty process to follow before going to bed.

"Did you have a great night?" He asks me as we sit on the boudoir, he holds my hand in his. "Yes, I did. I didn't think I would enjoy it, but it was nice. Rosalie's parents are great people. It's hard to believe she isn't adopted." "I know. She was really polite tonight. You blew her away." "I know right? The look on her face when she saw me was priceless. I wish I'd had a camera with me."

"Well, let's stop talking about her. I didn't get the chance to tell you how lovely you look tonight. I mean, you look great everyday but tonight was a nice surprise."

"I'm glad that you liked it. Could I ask you a favor?"

"Yes, of course. What is it?"

"Could you help me take off the necklace?"

"Sure. Turn around." I pull my hair up and I shiver as his fingers touch my neck, my breathing accelerating with every touch. "Do you need help with the dress too?" I just nod, words fail me. I feel butterflies in my stomach. His hands pull the zipper down my back. He rubs his hand up and down my skin. His warm touch makes me quiver. I am lost, I turn around and kiss him hard on the lips. He embraces me and returns the kiss, but his is tender in comparison. Suddenly we're not only kissing his arms pull me against him they are traveling up and down my spine. I start unbuttoning his shirt with one hand, the other is grazing his hair. He makes me forget about the cold air of the night. There's a crack on the door we both freeze and come apart, we share a conspiratorial look and Edward leaves the room.

I start taking the hairpins out and Alice emerges of the bathroom. "Are you feeling alright? You look red and your body is trembling." Of course I'm trembling after the make out session I just had. "Yes, I'm fine." I have to change subjects, if she sees that my dress is undone, she'll start asking questions that I don't want to answer. "Are you and Jasper going out? If you're not I think you should ask him out. He's totally in to you." Alice ponders my words and she smiles.

It's hard for me to sleep. I'm a wreck, things shouldn't have to end that way with Edward, but it's nice though. I still feel his hands around my body. I have the most pleasant dream with Edward.

A/N: Thank you for all the reviews, favorites and follows. Especially to bored housewife, DutchGirl01, aelita48, spunkransom12 and lilysmily.