A/N: It's not mine. I'm just playing around.

I would like to thank my beta, sjdavis74, for all her help.

Chapter 9

EPOV

I watched Bella all during class, and it seemed like something was on her mind. I started to worry that perhaps she had changed her mind about coming over to my house today. But, when she looked up at me, she gave me this beautiful smile, as if she was sensing my concern.

I then noticed Mike Newton watching us closely. His thoughts were not very nice concerning Bella and how she had turned him down. Apparently, he was still very angry over it. What the hell is wrong with that girl? I could show her a good time. I guess she would rather be with someone who has money like Cullen. I guess that proves that she's a whore.

When I heard that thought from him, I turned in my seat and glared at him. It took everything in me not to growl. How dare he even think that way about my mate!

Bella looked up and saw the silent interaction between Newton and I. Knowing immediately what it was about, she gently placed her hand on my arm in an attempt to calm me. I looked down into her beautiful eyes. She was was able to calm me down instantly.

It also didn't escape my notice how the cold temperature of my skin didn't even seem to faze her.

Bella and I already have a strong connection. She may not be consciously aware of it yet, but it is certainly there. As mates, it will only intensify.

The bell rang, signaling the end of Biology. We both stood up and made our way out the door.

"I'm so glad it's time for music. I love it! There's just something about sitting down at a piano and playing, letting yourself get lost in the music. I find it so relaxing," Bella said with excitement in her voice.

"I know exactly what you mean. I tend to let myself get carried away when I play, and I will forget about everything else around me. It drives my siblings insane. Especially when they have been trying to get my attention for over an hour, and I don't even hear them." She giggled at that.

We walked into the Music room together and went directly to the piano. We spent the entire period with our heads together, laughing and taking turns playing. We compared notes and discussed our likes and dislikes. It amazed me just how much we had in common. Even our taste in music coincided .

Time flew quickly, or at least that's how it seemed to for us. Before we knew it, our school day was over, and it was time to go. Finally! I was so excited and nervous that Bella was coming home with me. My parents and siblings were excited, all but Rosalie. I just hope Rose keeps her trap shut and doesn't start anything.

This afternoon has all the makings of being one of the best I have ever had.

BPOV

Edward and I had such a great time in music class. I almost didn't want it to end. But remembering that I was going home with him to work on our Biology project, had me all worked up.

"So are you ready to head on out?" He asked with his trademark crooked grin. Ugh! He's just too much.

"Yeah, I'm ready. Just show me the way," I responded jokingly.

We walked out to the parking lot, and he followed me to my truck. He even opened the door for me. I climbed in and looked at him.

"Thank you." I couldn't help but smile at his thoughtful and polite gesture. I was not used to being around a gentleman, but I could, certainly, find my way to getting accustomed to it quickly.

"Just follow me. Pay close attention to where I turn off. It's kind of hidden and easy to miss. I wouldn't want you to get lost," he finished and winked at me. Be still my pounding heart.

I followed Edward to his house, and I don't mind saying that their driveway is almost longer than Main St. in downtown Forks. But when we pulled up to their house, I was , I found myself more nervous than I had ever been in my entire life.

The house itself was a stunning, three story Victorian home that must have been well over a hundred years old. It was painted in a soft white, and there was a large wrap around porch. On the southern side of the house, there was nothing more than three stories of glass.

The grounds were impeccably kept. I could see a flower garden with a beautiful array of flowers in bloom on the right side of the house towards the back.

Edward came around to my door and opened it for me Yup, I could get use to this.

He led me up the steps and though the rather large front door.

If I thought the outside of the house was amazing, then the inside was mind blowing.

The first floor was mostly an open floor plan. To the left of the front door was a wide, centralized staircase and to the left of that a large comfortable living room. To the right of the front door there was the dining room and kitchen. But the thing that stood out to me most, was the gorgeous, black Steinway piano standing on a raised dais in front of a wall of windows . It was stunning. I think I just fell in love.

"Would you like something to drink?" Edward led me towards the immaculate kitchen. Oh, wow! It was like my dream kitchen. They had a Bertazzoni stainless, steel, six burner gas stove with a double oven and griddle. They even had a Thermador side by side refrigerator freezer. Just simply amazing.

Music may be my first passion, but I also love to cook. I did all the cooking for my mom growing up. I had to. Renee's cooking was bad enough to get me killed. Now I had to do it for Charlie, and I don't mind it at all. I just wish I had better equipment to work with.

I picked my jaw up off the floor and told Edward that I would like a Coke. He walked over to the fridge and grabbed me one. He reached into a cabinet and grabbed me a glass and handed both to me. I smiled my thanks to him.

"Bella, my parents would like to meet you. They didn't want to disturb us because they know we have a project to work on. Would you mind?"

"No, of course not." I answered him, seeing two people walking up to us. The woman was striking. She was about my height, slender with caramel colored, shoulder length hair, pale skin, and the same golden eyes that Edward had. The man was almost as gorgeous as Edward. He had blonde hair that he combed back. He had a medium, muscular build and he too, had the golden eyes and was just as pale. They both looked at me and smiled.

"Carlisle, Esme, I would like you to meet Bella Swan. Bella, these are my parents."

I got up and walked over to them. "It's very nice to meet you. Thank you for having me over."

"It's such a pleasure to meet you, Bella." Esme smiled warmly at me.

I stepped forward and shook her outstretched hand. The coolness of it barely even registered, and I was rewarded with a brilliant smile. Edward's father greeted me much the same way, as well.

"Welcome, Bella. Edward has told us so much about you." I smiled at that. It seemed like his parents were genuinely happy to meet me. Maybe Edward liked me as much as I liked him. That could explain a few things. As much as I wanted that to be true, I didn't want to get too far ahead of myself.

"Thank you both. You have such a lovely home." I complimented them sincerely. I couldn't help but glance back over to Edward's piano again. I felt like it was calling to me, begging for me to play it.

Esme noticed my wandering eye."Oh, yes, Edward mentioned to us that you play as well. We would love to hear you play."

"I told her she could play it whenever she wants to, but we are supposed to be working on our Biology project. So I guess I'll leave it up to her on what she would like to do first." Edward said, looking at me expectantly. I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, trying to decide what would be the right thing to do.

I knew full well that if I started playing his glorious piano, I would never get to the project. That's just how I am with my music. I wanted to lose myself so badly in it, but now was just not the time to do it.

"I think we she do our project first, and you should stop trying to tempt me," I teased him. His parents laughed with us.

"Okay. Sorry. Let's go to the dining room and get to work. I wouldn't want to dangle my piano in front of you any more. If you guys would excuse us." He gently nudged my shoulder with his and led me to the dining room

One thing was certain. I loved being with Edward. He was so easy to be around and also a lot of fun. I even felt comfortable around his parents and in his home. It just feels like I have known him my whole life, not the two days it has actually been.

I decided to make the most of the few hours I get to spend with him. I was hanging on his every word and watching his every move. Of course, I was trying to play it off like I was cool. I definitely don't want him to start thinking that Mike Newton is rubbing off on me.

I was happy to see that Edward was just as organized as I was. He has already amassed a ton of information in regards to plant life that was indigenous to the state of Washington. He even had it alphabetized in his elegant masculine script.

We worked together for two hours with no break. The amount we had accomplished was impressive. We made further plans to take a hike and take photos of as many of the plants that we could find to add to our project. At this rate, we would finish our project much sooner than it was due.

I was so happy over how well we worked together, and I couldn't help but think that it might just be a sign of things to come. Call it a gut feeling, but somehow, I'm beginning to think that I was meant to meet Edward and my "feelings" are never wrong.