Disclaimer: Some things from here on out will be direct quotes from the Twilight books and/or movies. I DO NOT own Twilight.

"What?" I managed to ask him after several moments. My mind was reeling. Was this really happening? Could the amazing moment that I'd never allowed myself to dream for actually be happening? He smiled a little but I thought I could see something in his eyes. Worry?

"I love you, Bella," he said softly. I processed his words and then, slowly, a big goofy grin spread across my face. This was happening. He continued,

"I can't seems to shake the feeling—not that I haven't tried. You're not like anyone I've ever known throughout my entire existence. The more I try to avoid you, the more I find myself being drawn to you. I thought though, that I could stay away from you, because surely you couldn't want a...monster like me. Now I find out that you feel similar to the way I feel is...remarkable." This was so much to take in but one word seemed to stick out in my mind, a word that didn't belong. Monster. I took a few breaths and began speaking, a little unsteadily,

"Every time I see you, my heart takes off. I don't think you see yourself right. Your perfect." He didn't have time to reply because our waitress came carrying our food; my lasagna, his steak (which he ordered for show), and Dana's mushroom ravioli. She looked directly at Edward when she asked,

"Do you need anything else? Will the other young lady be joining you again?"

"No, thank you," he replied and flashed a gleaming smile that left her momentarily dazed. She soon recovered, nodded, and walked away.

"You shouldn't do that," I criticized. "It's not fair."

"Do what?"

"Dazzle people like that—she's probably hyperventilating."

He looked confused.

"Come on," I said dubiously. "You have to know the effect you have."

He tilted his head to one side and his eyes were wide with curiosity. "I dazzle people?"

"You haven't noticed? Do you think everybody gets their way so easily?"

He ignored my questions. "Do I dazzle you?"

"Frequently," I admitted. He smiled smugly.

"Really?" I blushed and nodded. "You dazzled me as well." I snorted in disbelief.

"You truly don't see yourself clearly, do you?" I didn't answer. We sat in silence for several minutes so I jumped a little when he said, "Eat." How could I eat? All this information had made me not hungry, but not in a bad way. I was extremely happy.

"I'm not really hungry. I can't eat," I replied.

"Try," he pleaded. I took a few bites just to placate him.

"Happy?" I asked sarcastically.

"Yes," he responded.

"Are we going to continue with the mono-syllables?"

He smiled wryly. "Clearly not." I sighed and pushed my plate away.

"I'm finished," I declared. He frowned.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I can't eat anymore." He deliberated for a moment, probably trying to decide whether or not to push the issue. In the end, he sighed and paid for the food. I tried to protest when he pulled my chair away from the table but he simply said,

"I'm a formal guy." As we walked to the car I teased,

"Yeah. I bet they were really formal back in the dark ages." He rolled his eyes.

"So I've heard."

When we got in his Volvo he had one hand on the wheel and one hand in his lap. I gulped and gently grazed his cool free hand with my fingers. His lips twitched and he took my hand. I smiled at how natural it felt, how right it felt. He sighed asked,

"Do you know how wrong this is?" I raised an eyebrow, confused.

"What is?"

"Us." He looked grave. I swallowed hard.

"Is there an us?" He glanced at me and said very seriously,

"I don't think I have the self-control to stop there from being an us."

"Then don't try," I whispered staring at me hands. His lips twitched up a little. He pulled into the parking lot of our apartment and in a flash he was outside my door, opening it for me. As I stepped out I muttered,

"So formal." He put his hand on my cheek and looked me in the eyes, making me forget where we were.

"Always," he murmured. I took a shaky breath and he smiled. He grabbed my hand and led me into our building.

When we arrived at our apartment we fount Dana asleep on the couch in the living room and I was grateful. I already owed her so much for her blurting out my deep dark secret. And how was I going to repay her? I was leaving. I shook my head. This was for the best. Edward appraised me as we walked to my bedroom and asked,

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I opened my bedroom door and walked in and, to my surprise, so did he. He closed the door, put my face in his hands, and murmured,

"Don't lie. What's wrong?" I admitted breathlessly,

"I feel wrong to be happy tonight. This is the last time I'll ever see my best friend and yet, this is the best night of my life."

"Best?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. He let go of my face and we both sat down on my bed.

"Best. I can't believe that you could ever love me." He smiled slightly.

"Why can't you believe it?"

"Well, look at at me," I said unnecessarily as he was already staring. "I'm absolutely ordinary—well, except for bad things like all the near-death experiences and being so clumsy that I'm almost disabled. And look at you." I waved my hand toward him and all his bewildering perfection.

His face was suddenly very close to mine and very serious. "How can you not see how perfect you are? How wonderfully amazing you truly are?" My breathing got thicker as he got closer to me. He pressed his forehead against mine and whispered,

"Be still." I struggled to obey and fount myself leaning a little. He said, "Stay still." Somehow I managed this as his lips got closer and closer to mine, his eyes locked on my eyes.

Then, very suddenly he kissed me. A kiss so amazing, so wondrous and perfect that I forgot everything. Absolutely everything...

Chapter 22

When he pulled away I wanted to grab him and kiss endlessly. I took a ragged breath and looked at him.

"You dazzled me again," I accused and he had a slight triumphant smile on his face.

"Would you like a round of applause, Edward?" He shook his head, smiling but then grew serious again as he stroked my cheek.

"It was easier to resist your scent then I thought it would be. I know that when I leave you here now that it will be harder in the morning. The more I'm around you the easier it is to resist."

"Then stay." He pursed his lips and said,

"Rose would kill me."

"You can take her." He chuckled and laid down on the bed, relaxed.

"I think I'll stay right here." I was suddenly very excited. I asked reluctantly,

"Can I have a few minutes to just be human?" He smiled and nodded. As I stood up I turned and tried to sound fierce as I ordered, "Stay here." He smiled wryly.

"Yes ma'am." He froze up for dramatic effect. I grabbed a pair of pajamas before dashing into the restroom.

I used the restroom and then put on the pajamas. I quickly reapplied my deodorant and tried to brush through my mess of brown hair. Next, I tried to brush my teeth quickly while still being thorough. Then, I examined myself in the mirror and fount that I was flushed but my eyes were wide and excited. Finally, I excited the bathroom.

I was very glad to see that Edward was right where I left him, frozen. I rolled my eyes at that and crawled into bed next to him. He pulled my head up to his chest and kissed my hair.

"Hello," he murmured.

"Hi," I replied lamely.

"You look tired. You should sleep." I didn't want to sleep. I wanted to just enjoy the moment.

"No I'm not tired," I lied. I could almost feel him roll his eyes.

"Yes you are. Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

"Promise?" He chuckled but responded,

"Promise." I nodded in defeat and he began humming something. It was a soft tune that sounded like a lullaby. Within minutes I was asleep with my head resting peacefully on his chest.