A Night Alone with Edward (Part One)

Courtship consists in a number of quiet attentions, not so pointed as to alarm, nor so vague as not to be understood.

Laurence Sterne

EDWARD'S POV

With Charlie's gone, I glanced around the meadow. It was snow-covered at the moment, but soon there would be filled with heated vases of roses. A fire would be built near a pile of furs. Cider would be hot and ready for Bella to drink. A picnic dinner would be ready to make and would consist of hot dogs and marshmallows. I wanted to make this night special and knew something was bothering Bella, especially after Jasper had cornered me after the girls had left for a little talk.

"Edward, you're an absolute idiot," Jasper said.

I stared at him. "Uh… what do you mean?"

"Didn't you notice how Bella sounded frustrated when she explained what finally brought Charlie to her?" he asked.

"Of course I did," I remarked. "But Bella didn't elaborate on why."

He shook his head. "It should have been obvious."

"What should have?"

"It's you she's annoyed at, bro," Emmett said, coming outside.

What now! "Are you sure?" I asked.

"You'd have to be blind not to notice," Emmett answered. "Right, Jasper?"

Jasper nodded. "To me it seems you treat her like you do Alice and Rosalie."

I groaned. "What do I do, Jazz?" I asked, pinching the bridge of my nose. "How do I fix this before I lose her?"

"We know you love her, Edward," Emmett said. "Show her how much. Woo her."

"Take her somewhere you wouldn't take Alice or Rosalie. Do some research, find out what she likes," Jasper suggested.

"Thanks," I said before I retreated inside and to the music room where I played Bella's lullaby over and over. It calmed me though no ideas came to me. I needed to talk to someone who really knew her and would be able to advise me. The only people who came to mind were Malcolm and Charlie. I decided to approach Malcolm. As we talked, I learned so much more about Bella and what she liked.

"She is a special young woman, Edward," Malcolm said as I got up. "She's lucky to have you in her life."

I looked at my watch, noticing I had only an hour left before Bella and the others would be back. I wanted to be home when she got back, so I could help her carry her bags upstairs.

BELLA'S POV

I threw up my hands and said, "Honestly, Alice, I don't need a coat."

"Of course you do," she insisted. "It will look great with your boots and the rest of the outfit you will wear tonight."

"Argh!" I said, walking away. The others were ready to go, but Alice had insisted on getting me a coat.

Why I needed a coat or the rest of the outfit was beyond me. Edward said he wanted to talk. It wasn't like he was taking me out to dinner where only I would eat. We probably wouldn't be gone long.

"All right, let's go," she said, leading the way out of the mall.

"This was a fun day," Maidie said, "though exhausting."

"True," Maisie said, "I've never done so much shopping in my life."

"It definitely feels good to be away from school," Justine said. "We get to go into the nearby town once a month, but it's only for a brief period. This is so much better."

"I have never seen so many shops in one area before," Lorena stated. "I would love to live where there are shops like these."

I listened to the conversation between Lorena and Justine until we reached the cars.

"See you back at the house," Esme said. "I'm taking the others out to dinner before we return."

"That's a great idea, wish we could go," Rosalie said.

"Really we do, mom," Alice said with a giggle. "We have to see Bella gets back safe and sound, and help her get ready for her date with Edward."

"You have a date with Edward," Moira said. A wistful smile formed. "Where is he taking you?"

"He told me it was a surprise," I said.

"He's a romantic then," she stated.

Uh… I wasn't sure if he was or wasn't.

"My Edward is definitely that," Esme said. "He hasn't had much luck on the girlfriend front in the past."

Esme gave me a meaningful look that spoke volumes, and told me there had never been anyone who brought the trait out in him.

"I guess that's good for me," I said with a laugh. "Let's go, I don't want to keep Edward and his plans for tonight waiting."

In reality, I was dreading the talk we had to have and whatever he had planned. I really disliked surprises, but the opportunity to be alone with Edward was too hard to resist. And I really did need to tell him how I was feeling about our supposed relationship.

In a much shorter time than it took to get to Seattle we were pulling into to drive. As we drew nearer, I saw Edward come out with a huge grin on his face.

EDWARD'S POV

I was so happy to see Bella, and all I wanted to gather her up in my arms and disappear with her.

"Don't you dare, Edward," Alice threw at me with her thoughts.

Sighing, I walked over to help her out of the car.

"Let me get those bags for you," I said when she leaned back into the car, grabbing a few bags.

"Wait, Edward," Alice said. "Not these two."

She snatched four bags from me.

"Please put them in my room for now, I'll take them up to Bella's room once you two leave. Come, Bella, we need to get you ready."

Bella looked to me for help, and I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Not good, Edward," Jasper thought.

I winced, knowing he was right. I glanced at Bella as she walked away. Her back was ramrod straight.

"Bella's mad now," Jazz added. "You better have something amazing planned."

"I feel bad, Jazz. What am I to do?" I asked as he joined me outside.

"Carry on with whatever you have planned and listen to her," he said, grabbing some bags too.

Jasper and I had just stepped through the front door with the first load of bags as Alice appeared on stairs.

"Edward," she said with a hint of disgust in her voice. "We need to talk and right now. Jazz, honey, can you take care of all the bags."

"Not a problem," Jasper said, looking at me. "Whatever you did… man, I wish you luck in dealing with Alice."

I gulped as I set the bags I had on the floor. Alice was singing in her mind preventing me from hearing her thoughts. I followed her into the kitchen before she turned on me.

"Bella is upstairs in tears. Do you know that?" she asked.

"No, how could I? I was too busy carrying in bags. Wait, she's crying."

I fell silent, listening.

"I don't hear her."

Alice sighed. "It seems that every time she wants to be alone or not overheard she puts a charm on whatever room she's in."

My chin dropped to my chest, and I rubbed my face with one hand.

"What do you have planned for tonight?" Alice demanded, tapping her foot.

"Why should I tell you?" I asked, defeated. I would have to tell Alice.

"Because Rosalie is upstairs trying to convenience your girlfriend to go out with you tonight. Neither of us could get anything out of her other than a few words about men and broken promises."

"Bella thinks I broke a promise?"

That was news to me. I thought back on every conversation Bella and I have ever had. I gulped. I had broken a promise. I haven't held her within my arms since Christmas. Not done anything special since New Year's. I was in a heap of trouble.

"I don't know, Edward. Something is going on with her. Tell me where you are taking her, please," Alice said.

"To a meadow I go and think from time to time." I laid out what I had so carefully planned with Charlie.

"Oh, Edward, Bella's going to love it. I best go see if Rosalie was able to convince her to go."

"Alice, wait."

I went over to the refrigerator and pulled out a single white rose with red tips.

"Give this to Bella for me. Tell her it's a renewal of the promise I made."

"It's beautiful, Edward," she said when I handed it to her. "You should give it to her yourself."

I smiled. "Don't worry," I said, opening the refrigerator door again. "I've got it covered plus rose-petals to litter the path to the meadow."

"How many are there?"

"Six or seven dozen, and the one single rose that you're holding. All part of the plan. Charlie is monitoring Bella's Star Command Badge and her location. Once she and I leave, he will transport down with a few officers and they will take the roses and petals to the meadow."

"You have this really planned out don't you," she said with a smile

"Yes. Malcolm's advice helped it all come together."

I walked with Alice upstairs and went into my room as she continued on to Bella's. I hoped Bella decided to go. Jasper was waiting for me. He had his arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the wall.

"I really messed things up, Jasper." I ran a hand through my hair. "I broke a promise I made to Bella."

"What promise?" he asked.

I ran my hand through my hair again before launching into what happened Christmas night.

ALICE'S POV

Bella was still in no mood to go out with Edward when I came back in the room.

"From Edward," I said, handing her the rose I held. "I think it is a promise, but he said it was a renewal of a promise."

Bella's eyes lit up when she saw the flower. She lifted it to her nose and breathed in its fragrance and tears flowed again down her face again.

"All right," she said, wiping her face, "let's get me ready."

Rosalie and I just looked at each other and then to Bella.

"You're going now," Rosalie said.

"Wait, you decided not to go," I said.

"Yes but that was before this. I wonder how he knows this is my favorite type of rose. It's rarity here in the states. I wonder how he found this single rose."

"How indeed," I thought, hoping Edward would hear.

"Did you put the charm back on the room when I came back in? You said it would break once I entered again."

"No," she answered.

"Good job, Edward. She will be down in fifteen minutes."

EDWARD'S POV

My spirits were lifted as I listened to the conversation coming from Bella's room. I was glad she had changed her mind. I raced down the stairs, out into the garage, and started my Vanquish, pulling it out of the garage. I left it running and turned the heat on low. I raced back into the house and to the kitchen. There was one thing I had kept from Alice. Hidden behind all the roses was a special bouquet of roses. An arrangement of Latin Ladies, red and white roses, like the one she had taken up to Bella. They were indeed rare, but luckily, Charlie knew where to find them. I had given him my credit card and told him to purchase as many as he could. I quickly hid them in the coat closet and would pull them out when I got out my coat. I also put a vase of water out of sight in the entry hall.

I was waiting in the living room when Bella followed by Rosalie and Alice started coming down the stairs. I stood and moved to the stairs. Nothing would sway me this time. I would gather Bella into my arms.

As soon as her feet hit the bottom step, I had my arms around her and swung her around before placing her back on her feet, kissing her. She was all giggles.

"Careful, Edward," Rosalie warned with her thoughts. "She didn't tell Alice or me what she was crying about."

I nodded over Bella's head at Rosalie.

"Are you ready?" I asked, releasing her before walking over to the closet to get my coat.

"Absolutely," she said, accepting the coat Alice had carried down.

I paused, moving back to her, taking the coat from her. "Let me help you."

Bella just looked at me once the coat was on. Oh how I wish I could read her mind. Opening the closet, I retrieved the bouquet and my coat. Luckily, they were hidden by the open door. I hesitated a moment not sure what her reaction would be.

"Edward, don't tell me you changed your mind about tonight. Bella will love it."

"It's not that, Alice," I whispered, knowing Bella wouldn't hear. "How did she react to the rose?"

I watched as Alice replayed Bella's reaction and smiled to myself.

"Thanks."

I put the bouquet behind my back and then closed the closet door. Bella's weary eyes were still on me before they moved to the arm that was behind my back.

It's now or never, I thought. I looked passed Bella and notice we were alone and listening I heard no one. We were alone.

"Bella," I said, bringing the roses out from behind my back, "these are for you."

BELLA'S POV

When Edward brought the roses out from behind his back, I nearly collapsed.

Where had he gotten so many Latin Ladies?

Edward's right arm came around me, drawing me to his chest.

"Bella, are you all right?" he whispered against my ear.

"Where did you get those?" I asked in a low voice.

"You like them?" he asked.

"Like them would be an understatement. They're my favorite roses."

"I know," he whispered his lips a breath away from mine. "Your grandfather told me and your father found them in Ecuador for me."

His lips captured mine in a searing kiss, and I melted against him. Regret washed through me when I pulled away, needing to breathe.

"We best get going. The others will not stay away much longer," he said.

It was then that I realized we were alone in the house.

"Let me just go and put these in water."

"No need. I have a vase ready. Alice will put them in your room."

He led me over to the table, and I placed the roses into the waiting vase arranging them slightly. Then he led me out the door and to the waiting car. I was floored.

"Is this yours?" I asked as he opened the door and helped me in.

"Yes," he said, leaning in and kissing me again.

I was dreading what I had to tell Edward and how he would react. Maybe I could put it off.

"No, Isabella, he needs to know." Grandmother said.

We drove in an awkward silence for a few minutes.

"Uh… Edward," I said, turning a little to face him. "I don't want to ruin the evening but there is something I need to tell you."

He looked over at me briefly and then back at the road. "You couldn't ruin it. Part of why we are going out is to talk, remember?"

I bit my lip, letting the words form.

"I was frustrated at you. That's why my father appeared."

He pulled over, putting the car in park. He turned his body and faced me. Great I ruined things just like I knew I would. I looked down at my lap. He placed a finger under my chin and lifted my face until our eyes met.

"Why?" he asked, wiping a stray tear from my cheek.

"You treat me more like a sister than your girlfriend," I whispered.

EDWARD'S POV

Hell, Jasper was right. How could he not be? He knows how to read people, and not just on an emotional level. But what he said earlier… I hadn't wanted to believe was true.

"Bella, I don't know what more I can say other than I am sooo sorry. I didn't want to make you feel a sister."

She didn't look like she believed me.

"I love you so much. This is new to me," I said, caressing her cheek.

"It's new to me, too. And I hate feeling the way I do. I love you so much that it scares me. I'm afraid I'll suddenly wake up and this will just have been a dream. That you're a dream and will fade in the morning mist."

Tears were freely running down her face, and I drew her against me. Silence filled the car as she cried and just as quickly as the tears started, they stopped.

"I ruined the evening," she said, her voice a little hoarse.

"No, you didn't," I said, smiling down at her. "I knew something was bothering you."

Pausing, I drew in a deep breath and released it. My surprise taking a minor backseat. I wanted her to know somewhat of where I was taking her.

"There is somewhere I want to take you, well, was taking you that neither Alice nor Rosalie have been. Should we continue, or turn around?"

I watched as wonder spread across her face. That was all the answer I needed. Releasing her, I put the car back into drive and eased back out onto the road. I took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze which she returned. Ten minutes later, I once again pulled off the road into a parking lot and turned off the engine.

"We have to walk from here," I said, getting out and walking around the car to help Bella.

I drew her to me as I closed the door and kissed her. "You're so beautiful, Bella."