Happy 4th July to all my American readers!

Glad everyone seems to be on the same page as me about hybrid babies lol

And, as always, thanks to my beta, CoppertopJ, who looked over not only this chapter this week, but the next two as well so I could have them all ready to post when I'm on holidays over the next few weeks. That means, Wi-Fi willing, I will be able to keep up with my regular posting schedule. Do cut me some slack if I'm a little late posting though, as I tend to lose track of days when I'm on holiday lol.


After our discussion in our new meadow, Edward seemed more relaxed. As much as he had been against my change, his demeanour now suggested that he was happy that I was going to become like him. We had talked a little more about the when and how, but I hadn't come to a decision about those details yet. I wanted to spend some time with my parents before, as I knew I wouldn't be able to see them after. I wanted them to see me with Edward and to know that I was happy. That would be the only thing I could leave them with and I didn't want their last memories of me to be how I was when Edward had left.

I had spoken to Charlie, letting him know that I wasn't planning on moving back home, that I would be moving to Rochester permanently to live with Edward. He hadn't taken that news overly well, particularly the part about living with Edward, but he said that he had been expecting it.

With that in mind, we were planning a trip to see them both in a few weeks. We were going to Florida first to see Renee and Phil. I had been keeping in touch with her and had told her the same story I'd told Charlie about running into Edward in Chicago. She had taken that news even better than Charlie, mainly because she hadn't been living with me during my worst, and also because she was a hopeless romantic and she said the story of us finding each other again sounded like something out of a movie.

After that, we were going straight from Florida to Forks. I could see my dad and Leah and also pick up the rest of my belongings, though as I had only been living there for a couple of years, there wouldn't be too much to bring back.

Before that though, my dreaded birthday was fast approaching and I could tell by the secret looks and conspiratorial smiles between Edward and Alice that they were planning some sort of surprise.

"No parties!" I told them both, as I watched them once again exchanging secretive looks, "I am refusing to attend any gathering for my birthday!"

I saw Jasper looking at me guiltily, "That's not aimed at you, Jazz," I added, smiling warmly at him, "You know I don't blame you for any of that. I hated parties before that one, and I still hate them now. So, promise me that you two are not planning any sort of party."

"Don't worry, Bella," Alice trilled, "No parties, I promise."

"I am planning a surprise, as you seem to have guessed," Edward whispered in my ear, as he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, "Something for just the two of us. That's okay, right?"

"Hmmmm, I do like the sound of that," I said, smiling up at him, "I suppose that's okay, though I'm really not a fan of surprises."

"You will love this one, trust me," Alice said, pointing to her temple. I chuckled, rolling my eyes at her.

~~~TTOGILB~~~

A few days later, I woke up to a whispered, "Happy birthday, love," in my ear. I groaned and turned to nuzzle into Edward's chest.

"Can't I just stay eighteen?" I said, though it was muffled by his chest. I felt him chuckle, as he pulled me up to look at him and pressed a light kiss to my forehead.

"I don't care what age you are," he said, "You are beautiful and you always will be, no matter what; Human or immortal."

I smiled at him, all worries about my age had instantly disappeared. Although we had talked about my change, this was the first time he had brought it up casually in a conversation and that made me happy. It didn't really matter if I was two or three years older than him, though I wasn't planning on waiting too long, but just to have him easily mentioning my change was a very good thing.

"So, what's this surprise?" I asked, actually starting to look forward to my birthday.

"We are leaving in a couple of hours," he said cryptically, "But first, Esme has prepared a birthday breakfast for you."

"Unlike the breakfasts she prepares for me every morning," I said sarcastically, cringing as I heard a few chuckles from downstairs. It was very easy to forget that the rest of the house had super hearing.

We headed downstairs, finding the whole family gathered in the kitchen waiting for me.

"Esme, I'm sorry. I didn't mean...I really do love the breakfasts you make me," I stammered, feeling the blush spreading over my face.

"Oh, I know, honey," she said, taking my arm and leading me to the table that was filled with even more goodies than usual, "Don't worry, I'm not offended. You can't live with Emmett for as long as I have and be easily offended." The whole room chuckled at that and I looked up to see Emmett shrugging.

At the other end of the table was a row of colourful gift bags, even though I had told them all that they didn't need to get me anything.

"I know you said not to get you anything," Alice said, "But, you must have known we wouldn't listen. No wrapping paper," she winked at me and I rolled my eyes, "Eat first. We can do presents after."

I ate until I was almost bursting. Esme was an amazing cook and, despite not being able to taste the food, she had particularly outdone herself this morning. Fluffy pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup, loads of fruit, all washed down with a cup of coffee and a delicious glass of ice-cold orange juice.

Once I was finished, they gave me their presents, all in gift bags covered with soft tissue paper. Bella-proof, I thought with a chuckle.

Alice bounded over to me, holding out the first bag, light pink with deeper pink flowers on it and matching tissue paper sticking out the top. I carefully pulled the tissue paper out and reached into the bag, feeling lace and satin. I lifted the item out of the bag, glancing at it for a few seconds before dropping it quickly back into the bag.

"Alice!" I exclaimed, the blood rushing to my face again.

"Oh, Bella," she smirked, "You'll get good use out of it. Trust me!"

I stood there, just wishing for the ground to open up and swallow me. I had never even thought about buying lingerie for myself, never mind getting it as a gift from your boyfriend's sister in front of his whole family. I glanced up at Edward, who looked almost as embarrassed as me, but his eyes had darkened considerably.

Rosalie took pity on me then and walked over, handing me a lilac gift bag from her and Emmett. I opened the small box, finding a beautiful pair of earrings, deep blue stones surrounded by clear sparkling crystals. I tried hard not to think about whether they were real sapphires and diamonds, but knowing this family they probably were.

Finally, Esme handed me a pale blue gift bag, with a small box, more jewellery, I assumed. I opened the box to see a delicate, silver bracelet. As I lifted it out, I gasped, noticing the Cullen crest on it. All of the family had something with the Cullen crest on it; Alice and Rose had necklaces; Edward, Emmett and Jasper had cuffs; Carlisle had a ring; Esme had a bracelet.

"Thank you so much," I gushed, tears welling up in my eyes as I wrapped her and Carlisle in a hug, "This means so much to me."

"You've been a part of this family for a long time, Bella," Carlisle said, "Even when we weren't with you, you were still a part of us. We thought it was about time you had your own crest."

"I'll give you my gift a little later," Edward said, "But now, we need to get ready to go."

"So, the gift isn't the surprise?" I asked.

"Nope," he said with a smile, "We are going away for a few days. Alice has already packed a bag for you and I'm sure she has already laid out something for you to wear today, so why don't you head upstairs and get ready."

Sure enough, when I reached the bedroom, there was an outfit lying on the bed. Thankfully, she had kept it simple, though I was worried about what she might have packed for me. I quickly showered, dried my hair so it hung in soft curls down my back, and dressed in black skinny jeans, a cream sweater that came just off my shoulders and flat black boots. I looked at myself in the mirror, and I had to hand it to Alice, I was comfortable and I looked pretty good.

"You're welcome," I heard her shout from downstairs, just as I decided to thank her.

I was reminded of the gift Alice had given me, though I hadn't even gotten a good look at it, and I thought about how Edward had reacted. Before I could chicken out, I lifted the small suitcase sitting just beside the bed and quickly slipped Alice's present into it before zipping it back up again.

~~~TTOGILB~~~

We had been driving for a few hours when we pulled into a service station to fill up the Volvo and I took the time for a human moment while Edward paid for the gas. When we first set off, Edward had told me that it was a fairly long drive, though with his driving we'd get there much quicker than we should have. He still hadn't told me where we were going, despite me trying to drag it out of him on the journey.

"Please, Bella," he had pleaded, after I had tried for about the millionth time to find out, "Just let me have this. I know you aren't a huge fan of surprises, but it's your birthday. Please?" He stared into my eyes, the look on his face impossible to ignore.

"Fine," I pouted, knowing that I would do anything he asked when he looked at me like that.

I walked back to the car after using the bathroom, watching him standing, with his back to me, at the passenger door waiting on me. I couldn't help but smile at the thought that he was mine. He was beautiful, but it was more than that. He was kind, generous, funny (especially when he let himself relax) and he would do absolutely anything for me. Plain, old me. I wondered what I had ever done to deserve him. He turned around, catching me staring at him with what I'm sure was a goofy smile on my face.

"What?" he chuckled, putting his arms around my waist as I reached him.

"Nothing," I mumbled, "Just thinking about how much I love you."

"Not as much as I love you," he whispered, leaning down to press his lips to mine. He started to deepen the kiss, his fingers slipping just inside the waistband of my jeans, and as much as I hated to do it, I pulled away. If he continued that, I would end up doing some inappropriate things in the forecourt of this service station.

"It's like we've swapped roles," I laughed, as he looked sheepishly at me as I tried to regain my composure.

"Sorry," he said, "I just can't help it sometimes."

"And I love that you can't help yourself," I told him, stepping around him to the passenger door, "But let's get to where ever it is we are going so we can continue that in private."

His eyes darkened as he reached around me to open the door for me, before quickly appearing beside me in the driver's seat.

Once we were back on the road, I closed my eyes, hoping to nap a little, anything to get my mind out of the gutter so we could finish this journey. I awoke about an hour later, looking out the window to see towering buildings all around me.

"New York?" I gasped, looking over my shoulder at him. When he nodded, with a smile on his face at my excitement, I went back to the window, my nose almost pressed up against it as I tried to see everything all at once.

A few minutes later, we pulled up outside one of the most famous, and most expensive, hotels in New York, the Ritz Carlton. I turned to look at Edward, opening my mouth to protest the expense, but he stopped me, pressing his finger lightly to my lips.

"Please?" he whispered, "It's only money. Just let me do this." Again, he gave me that look that I couldn't ignore and I could see in his eyes how much it meant for him to spoil me. I rolled my eyes at him, but moved my fingers across my mouth as though I was zipping them closed.

"Thank you," he chuckled, just as the valet opened my door and I stepped out onto the streets of New York. It was somewhere I had always wanted to visit. If I had really been travelling, it's the first place I would have gone.

After handing his keys to the valet, Edward took my hand and led me through the doors into the impressive foyer of the hotel. I couldn't help but stare wide-eyed around as I took in the high ceilings, beautiful chandeliers, grand furniture and spectacular artwork on the walls. I had to admit that this hotel was beautiful and I understood why Edward had wanted to stay here.

I continued staring, as I followed Edward to the check-in desk, only dragging my eyes away from my surroundings when I heard, what can only be described as the sound of the girl behind the desk swooning. I was a few steps away from Edward as I watched her look him up and down. Edward's face was tight and tense and I wondered what she was thinking about.

"How can I help you?" she purred, squeezing her breasts together as she spoke so that her cleavage was just visible at the top of her blouse.

"I've booked a suite for my girlfriend and I," he said, as he reached over grabbing my hand and pulling me to stand beside him as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, "Edward Cullen."

The girl's face fell, as she looked over at me, giving me the once over, before typing on the computer.

"Yes, Mr. Cullen," she said, her tone completely changed, "You are in the Royal Suite. Here are your key cards. I hope you have a pleasant stay."

Somehow, I managed to keep my giggles under control until the elevator doors closed, but as soon as they closed I just couldn't help it.

"It's not funny, Bella," he growled, though he was smiling at my mirth, "You don't know what goes through their minds. And the only mind I ever want to hear is silent to me." He had pulled me to him and placed a light kiss on my forehead.

"I don't need to be a mind reader to know what she was thinking," I laughed, "She was so obvious."

The elevator dinged and Edward took my hand leading us to the door of our suite. He unlocked the door with one of the key cards and stood back, letting me go in ahead of him. To say the suite was huge would be an understatement. It was almost twice the size of Charlie's house in Forks. There were two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area, living room and even an office.

"Edward, this is ridiculous!" I exclaimed, "We don't need half of this. There are only two of us!"

"Maybe I did go a little overboard," he admitted, "But you said you were going to let me do this." He leaned, pulling my hair off one shoulder and kissed along my neck and my exposed shoulder. My breath hitched as he pulled me closer to him, his hands slipping just under my sweater to touch my skin.

"You're just... trying to distract... me," I breathed, though I could barely think about anything except his lips on my skin.

"Never," he whispered, lifting me up, my legs automatically wrapping around his waist. He carried me into the master bedroom, laying me down on the huge, white bed.

"I can stop..." he began, though he continued to kiss my neck, his breath sending shivers through my whole body.

"God, no!" I yelled, "Don't you dare."

He slowly removed my clothes until I was lying naked on the bed, my dark hair fanned out around me. He stared at me with dark eyes for a few moments, before slowly kneeling down at the edge of the bed, pulling me towards him so my bottom was at the edge of the mattress. He lifted my legs, spreading me open before him, and began torturously kissing along from my knee towards my apex. Just when he was almost at the top, he moved to my other leg, beginning at my knee again. By the time he reached my apex again, I was writhing beneath him, desperate for anything to take the edge off. This time when he reached my sex, he continued, finally dipping his tongue between my folds and swiping it up to swirl around my clit. His tongue flicked over my nub again and again until I was panting heavily and as he sucked it into his mouth, I came instantly.

I lay with my eyes closed, coming down from my high and I felt myself being moved. When I opened my eyes, I was lying in the middle of the enormous bed, Edward naked and towering above me. Lining up with my entrance, he looked deeply into my eyes and pushed deep inside me. I moaned at the feeling of being filled by him. He slowly began thrusting in and out, hitting deep inside me with each thrust, until I was breathing heavily, the pressure within me building higher and higher.

"God, Bella," he grunted, "I'm so close..." Two more thrusts and my orgasm hit me, stars exploding behind my eyelids and my muscles clenching around him, milking his own orgasm, a growl escaping his lips as he spilled inside me.