Recap of Chapter 21:

It's Bella's birthday and there's mild excitement in the air to celebrate. Of course Bella being Bella, she isn't too overly excited for it; never one for attention or feeling like it was a special day in the first place. Nonetheless it has been decided for her that she gets to go shopping on the weekend with her friends, a dinner date with her parents and a special night with her Edward. And that night ensues into one of taking their relationship to the physical end, which only leads to a night Bella is sure to remember.


Chapter Twenty Two

~Bella~

The first thing I noticed when I woke up, was that I could feel the silkiness that was the hotel bed sheets over my naked skin. The next thing I noticed, were two tired looking emerald eyes were staring at me the moment I opened my eyes.

Let's just say, seeing the naked Adonis that was my Edward, was definitely something I always wanted to wake up to.

"I see my lovely lady is awake." he purred, his voice deeper than normal. Still thick with tiredness. God, if that didn't turn me on.

I visibly shivered upon hearing his husky voice and his body rumbled with chuckles.

"Something up?"

"Your voice is really sexy like that Edward." I admitted and saw his cheeks turns a light pink. I giggled at that reaction before scooting over to him, humming when I felt his skin against mine. He wrapped those strong arms around my body, squeezing me gently. I also felt what was also waking up along with us.

"Maybe you're not as tired as I thought you were." I laughed, and he groaned.

"It's morning wood, Bella. Besides, when I have an amazingly beautiful woman - who is deliciously naked - right up against me, it really shouldn't be a surprise." Edward murmured, and shifted to where now he dove for my neck. I whimpered at that statement since soon after his lips found my neck, he didn't waste a second to start nipping at the skin there, pressing his tongue on certain points as well. All it did was starting me up again like how it was for us last night.

"So... Is there anything you'd like to do for the morning my sweet angel?" Edward's smugness of how he was able to easily turn me on again was palpable; between his smirking against my neck, and the tone of his voice, I bet he knew that he could easily sneak in another round with me this morning.

"Uh..."

My brain was mush, so I couldn't exactly form a proper reply to that.

A deep chuckle arose now, and he pulled back to snicker at me.

"What?" I pouted, throwing my arms around my bare chest.

"No need to get pouty baby. I'm sorry but it's a major ego boost that I'm leaving you flabbergasted and unable to form a coherent sentence." he snickered again, tapping my nose with a forefinger. I rolled my eyes and slipped into a sitting position now, not caring to pull the sheets up to cover my exposed form. He followed suit, propping himself on an arm and stared at me with questioning eyes.

"It's not fair, you're so fucking charming and sexy as is. It also shouldn't be a surprise that I just turn to mush whenever you look at me like that." I grumbled, blushing under how intense his stare was starting to become. Edward shook his head, the messy bed-head hair of his fitting the situation we were in right now. He then pulled me over to him so now I was propped up on my arm like he was. His eyes shifted down to my chest again, darkening on how he saw my breasts had shifted with my movement.

I snorted.

"Are you really just going to continue staring at my chest you goober?"

Those eyes darted back up to my face and another blush appeared.

"Uh... Sorry darling but I can't help it. Now that we've done it, and I've got to see you in all of your naked glory, you realize it's just become all that much harder for me to not be so brazen and open with my gawking." he rambled, and I giggled at him.

"You think it's going to be any easier for me?" I murmured. He reached over to place his hand on my waist, rubbing the spot.

"I think what I want, is more time for us when we're on campus." He began, rolling onto his back now. We seem to really be readjusting our positions in this bed this morning, probably too much for a normal person. But guess we're getting fidgety in just trying to go about the morning after, since it was only our first time as a couple to do this.

"Well, you know the issue with that." I reminded him, sitting up once more and puffing my cheeks out in a sigh.

"Of course. Thus, we'd just have to time it and plan it. The most ideal method is of course stealing you away to a hotel where I get to hear every single word that comes from you... and every scream and moan." he added the last part boastfully; I blushed in response and Edward's smirk was now entering the "shit-eater" territory.

"I seem to recall you doing the same thing, mister." I retorted, and he shrugged his shoulders.

"Was it that good for you...?" I asked next quietly, my face heating up even more. I don't know why I was being shy on and off about this. I was the more confident one last night to get us started in that direction anyways when he was the nervous and shy one. More than likely I was being self conscious, worried that I hadn't done a great job in satisfying him last night, or worried I had made a weird face, said something weird, or in general something awkward had popped up during it and my brain was just mentally blocking it out.

"Of course it was. It was mind blowing, and all the more special that I got to give up my v-card to the girl that I love." he began, smirking at me. "Normally I try to not be super physical or vulgar with you babe. I am male though, so of course I've wanted to go further with you. Even if we've only been together for five months give or take, I've wanted you physically since the start and with it only deepening to emotional and mental levels as soon as you and I started talking." he continued, but stopped short when his brow furrowed.

"Why do you ask? Was it not good for you?"

"Oh no! It's was... oh god..." I breathed and collapsed back onto the bed, laughing shortly.

"Trust me, I've been wanting you and I to do all of what we did last night, for so long. A girl's got some built up tension." I reassured him, giggling and he laughed again. "And adding onto that, I wouldn't mind going for some more." I whispered, walking two fingers up his arm. A deep rumble in his chest was heard in the next second and he got a predatory gleam in his eyes.

"Glad to see you and I are on the same page then, my little minx." he growled and rolled himself on top me. I was giggling still when he captured my lips with his, effectively shutting me up. I quickly let my hands snake their way into his hair, scratching his scalp lightly. He let out a small moan at that, before he rubbed his lower half against mine. That elicited a small gasp from me, and he smirked around our lips.

"Something the matter?"

"You... You cheater." I growled, and met my half with his when he decided to do it again. Another moan slipped past Edward's lips.

We continued our little game, teasing one another for as long as we could physically stand it. And just as we were about to start, my phone suddenly began ringing loudly. It was playing a specific tune that I all but recognized.

"Shit, that's Alice." I hissed, huffing. Edward let out an exasperated groan at that mention, and he knew that I couldn't simply let the phone ring and miss the call. It was Alice after all; she's a persistent bugger, and if you ever ignore or miss her calls, you're just asking for it later on. He shuffled himself to where he was now lying back down on the bed and let me scamper off to get the phone before I missed the call.

"Hello?"

"Bella! There you are! Where have you been?! I thought you would've made it back to the school last night!"

I held the phone away from my ear when I was basically assaulted by her screeching voice. Edward had to stifle his snickers by covering his mouth (of course he was trying to keep him being there a secret still), and I turned to stick my tongue out at him.

"Calm down Alice, please. Look, I'm sorry I didn't make it back to the campus last night. By the time I was done with dinner with my parents, they saw the time and realized that I wouldn't make it back before curfew so they just decided we can get a room somewhere at a hotel for me." I explained to her, trying to calm her down.

I heard her give out a slight huff to that response.

"Well... Alright. But honestly I think you should get your parents to take you back to the school now. We've got practice to go to still, remember?"

Upon hearing that, I glanced over at the clock and made a noise. The time read that it was quarter to 10am already.

"Shit! I completely forgot there was practice!" I screeched and Edward glanced over at the clock as well. I saw his eyes grow wide in one second, before I saw him immediately slipping out of bed and into the bathroom - sneaking in the room as quietly as he could.

Alice laughed at my panic. "Good thing I called you then. I'll let Mrs. Idle know that you'll probably be a little bit late in showing up. Just remember that after our practice you and I have our little shopping trip to go to still."

"Yeah yeah I know Alice. Listen I have to go; only have a little bit of time to get ready. I'll see you at practice!" I didn't even give her time to really say goodbye to me as I hurriedly ended the call and slipped into the bathroom with Edward.

His back was to me while he was working on starting up a shower.

"Oh, you're going to go first I take it?" I asked, getting out two towels; I guess I can shower after he is done.

"What, don't want to shower with me and try to shave some time for us to make it back to the school on time?" he asked me, raising an eyebrow up at me. I felt my cheeks get hot.

"Well... I mean it makes sense." I muttered, twiddling my thumbs. I was already becoming shy once more as my mind went to the gutters again. No doubt it'd be extremely difficult to not do anything more than bathe with Edward. Just thinking about how sexy he looks with water running over his naked body...

"Babe?"

I squeaked when he called to me and I looked over at him to see him smirking.

"Honestly it really would save us some time to shower together. Besides, it shouldn't be that awkward for us to be in there together; I mean, here we are standing naked in front of one another, after having a night together like we did. Do you not want to shower with me because it just makes you uncomfortable?" he questioned, pursing his lips. I shook my head at him hurriedly, not wanting him to get the wrong idea - again.

"No, Edward. I want to save time and it's not that I'm uncomfortable showering with you. I... I'm just unsure if I'll be able to... you know..." I trailed off knowingly, blushing while I stared at the tiles in the bathroom. I heard his footfalls and knew he was walking over to me.

I felt his thumb under my chin and he titled my head up to look at his face. My face only grew hotter when I saw the predatory gleam in his eyes again.

"Who's to say that's a problem if it occurs?"

"Edward... If we do anything while we're in there, we're going to be really horribly late to practice." I breathed after I was able to collect my thoughts again. He chuckled lowly, shaking his head.

"You did say you're up for another round, and I want to go through with that plan... Besides, Alice already has you covered. I texted Ben letting him know I'll be late too, so he'll come up with a lie for me too. Meaning, we just got some time back with our covers." Edward explained, and that shit-eater grin reappeared on his face.

All I could do is open my mouth several times like a gaping fish. At that aspect, he had me there. The damn cheater...

"I believe I have my answer then?"

"You are too sexy it isn't fair." I grumbled weakly, and he guffawed, winking at me.

"Relax dear. Now, let's enjoy our time together." He said, nudging me towards the shower. I stepped and heard him say he'd go and get the clothes from last night. I stood under the water for a little while, taking in the heat. He didn't take long to get the clothes however, and was soon slipping inside the shower with me. I bit my lip when I noticed his intense gaze again, fixated on my naked body.

"Fuck..."

"Something wrong?"

"And you call me a cheater?" he breathed with a chuckle, raising an eyebrow briefly when he let his eyes wander up to my face. I stuck my tongue out at him before letting out a squeak when he reached out and pulled me over to him quickly.

"Careful with that tongue, babe. Never know what will happen with that now."

Let's just say the water was starting to get a little cold by the time we were finished in the shower. I checked the time after getting dressed in the dress again and sighed heavily. Now it was approaching 10:20am.

"Well, so much for being a little late." I said to Edward as we were exiting the hotel room. He was adjusting the last few buttons on his shirt, his jacket over his shoulder. Edward merely shrugged his shoulders in response to my pointing out the obvious fact that we may have spent a little too much time in the shower together like we did.

We took a cab back to the school, where thankfully it didn't take long for us to make it back. We got out of the cab and stayed behind the wall, making sure we weren't going to be in sight of any possible stray students on campus.

"I think we just made it more difficult on ourselves to keep this a secret." Edward muttered as he leaned over my frame that was leaning against the wall. I sighed but nodded my head in agreement to his statement.

"Don't get me wrong, I don't regret what we did last night." he added, and I snickered.

"Trust me, my thoughts weren't even heading in that direction to begin with babe." I reassured him, leaning forward to peck his lips. Of course Edward wasn't one to leave it so chaste for he wrapped his strong arms around my waist and didn't take long to deepen the kiss. Who was I to argue? I didn't know for how long we were standing there kissing one another, but soon we were pulled apart when I heard two familiar cries of surprise.

We pulled apart and I laughed at Angela's and Jessica's blushing faces. They were dressed in workout attire that was per usual to wear to our competition practices.

"Well, good morning to you two." Jessica stated out loud sarcastically, Angela giggling. Their initial surprise and embarrassment wore off fast at least. Edward and I detangled ourselves to where we were now standing side by side with one another, his arm still around my waist.

"Why are you two out here? Shouldn't you two be at practice?"

"Well, you may be lucky or unlucky but turns out the stereos weren't working - and we didn't have any of the music students around to do the music that way. So all we did was work on some dance moves without music for a good solid thirty minutes before one of the coaches had another appointment to attend to." Angela explained to me and Edward again shrugged his shoulders.

"Guess it's a bit of a lucky break." he added after his shrug and I rolled my eyes.

"Either way we were out early and I think right now would be a good time for you two to make a reappearance to our group of friends. Mike was telling me that Emmett and Jasper were extremely confused as to where you went overnight Ed." Jessica inputted, grimacing. Edward sighed heavily at hearing this.

"Well, figures. I didn't exactly tell them where I was going last night - so no doubt they are wondering where I disappeared to." he muttered, and I patted the arm that was around my waist. He bent down and kissed me slowly and lovingly one last time, before he squeezed me to him with promises that we'll find time for each other soon again. Then with goodbyes to Angela and Jessica, he jogged back onto campus. Us girls gave it a minute or so before we looped each other's arms together and began our walk towards the girls' dorms.

"So..." Jessica began quietly between us three, looking over at me.

"So?"

"Oh don't play coy now Ms. Swan." Jessica teased, wiggling her eyebrows. Angela laughed and I snickered.

"Come on, spill the juicy details."

"Jess!"

"What? A girl's gotta know how her bestie's birthday night went with the hottest guy in the school." She started, and then winked. "Of course, doesn't mean I'll go out of my way to flirt with the man since Bella's dating him and I am perfectly in love with my own man Mikey. Besides, it's such a stereotypical thing for ladies to share these secrets and gossip." she added and I laughed.

"I can just tell you this... goddamn." I breathed and the two of them squealed, giggling girlishly with me.

From there I gave them at least as many mild details that weren't too gory, yet still got the message across. They were giggling and poking my sides by the time we reached the steps to the dorm.

"Bella, you dog you." Angela teased. I stuck my tongue out at her, laughing.

"Enough with the teasing though - we can't let any of the girls around here overhear this." I reprimanded them. Jessica waved me off.

"Trust me, there's not many students around right now - either they all are still in bed sleeping in, off campus to enjoy the winter wonderland that is Forks, or somewhere around campus out of earshot." she reassured me. I rolled my eyes, still apprehensive.

"What you're not safe from, is no doubt the bombardment that will be Alice and Rosalie." Angela warned me while we opened the door to the dorms, seeking warmth inside.

"Don't remind me." I grumbled, shaking my head.

"Not excited about the shopping trip?"

"Well... I was at some point, excited for it, yesterday. But now, no doubt with Alice, she's going to be buying out too many poor stores that have yet to experience the pixie tornado." I muttered, earning chuckles. "As well as the fact I just get to be poked and prodded with mountains of clothes. Again, no doubt clothes that I just wouldn't originally find suitable to my tastes." I griped next.

"Well, who knows? You may actually enjoy it."

(Hours Later)

Turns out, I didn't. No surprise.

"Alice..." I groaned, rubbing a hand on the back of my neck when I realized a knot was starting to form there. Her spiky haired head popped up from two racks of dresses over.

"How much longer are we going to be in this store? We've been shopping for two hours right now and I'm getting sore." I grumbled, continuing to massage my neck in hopes I could work out the kink there. Alice merely giggled at my misery, bringing up a finger to shake it at me.

"You're such a granny and complainer, Bella. Eventually you're going to have to learn how I work when I shop. But I'll take some pity on you; after we get you some outfits from here, I'll let you go and sit down somewhere. I can probably take that time to go and look for a surprise gift to give to you for Christmas!"

I balked.

"Alice! I said you could only do this for my birthday and here you are talking about fucking Christmas already?" I squeaked, glowering at the back of her head after she had turned around and continued rifling through this store's dresses. I heard a snicker behind me and turned to find Rosalie sauntering over, carrying some pants over her arm.

"It's Alice, Bella. For as long as we have known her, you should know by now that any excuse to shop for Alice is never absurd." she chastised me teasingly, laughing at my heavy groan.

To say I was already tired from the shopping trip had to be the biggest understatement of the century. The minute I had stepped into our dorm room, Alice and Rosalie were there already dressed to head out and shop for the day. Soon as they heard Angela, Jessica and I step into the room, Alice rushed up to me and spoke quickly in excitement.

"Come on! We need to get you redressed and head out for this shopping day." she had said in a squeak, bouncing around after she had forced me to sit down, throwing warm winter clothes at my face.

"Alice..." Angela's trail off of a warning went unheard. I had rolled my eyes at the sight of Alice racing around the room in trying to find accessories and shoes to go with my pile of warm clothes .

"Hush Angela! Bella promised me this, so she needs to move her butt so we can get to the exciting part of today." Alice was quick to hush her up, not wanting to hear something she's already heard from us yesterday.

Needless to say, it was safe to say by the time we had walked back out of the dorm room I was deemed to be dolled up and ready for the day of torture. Thankfully, Alice and Rosalie weren't bugging me for details about how my dinner with my "parents" went last night. Angela had whispered to me on our way to the mall in our car ride over, that I'd need to come up with another lie of some sort seeing as how my actual dinner date with my parents was happening tonight. I knew she was right though probably I would just use the same excuse or something similar, saying my parents wanted another date night to spend time with me.

But back to where we were, I suppose. Soon as we had stepped foot into the mall here in the town, Alice was quick to begin dragging me by the arm to the first few stores, leading up to where we were now.

"Hush with that groaning, missy. Please, honestly this is the best way for me to shower you with my friendship and love for your birthday." Alice's voice brought me back to the present. She had skipped up to me with large bags; looks like she had already purchased some clothes for me - without asking for my opinion or approval.

"Thank you for asking for my input on what you picked out. Not." I sarcastically muttered at her, furrowing my brow. The five of us walked out of that store we had been in, our arms heavy from the bags of clothes that Alice was spending an absolute fortune on for me.

She rolled her eyes at me.

"Bella trust my judgment. I know your size in clothing, so I didn't need you to try on these for me to know they would fit. For another, I'd like to say you've been pleased with how I've styled you on and off throughout the school year. So have some faith that I picked out good clothes for you to wear." Alice's statement still had me huffing.

"Do you think I'd stick you in something that you wouldn't like?"

"Part of me says yes... and another part of me says no." I muttered back, pouting when she winked at me and smirked.

"Thought so. Now! We can go get some food at the food court if you gals want considering Granny Swan here is complaining about her pains here. Then after we can continue with our shopping!" Alice ordered happily and began strutting to the food court with Jessica and Rosalie following after her happily. Angela hung in the back, patting my shoulder after I had let out a raspberry at Alice's granny comment.

We followed after them, and we soon picked out a table for us to sit at, dropping our bags there.

"So, who wants first watch on the bags?" Alice asked after we all stood up, getting ready to go and get some food for ourselves.

"I can. I'll wait to get some food till you guys come back." Angela offered, sitting down at the table. Jessica immediately sat back down with her, offering to wait with her so they could go and get food together. Alice and Rosalie wanted to go and get some soup from one of the places here at the court. Meanwhile I had wanted to go and get some Chinese food. The two of them offered to tag along with me but I told them I'd be fine by myself. After double and triple checking with me on it, we split and I went over to the rather busy line at the Chinese place here. Standing behind two guys, I began fiddling with my purse while I waited.

"Typical Bella wanting her Chinese food." I nearly jumped upon hearing that familiar voice murmur behind me. I whirled around, blushing and snickering.

"So, now you resorting to stalking me mister?" I teased my copper-headed Adonis who had suddenly appeared behind me in line. He looked delicious as ever, wearing a form fitting black sweater, dark jeans and combat boots. A dark red scarf and wool-knit beanie only added to his model appearance.

"Well, technically yes and no." Edward responded, sticking his tongue out at me. He kept himself a good distance away from me, no doubt not wanting Alice or Rosalie to spot him standing so close to me in line here.

"Technically?"

"For one, it wasn't my plan to come to the mall. I blame Emmett. He wanted to follow you ladies here, see if we could 'bother' you gals while you're out. The dumbass... I think he just wanted to see if there was a chance of just sneaking a glance at Rosalie in something appealing, however implausible or silly that sounds." he began, rolling those jade eyes of his. We shuffled a bit in line, getting closer to the register to order our food. "And for another, it's an excuse for us to also work on Christmas gifts for our families and each other. But, it's purely coincidence that you and I managed to run into each other like we did. Well... maybe not so much as coincidence, but more so Ben pointed it out to me that you're alone over here. And again, leave it to you to get your favorite kind of food, next to Italian of course." he continued to ramble and I giggled at how much he was rambling on and on.

We were silent for a second, again shuffling forward in the line.

"I've missed you, by the way." he whispered to me, no doubt referencing to how long we've been apart since this morning. I smiled at him.

"I've missed you too." I whispered back, and he smirked that crooked grin at me knowing how it turns me into complete mush.

"Oh! Are you ready for the dinner date with my parents tonight?" I asked, remembering that that was still a thing for us tonight. I had told him that was the plan for us tonight on our way back to the school this morning, in the cab. Initially he had paled at the thought. He had admitted that he was a bit scared in the fact now not only was he going to be seeing my dad again, but also was going to meet my mom. But after I had reassured him that they wouldn't bite or cause any discomfort, Edward agreed that he'd be happy to come out and enjoy a night with my parents.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Edward's muttered response brought me out of my thoughts. I pursed my lips at his worry.

"Sweetheart, I'm telling you, my parents won't bite. You've already gone through the worst part and met my dad. Now it's time for you to meet my mom." I reminded him and he sighed.

"I know you've told me this, but you know. Normal jitters and nervousness." he murmured. I glanced behind me, looking around the many faces of shoppers to see if his friends or mine could have a shot of seeing us. But I couldn't see their familiar faces amongst the sea of strangers. So I turned back around and quickly engulfed him into a tight hug. Edward stumbled back a bit in surprise, but quickly wrapped his arms around my frame and returned a squeeze.

"Trust me, babe. Everything will turn out okay tonight." I whispered to him, pulling back after a few minutes. Edward was blushing from our sudden and open display of hugging, in a very public space, but otherwise smiled down at me.

Soon we both made it to the register. Edward waved for me to order which I did, ordering my usual favorite dish. Just as I was fishing around my purse for my wallet, Edward stepped up close behind me to be within earshot of the cashier and said, "I'll be paying for her dish along with mine."

I whipped my head back up at him in surprise, blushing while he ordered his own meal and handed the cashier his card without so much as looking back at me to see my shock from his readiness in paying for my meal. After the cashier rang up our food, telling him it'd be ready, Edward smiled and thanked them. Then with a hand on my back he nudged me forward to the end of the counter where our food would be placed when it was done.

"You know your face can get stuck like that if you don't relax, silly." Edward teased me quietly, and I finally shook myself from my stupor.

"And you know you didn't have to pay for my food." I muttered, and he snickered at my huffing.

"Please. Even if you and I aren't out on a date, it's just us over here out of earshot and sight from our silly group of friends. I'm still going to treat my lady right and pay for her food if I can." he reminded me, tapping my nose with his index finger, laughing at my blushing face.

Soon our food was called and placed on the counter for us to pick up and take away. Edward thanked the worker who brought it out to us before he began picked out soy sauce packets, sweet and sour sauce as well, two plastic forks and napkins. He handed me my food, a fork and some of the packets, smiling.

"Thank you Edward. You really didn't have to pay for it, but... thank you." I murmured, thankful nonetheless that he saved me some money by paying for my food with of course, none of our friends knowing otherwise. He shrugged his shoulders lightly, still smiling.

"You'll text me when your parents are on their way over to take us out?"

"Of course babe."

"Alright, then I'll see you later sweet-cheeks. Good luck in coming up with a lie to Rose and Alice, by the way. You and I will need luck on our sides to come up with a story to sneak out again." He reminded me, and with a quick wink and kissy-face thrown my way, he sauntered off back into the sitting area of the food court no doubt heading back to the guys. I smiled to myself, catching a peek at his backside that was walking away from me, before I shook myself awake and walked back to the table where the girls would be.

Turns out I was gone longer than I had thought; Alice and Rosalie were already sitting there, with Jessica and Angela gone. Probably as soon as these two had returned, they switched spots around.

"Long line at the Chinese place?" Rosalie asked inquisitively once I was sitting down at the table with them. They were working on their hot soups, picking at their bread that they were using to dip into their soups.

"Yeah, surprisingly." Thankfully it was a truthful statement.

"Well, least now granny has her food." Alice teased, and I rolled my eyes.

After we chatted about nothing in particular for a couple minutes, eating our food in between speaking, I decided now was the time to let these two know of my plans (or the lie more than anything) tonight.

"So, I'm going to be gone again tonight." I began. Alice whipped her head to look at me with a heavy pout.

"Why? I was hoping we could spend tonight together as gals, have a sleepover for your birthday!" she whined. Rosalie snickered at her tone, but otherwise voiced a similar question as to why. I pursed my lips but sighed.

"My parents want to take me out again, another dinner date so to speak. We were going to meet up with some family friends too. As much as I had already gone out last night with them, friends from the reservation wanted to celebrate with us too so we're all going to meet up together and have another dinner out." I explained to them, hoping the lie was smooth enough for them to believe. In reality, probably at some point we were going to have another dinner with the families on the reservation, but had to lie saying that'd be tonight.

Alice still let out another whine in protest.

"Alice how about I promise you this? We can have our girl sleepover tomorrow?" I suggested, taking a sip of my drink.

"Nope, I know the perfect way for you to make it up to me - you'll be coming on our annual after-Christmas family trip to the ski resort!" she immediately chirped, piping up from her pouty mood. I nearly choked on my drink upon hearing that.

"Woah!" Jessica's cry came then and I felt someone patting my back to try to get me to breath. Once my breath had returned, Angela and Jessica sat down at the table with their food. I stared over at the pixie in surprise.

"Pardon? Want to run that by me again Alice?" I grumbled, raising an eyebrow at her. She waved me off, giggling.

"Being completely serious here Bella. It's a tradition in my family to have this trip every year, that we go up to the ski resort here after Christmas. It'll be so much fun! It's usually very snowy and cold when we go up there but it's so gorgeous too! And - I'm also inviting Rosalie, Angela and Jessica to come along with us!" Alice rushed out, smiling brightly at all of us. Angela and Jessica had similar reactions that I had, while Rosalie snickered at the three of us.

"It shouldn't come as a shock. Even though it'll be my first time coming to the resort with Alice's family, it's something that Jasper's always done after Christmas. He's told - or bragged rather, to me about after he's come back about how much fun he had and how I didn't." Rosalie added in, rolling her eyes at the mention of her twin.

"Alice, I'm not sure if I'd be able to go." I began sighing, with Angela and Jessica voicing their agreement. Truthfully, I'm not sure if it'd be alright with my parents. I feel like after Christmas they'd really want to spend some time with me, have some bonding time and do whatever else they'd have planned. In the past, we never did much after Christmas - up until New Years came around - but I wouldn't know if they wanted to do something different this year or not.

"Please? I would love it if you three could join in on this! Rose is already coming along and I want all of us together to make it a memorable trip!" Alice begged, throwing those puppy-dog eyes at us in hopes it'd win us over.

I sighed again.

"I can't promise you it right now - but, I'll see about talking with my parents about it tonight." I told her, snickering when she squealed in her seat. Angela and Jessica looked at one another, before they promised the same thing, saying they'd talk with their parents as well before they could promise whether or not they'd be able to come on this trip. Alice was giddy and ready to shop some more with a new fervor once she had heard these words. We were rushed to finish our lunches before we were dragged off to more stores for more clothes.

Finally, Alice decided that I had enough clothes to last me a lifetime (for now) and we were on our way back to the school. As soon as we had arrived, my phone began ringing. I juggled my bags around in my hands while I tried my best to fish out my phone from my purse. I was successful and managed to answer my phone.

"Hello?"

"Bella sweetheart!" A smile appeared on my face upon hearing the voice on the other end.

"Hi mom."

"Hi sweetie! I'm just calling to let you know that we'll be picking you and your boy toy up in another hour and a half for our dinner date tonight. Is that alright for you two or would you two need to be picked up later or earlier?" I mildly chuckled at her rambling, knowing she was going to start fretting over the smallest of details.

"Mom, mom. Relax. That's enough time." I immediately reassured her, noting how Alice looked over her shoulder. We were walking through the light snow that was on the sidewalks, on our way back to the dorms as the sun was getting close to dusk-time. Knowing Alice, she would want to work on dolling me up for my dinner with my parents, and upon hearing me utter the word "time", she would like to know how much time she would have until my parents come by.

"Aah. Alright then honey! Well, I guess I'll let you go for now. We'll be going to a semi-fancy restaurant, if that helps you get an idea of how you'd like to dress by the way. But trust me, you don't need to worry too much about it. I'd rather you two dress up as warm as you can - the weather channel predicts that tonight the snow will get a bit heavier once the sun goes down." Her ramblings brought me back to my phone call with her, and I again chuckled. Always worrying.

"Trust me mom, I'll dress warm." I reassured her once more. I couldn't include still the mentioning of Edward in front of the girls, where at least Alice and Rosalie still have no clue that he'll be joining me on this dinner date tonight.

She laughed, as if catching onto the fact I knew she was stressing over the smallest of details, and knew I was okay, that I wasn't worried or nervous.

"Alright then dear. I'll call you when we're on our way alright?"

"Alright mom, I'll look out for your call when the time comes. You and dad be safe on the road on your way over, okay?"

"Of course sweetie, we will. I love you and I'll see you later!" she replied, and soon after another goodbye, we hung up on one another. By the time we had finished talking, the girls and I were reaching the door to the dorm building.

"So, how much time do I have until you're whisked away again?" Alice's voice piped up once we stepped inside the building. I rolled my eyes but otherwise admitted the time window she had; she clapped her hands excited, smiling brightly.

"Perfect, there's no time to waste then!"

She proceeded to grab my hand and drag me up the stairs to our level, the other girls following behind us with laughter.

The time passed by in a blur, with Alice poking and prodding me with mascara wands and hot-tools. It was a miracle that in the midst of it I was able to send a sneaky text to Edward and let him know when my parents would be arriving. But soon by the time an hour had passed, I had received a text from my mom saying she and my dad were leaving soon to come by and pick up my secret date and I. Luckily, that was the same time that Alice had stepped away from where I was in the chair, her eyes alight with pleasure.

"Excellent! My finest piece of work that is Isabella Swan - completed." she stated with a sense of pride. I rolled my eyes once more at her and she handed me a mirror to let me appraise her work. Once again she had outdone herself. My hair was curled and let loose in soft curls at the tips of my hair, looking shiny and glossy. She had done my makeup, sticking with a bold deep red lip color, playing up my eyes only with eyeliner and mascara. She evened out my skin tone, cleaned up my brows, and made my face look so perfect. As for the outfit, it was a pretty short dress that had the skirt flare out and was pleated. Thankfully, she took into consideration that I was going out at night, giving me a large wool-knit coat, a pretty scarf, black tights and pretty sturdy yet cute looking boots.

As a means of a finishing touch, she also stuck a cozy looking wool cap on top of my hair, touching up the hair and curls here and there.

"Alice..."

"No, I know. Beautiful. I know, I'm an artist and you are absolutely speechless at my work." Alice cut me off, teasingly hyping herself up from my stunned speechlessness. Rosalie and Angela looked up from their beds (Jessica had since left for her own room once we came back), and they whistled in admiration at how I looked. I could feel my face and ears heat up together at the responses I was receiving.

"Now. I want you to have fun with your parents tonight - and remember to ask them about our little deal I begged of you earlier silly!" Alice admonished me teasingly, laughing while I gave her a big hug as a means of a thanks to all of the work she put into how she had gotten me all dressed up. I also gave hugs to Rosalie and Angela, before noting how Angela stood up. It was my plan to have her, and then meet up with Jessica downstairs who would meet up with us, and then have them walk me out to the gate. It was mainly because with Joshua and James lurking around still in our school, somewhere still on campus, that they didn't want to leave me by myself in case I would ever run into them.

"I'm going to walk Bella out to the gate." Angela stated out loud when Rosalie raised an eyebrow up at her. Alice was currently busying herself in putting away all of her supplies that she had brought out. Rosalie made a noise and nodded her head. After Angela had dressed herself up to combat the cold, she and I left the dorm room. We soon met up with Jessica downstairs, who was dressed up like Angela, and we walked back out into the cold to the front of the school. Edward had told me that he would be waiting outside by the gate for me once the time drew closer for us to be picked up.

"Is Edward nervous about meeting your parents Bella?" Jessica asked me and I shook my head.

"He's already met my dad - by accident mind you. But he hasn't met my mom; he has given off vibes that he's a bit nervous in meeting my mom, thinking my mom won't approve of him. Then again, my parents are just both protective of me after what happened in the past..." I trailed off, and they made noises of agreement.

"I'm sure he'll relax after the initial meeting. Hopefully your mom likes him. But, it's Edward we're talking about. He is sweet and I can tell he's not rude or anything at all." Angela said offhandedly, and I smiled while nodding my head.

We talked about nothing beyond that point as we trekked to the front gate. As soon as we were there, I could see Edward waiting at the curb, dressed in a coat, wearing a cap and scarf once more like how he was earlier.

"Ahem, prince charming over there!" Jessica teasingly called out and I blushed, Angela laughing beside me. Edward turned around, his brows furrowed. But he saw it was us and laughed.

"We have brought you your princess, sir Cullen."

"Jess stop!" I chastised her teasingly, blushing when the girls laughed at me.

"Why thank you ladies. Mighty nice of you to bring me my lady here to me, safe and sound." Edward played along with their joking; the three of them bow and curtsied at one another and I let out a light groan from their joking, finding it to be so cheesy. I hugged Jessica and Angela goodbye, watching them scurry back inside the school boundaries, no doubt wanting to race back to the dorms to seek warmth.

"Well hello there, miss." I turned back to look at Edward, seeing he was gazing down at me with piercing green eyes. I blushed from the intensity of his staring, feeling my face become even hotter when that signature grin of his graced his face. A cold breeze blew by then and I shivered from it. Well with it being winter, and some snow was on the ground around us, of course it was going to be cold. But damn, didn't seem like this outfit I was given was going to provide any warmth for me.

"Oh are you cold sweetie?" At least I have my own heater standing next to me. He immediately took me into his arms and already I felt warm standing there with him.

Timing was on our side at least, as I saw my dad's cruiser pull up beside us. The two us whispered our thanks to our luck and hopped inside the cruiser quickly. My dad was nice to have the heat in the car going as we strapped ourselves in the backseat.

"Hey there Bells, Ed." My dad greeted us after he made sure we were buckled in. "Renee, this is Bella's boyfriend, Edward Cullen. Ed, this is Bella's mother, Renee." Charlie introduced my mom to Edward. My parents were dressed nice enough for our dinner - my dad in a suit and his hair done in a attempt to fix it, keep it neat, while my mom was wearing a long sleeved dress under a nice long coat to keep herself warm.

"Hello, Ms. Dwyer." Edward greeted her, having known that she went back to her maiden name after she and my dad had divorced many years ago.

"Please dear, call me Renee. You call Charlie here by his first name. No need to be so formal, but I already like you for being so courteous like you are." Renee gushed, chuckling at how formal Edward was being with names. I patted his leg and he nodded his head with a smile. "So, I take it Charlie has given you the whole 'dad' spiel with our baby girl here. Trust me, I won't pull the same card. She's our angel and you know the ordeal. I have no doubt you're treating her wonderfully." she continued to gush; I could see my boyfriend's cheeks were reddening in the dark car.

"Yeah, this boy here is a good one. Nice catch Bells." my dad teased next and now it was my turn to become a tomato.

"Dad..."

"Well, I can say I'm definitely lucky to have met her and she's given me a chance in being with her." Edward surmised, smiling over at me and my face grew hotter.

"I'd say so. You're lucky that Bella wanted to fight for rights of allowing girls to come to this school. Always stubborn, but she was right to do so and fight for a fair shot at education." Renee continued to gush on about me on our way to the restaurant. She was rambling about all of my accomplishments while I was growing up as a child, with Edward smiling and nodding wordlessly to her while he listened. I was holding my face in my hands for the most part, embarrassment rising from the praise.

"You didn't tell me for one, that you lived in Arizona." Edward mumbled to me quietly while my mom was still going on and on about my childhood and what I had done while living there.

"Really? I thought I did." I muttered through my hands, and I felt his hand on my back rubbing small circles there. I knew that he knew I was growing more and more embarrassed by my mom.

"As far as I can recall, you never did. I always thought you lived in Seattle with her this whole time and grew up here in Washington."

"Well... surprise?"

He chuckled.

From there, he continued to listen to my mom's stories while my dad drove to our destination for dinner. He and I both knew that once Renee goes on with her ramblings she can't really be stopped. So it's better to just let her get it all out and have her fun. Thankfully, I was saved once we finally made it to the restaurant. Renee stopped in her story telling about me when she saw we made it, and then switched topics to begin gushing about the food here. Charlie interjected to calm her down and said, "Renee, calm down. Let's let these two just go in and try finding something they'll like."

"I bet we will. This place looks very nice." Edward added in to help, smiling. We got out of the car (Edward was a gentleman and ran around to open my door for me; my dad copied him in doing the same thing for my mom.)

"Oh you two are such gentlemen." Renee said with a bright smile, patting Charlie's cheek while my dad blushed. I kissed Edward's cheek in thanks, and he too blushed, earning a giggle from me.

We made our way up to the restaurant's entrance, walking inside where I managed to take it all in. It was a nice large restaurant with dim lighting and it felt so warm in here in comparison to the cold winter air outside. It appeared to be more of a family oriented restaurant in the fact I saw a couple of tables were full with some children here and there from varying families around the place. I could hear soft classical music playing inside as well. Soon, a young host that looked not much older than Edward and I, walked over to greet us. His eyes had darted over to me, and he smiled. I shifted on my feet, looking away.

"Hello and welcome. A table for four?" he began. Edward had noticed how intense the guy's staring was, and I felt his strong arm wrap around my waist while he brought me close into his side. I wrapped an arm around his waist as well in response, feeling less tense from the ogling host.

"Yes, I called in earlier today for a reservation - should be under the name Charlie Swan." I overheard my dad speak up to the young host, unaware of the fact that he was staring at me like a piece of meat.

The host made a humming noise while no doubt checking the reservation book that was probably there at the podium. "Ah I see, yes. Charlie Swan, table for four. Please, follow me this way to your table." I heard the host then speak up after finding my dad's name on the list. There, Edward led me behind my parents as we were shown to our table. We passed by the other patrons in here; thankfully no one cared about our small party. I was relieved to find no one was openly ogling my boyfriend.

It didn't take us long to make it to our table. The host tried to pull open a chair for me to sit down, but I heard Edward tell him off with a slight edge, "Don't worry, I can get a chair out for my girlfriend." To which, Edward kindly pulled out a chair for me to sit down and he pushed me in right after. We all sat down and after the host handed us our menus and told us our waitress would be by soon, he dashed off.

"It seems like someone's a bit protective." Charlie pointed out with a chuckle. Edward blushed at this statement and I let out a slight laugh of my own.

Renee nodded her head with a giggle, adding in, "I could just see the daggers you were throwing at that young man, Edward."

"Well, he wasn't letting up on his staring of Bella..." Edward trailed off in embarrassment, clearing his throat. I reached over and patted his hand, smiling warmly up at him in appreciation for what he did. Even if it was a harmless host that tried to show interest, my man was still there to protect me and show that I wasn't interested in the unwanted attention. Edward's blush slowly dissipated when he saw that I wasn't upset for what he did, and his own crooked smirk that I loved so much appeared. God damn it. I thought to myself, feeling my insides turn to mush when I saw that smirk he knew I loved.

Not long after, a waitress dropped by. She thankfully didn't ogle my Edward and got down to business, a warm smile on her face while she asked for our drink orders. And she soon left after she had gotten them, leaving us be. Time breezed by smoothly with my parents chatting to us about how school was going. I let my parents know about the singing competition we were involved in, and Renee gasped.

"Why didn't you tell us this sooner? I didn't know that my own Bella would be so open to singing in front of an audience!"

"I also would like to know why I was unaware of this as well." Charlie added in his own gruff response, raising a bushy brow at me. I shrank a little under their scrutinizing eyes; not even Edward's patting of my knee underneath the table was helping in lessening my embarrassment.

"We apologize really for not telling you both about this sooner. I think more so it was just the suddenness of it as well as other school matters came up and we were focused on that to where we couldn't tell you both about it - more so both Bella and I to you, Charlie sir." Edward saved me and gave a plausible reason.

"The truth is that, yes; I just completely forgot about it to tell you two about it." I added in weakly, smiling sheepishly. They took that as a plausible answer and said they'll definitely be there to cheer me on, smiles on their faces. It wasn't long after that point that we had ordered our food and continued to chat about nothing in particular. Once our food arrived, we were enjoying it before long my mom set her knife and fork down and smiled at us.

"So, tell me, have you two been using protection?"

Edward choked a little on his drink while he was sipping it before she came outright with this inquiry. I coughed a little from my own choking on my food after hearing this.

"Renee!" my dad hissed at her, staring at her with a harsh glare.

I patted Edward's back once I had calmed down from my food nearly killing me, and he began taking deep breaths to steady himself.

"Sorry, I know. Very sudden question, but I just want to know that our daughter is being safe and smart with her new boyfriend."

"They're in high school and shouldn't be even thinking about that."

"Charlie, they're teenagers. Remember you and I were their age at one point. I remember you and I weren't the greatest examples -"

"Can you actually not bring that up right now?! We're out having dinner! In public no less!"

"What?! Do you want to not know whether or not your daughter is being smart? There is this thing called hormones, Charlie!"

"I frankly don't even want to know whether or not if they are even having sex in the first place!"

"Guys!" I growled, putting an end to their hushed arguing. Edward was blushing heavily from overhearing their words; I wasn't that far off from how hot my face felt. Edward looked over at me nervously, silently asking if we should tell them the truth. On one hand, it would be really irresponsible to lie to my parents about this. But on the other, judging from how it looked like my dad was close to blowing a gasket when he heard Renee utter the question in the first place, I knew he would be even more displeased to hear about how his daughter was off having sex with a boy, than anything. I made a small movement with my head to resemble a shaking of my head to let him know that we can't let them know the truth. It probably would only make more issues in the fact I know my parents wouldn't approve of me having sex with a boy that I had only known for about half a year and had already jumped into that part of a relationship so early on.

"Well? It's an honest question that really matters."

"Mom, I know you have the best intentions when you ask that, but trust me. Edward and I haven't gone that far yet. It's something that we're not ready for yet, not to mention the fact it's not allowed at all on campus else we face pretty heavy consequences. And Edward respects my space to not push me - and vice versa on my part as well." I told her, hoping my lie was convincing. Edward nodded to help the lie forward, reaching over to squeeze my hand.

Renee and Charlie looked between the two of us. Charlie was looking to probably reassure himself that his daughter wasn't running off having sex with someone. It was already hard enough on him in the beginning after all I've been through with Joshua. I knew he was looking out for me, and didn't want me to get hurt again. But I knew he trusted Edward enough (he even got a weapon license for Edward to ensure he can protect me; if that's not Charlie trusting my boyfriend, I don't know what is.) Meanwhile Renee I think was looking between the two of us to see whether or not if we were lying to the two of them about our relationship. Renee was a lawyer after all and could tell if someone was lying to her face or not. But I think she wasn't going to press it and sighed, nodding her head and accepting my statement.

"Besides, even if we were doing that - which we aren't and I don't think we will for a while - I know the both of us wouldn't go without protection. It goes without saying, really." Edward added in meekly to try and help with the convincing. Charlie cleared his throat, nodding his head. He was okay with that answer as well.

"Good. Bella, you chose a smart young man to date. His morals are in the right place." Charlie muttered; Edward and I smiled.

Renee nodded her head in agreement, adding in her own grin.

For the rest of the evening, our unimportant conversations continued from where they left off after the sudden question Renee had asked. It was overall still a pleasant dinner with my mom getting to know who Edward was and just catching up with me since the last time we've been together. Soon, my parents were paying for the dinner and we were on our way back to the school before the curfew would occur and lock us out of the school grounds. I had also since asked my parents about the trip Alice proposed to me earlier today, to which they had said they would think about it but more likely would consider it being alright. And they once again reminded me about it once Edward and I were exiting the police cruiser when we knew we couldn't stay inside the car any longer.

With goodbyes said, Edward and I watched them leave the roundabout that's in front of the school before we were reminded we were standing out in the cold with it being nighttime. We rushed onto the campus, noting that no one was out (who would be when it's freezing out here?).

"See, you had nothing to worry about with my mom." I reminded Edward through my chattering teeth, remembering how he was nervous earlier today about meeting my mom for the first time. He chuckled at my remark, nodding his head.

"Other than the protection question, she's a colorful character." he told me truthfully and I laughed. He wasn't that far off about my mom.

He quickly kissed my lips before he nudged me towards the girls' dorms. "Both you and I should think about heading inside. It's freezing out here and I don't want you getting sick."

"I know, and I don't want you getting sick either." I told him, sighing.

"I love you Bella." Edward breathed to me, his smile warm.

"I love you too, Edward. Get some sleep alright?"

"I will and you do the same. I'll be dreaming about you, my angel." I giggled at his cheesy remark, feeling my cheeks heat up. With a wink from him, I watched him start jogging over to the boys' dorms before I turned and hurried inside, seeking warmth from the cold.


A/N: And with that, a mildly hasty end. But the chapter was getting quite lengthy. Needless to say, I try.

Till next time,

~Lady Eleanora~