Juliette had to admit, having Edward in her life was way better than missing him. Like right now, she was laying her head on his cool chest as he ran his fingers through her hair, reading. He had explained most of the rules of the vampire world, how they couldn't get caught feeding or attract attention to themselves, how sometimes vampires were gifted with extraordinary gifts, and how the vampire world had their own forms of a monarchy, the Volturi.

"Edward?" She questioned. He hummed in acknowledgment, fiddling with her hair. His lips pressed against her temple and she nuzzled into him.

"Has Alice talked to my parents yet about her excuse?"

"Not yet." He admitted. "Tonight."

She looked up at him and he smiled down at her, kissing the tip of her nose. "Babe," She laughed. "You think they'll let me go?"

"I can assure you, Alice can be persuasive. Besides, she's just asking for you to sleep over for a couple of days. She'll say that I and my brothers went camping, and that Esme will be home as well." He paused, softly humming. "She's seen them saying yes."

"Seen?" Juliette asked, furrowing her brows.

"You know how I hear thoughts?" He questioned as she raised a brow. He watched as she nodded.

"So, Alice can see the future?" She asked. He smiled and kissed her head.

"Exactly. And Jasper can feel emotions and even change them." He watched Juliette's expression turn into one of astonishment.

"I'm still not over the fact that you've been listening to my thoughts the whole time." Edward burst into laughter, pulling Juliette against his chest. "It makes things easier, though. You'll never have to wonder what I want."

"Mmm," Edward agreed. "That's true." In one fluid motion, he sat up and looked down at his beautiful girlfriend, he could see the blood in her cheeks, hear her gentle heartbeat, watch the way she pressed her warm palms against his own and how her fingers fit perfectly in the spaces in between his.

"Do you know what I want now?" Juliette asked Edward, her hand reaching up and cupping his cheek, her thumb stroking his cheek. His stomach brushed the side of her stomach, and he felt butterflies burst into his gut.

"You want me to kiss you," He said, a soft smirk on his face. He leaned down and let his lips brush against hers, and her lips parted eagerly and he pressed his mouth to hers, her lips molding to fit his. His hands slipped underneath her back and held her close to him as her arms wrapped around his neck. Before it got too heated, he pulled away carefully, not wanting to push his luck.

"You don't like toothpaste flavored kisses?" She asked, before her lips pressed together. "Or are you scared of something?"

"I don't want to break you, Jules." He said, stroking her cheek.

"I don't want you treating me like I'm a flower."

"Jules," He said softly, her name a holy whisper falling off his lips. He leaned in and kissed her again and it was like every attempt to be gentle had gone out the window, one kiss turned into three, four, five; his head was spiraling downward, and all he could feel or think about was her. Her fingers laced in his hair, and his body moved to fit in every curve of hers. His lips moved past hers, down to kiss the scar on her chin, and the scar right over her beating pulse in her wrist. His lips kissed under her ear, her hair tickling his nose, and stopped when his lips hovered over her jugular.

"It's okay." She murmured. "You're not going to hurt me."

"I know. I just don't want to risk it." Edward admitted, resting on his elbows. Juliette's hand stroked his cheek as she smiled kindly. With that smile, he felt it was impossible to tell her no.

"And I don't want to rush anything," Edward continued. "I want to marry you first before we do that."

Juliette laughed. "Oh? You want to marry me?"

"Well, you are my mate. And eventually, yes, if you'd have me that way."

Juliette smiled sweetly and kissed his hand, before she sat up herself. Edward backed away so she had her space, before she climbed into his lap. "I think I would. But you have to ask."

"Of course, I'd ask," Edward laughed. "I'm not expecting you to."

"Don't be opposed with gender roles," Juliette informed him. Her dark brown hair fell into her eyes and she watched as he scoffed at her.

"If this is was the time I came from, I would court you. We would drink tea on the pouch and go on supervised dates." Edward chuckled, cuddling her. She curled her toes, scoffing.

"How lovely," she joked.

Edward stiffened and glanced at Juliette. "Alice is here." She wiggled out of his arms and he walked to the window, slipping out. "I'll see you officially in a second."

"Okay," Juliette laughed. Edward dropped down and sped to the side of Alice's car. She rolled down the window and narrowed his eyes at him.

"Stay in the car."

He grumbled under his breath and climbed in the car, as Alice got out. She gracefully walked up the stairs of the porch. She knocked twice, and her older sister answered.

"Alice!" Catalina said. "What brings you around?"

"Hi, Cat. Are your parents home?" Alice asked.

"Yeah," She admitted. "Come in, and I'll go get them."

Alice walked inside, a gentle smile on her face as she looked around the room, seeing the house decorated in pictures and other decor.

"Alice!" Valentina exclaimed.

"Hi, Mrs. Monet." Alice smiled kindly. "I was wondering if I could talk to you about something."

"Sure!" Valentina laughed. "Would you like to sit?"

Alice nodded and took a seat on the couch, and Valentina sat across from her, crossing her legs over her lap. "So, what is it?"

"My brothers are going out of town on a trip this week and Rose and I were wondering if we could borrow Juliette for a couple of days. Esme will be home too, so of course, she'd be safe." Alice pressed her lips together, "All she would need is to bring some clothes."

Valentina hummed gently in thought and them chuckled. "I don't see why not. Let me make sure she didn't have anything planned. Juliette!"

"Huh?" Jules called from her room.

"Come here for a second!" Valentina yelled.

Alice heard the sound of footsteps running down the stairs, seeing Juliette dressed in a pair or grey sweatpants and a blue and grey flannel, a white tanktop underneath the unbuttoned shirt. She ran a hand through her hair and smiled when she saw Alice.

"Hey, Alice." She nodded. "What's up, mom?"

"Alice wants to take you for like a couple of days. I just wanted to make sure you didn't have any plans."

"I have none," Juliette said with a slight bounce in her step. "So, I'm all yours."

Alice clasped her hands together. "Perfect." She nodded to Valentina. "Thank you, Mrs. Monet."

"It's just Valentina," she admitted. "And you're welcome, Alice."

"I'll see you soon, Alice," Juliette smiled her dimpled grin and Alice understood why Edward was so taken with her.

"I'll be here to pick you up at eight in the morning, tomorrow. So, dress nice," Alice grinned before walking out the door.

Juliette shook her head and laughed. "Alice is lovely," Her mother commented. "I like her."

"I like her too, mom." Juliette admitted.

"I suggest you go pack," Valentina said, kissing her daughter's cheek.

"I wouldn't mind having her as a sister in law," Catalina piped up, laughing softly as she laid on the couch.

"Don't get any ideas," Juliette warned.

"If Edward doesn't marry you, he's stupid. Have you not seen the way he looks at you? It's like he'll take a bullet for you or something."

"You have no idea," Juliette chuckled, jogging up the stairs.

▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫

Alice had arrived promptly at eight am sharp, with a cup of coffee mixed with Mexican hot chocolate. Needless to say, Juliette was grateful. Alice had taken her bag and put it in the trunk, and Juliette had waved good-bye to Catalina, Valentina, and Ophelia. Her father was still asleep and that was reassuring when Edward popped up from the backseat.

Juliette narrowed her eyes at him as he appeared in her line of sight, and she yawned before smiling sleepily at him. He chuckled and kissed her cheek as she sipped on her drink, her legs crossed at the ankle as Alice began driving. "Morning," She commented, rolling on her side.

"Good morning," Edward smiled in return, leaning back in his seat. He saw Juliette stretch out and she rubbed at her eyes, watching the trees pass by.

"So, are we going to Washington today?" She asked. Edward nodded.

"The cars are going on a ferry. We'll be going by another way."

"How?" Juliette asked.

"How do you feel about running through Vancouver?" He grinned mischievously. Juliette revolved around to glance at him and check if he was serious. "Come on, Juliette. Do you really think I'll let something happen to you?"

"No," She admitted.

"Exactly. You'll be fine, Jewel." Juliette looked at him at this and kissed his nose.

"I trust you, lion-monkey man." She grinned mischievously and he laughed loudly.

When Alice stopped at the Cullen house, Edward's siblings and parents stood, waiting with smiles on their faces. Juliette slowly pulled herself out the car, where she was met with a bear hug from Emmett. She squealed, her feet off the ground.

"Emmett, don't break her," Edward warned.

"I can handle it!" Juliette squealed. Emmett eased her down to her feet, and she laughed, fixing her hair.

"So, Cullen clan, when do we travel?" She asked, grinning a wide grin.

"Whenever you're ready," Esme smiled, gently hugging Juliette who hugged her back.

"So, now," Juliette grinned. Edward laughed, placing the strap of her bag over his head and adjusting it.

"Yeah," Edward smiled, before he looked at Juliette who quirked a curious brow.

"What?"

"Scared, Jewel?" He asked.

She shook her head. "You don't scare me, lion-monkey man."

Edward barked a laugh, before he gently grabbed her wrists and lifted her in one quick motion onto his back. Juliette hooked her feet around his waist and rested her chin in the crook of his neck. Emmett smirked at his brother and his girlfriend and he shook his head.

"You two are perfect," Alice commented, a smile on her face. "Be careful," she added.

Edward looked to Juliette who smiled at him and kissed his cheek before he took off into a blur. Juliette looked behind them and saw his family trailing behind him, and her arms tightened around his shoulders. She lowered her head when the wind began to make her eyes water. Edward glanced over his shoulder to make sure she was still holding on. Juliette's breathing slowed as she dozed in and out of sleep, and he held her tighter to assure she was still on his back.  He saw Jasper nearly catching up to him on his left and Edward sped up, startling Juliette awake when he leapt across the Sol Duc river about an hour later.

Her hands tightened on his shoulders, and he gripped her a little tighter. She laughed softly as he began to slow down, stopping outside of a beautiful glass house. Juliette loosened her grip around his neck and Edward helped her down to her feet.

"Careful," he murmured.

Juliette grabbed onto Edward's shoulders and then touched the ground, before she smiled, in awe of the glass home. "It's beautiful," she admitted.

"What were you thinking we lived in? A castle with coffins and moats? "

"I didn't know what to think, but consider that you drive a volvo, it had to be something relatively impressive." She commented. "I'm not completely ridiculous."

Edward scoffed, "Of course. What was I thinking?"

"Right. What were you thinking?" Juliette grinned at him. "So, you going to show me around or do I have to ask Alice to?"

Edward laughed, scooping Juliette in his arms and placing her over his shoulder. "I suppose I can show you around."

"And I'll make a run for groceries," Esme nodded. "That way Juliette has something to eat."

Edward nodded, walking into the house. Juliette raised her head as they walked inside, her eyes lit up like fine stars. Edward eased her to her feet.

"After I show you around, I'm going to go to Port Angeles. I have to get you a bed."

"You don't have to do that. An air mattress will suffice." Juliette said, following him up the stairs.

"If you're going to be around as often as I hope, you'll need a bed." Edward told her and finally, Juliette nodded in agreement.

"Nothing fancy," she negotiated. He simply kissed her head and smiled.

She looked at the art work on the wall and rubbed her chin. "Those are graduation caps."

"It's our inside joke," Edward admitted. Juliette smiled slightly.

"Well, now I know to go to you to type my papers when I need to sleep." Juliette laughed.

"Of course, Jewel." Edward said, easing her along. She walked into Edward's room, with all the furniture covered with plastic coverings as to keep dust away. He pulled the dust off the white day couch and she saw that it was covered with several journals. She picked one up, curiously, and showed it to him.

"Do you mind if I look?"

"Go ahead. But, I wouldn't recommend it unless you wanted a bedtime story." She then placed it down and helped him uncover the rest of his furniture.

"So, why'd you leave? This place is... For a lack of a better word, awesome." Juliette admitted. "It's so beautiful here."

Edward sat down, and beckoned Juliette forward. Jules stopped and he grabbed her hands, pulling her close. "As a vampire, we have what they call blood singers. Their smell is stronger to us than any other human's. They're there to tempt us, and often times, we're not strong enough to resist it." Edward sighed, pulling Juliette to sit on his knee. She wrapped her arms thoughtfully around his neck and pressed her lips to his forehead for a second. He continued, "And I almost was too weak to resist my singer. I even planned on how to kill her and the other witnesses. But, I got away and I need to get as far away as possible. So I begged Carlisle to leave. And we did, just so I wouldn't compromise our family."

Edward's shoulders hitched and then relaxed. "But, something good came from it. You came from it, Jules. And I wouldn't do anything to change that, I assure you."

Juliette looked down at Edward and smiled. "You're so strong. Don't beat yourself up."

Edward chuckled a bit bitterly before he pecked Juliette's lips. "You're too merciful, Jules."

"I'm just me," Juliette shook her head. "Now, you should really get me that bed," She reminded him and his features brightened.

"I will." He promised.

Alice peeped her head into the room. "I saw that you didn't have a dress, Jules, so we're going dress hunting for dinner tonight."

"What? I can't wear my jeans?"

"Nope," Alice chuckled, pulling Juliette along. "Now, come on."

▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫▫

By the time Edward returned, Juliette was all tuckered out and half asleep on the couch, dressed in an old black henley shirt of his and a pair of red cotton shorts. He smiled and Alice shooed as he and Emmett carried the pieces of the bed up the stairs, putting it in between his two bookshelves.  Rosalie followed, holding the blue and white bedsheets in her arms, along with Juliette's outfit for baseball tomorrow. Edward had ran into Brandon while he was out and had unconsciously invited him and Bella to their baseball game. Edward was suddenly regretting the decision, but as long as he had Juliette by his side, he knew he'd be fine.

Emmett helped Edward put the bed together, and with Esme's guidance, helped them make it fit into the room.

He couldn't help but smile when he saw Juliette, curled into a small ball, in Carlisle's arms. Her bare feet dangled over his arm and her right hand was fiddling with a necklace. Her thick lashes were clumped together while she slept and her lips were slightly parted. He could hear her soft breathing and her slowed heartbeat as it lulled him like a lullaby. Carlisle laid her on the bed, and Edward wrapped her in the covers as she stilled for the night, her chest rising and falling with every breath.

Juliette woke early the next morning, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her hands. Edward was just starting to play the piano, a steaming hot plate of pancakes and what looked like eggs on the side. She could hear the start of the song she liked the most on the CD that Edward had given her and smiled. "You played all those songs," She commented. He smiled and nodded, beckoning her forward. So, climbed out of the bed and walked over to him, sitting on the bench next to him.

"This one was originally called Juliette's lullaby. You became my muse, Juliette." Edward smiled, handing her the plate of food.

She took it gladly, inhaling the sweet smell of the pancakes. "Glad to help," she giggled, before going to put a piece of pancake in her mouth. His fingers began to dance on the keys and the sounds of her lullaby filled her ears and pleased her soul.

She watched Edward's graceful movements and was so confused as to how he could consider himself to be damned when he was one of the most perfect creatures she had ever met. Yes, he was immortal and didn't have a soul, supposedly, but that had to be a lie. He had the most perfect soul she had ever seen. He was so brave and kind and charming, Edward was certain for a seat in heaven. If anything, she was worried about not getting to an afterlife, but if she could stay with Edward, that was as close to a heaven as she needed.

S

he had never wanted anything more than to be with Edward, and now, watching him keep her close, she was never more certain that she was safe or loved. With him, she didn't have to doubt.

"Edward," She started a moment later.

"Yes?" He asked.

"Thank you."

"For?" He stopped playing, furrowing his brows.

"Giving me love."

He chuckled and kissed her head. "Juliette, I should be thanking you for the love you give me. Not you. You deserve all the love, considering that you can love a monster like me."

Jules shook her head and leaned in, pressing her lips to his. He hesitated and then leaned into her, his hands pulling her closer as his lips moved against hers. Edward kissed her cheek and her nose afterwards, before standing up.

"You're a part of our life, Juliette. You're a member of our family. And to prove it," Edward smirked, standing to his feet and grabbing the blue shopping bag Rosalie had brought in last night, pulling out the baseball jersey with the C on the breast pocket and a cap with the C for Cullen on the front.  Juliette covered her mouth with her hands and she stood to her feet, laughing.

"Is that for me?" She asked.

"Yeah," He laughed, and placed it on her bed. She ran over to him and he put the cap on her head before picking her up and spinning her around.

"I love you," Juliette admitted.

Edward smiled and looked into her eyes. "I love you too."