ft radiance on the huge
cedars that surrounded the house。 Big bowls of flowers—pink roses—lined the
wide stairs up to the
front doors。
I moaned。
Edward took a few deep breaths to calm himself。 〃This is a party；〃 he reminded
me。 〃Try to be a good
sport。〃
〃Sure；〃 I muttered。
He came around to get my door； and offered me his hand。
〃I have a question。〃
He waited warily。
〃If I develop this film；〃 I said； toying with the camera in my hands； 〃will
you show up in the picture？〃
Edward started laughing。 He helped me out of the car； pulled me up the stairs；
and was still laughing as he
opened the door for me。
They were all waiting in the huge white living room； when I walked through the
door； they greeted me
with a loud chorus of 〃Happy birthday； Bella！〃 while I blushed and looked
down。 Alice； I assumed； had
covered every flat surface with pink candles and dozens of crystal bowls
filled with hundreds of roses。
There was a table with a white cloth draped over it next to Edward's grand
piano； holding a pink birthday
cake； more roses； a stack of glass plates； and a small pile of silver…wrapped
presents。
It was a hundred times worse than I'd imagined。
Edward； sensing my distress； wrapped an encouraging arm around my waist and
kissed the top of my
head。
Edward's parents； Carlisle and Esme—impossibly youthful and lovely as ever—
were the closest to the
door。 Esme hugged me carefully； her soft； caramel…colored hair brushing
against my cheek as she kissed
my forehead； and then Carlisle put his arm around my shoulders。
〃Sorry about this； Bell