The morning Valentine's Day arrived I woke up alone to a quiet house much like any other day. Dad had been on the night shift so I got ready as quickly and quietly as I could, careful not to disturb him.

In honor of Valentine's day all of the students were dressing in red today so Alice thought it would be a nice idea for all teachers to get into the spirit of things by joining in. I knew she would be mad if I didn't participate so I donned the only red item of clothing I owned; a red dress, the one that Alice had made me buy on our last shopping trip into Port Angelos. I paired it with a pair of flat pumps and a black cardigan, and after a quick breakfast and coffee I was ready to leave.

I arrived at the school twenty minutes later and for once the students were here early. Some holding flowers, some clutching cards and chocolates while others whispered conspiratory.

As I predicted they were all excited about the upcoming Valentine's Day dance. I could see the excitement in their faces and hear the enthusiasm in their voices as I made my way down the corridor.

Bitterness crept in as I watched them all so caught up in the excitement of the day. I'd never experienced that; the joys of young love, or any love for that matter and sometimes I feared that I never would.

My mood didn't improve when I got to the library and I spotted the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I had ever seen; a collection of mixed color roses, combined with beautiful pink peonies. The combination of pink shades and fresh greens were exquisite and I wished more than anything that they had been intended for me. Clearly, they had been placed on the wrong desk. Disheartened, I moved them to their rightful space on the desk that Alice had claimed as her own for our regular morning catch ups.

While I waited for her to arrive I eyed them from a distance. They were certainly very classy and so far away from your stereotypical boring red roses. Jasper had outdone himself this time. The flowers must have cost him an absolute fortune. Perhaps Alices dream of a valentine's day proposal weren't so far-fetched after all.

It was almost half an hour later when Alice finally rushed into the library with her regular coffee in hand. Her smile was wide and she was positively beaming until she noticed the flowers I had placed on the desk.

I watched puzzled as her beaming smile quickly turned to one of confusion.

Confused by her disinterest, I couldn't understand why she wasn't jumping for joy at such a grand gesture but perhaps Alice wasn't one for flowers.

"Those came for you," I told her, attempting to keep the wistfulness out of my voice. I watched half excited, half enviously as she studied the card.

Her expression went from puzzled to smug in an instant before her amused gaze met mine.

"Bella, did you even bother reading the card?" she asked smugly.

"What's the point. We both know they are for you anyway," I told her honestly before looking down disheartened.

Jasper was forever sending Alice little gifts and love notes. He was very thoughtful like that, and I imagined he would go all out for their first valentines together.

"Well not this time." Alices voice startled me and I looked up at her confused.

"Besides, Jasper already gave me my present this morning," she winked suggestively as she brought the bouquet over to my desk and handed me a card I hadn't seen when I'd first glanced at the bouquet.

"See for yourself."

Indulging her, I turned my attention to the note that simple said:

Bella,

Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady

Your secret admirer

"Alice did you do this?" I turned to her accusingly. I wouldn't put it past her to try and cheer me up. I tried to keep my loneliness well-hidden but I had a feeling she knew how I felt.

"What?! No, Of course not!" she adamantly denied.

I studied her expression for any hint of dishonesty or mischief but she seemed genuine.

Still, the question renamed; if Alice wasn't the culprit, then who was?

"Who do you think they are from?" Her question mirrored my own curiosity.

I examined the card once more. The message was simple but it gave absolutely no clue as to who the mystery admirer was.

Could it be someone trying to cheer me up? Or worst yet, a student pulling a prank. Mike Newton, who had made my life a living hell through high school had a brother who was just as devious and cruel. I wouldn't put it past him to pull a stunt like this.

I quickly dismissed him though. The flowers were far too lovely and way too expensive for a childish prank. Besides I was probably getting ahead of myself and there was no point letting my imagination run away with me. They were a simple bunch of flowers that's all, and I was sure that would be the end of it.

Except the flowers weren't the only unexpected arrival of the day. It was well into the morning when the next gift appeared on my desk. I had made a quickly visit to the staff room and we returned to find a beautifully wrapped parcel on my desk. It looked like something you would expect to see in one of those fancy department stores and high-end boutiques in town.

The front of the gift was labeled "Miss Bella Swan" in beautiful elegant script.

I hurried to open it, excited to see what was inside.

"Open it open!" Alice encouraged as I began peeling away the wrapping to real a gorgeous candle. I was right in my assumption this was expensive. The luxurious scent and beautiful packaging left me in no doubt it was one of those candles I secretly loved but could never justify the extortionate price.

On the tag it read:

You are always running around helping others. You deserve some time to yourself. Perhaps these could help."

Confused at first, I wasn't sure what the note was referring to until I spied a second parcel I'd not even notice before on my desk. Intrigued, I opened the second parcel, and I couldn't contain my smile when I saw what was inside.

I took a moment to admire the collection of books, ones I'd been wanting to read for some time now. Besides me Alice was thrilled. She was swooning over the candle and telling me how she had one just like it that she couldn't recommend more highly, but it was the books that really touched me.

Sure, I was librarian but I never thought anyone was aware of my obsession with this particular author.

Inexplicably I felt slightly teary and emotional, not to mention incredibly touched by the gesture. The books meant more to me than any fancy flowers or expensive candle.

As I examined the gifts I wondered who it could be and once again I had no idea who had sent it. I was intrigued, to say the least.

It went far beyond a simple gesture but who could be responsible?

A particularly grateful parent, perhaps? A fellow teacher? Alice had set me up on blind date with one of Jaspers friends. After some persuasion we went on just one date but that was a very long time ago. Despite an awkward date with zero chemistry we still got along whenever we bumped into one another but that was as far as it went. Ben had asked me out a few times since but I'd always declined. After the disaster that was our first date I had been reluctant to get involved with anyone since.

Of course, there was one person I desperately wanted to be behind todays gifts. It was a slim chance, but I couldn't help the small glimmer of hope that sprouted inside me that maybe Edward was behind the romantic gestures.

However, I quickly dismissed the idea. Besides being incredibly nice and thoughtful, Edward had never shown an interest in wanting anything more than friendship.

There was no way he would go to such lengths to gain my attention.

It was a slim possibility but a girl could dream.

Of course, Alice wasn't so sure. During lunch she turned detective on me and I listened half-hardheartedly as she speculated over who my mystery admirer could be.

"So, have you had any luck figuring out who they are from yet?" she asked.

"No, I got nothing. For all I know it could be a student playing a prank!" I still wasn't ruling out the possibility and I shuddered at the thought.

"Bella, when are you going to see yourself clearly. You're incredibly smart and beautiful. It's no wonder somebody has taken a liking to you."

I smiled at Alices loyalty but I didn't go as far as to believe her. Sure, I was beautiful in a healthy, girl next- door kind of way, but I was hardly anything special.

"Well as nice as your character assessment is, it still doesn't bring me any closer to figuring out who they're from" I sighed disheartened.

"I think you're missing the obvious candidate." She said, brimming with excitement.

"And who would that be?" I asked genuinely intrigued.

"Edward, of course," Alice said completely deadpan. I didn't try to hide my disbelief.

"Oh, be serious Alice!"

Obviously, I hoped it was him but I quickly ruled Edward out in my list of potential Romeos. For one I'd not even seen him today, let alone spotted him anywhere nearby to drop off the presents. There was no way he was mystery admirer, no matter how much I wished otherwise.

"He could have anyone he wants. Why would he be interested in me?" I tried to argue.

"He doesn't want anyone, he wants you Bella. Why can't you see that?" Alice was adamant.

"Talk of the devil," her smile widened. My gaze followed hers as Edward walked into the room. I'd not seen him so far today but it was definitely worth the wait. He looked nothing short of gorgeous in a burgundy jacket paired with a white shirt and black tie.

Alice eagerly waved Edward across and he came over to join us at our table. We exchanged greetings before Alice couldn't contain herself any longer and she turned her questioning on him.

"So, did you get many cards this morning Edward?" she probed.

"None, I'm afraid. The mailman missed me this time," Edward said with humor.

"Bella doesn't have that problem, she's in demand!" Alice not so subtly replied.

"So, I hear," Edward replied smoothly. I studied his face but his expression gave nothing away. "Any ideas who your mystery man is?" He asked, his tone even.

"No, I've no idea," I replied, my blush rivaling the color of his shirt before quickly diverting the conversation away from myself.

Luckily Alice and Edward were feeling generous and saved me from further embarrassment by going along with my abrupt change of subject.

While I was keen to avoid talking about my mystery valentine that didn't mean I was going to give up trying to figure out who was responsible, and throughout lunch I was on a look out for any hint or sign of the identity of my admirer.

I watched Edward closely but he was acting no differently than he did at any other time we had lunch together.

I thought for sure I would have at least some clue, however when lunch ended I was even more confused.

After lunch when I returned to my desk I was excited to see a red envelope on the desk and inside was the cutest little valentine. Nothing special really. Just a standard, mass produced Valentine card with a big red heart and the word 'Be My Valentine' across the front.

The design of the card didn't bother me. After the thoughtful notes I was looking forward to reading the sentiment written inside the card. However instead of the familiar script I was looking forward to reading, the writing inside was one of those cards ordered online.

I was being ridiculously and incredibly ungrateful but I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed by the slightly juvenile message inside:

Roses are red

Violets are blue

All year I've thought

Of nothing but you.

Your secret admirer.

As the rest of the day passed, more gifts arrived in the form of a hamper filled with coffee related treats, a bottle of my favorite wine and a box of chocolate hearts and a note that I could share these with my students and friends.

While the day had been full of lovely surprises I was relieved when I was finally free to go home, and even the idea of chaperoning a bunch of kids couldn't damped my mood. I made my way to my car, a smile fixed on my face until a sudden force ran into me. I only just about managed to keep a hold of my gifts as the culprit began apologizing.

"Sorry miss," he said before he rushed off, leaving me precociously balancing my gifts.

"Here let me help you,' a familiar voice offered. I turned to find Edward standing behind me.

"Thanks, " I accepted his offer and gratefully handed him my collection of gifts before we made our way to my car.

"I'm glad I ran into you," He said with a warm smile once he had placed all my boxes and gift bags into the trunk.

"We never arranged a time for tonight," Edward pointed out.

"Tonight?" I repeated confused.

"I thought we were travelling to the dance together," Edward looked uneasy.

"Of course, sorry I'm a little all over the place today. That would be great, if you're sure you don't mind?"

"No, not at all. It's on my way." He offered me that devastating smile of his before adding, "I'll pick you up at 6.30."

"I'm looking forward to it," I replied without thinking. Strangely enough I actually. I sensed it was going to be a good night.

AN: I don't know what to say other than this chapter is so overdue I'm not even going to start with excuses! Hopefully this chapter is better late than never:) The good news is that there is only one chapter to go- I've even made a start on it so hopefully it wont be a year in the making!

In the meantime I'd love to know what you think:)