Summary: Edward bakes cupcakes with Bella and Emmett. There really isn't much more to say, other than I wrote this at 2am. It's the first part of my first multi-part story. I'm not sure how it will go. I appreciate critiques! Thank you all!

Cupcakes

By: Ren

10/04/07 (at 2:17AM)

"Is this really necessary?" Edward's velvet voice was laced with mild irritation. Amusement, however, was the dominant emotion. I sighed slowly, and readied myself for the wave of ocher. After I was sure my face was set into a nice, firm state, I turned my chin up to look into his eyes – and promptly forgot what I was going to say. Stupid vampire.

"Bella?"

"Yes Edward…?"

"You're not breathing again." I quickly tore my gaze from his and let my lungs fill with precious oxygen. I surveyed the Cullen kitchen appraisingly.

"Well, Edward. Do you want to bake your own cupcakes? Or would you like me to do it for you?" I could see his lips press into a thin line out of the corner of my eye. He wasn't happy about this. The thought made me smile.

"I can bake my own cupcakes," he said slowly.

"Can you?" I turned to stare at him pointedly, my eyebrows raised. "You know, one of the most important parts about cooking is being able to taste what you've made. What have you baked recently?" He scowled. I bit my lip to hide my smile. "You're not upset because there's one teeny, tiny, little thing that this pathetic human can do that you can't, are you?" He looked away, and I couldn't keep my smile from widening.

Just as I was turning back to the counter to form a list of groceries that we would need, I heard the front door close softly. Naturally, I didn't even hear the footsteps before I heard the voice. It was something I was growing used to by now.

"Edward's baking?" Emmett's voice was unmistakable. Turning, I saw my bear of an unofficial big brother leaning against the doorway, eyeing the spatula Edward was brandishing in my direction. The two vampires just exchanged long glances. Edward's was cold, marked and dangerous, and Emmett's was, well, Emmett's. He was leaning against the door cheerfully, a spark in his eye, his lips cocked into a grin as if he were trying to think of the best way to goad Edward into a fight.

Calmly, Edward spoke first. "Bella is going to assist me in making… cupcakes." He said the last word with difficulty, as if the idea were embarrassing. Judging his expression, I gathered that Edward would be blushing if he were capable of it.

"Cupcakes, eh?" Emmett sauntered into the kitchen and paused a few feet in front of us, his humorous smile on his face still. I decided to stage an intervention.

"Yes," I spoke, stepping into the conversation again. "See, in one of our classes, everyone in the class was asked to bring something homemade for the bake exchange tomorrow… and… well." Edward just sighed deeply, closing his eyes and putting his fingers to the bridge of his nose.

"It's alright Bella… you can say it," he murmured softly.

"Say what? That Edward can't cook?" Emmett puffed up his chest cheerfully, only to be met with a resounding punch sending him crashing into the far wall. Opening his eyes slowly, Edward eyed his brother.

"I said Bella could say it. Not you." With that, he turned his back on a startled Emmett and looked to me and the counter. "Now. What do we need to get?" His voice had returned to its normal low, velvety purr. Blushing softly, I glanced over the list and the open, nearly-empty cabinets.

"I… made a list. Everything we need is here." Edward smiled slowly as he took the list from my hand and glanced over it briefly.

"This shouldn't take too long," he said.

"Can I come?" Emmett had scooted over and was peering over Edward's shoulder.

"Why do you want to come," Edward asked dangerously.

"Well, Bella's always a riot. I figured there might be entertainment in the grocery store. Please please?" I felt my cheeks flame a hot, red color. Emmett was always so fascinated with my less-than-graceful, completely unintentional, and somehow hysterical human antics. It wasn't exactly comforting, nor promising, to know Emmett wanted to go grocery shopping with Edward and I. I'd probably run the cart into a display or something.

"Of course you can't go." Edward decided for me. I nibbled on my bottom lip. Emmett turned his own gold – though slightly less persuasive – eyes on me and pouted.

"Please Bella? Please can I come? I'll be good, I promise. If you say yes, Edward will have to let me."

"Emmett. That's low, begging Bella and using her against me." Edward was not happy, but how could I tell Emmett no? Knowing that I would probably regret it – as it was inevitable something clumsy would happen – I glanced to Edward and just raised my eyebrows.

"Well, I don't have a problem with it, Edward…"

"Oh all right then!" Edward just threw his hands up into the air, surrendering. "I'll go get the car." Grumbling, he stalked out of the kitchen, still holding the paper with my list scrawled on it.

"Huzzah!" Emmett grabbed me around the waist and pulled me into a big bear hug. I could tell he tried to do it very gently, but it was still a tight squeeze. Why did I have a feeling this was going to end in blushing and embarrassment? Oh. That's right. Because it always did.