A/N: I am in the process of revising and reposting the first three chapters of this story. Sorry to those of you who thought this was a legitimate update.

This will be an all human fanfic and the characters will not be 100% canon. I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Thank you to Project Team Beta for all of your help and thank you to Romance Mary and Nevaehell for their work on this chapter!

Chapter 1

"Bella, this is Edward." Those four words spoken by my elderly neighbor, Mrs. Clearwater, changed my life forever. It was such a simple sentence and such an everyday occurrence. People are introduced to each other all of the time, but something about that introduction was different.

Mrs. Clearwater lived across the street from my mom in a modest ranch-style home. For the past four years, I had earned extra money by cleaning Mrs. Clearwater's house once a week. She was no longer able to get around like she used to and she knew I could use the money. It really wasn't difficult. I usually finished in about two hours and would then cook a lunch for the two of us. Following our meal, I would stay with her for the rest of the day. We would talk, play cards or look through old photos. More than anything, Mrs. Clearwater and I were each other's companions - a lonely old lady and a teenage girl who ached for something more in her life.

I lived with my mother. My dad had left the two of us before I ever really knew him and he had never contacted me since then. I know this is supposed to be the part where I talk about how I missed having a father figure and all of that, but I really didn't. It was never an issue for me. I had all I needed from him – my last name. I saw him around town occasionally, but had never spoken to him.

I did well in school despite the fact that I never tried very hard. I never put too much effort into it. I just didn't care enough. If my grades were good or bad it was all the same to me.

All I wanted at that point in my life was a change of scenery. Besides a couple of close friends, Mrs. Clearwater was the only bright spot in my life. I was merely biding my time until I could move on to college.

My mom had stopped being too involved in my life around the time I turned twelve. She rarely was at home and usually stayed with whichever guy she was with at the time. I did okay on my own though and Mrs. Clearwater looked out for me. I also had my three best friends: Rosalie Hale, Emmett McCarty and Alice Brandon.

The day I met Edward was the last day before high school resumed for my senior year. I was immersed in the food preparation and listening to music on my headphones. The music's volume was high and it drowned out all of the other sounds in the room. It had been a particularly long week and I just wanted to escape in my music for awhile until I could sit and talk with Mrs. Clearwater.

As I reached into the cupboard to the right of the stove for the spices I would need, I felt a tap on my left shoulder. I spun around and was surprised by what I saw. It was Mrs. Clearwater, but there was someone else with her. I paused my music and removed my headphones from my ears. This is when Mrs. Clearwater spoke those fateful words and introduced me to Edward. Edward Anthony Masen Cullen to be exact.

He was tall – the top of my head only reached his shoulders. His skin was pale like mine and he had this crazy reddish-brown hair that stuck up in all directions. It was messy, but it still managed to look good. A controlled chaos if you will. He was dressed in some non-descript khaki shorts and a t-shirt from a 5K run with a pair of well-worn running shoes on his feet.

He was gorgeous. I had never seen anyone like him before. I felt wholly inadequate. I was just plain Bella Swan. At that time, my brown hair was wavy and hung to the middle of my back. I was in jean shorts, a plan white t-shirt and my well-worn Chuck Taylors.

"Edward is going to be helping me with my yard. His family just moved in to the Piersons' house." Mrs. Clearwater paused and Edward finally looked up at me and smiled hesitantly. His eyes were deep pools of emerald green. Mrs. Clearwater continued, "Edward, this is Isabella, but everyone calls her Bella. She helps me inside the house."

I waved at Edward and managed to say, "Hey." He responded in kind.

"Edward, Bella cooks for me every Saturday and there is always so much. Would you like to join us?"

Edward was silent for a moment so I cut in. "Mrs. Clearwater is right. I'm not very good at cooking for just two. I'm making chicken pot pie today."

"Sure, I guess, but I need to take care of the lawn like I promised," Edward said.

"Nonsense, dear, Bella won't be done for about an hour. Why don't you work until we call you, then you can eat and finish whatever you need to after that," Mrs. Clearwater prodded.

Edward's shoulders rose and fell in a gesture of compliance. "Umm, okay. Well, just come and get me when you're ready." After he said this, he spun on his heel and went out to the front yard.

I stayed glued in place. I had been transfixed by him. The start of the lawnmower brought me back to reality. Turning to continue cooking, I started my music again. When I reached for the cutting board, I noticed Mrs. Clearwater standing there with a twinkle in her eye. I smiled at her and she grinned back at me and went into the front room to pull out the picture albums she wanted to look at after lunch.

One hour later, the food was ready. I called Mrs. Clearwater and asked her to fetch Edward while I set the table and poured three glasses of iced tea.

Mrs. Clearwater came into the kitchen with Edward following close behind her. She sat down at her usual spot at the table and Edward went to the sink to wash up. Once he joined us at the table, we all dished our servings and started eating.

"Wonderful as usual my dear," praised Mrs. Clearwater.

"Thank you." I smiled at her.

"What do you think, Edward?" Mrs. Clearwater asked him.

He looked startled by the question and started chuckling. "Uh, it's great. I was just enjoying it so much I was kind of zoned out there." My smile grew even wider. I loved it when people enjoyed my cooking. Cooking had always been something that I enjoyed.

"Bella, sweetie, Edward is going to be a senior this year too," prompted Mrs. Clearwater.

Edward seemed relieved. "I'm glad to meet someone before school starts. At least I'll know one person now." I didn't envy him that was for sure. Who wants to start at a new school their senior year?

The meal continued in relative silence. When we were all finished, Edward rose. "Guess I had better get back out there."

I cleared the table, put away the leftovers, cleaned up the table and the kitchen and then joined Mrs. Clearwater in the front room. I stood in the entry way watching her. She had dozed off in her chair waiting for me. A hint of a smile played at the edges of her mouth. I watched her sleep for a few minutes. Edward's figure passed back and forth outside of the window as he pushed the mower along. The sound of the machine rose and fell with each pass.

I moved across the room and softly brushed some strands of hair behind her ear. They had fallen out of the bun Mrs. Clearwater always wore. I loved Mrs. Clearwater like a grandmother. She had always lived across the street from my mom and me. Sue Clearwater was my rock – my touchstone. I watched her sleep for about two more minutes before she began to stir. She opened her eyes and smiled up at me.

"Good dream?" I asked her.

"The very best my dear," she replied. "Come sit by me – let's talk. I notice Renee has been home this week."

I grimaced. Renee is my mother. She had indeed been home that week. The shine had worn off of her boyfriend du jour. The only time she was ever home was between boyfriends. I was so accustomed to being without her that every time Hurricane Renee rolled in my whole life was in upheaval. I sat with Mrs. Clearwater and we just talked. It was just what I needed – to sit and be calm and get away from home. We talked for hours.

A knock from the entry way between the kitchen and the front room halted our conversation. Edward was standing there. He was sweaty from his yard work and there was a streak of dirt on his forehead. "Sorry to interrupt, but I'm all done Mrs. Clearwater."

"No problem, Edward. Let me get my purse to pay you both." Mrs. Clearwater stood and padded off to her bedroom. I stood up slowly, my muscles protested from sitting in one place for so long.

As I walked into the kitchen, I told Edward, "Hey, I packed you some of the leftovers to take home for later."

He smiled sheepishly, "Thanks."

Mrs. Clearwater returned and paid us both. I kissed her cheek good-bye and walked out with Edward.

I pointed out my house to him. "So do you have a car?" I asked him.

"Unfortunately, no."

"Would you want a ride to school on Monday?"

"Really? That would be great," he nodded.

"Okay, just walk over by 7:30 a.m. on Monday," I told him. "I'll give you my cell number in case you have any questions tomorrow." I reached for my phone in my pocket, but it wasn't there. "I must have left my phone inside my house – come in for a minute."

He followed me inside and I ran upstairs to get my phone. When I came back downstairs, Edward was standing there with a piece of paper in his hand. He held it out to me. I looked at it and recognized my mother's handwriting.

B –

Going out.

Mom

I sighed in relief. The house was mine again for awhile. I'm sure Edward noticed all of this, but he didn't say anything.

I asked him for his number and called it from my phone. I saved his number and he did the same with mine.

Edward said good-bye and I stood at my door watching him walk down the driveway. I waved at Mrs. Clearwater who was standing at her window and then closed my door.

Later that night, I received a text message. I looked at my phone and saw it was from Edward.

Thanks again for the pot pie. –E

No prob. – B

I fell asleep that night feeling very different, but unable to pinpoint the source of that feeling.

A/N: I will be continuing this story once chapters 2 and 3 are reposted (which will be very soon). Thanks for your patience.