A Charmed Life
Chapter One - Reflection and Chance

S.M. owns the cast, the story is all mine

At six a.m. on the dot the blaring sounds of my alarm sounded off, not at all waiting to wake, I quickly reached over to hit the snooze button. Ugh, just five more minutes.

But that's not the way life works, my life anyways, and a minute later Jake, my golden retriever, nudged and licked my hand. That dog was eternally rip, roaring, and ready to go. It would be nice if some of his energy would rub off onto me.

"You're right buddy, time to get up." I blindly reached over, my eyes still thick with sleep, and rubbed his soft ears causing him to sound his approval.

Dragging my hands across my face, I wiped the slumber away as I sat up and stretched. Jake quickly jumped down off the bed and stood waiting with his bushy tail wagging behind him. I petted him again and smiled. "Good boy."

Pushing the beige flower comforter and soft cotton sheets down, I swung my legs over the side of the bed. Using Jake as a brace I got up and moved myself into my wheelchair.

Jake followed me to the dining room and I opened the sliding door, letting him out into the small backyard as I stayed in the doorway. The cold air hit me and I shivered as my arms broke out in goose flesh. Despite the chilly breeze though it was sunny, bright, and robins were singing in the trees somewhere off in the distance, their happy tune floating through the air. I rubbed my arms, shaking off the cold. Another beautiful day. And yet, I still have the feeling that something is missing. A good job, supportive family and great friends what more could I need? I wheeled myself back to my room, and picked an outfit out of the closet; deciding on a black skirt, a light blue v-neck sweater and heels. I grabbed a bra and a pair of panties out of the dresser drawer. After making the bed and laying the outfit out on the bed, I wheeled myself into the bathroom to take a quick shower. The first spray of cold water quickly woke me up before the temperature of the shower changed from frigid to soothing. I felt refreshed as I got out. I threw a towel around me, before sitting down in my chair and going back to the bedroom to get dressed.

Once I was dressed and back in my chair I slipped on my heels. Jake had come back in through the doggy door and was lying by the bed, waiting to lend support if need be. Returning to the bathroom I blow dried my hair a bit and twisted it up, using a black clip to hold it in place.

It's this everyday routine but no one to share it with that I'm missing. Not being in a relationship isn't so bad, but it's the small moments of the day to day that I find myself all alone that remind me of what exactly it is that I'm missing out on.

I shouldn't let my mind wander though, and I know this. I'm free to go and do as I please. I'm not tied down. I'm independent and can deal with things on my own. I like having my own space. And of course the fact that if I'm alone I can't get hurt by someone like Mike again. Alone, I don't have to put trust in someone only to be devestated when they decide they just can't deal with my situation. I sighed, as I rolled on my mascara.

After the rest of what minimal makeup I wore was on, I went to the kitchen with Jake following excitedly beside me, knowing it was time for him to eat. He grabbed his bowl with his mouth as I opened the cupboard door, bringing it over to me and dropping it with a loud clank onto the linolium floor. Grabbing the scoop out of the enormous bag Iams I filled it for him, his head bowed down as he chomped away before I could even pull my hand back. He wagged his tail as he began eating. I refilled his other bowl with water then put it down beside him, lovingly patting him on the head. This was our routine, Jake and I. We depended on each other equally, just in different ways.

Before making my way back down to the hall to my office, I rolled up the bag of dog food knowing that if I didn't I'd find Jake's big head shoved in there later on this afternoon. Then I gathered my papers and articles, putting them together into an empty folder. I put the folder, organizer, and cell into my black messenger bag which I slung over the back of my chair. Double checking to make sure I had everything, I grabbed Jake's pack which was lying on a chair.

To my chagrin, my mind started to wander once again. On the other hand I'd give up the freedom to really know what is was like to really be in love. I wanted to have someone I trust and can see myself spending the rest of my life with. I wanted someone who only sees me for who I really am, not what I'm currently sitting down in. But what were the odds of bumping into someone like that? With my luck I'd have better chances of getting a winning lottery ticket or finding a magical genie in a lamp. It's not every day people fall in love and with my track record it likely won't be anytime soon. I was grewing cynical of the human race, and that depressed me. It wasn't so long ago that my cup was half full instead of half empty and on the verge of being tipped over.

I whistled to Jake who followed me to the front door. I picked up my keys and his leash on the small wooden table next to the door. He waited until I put his pack on and hooked his collar up before he pulled open the front door for me. After locking the door behind us, I wheeled through the condo complex to the parking lot. It really was a beautiful August morning with a clear blue sky, only a few wispy clouds floated by. It hadn't started heating up yet so there was a cool breeze and the smell of freshly cut grass hung in the air. I hoped the rain that would inevitably come would hold of long enough for me to enjoy the day.

Reaching the parking lot, I turned off the alarm and pulled open my van door before pushing the button for the ramp to unfold. Jake walked up the ramp then jumped up into the passengers' seat. I wheeled myself up the ramp and inside. Using the button again the ramp folded back up and I leaned over it to shut the door. I parked myself and strapped my chair into the driver's space. The van was specially accommodated so that I could do everything with my hands, which was very convenient. My parents had given me the van nine years ago on my eighteenth birthday as a present and it was the first step toward my independence. Not long after that I had moved out of their house and into the college dorm at UCLA where I earned a degree in journalism. After graduation I returned back home much to my mothers delight. However, I soon found a job at a small magazine based out of Seattle called Twilight. I worked my way up to a position with good pay that I could support myself on and found a small condo. I was lucky enough to get Jake through a canine assistance program here in the city and settled in. There was a maid that did the cleaning and visits throughout the month from my mom, my sister Alice, or my best friend Angela. As independant as I tried to make myself, there were still people with me at every turn. Sometimes it was annoying, but mostly it was comforting.

I started the van, and turned on my ipod, selecting my aptly named Good Morning playlist. An upbeat song started playing as I turned up the volume. Jake turned in a circle before curling up to sleep.

If I really want a relationship, I'm just going to have to start putting myself out there. I need to take chances and not be afraid that I'll get hurt. Maybe Alice and I could go out this weekend; I'll have to ask her at lunch. Pulling out of the parking space I drove to the coffee shop that I stopped by on my way to work almost everyday.

I went inside, slowly making my way past the group of customers awaiting orders. It was a busy morning, the tables were filled but fortunately the line wasn't long as the employees were quick. The smell of freshly ground coffee filled the air, and the shop was abuzz with noise from machines and customers. When I got to the register I ordered my usual vanilla soy latte along with a bananna muffin, then paid the lady. She handed me the muffin and then my change. I smiled and said, "Thanks."

Twisting to the side, I put the muffin and the change in my bag. She smiled politely at me as she handed me the coffee.

I took the coffee and set it carefully in my lap, knowing just how to balance it. I wheeled myself to the exit and nearly jumped as someone bumped into me spilling their coffee all over the both of us. It was lukewarm as best so it didn't burn but the stain had done plenty of damage. Angry that I would now be going to the meeting with coffee smattered all over my sweater, I looked up at the person. Unfortunatly any anger that I had towards the stranger melted away as soon as I looked into his eyes. The look of embarrassment on his face was adorable. He was tall and lanky but lean and fit at the same time. His bright green eyes were deep and intriguing and his messy hair was the color of dirty pennies and it stood up in a million directions with no rhyme or reason to it's style. He wore a fitted gray suit with a white button up shirt and skinny black tie. Good looking wasn't descriptive enough to describe this stranger. He was down right gorgeous. "Oh geez, I'm so sorry. I was in a rush and that was completely my fault." he said as he knelt down and handed me his napkins. With a shy smile I took them and dabbed at my wet sweater, thankful for it's thickness that was hiding just how turned on I was.

"No no, it's really fine, just an accident." I smiled at him.

He shook his head. "No, it's not, I feel terrible. I've probably ruined your shirt and let me guess you had some important meeting to go to? I know I did."

"Well yeah, but lucky for you my boss loves me." I said. He seemed a bit skeptical and it was easy to see how bad he felt, which was sweet. "Seriously don't worry about it, accidents happen, it's just a little spill." I handed him a spare napkin and he wiped the stain that was across his shirt.

He smiled and I felt my heart skip a beat. "Let me make it up to you at least. Maybe I could buy you a coffee?" He asked.

Suddenly my mouth was drier than the sahara desert and I know thatcoffee would be great, if only to calm my nerves. "Maybe." I said. "If I knew your name. I'm not in the business of accepting coffee from strangers."

He scratched the side of his face and chuckled. "That's important huh? Edward Cullen, at your service."

He held out his hand and I shook it, feeling an instant attraction as we touched. "Isabella Swan, but please, call me Bella." I patted Jake on the back. "And this here is Jake."

"Nice to meet you both." He reached over and rubbed Jake's head. Jake held out his paw, something he rarely did with the strangers. Edward didn't miss a beat, and took Jake's paw. I smiled. He's sweet. "He likes you, and it's nice to meet you as well," I paused as he looked into my eyes. My breath caught in my throat, and I took a deep breath. "And coffee would be very nice."

"Do you come here often?"

I nodded. "Every morning actually, it's somewhat of a routine."

"How about we meet here tomorrow? Same time?"

I brushed a piece of stray hair behind my ear. "I'd like that."

He smiled. "Me too." His phone beeped. "Oh, I'm late!"

I laughed softly and so did he. "I've got to run. I'll see you tomorrow though, Bella."

His hand brushed across mine and he smiled again, flashing his white teeth and his absolutely wonderful smile. "See you tomorrow, Edward. I'm looking forward to it."

I attempted to return his smile, but I was sure it probably came off more as the sloppy kind of grin that I would normally recieve from Jake . With a grin, he stood up, tossed the napkin in a nearby trash bin, and walked out.

I left the coffee shop with the smile still on my face. Tomorrow can't get here soon enough. Maybe I don't need that genie in a lamp after all. I got back into my van and drove to work. Before getting out, I grabbed my white cardigan sweater from the back seat, thankful that I had left it there. I slipped it on, effectively covering the coffee stain. Jake and I then headed into the Twilight building, taking the elevator to the second floor where the offices and conference room were located. The first floor consisted of the lobby and reception, where parties or book signings were held. The basement was where the printing and designing of the magazine took place. I was only a few minutes late but the meeting had already begun. Hating to interrupt but knowing I had to be there I moved a little quicker as I hurried to the conference room. Jake helped me open the glass door and I quickly took my place at the head of the table next to Rosalie. I quietly instructed Jake to lay down, before I reached into my bag and took out my folder.

"Bella, good to see you, I was worried," my boss, Rosalie, said looking up from the paper she had been reading.

In her late twenties, with shoulder length length platinum blonde hair that hung in perfectly sculpted ringlets around her face and icy blue eyes, Rose was editor in chief and owner of Twilight, recieving it as a gift from her entrepreneur father upon her college graduation. Taking me under her wing, she had been my mentor since I had started working here as I watched her take a nothing magazine and turning it into one of the hottest independant publications on the west coast.

I was rarely late and had never missed a meeting so I could see why she was worried. "Sorry, Rose, minor accident at the coffee shop." I apologized, opening the folder.

"Ah, well let's continue shall we?" She said, returning her gaze back to the paper.

I nodded, reaching back into my bag to pull out a pen. Assignments were handed out and everyone gave their finished articles to me. I'd have to edit and proofread all of them before they went to print in two days.

After the meeting I went to my office which was next to Rosalie's. It was spacious so I could easily move around. A filled bookshelf was along one wall, file cabinets along the back wall and a window that looked out on the city in the other wall. In the heart of the Seattle business district I could see a variety of buildings stretching out towards the horizon. My wooden oak desk with the flat screen Gateway computer was in the middle of the room. Next to the desk were two black leather chairs for clients and others who came in.

The rest of the morning I spent editing articles. It took longer than usual as I was easily distracted every time I thought about Edward and his crooked smile. Only halfway through the articles, I took a lunch break to meet Alice down the street at The Firehouse Lounge.

I went inside with Jake then asked the waitress if Alice was there already. The waitress had already seated her so I followed along to a table near the back of the restaurant where she was waiting. Alice and I were similar in our looks; it was easy to see that we were related. Our heart shaped faces were similar along with our dark blue eyes and freckles that were sprinkled across our cheeks. She had cropped spiky hair that she dyed jet black while and I had long semi-curly chestnut brown hair. Like me she was small, coming in at 5'4 and was very slender, almost in the extreme thanks to her days as a trained ballerina. I was just slightly taller at 5'6 and when compared to my sister, my body was soft where hers was firm. We were only two years apart and very close. She was one of my best friends and always had been even when we were little. She had just recently become a personal shopper at Ralph Lauren after finishing designer school. I was sure she had designed and made the outfit she was wearing; a beautiful yellow dress with cap sleaves paired with a white scarf and matching heels.

"Hey you! How's it going?" Alice asked, getting up and giving me a firm hug.

She then knelt down and petted Jake, who kissed her as he gave her his paw, appriciative for the attention.

"Oh you know," I started, dragging out my response just a bit. "I bumped into a cute guy today. You?"

"Well, it's going good so far, but unlike you, I didn't bump in a cute guy today. I want a full report. Now."

I laughed as we seated ourselves at the table. "I was getting coffee and he bumped into me literally," Pulling back the cardigan, I showed her the coffee stain and it was her turn to laugh.

The waitress returned and took our orders. I decided on an iced tea, salad and a turkey club. Alice ordered a hamburger and french fries with an iced tea as well. Once she left Alice leaned forward, eager to get down to business. "Okay, so what does he look like? What did he say? I can tell by that million watt smile on your face that you already like him."

I brushed a stray curl back behind my ear. "He was so handsome, Al. You have no idea. Bright green eyes, messy browish red hair and a beautiful smile. He just kept apologizing for spilling coffee all over me, but I seriously didn't even care. There was just something about him, I can't explain it. I just felt..." I trailed off, not really wanting to say that I thought I was falling for a man I barely knew.

"Like you fell for a complete stranger? I can tell, you know. You look so happy and you've only just met him," she said voicing my thoughts.

I'm happy today, happier than I've been in a long time. But, the rational side of me argued against this. "But like you said I barely know him, Al, I can't possibly..." I trailed off again wondering if she was right; the romantic in me knew that she was.

But what were the odds of it working out or him feeling the same way? This is real life, not some sort of sappy chick flick. On the other hand, maybe I should stop thinking about odds and just let what's going to happen happen. It's time my glass was on the full side.

The waitress returned with the teas, setting them down on the table. Alice added sugar to hers and took a sip. "You don't have to know someone very long to be attracted, sis. Sometimes, if you're really lucky you just know the minute you meet them..." She trailed off seeming lost in thought.

I had feeling I knew who she was thinking of. She smiled. "Please tell me you're meeting him again."

"Tomorrow for coffee. But what if it's just that?" I shrugged, unsure of what to think.

She twirled the straw in her tea, and then looked at me. "I don't think it is. He wouldn't have asked if he didn't want to get to know you better. I've had my share of relationships, trust me on this."

"Yeah, that's true. But still, I've been wrong before." I sighed as I added a sugar packet to the tea.

"Give it a chance, 'k? One of us is bound to find the right guy sooner or later."

She's right I just have to take a chance. I laughed softly. "Okay, here's hoping it's sooner than later."

"Agreed. Oh, and find out if he has a brother."

"Alice!" The waitress brought our meals and set them down on the table. I smiled politely at her and thanked her and then turning my attention back to my sister I shook my head. "You're too much, you know that?"

She feigned innocence. "What? He sounds hot."

I rolled my eyes at her. "I'll look into it. But not until I've gotten to know him better."

She grinned. "Thanks, that's all I ask."

As we ate lunch we caught up on the last week. I then went back to work and finished editing the articles. Next, I started writing out the questions and getting ready for the interview I would be having with a local author on Thursday.

Later that night sitting at home watching TV and eating dinner I began to have more doubts. I had always been insecure when it came to men. Its pretty much an ingrained trait of someone such as myself who is stuch in a wheelchair all day every day. Finding someone who would accept me for who I am, despite my limitations, seemed more like a fairy tale than something that would happy in actuality. And if such a guy did exist, he's probably end up running at the first sign of trouble, just like Mike did. And once again I'd be left all alone. I don't think my heart could take going through that again. I sighed and petted Jake, unsure of what to do.

I glanced around my stylish apartment. Everything around me was bright and cheerful, which is what I was going for when I decorated it. Colorful prints from local artists graced the walls, all of which I had collected from street fairs or flea markets. The comfortable beige couch and chairs were overstuffed and there was wall unit that held a TV, DVD player and a wide collection of DVD's. I'd never been a very tidy person, so every nook and cranny of the wall unit and the two bookshelves were filled with knickknacks, books and framed pictures of family and friends. It was happy, comfortable and welcoming, and I loved it.

Grabbing one of my books from the bookshelf, I decided to read, knowing that getting lost in a book would surely relax me. Going to my room I changed into my pajamas: yoga shorts and a tank top. And after brushing my teeth and washing my face, I laid down in my Queen sized bed and read a few chapters. Jake rested his head in my lap, stretched out across the bed and fell asleep as I dove deeper and deeper into my book.

After awhile my mind began to sway and I found it hard to concentrate since my thoughts kept drifting back to Edward and that mornings encounter. There's something different about him, I felt it. I can't ignore that, I shouldn't. I'll go and meet him, because I'm positive that I'll regret it if I don't. Surely he had felt the attraction between us?

Thanks for reading. Chapter 2 is already written and should post within a day or two.
This is my first venture into writing, so don't mind me as I shamelessly ask you to please review.

PS: I don't have a beta