Here's the next Chapter!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

See you next week

Enjoy!


Chapter 2: Take Care Of Me

The paperwork went through flawlessly. I was painting the living room walls in my loft when someone grabbed my shoulders from behind. I spun around to find a pissed off looking Edward. "What's wrong Edward?"

"I was able to get this close to you without you noticing. Why isn't the door locked?"

"Drop the cop act dear brother. She isn't alone. I was out back washing brushes and Emmett and Jasper ran to Charlie's for more paint." Alice said walking in.

"I didn't know you were here Ali." Edward said.

"Yes they won't let me paint so I have been washing brushes and hanging out downstairs looking at fabric swatches and table options."

Edward grabbed a brush and started painting. I laughed at him. We have been talking on the phone almost every night this past week. I found it so easy to talk to him. I could tell him anything. Well almost anything. Alice went back downstairs. "You thought I was alone and stupid enough to leave my door unlocked?" I said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes Bella well not the stupid part but the cop in me took over. You are my best friend Bella I worry about you. I know I'm not yours but it okay."

"Don't tell Alice or Jacob but you are my best friend. I find it so natural to tell you anything. I know we have only known each other for only one week but it feels natural." I told him.

He smiled at me. "I know what you mean. I feel the same way. It looks so much better in here." He said changing the subject. "These colors better suit you."

I painted my bedroom a warm brown, the kitchen pumpkin, the living room the same warm brown and the bathroom black and white. The store is a slightly dark but still warm brown and the kitchen the same pumpkin. All the trim except the bathroom which is white is a warm cream color. The restrooms downstairs are black and white with red trim.

My boxes arrived yesterday and are currently in Charlie's garage. My meeting on Thursday went well. I hired him to help me with the repairs and building the back porch. I think I can open in a month. With the budget I made for myself I can even install heaters outside on the porch so you can sit outside in the winter as well.

"Thanks for all your help everyone. I appreciate you all coming to help me." We were sitting around on or leaning against the counter. Edward, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rose, Jake, Quil, and Dad helped me paint and clean up the store and loft.

"Bella you don't have to thank us," Alice said and everyone nodded in agreement.

"I placed an ad in the paper for help. I got a few calls already. A few were from perverts but most really wanted jobs." I started.

"Bella I don't like the idea of you interviewing people here alone." Dad interrupted me.

"You should hold your interviews while I'm working on the patio and doing the small repairs so you aren't alone." Emmett said.

"That's a great idea Emmett." I said.

I was moved into my loft by the end of the next week. The work was coming along on the store it was almost finished and I would be able to open soon. Esme was even able to schedule the delivery of the shelves earlier than expected. They were arriving today along with the first round of interviews.

My first interview went well. Her name was Angela Weber and she is tired of her current job. She writes but needs a job until she can make more from her writing. She is a secretary for a real jerk. Her words not mine. I like her and can use her one or two Saturdays a month to read to the children.

"Hi honey how are the interviews going?" Esme asked. I had met her last week along with Rose Edward's sister.

"Hi Esme they are going good even with my babysitters." I said as Dad and Edward came down the stairs.

"Edward shouldn't you be at work?" Esme said winking at me.

"I am technically Mom the Chief found a desk he liked for Bella so I helped him deliver it." He said with a smirk. "What brings you by?"

"I'm delivering the shelves." She said.

"Would you all like to stay for lunch I have more than enough?" I said.

"Are you making coffee Bella?" Edward asked. "Unloading desks and now shelves is not in my job description."

"Not for you babies aren't allowed to drink coffee." I told him.

"I'm not a baby I just really want some coffee. You have to tell me how you remove the bitterness. I can drink your coffee black."

"I'm not giving away my secret Cullen," I said walking into the kitchen which Emmett had already finished repairs on. I put on a pot of coffee for the baby. I grabbed the pasta, salad, and rolls. I would do anything for that baby. I know I have feelings for him and can find myself falling for him easily. We talk on the phone almost every night and have even eaten dinner together a couple of nights this past week.

My tables were delivered yesterday so I took everything and sat it on the counter including the pot of coffee. I called Emmett in so we could eat lunch. Everyone was sitting around one of the tables enjoying each others company when I felt a sudden chill.

"So this is the place you left me for. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the hotties at the table. The one to your right would do nicely." I heard in that icy cold voice.

"Charlie dear don't you think you she is a little young for you." She said.

"Renee she is married to a good friend of mine. She is here for your daughter not me and like you could talk her daughter is the age of your new husband." Dad said.

"I see you haven't changed Charlie. Okay Isabella I have had it with this tantrum of yours let's go your first interview is in a few days."

"Mom I told you I'm not going to any interviews you set up I am staying here. This is my new home. I want to get to know my Dad and open this business." I said.

"Bella the house isn't the same without you there. I need to bring you home."

"Mom I am not moving to Florida with you. I am twenty-two years old. I want to live near my Dad. I want to live my own life. Dad doesn't have me cater to his every need. The house isn't the same because I'm not there to cook and clean it."

"I thought you didn't need a man to take care of you."

"I don't when did I say I did."

"What is with the hotties then? I would trade in Phil for the one next to you." I felt Edward shudder.

"Mother listen to yourself."

"I am you are not listening to me. You need to find a husband it took me almost twenty-two years to replace your father."

"Mom I'm not here to find a husband. I hope one day to find one but not to take care of me. For us to take care of each other."

"Isabella Marie Swan I don't have time for this tantrum to go on any longer. It's time to go home."

"I am home Mother. This is my home."

"What are you planning on doing when it fails?"

"That's enough. I have heard delivery men tell her how lovely this building is. How much they wish it success and you her own Mother can't see it. This is what she wants to do with her life to make herself happy. That she is already a success. That we are all here for her to make sure her dream is a success." Edward said standing up to face my Mother.

"I thought you don't need a man to take care of you?" My Mom smirked at me.

"She doesn't but that doesn't mean we will sit on the sidelines and watch you belittle her," Dad said. "I agree with Edward here."

"I think it's time for you to leave Mother." I said.

"How can you do this to me Bella?" she asked.

"Mom I have taken care of you since I was ten years old. Before I wasn't old enough to take care of both of us I had trouble taking care of myself. I would walk myself home from school at five and let myself inside on my own. I would feed myself what ever I found in the apartment. I started using the stove at eight Mom. You were never home. I never needed someone to take care of me. Why do you?"

"I'm not as strong as you Bella."

"That's bullshit besides you have Phil to take care of you. It's time for me to start think about what I want."

"How can you like this small town? You might end up married to a cop. This one is a cop Bella you will end up just like me."

"I will never be you Mother if I marry a cop or not. I will never be you. I will choose my own life. If I marry a cop we will take care of each other. He will love and take care of me and I will love and take care of him. You could have had that but you never took care of Dad. You have always been selfish. I am not jump into life with both feet and my eyes closed Mom."

"Well I guess this tantrum is not over Phil is playing near Seattle tomorrow if you change your mind we will be here till the day after tomorrow." She said and left.

"Bella are you okay?" Edward came up behind me.

"Sort of I should have known she didn't make the trip for me. I was just a stop." I said. He pulled me against his chest when I started to cry. "I was never good enough."

"Isabella Marie I don't ever want to hear you talk that way about yourself again. I don't regret being with your Mom because I got you out of it. Nothing will ever be good enough for her she will end up dumping Phil because he's not major league." I laughed he was right.

"Thank you Dad and you Edward. I wish I grew up here with you Dad."

"Me too kiddo me too."

The rest of the day went without another incident and I found another two possible employees Tanya and Kate Denali; sisters that moved here recently to live near their Aunt and Cousins.

Edward stopped to check on me after work and I talked him into staying for dinner. It wasn't hard to convince him. I think he likes being around me or I just wish he does.

We ordered a pizza and watched a movie. He was off the next day so he wasn't in hurry to leave. I woke up to the light shining through my living room windows. I sat up I was on my couch. I turned and saw Edward there still asleep on the couch next to me. He looked peaceful and so gorgeous in his sleep. He looked gorgeous while awake to but I could stare at him like this. He started to stir then his eyes shot open and starred into mine, his emerald green boring into my plain brown ones.

"Bella I'm so sorry I fell asleep. I didn't…"

"Edward I fell asleep also don't worry about it. We're friends we can fall asleep together on the couch. I think it's in the handbook."

"You're right Bella I was afraid you would be angry with me." He said sitting up.

"No Edward I have an extra toothbrush in the top drawer in the bathroom you are welcome to it."

"I have my gym bag in my trunk. Would you mind if I took a shower?"

"No I don't mind."

"Okay I will go get it while you shower."

"Okay." I meant what I said I didn't mind waking up next to Edward it felt right somehow.

I showered and dressed quickly. Then I put on a pot of coffee and made breakfast, two omelets, bacon and biscuits.

Edward came out of the bathroom looking fresh and smelling amazing as I placed our plates on the bar. "Bella you didn't have to make me breakfast."

"I know I wanted to," I told him.

"Thank you," he said sipping his coffee. "I will find out what you do to your coffee. "

"Sorry buddy even my employees won't get the secret." I said laughing at my expression.

I think I can open in two weeks. With all the help I was getting. Three weeks earlier than I expected. The building will be ready this week but I need employees, permits, the books and other merchandise not to mention food, cups, plates and other stuff. You get the picture that stuff takes time.

Emmett was almost finished installing the heaters on the back porch. I was planting a lovely garden with a few bird baths and feeding stations to make the view on the patio nicer to look at.

"Bella this place is going to look amazing. It already is beautiful with this garden you aren't going to get people out of here." Alice said one afternoon she stopped by. I got my first shipment of books that morning and she was helping me place them in the shelves. "So what's going on with you and my brother?"

"Alice nothing is going on we are friends, we talk and understand each other." I wish we were more but I will take what I can.

"Okay that's what I thought. He just seems happier than I've seen him in a long time." She said. I can tell she wanted to say more but didn't.

Time flew by and it was the night before I opened. I found six employees Angela Weber, Tanya and Kate Denali, Ben Cheney, Seth Clearwater and Garrett Smith. I will open the doors at six am and close them at nine pm everyday.

I am making the pastries for the morning. I look at the clock it is seven-thirty I sigh and look out into my shop. I have wanted my own place for awhile and now I have it. Now that I have it I realize that what I thought I never needed was what I want. I couldn't help but think of Edward. I wish he found me as attractive as I found him. But I digress.

There was a knock on my door. I wasn't expecting anyone so I look out the blinds and smile at myself. Edward was standing there holding a bag of food. I open the door and let him in.

"I knew you would be busy baking and not take time to eat dinner so I brought some." He said as I locked the door behind him.

"Thank you that was kind of you. How do you know me so well?"

"I pay attention and you are important to me Bella." He said. He brought me chicken strips, fries, gravy and toast with a vanilla shake. He pulled out an extra order of fries and I had to laugh they were my favorite after all. He sat down with his cheeseburger, fries and chocolate shake.

"You are important to me too Edward." You will probably never know how important. We sat and ate our dinner. We said our goodbye and he wished me good luck for tomorrow and I headed to bed early.

I woke up at five thirty and Angela and Kate were waiting for me in the kitchen when I walk down. I showed them how to make the coffee I had premixed so you just need to scoop like usual. We set out the pastries. I opened the doors at six and turned on the open sign for the first time. Moments later the doors opened with my first customer or should I say customers. Dad and Edward walked in together.

"Hey E what can I get you?" Kate asked. I guess they knew each other.

"I will take the largest cup of coffee you have," Edward said.

"What are you doing here Dad?"

"I wasn't sure if my girl had time to bring me a thermos of her special coffee." He said smiling. I poured him a thermos and then went to grab his favorite muffin.

She won't tell you how she makes it either?" Edward asked.

"No maybe we can get it out of these two." Dad said.

"Sorry Dad it's been premixed. They have no idea." I said.

"I will get it out of you one day." Edward said.

"Good luck with that Mom has been trying to get Aunt Esme to give her her brownie recipe for years." Kate said laughing. They are cousins thank god he seemed to be comfortable around her.

"How much do I owe you kiddo?" Dad asked when I handed him his thermos and muffin.

"I'm not charging my Dad." I said.

"Yes you are." He said.

"Fine, charge him for a large coffee and a muffin." I told Angela.

"As for you I will never tell." I said turning towards Edward. He smiled at me as he paid Angela for both him and my dad.

"We'll see," he said winking at me on his way out the door. I knew he had the early shift and had been at the station for half an hour already.

The morning was busier than I expected. I even had a few teachers come in and order books for their students. They would have to travel to Port Angeles to do that before. I was glad for the business. I was glad the shop was doing so well for the first day. Alice and Esme even stopped by around ten to see how things were going.

"Bella these cinnamon rolls are to die for." Alice said in between bites.

"Babe you just ate breakfast less than two hours ago," Jasper said walking in.

"Your kid is hungry you have a problem with that?" She said raising her eyebrow.

"No I was just stating a fact," he said smiling at her. "I was on my way to see Edward but he was on a call and I saw your car."

"I hope everything is okay." Esme said.

"Mom it's his job." Alice said.

Edward walked in the door five minutes later. "Large coffee please Kate. Hi Mom, Alice, Jazz."

"Is the coffee maker at the station broken dear?" Esme asked.

"No Aunt Esme he wants Bella's coffee." Kate laughed handing Edward his coffee.

"You are so funny," Edward said paying Angela.

"It is less bitter. What do you do sweetie?" Esme asked.

"Good luck getting that out of her. She won't even tell her best friend." Edward said with a hurt look on his face. Esme and Alice shared a look. I just laughed. "How has your morning been Bella?"

"Busier than I thought it would be." I said.

"That's good right." He smiled at me I nodded. "Is everything okay Jazz they told me you stopped by the station?"

"Yes I was bringing you a notice your landlord is changing again."

"Again I need to find a new place." He said.

"I will start looking for you today." Alice added.

"I have another four months in my lease Ali. I'm in no hurry but I won't renew it." He said. "Well I need to get back to work."

At one thirty Angela and Kate left and Ben and Tanya showed up. We had a steady flow of customers through out the day. Edward stopped by after work to see how things were going. Dad did the same thing though neither stayed long I knew they were tired. I locked the doors at nine o' clock after saying goodnight to Tanya and Ben.

I headed for bed after I took a shower and went through my nightly routine. The next morning I woke up bright and early. I repeated my routine from the day before. It continued the same day after day. I was making money. I wouldn't say a lot but I was paying my bills. I knew it would take time for me to start pulling in more money. I was happy for the most part. I was hoping that in time my feeling for Edward would lessen. I was wrong they were getting stronger.

I would find myself looking forward to the times he would pop in for a cup of coffee. One afternoon around a month after I opened I was in my office. There was a knock on my door. I look up and see Edward standing there. I smile at him hoping that my feelings aren't obvious.

"Bella are you busy I was wondering if we could talk."

"I'm not busy please come in. Is something wrong?" I asked worried.

He closed the door and sat down on the couch in my office. "I hope not." He said looking at his hands.

I stood up from my chair and moved sit next to him. "You know you can talk to me about anything." I told him hoping it would help.

"I can't do this anymore Bella. I have tried please believe me I have tried. I have been able to handle it but I just can't. I'm so sorry Bella." He said into his hands.

"I don't understand what can't you do anymore?"

"Pretend to be your friend." I gasped. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "That came out wrong. I mean I can't pretend to be just your friend anymore. I have feelings for you Bella I have for awhile. Feelings that go beyond friendship I always have actually. I ignored them hoping they would fade or go away. They have only grown. Yesterday I over heard my sister talking about setting you up with a friend of hers. My heart broke thinking about you dating someone but I know that someday you will. If not my sister's friend then someone, I understand you don't feel the same. I hope we can still be friends, I just needed to tell you." He said. I couldn't believe my ears. I was so happy everything felt right.

"Edward both of your sisters have tried to set me up several times. I have always come up with an excuse because I couldn't date anyone."

He looked up at me, "Why not Bella you are young and beautiful?" It's now or never Bella time to just jump in with both feet eyes wide open.

"I could tell them the real reason. I don't want to date anyone." He looked back down.

"Bella I thought you wanted to start living your life for yourself?" He said.

"I do but I didn't take in account one small matter." I said hoping he would take the bait and look up.

He did to ask, "What is that?"

"That I can't date because I have feeling for my best friend. I look forward to him stopping by my store everyday. I think about him when I wake up in the morning and before I go to bed each night." I look at him and there's hope in his eyes.

He takes my hand and intertwined our fingers, "Bella would you go out on a date with me tomorrow night?"

"I would love to Edward." He smiled at me.

"Okay I will pick you up at six?"

"Okay I will see you at six tomorrow."

"Now you have a better excuse to give Alice," he said smiling. "I need to get back to work I will call you later."

"I look forward to it." I said before he left.

Sure enough Alice and Rose show up. "Bella tomorrow I am having a dinner party and you are coming. Angela is working so she can lock up for you." Alice said.

"I have plans tomorrow Alice." I told her.

"This isn't a set up I just want you to meet someone. Rose, Emmett, Jasper, Kate and Tanya will be there. I'm going to invite Jake and Quil also. I will even have Edward come please."

"Alice I have enough friends and I really have plans tomorrow."

She ignored me and dialed her phone placing it on speaker. "Cullen speaking." I heard Edward say.

"Edward I'm have a dinner party tomorrow at my house at seven. I expect you to be there." Alice said.

"I can't Ali I have a date tomorrow with reservations at seven in Port Angeles." He said. Rose and Alice looked at each other.

"What do you mean you have a date?" Rose asked.

"Hey Rose I. Mean. I. Have. A. Date. Some other time Al I promise. I need to get back to work talk to you two later." He said before hanging up.

"He has a date. I need to call Mom. You get off the hook for now Bella I'm canceling my dinner party. But you need to get out more honey." She said before they left my office Alice dialing already.

I headed down stairs at almost five to find Rose, Alice and Esme with their heads together. "Bella honey come join us." Esme said. I walked over and heard her say, Okay I called him and the only thing he told me is that he has been attracted to her for a while now and couldn't ignore his feelings anymore."

"He is ready to trust again. Last week I tried to set him up and he refused. He is worse than this one here." Rose said.

"Hey ladies," Emmett said walking in holding Andy's hand. Andy is Emmett and Rose's two year old son a beautiful little boy with his Mom's hair color and eyes and Emmett's curls. "I need to place an order at the lumberyard so I pick up this one for you."

"Thanks babe," Rose said. Andy ran straight for the cookies and Kate gave him a big chocolate chip cookie. He ran over to me and jumped onto my lap.

"You're great with kids Bella you will make a great Mom one day." Esme said.

"Thanks," I told her.

"So what are we gossiping about?" Emmett asked.

"Your brother-in-laws love life." Rose said.

"I don't want to hear about Alice and Jasper." Emmett said.

"Not that one," Alice said.

"It has to be that one Edward doesn't have one," Emmett said laughing.

"He has a date tomorrow night," Rose said. I didn't want to listen anymore so I went to the kitchen to fill a sippy cup with milk for Andy. I took him to the children's area and sat down in a rocking chair with him and read him a story.

He fell asleep half-way through the story. I look up and see Edward standing there with his ankles crossed. "I didn't see you there."

"You were pretty busy. I was on my way home when I noticed my families cars parked outside. They aren't giving you a hard time are they?" He asked.

"No they don't know your date is with me." I told him.

"Good I don't know how long I can keep it from them." He said looking behind him. I looked over and they all had their heads together. "You are great with him. He loves you, I took him to the park on Saturday and all he wanted to talk about was B. I didn't mind you are my favorite topic too." He said and I blushed.

I heard a gasp and turned to see Esme with her hands over her mouth. "I think she figured out who your date is with Edward." I said.

"I think your right," he said as she ran over to us. "Mom Andy is asleep."

"Edward please tell me your date tomorrow is with Bella," She said.

"Mom my date tomorrow is with Bella," He said.

"Why didn't you tell me you two were dating?" she asked.

"Tomorrow is our first date Mom, I'm not hiding anything. I just asked her today. What I told you earlier is true." He said and she nodded.

I went over to my dad's house for dinner and to tell him about my date, "I have a date with Edward Cullen tomorrow." I said.

"I was wondering when you would tell me." He said.

"What do you mean Dad he just asked me today?"

"This will be your first date?" He asked surprised.

"Yes did you think I was hiding him?"

"Yes I thought you were dating when he stood up to your Mom."

"No Dad we were just friends. I told you would be the first to know." I said.

"Thanks for telling me Bella he is a good kid. I know he will take good care of you." I was glad my Dad approved of Edward. It made things easier. I was looking forward to my date with Edward the next day. I return right before we closed. I said goodnight to Kate and Seth and locked up.

I went upstairs and went through my closet to find the perfect outfit to wear for my first ever date. I was nervous but trusted Edward not to move to fast. I went to bed that night feeling like everything was right in the world. I was right were I was suppose to be. I heard my phone buzz on my nightstand. I look at it and smile.

Goodnight Beautiful *Edward

Goodnight Edward I'll see you at 6:00 tomorrow *Bella

I fell asleep with a smile on my face.