Author's Note:

Hello again! I had a snow day today and spent some time editing the story so this is a quick update. Thank you so much to those who have added the story to your alerts and favored me as a favorite author-it means a lot.

Here's chapter two!

-Lisa

Chapter Two

"Yes, Jake," Bella replied as she spoke to her brother over the phone. Jacob Black was about four hours away in New York City. At the age of just twenty nine he was extremely successful at his publishing company. "I promise. Have I ever lied to you before?"

"No, but I want to make sure you are all right. You'd tell me if you weren't, right? If you needed anything you would just ask, right?" Jacob repeated himself.

"Yes, for the last time I am fine. Can we move on to another topic please?" Bella begged into the phone.

"Fine," Jacob sighed. "Are Em and Rose treating you all right?"

"Yes," Bella began as she calmed down. "They have been amazing. They have helped a lot. Emmett found me this amazing apartment really inexpensive for the area. They both have rearranged their schedules to help me out. I'm going to have them over for dinner soon as a huge thank you."

"Emmett will love you for that. He always liked your cooking." Jacob paused for a moment before he began to question her apartment. "Tell me all about the place he picked for you. Is it safe for you and-"

"Jacob! Yes, I am safe. The people on one side of me are a young professional couple expecting a baby in the fall. On the other side of me are an elderly couple who own my building. My apartment is really more a condo. I have to pay fees and stuff like that, but it's beautiful. It's an old brownstone and I love it. I live in Back Bay near all of the shops as well as near the Charles River where there is a trail to run."

"Just remember that it isn't safe to run alone," Jacob reminded his sister.

"Really, you are getting old! You know I haven't run in, well, almost four years. Stop it."

Ignoring her pleas, Jacob continued with his questioning. "Do you at least have an alarm?"

"No, I don't but I live in a safe neighborhood. I'll be fine Jacob."

"Well when I am invited to visit I'll look into getting you a system."

"Well then you are never being invited to my home."

"Is that right?"

Bella laughed. "Absolutely. You are never allowed to come here as long as you are acting stupid. Seriously, I know you are close and if I needed anything at all no matter how big or small you'd be here for me in a heartbeat. I love that you are loyal and want what's best but really Jake, this over protective things has to stop. All right?"

Jacob sighed on the other end of the phone. When their father died, Jacob automatically turned into the over seer of Bella. He wanted to make sure she didn't have to struggle and she was happy. He was over protective, but she was his only sister. She had hit a rough patch a few years before and Jacob wanted her to remain happy. "Fine. I'll try and contain myself."

"Thank you, that's all I can ask for." Bella paused before asking another question. "Have you heard from Seth lately? He hasn't returned nay of my calls."

"Well the boy is just busy. He's a freshman in college and is trying out new things, he's fine. I talked to him in the beginning of the week. He says he is already in love with some girl. I forget her name, but he very much has his mind set on someone."

Bella smiled and was happy for her younger brother. "Hope she doesn't break his heart."

"Hope Seth doesn't end up like mom."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"It means," Jacob paused to formulate his words. He wanted to be respectful but finding the words were painful. He loved her, but at the same time he was angry with her for leaving when she did. "He hasn't found anything to make him happy. As soon as he finds something he runs in the opposite direction, like mom."

"Mom is living the life that dad would have wanted her to live. She's happy Jacob."

"She needed to be a mother a little while longer. Seth gave up his scholarship to UCLA to stay close to her and she chooses to travel around the world the week after his high school graduation? That was at the end of May and it's now October Bella and she hasn't been home since. Plus you needed help with stuff."

"You may not like to hear this but I can take care of myself. I'm a big girl. Little Seth is all grow up too. Jacob, stop being angry with mom. She deserves to live her life too." Bella boldly stated.

"I guess you're right, but I am still angry with her."

"You guess? You know I'm always right."

Finally, a laugh filled Jacob's voice. "You know I love you Belly, right? I just want what's best for you."

"Yes Jacob, we've been over this twelve thousand and one times just tonight alone."

"I know. Listen, I really miss you. Can I visit you soon? I'm busy and I know you're busy but there as to be a time for us to meet before the holidays. That is if I am welcomed at your house."

"Of course you are welcomed in my house as long as you leave the over protective brother shit at the door."

"Oh no, Bella said a potty word," Jacob laughed. "You need to put money in the cuss jar."

"Fine, good night Jake," Bella laughed as she ended the call."

"Class dismissed," Dr. Platt called out to the class as she blew out of the room.

Bella gathered her belongings as she too headed towards the door when she heard a voice. "Miss Swan can you stay for a few moments please? I'd like to discuss your paper with you if you don't mind," Edward called out to her.

Pulling on the strap to her messenger bag, she walked over to the teacher's assistant. "Of course Ed-Mr- well, what do I call you?"

Edward laughed. "Edward, it's my name. Come here," he said as he waved his finger and motioned for her to sit with him. "Now as you know I had reservations and was hesitant when you asked me to rescore your paper. I almost didn't do it and I was going to lie to you, however, I didn't do that. I did reread your paper and made some notes. I was presently surprised. I over looked a few key points in your paper. I enjoyed reading your argument in the paper. I apologize for being so rude before. I did change your grade from the B- to an A. You most definitely earned it."

Surprised, Bella looked at him. "Thank you so much! Your kind words mean a lot to me."

"You earned everything. I don't usually give out too many compliments, but you worked hard to get them." He paused for a moment as he handed her the paper. "I hope I am not insulting when I say that I have noticed you are a bit older than most of the other students in this room."

Bella nodded self-consciously. "I am, I'm twenty five while most of the other students are early twenties."

Edward nodded. He stared at Bella as if he was trying to read her mind. "You also don't seem to have many acquaintances in this class."

Shrugging her shoulders, Bella looked right back at Edward. "I don't have time for the whole friend thing. I'm here to get my education and move on with my life and begin it professionally. I don't have time or new friends."

"You sound like you are trying to be wise beyond your years."

Bella offered a smile to Edward. "It has to be like that."

Edward let silence fill the room for a moment before he smiled at her. "Just don't forget that you really aren't old and you have to fun. Also, your paper is due at the end of the week. I can't wait to read it."

Bella laughed as she looked at the clock hanging up on the wall. "I'll keep that in mind. I have to go. Thanks for the reconsidered grade!" She smiled as she flew out the door.

"Here is your change, your coffee will be ready in just a minute at the end of the counter, have a good day," Bella smiled at costumer.

"Bella," Angela yelled over to her. "It has died down, why don't you take your fifteen now?"

Bella nodded as she took the apron off the hook and placed it on the counter. She grabbed a sandwich and a bag of chips and made her way to a table. She sat down and began reading her text book when the chair across from her was being dragged out. She smiled as she looked up. "Hi," she said.

"Hi, do you mind if I join you?" Carlisle asked as he gripped the back of the chair.

"Of course not. Please sit down."

Carlisle sat in the chair with his coffee. "How's the art history going?"

"Excellent thank you very much. How is Children's Hospital and Harvard?"

Chuckling, Carlisle looked up at Bella. "Excellent thank you very much. I was on my way to Harvard now but I had to grab my coffee. I'm finishing up teaching there this year. It's been fun but I'm ready to concentrate just on the hospital." He paused before looking at Bella again. "The girl behind the counter is really nice but she can't make coffee."

Bella giggled. "Angela is great, she just does things her own way, she means well though."

"I bet she does. How is school going?"

"Good thank you. I just got an A on a paper. I worked really hard on it."

"Congrats to you on that. When are you done with school?" He asked sipping is coffee.

"In May and then I don't know what I want to do. I guess I'll figure that out soon enough, won't I?"

Carlisle smiled as he sipped his coffee. "You will. Just don't forget to have fun in the process."

Bella laughed. "That seems to be the theme of advice today. My TA told me the same thing earlier."

Returning her laugh, Carlisle looked at her. "Well it's true. A bright, young beautiful woman as yourself should make the time to have fun. You deserve it."

Politely smiling, Bella was a little shocked by his comment. Did he really just call her beautiful? She could feel herself blush. "I have to get back to work. My break is over."

"I should be heading out too. I have a meeting before class. As always, it was nice to see you," Carlisle smiled as he stood up with Bella. "Have a good evening," he offered as they both walked away from the table.

Bella watched him as he put his hand on the door to leave. She was now standing behind the counter. "Wait," she smiled. She could feel Angela's eyes staring at her from behind and knew she would hear all about this. "You forgot your free gift."

"What?" Carlisle asked.

"Yes, your free gift from being knocked to the ground the other day."

Now laughing, Carlisle looked at her and nodded with a grin on his face. "I can't right now, but I would like it on another day. Is that all right?"

"Of course. A promise is a promise."

"Well, next time then. Have a good night Bella," he said as he walked out the door.

Bella watched him until he was no longer in site. Angela looked at Bella and began to laugh. "That man likes you Bella."

"Right Angela, I'm sure he has nothing better to do than think of me. I think he was just being nice to me. He just seems like a nice guy."

"Did you miss all the flirting that just happened? You supplied some of it missy," Angela smiled.

Bella shook her head. "I wasn't flirting. I was being polite."

"Sure, if that's what all the kids are calling it now a days."

"Angela, please."

"Bella, come on, what would be terrible about a handsome man flirting and being interested in you? He's successful, as you've told me."

"Angela," Bella tried to interrupt.

"You need to live a little! Let your hair down and play."

"Angela, please."

"Bella, I know that you have priorities and obligations, but where does it say you have to stop having fun?"

Yet again shaking her head, Bella walked over to the front door to lock it. It was just about six o'clock and it was closing time. "I have obligations and commitments."

"You are twenty five years young, girl! You have to learn to put your hair down and live a little."

Bella paused and looked at Angela in the eye. Angela raised an eyebrow at her as Bella spoke. "That's easier said than done. How do I fulfill my obligations if I'm out with some guy?"

"You know you have people who will help you. I'll help you if you need it, you know that."

Taking the cleaner off of the counter, Bella began to wipe down the tables and stack the chairs. "You are insane, you know that?"

"I've been called worse. He likes you Bella. He has only been coming in on the days you are working, no other times. It's usually right before we close so he can talk to you more and we aren't so crowded. He lights up when he sees you!"

Bella thought about what her friend was telling her. She absorbed the information and then dismissed the idea. "Angela, you are totally insane."

Angela began to laugh. "And you are totally avoiding the subject. You know you like him, don't you?"

Frustrated, Bella looked at Angela, huffed and then walked away. That was all that Angela needed as proof. She began to jump up and down with excitement. "See! I knew it! You like him too! Why not just go for it? What do you have to lose? A customer? This small little café won't crumble because one person doesn't want our coffee."

Bella leaned back on the sink and crossed her arms. "Even if what you were saying was true, look at me Angela."

"I see you, what about you?"

Hesitating, Bella backed away from her friend. "No way Angela. He's older than me."

"So he's maybe fifteen years at most older than you. Ben's eight years older than me. Age is just a number and isn't really all that important."

"It's possible that Carlisle is just being polite."

"Or he sees a truly awesome woman when he sees her!" Angela paused and smiled wickedly. "Maybe he just likes playing the part of a sugar daddy. Maybe he needs a hot, younger woman for his manly needs."

Bella began to sweep furiously. "If that is what he wants then he is barking up the wrong tree."

"You have no idea just how you are, do you?" Angela asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Come here," Angela said as she pulled Bella over to the mirror in front of the sink. She pulled her hair up so it was out of Bella's face. She rested the pile of hair on top of her head. She stared at her friend's reflection in the mirror. "Do you ever think you'll see just how beautiful you are on the inside and the out?"

Speechless, Bella just looked up at Angela. "I-"

"Bella, I have said it before and I will say it again. I will help you. I know Emmett and Rose, who you love will help you out too. You have to at least try."

After looking at herself in the mirror, Bella silently walked away from Angela and continued to close the shop. When the shop was closed, Angela locked it up and looked at Bella. "Please think about what I said. I'll see you in a few days. Bye Bella."

'Bye Ang," she whispered before setting off to Emmett and Rose's condo just a few streets away on Beacon Street.

In just ten short minutes, Bella rang the doorbell. Rose answered happily. "Hello Bella, come on in. How is everything?"

"I'm good." Bella debated whether or not to mention anything about her possible crush on Carlisle. She decided to keep it to herself for now. She smiled and looked at Rose. "Where is she?"

"She fell asleep in front of the television so I don't think she'll be joining us for dinner. Come on, you can help me get ready for dinner as we talk about your day." Rose smiled as Bella followed her into the kitchen. Just a few moments later the front door opened and closed.

"Rose?" Emmett called out.

"In here with Isabella," she laughed.

Emmett ran towards Bella and picked her up in a bear hug. "How are you Belly?'

"I'm fine Emmett. You can really put me back down now. I just saw two days ago so there is no need for the suffocating hug. Jacob would kill you if you killed me, you know that."

Laughing, Emmett put Bella down and kissed his wife. "I could take Jake, no problem."

"Well then be prepared," Rose said returning his laughter.

"What does that mean?" Emmett asked.

"Jacob called and was harassing poor Bella about the apartment." Rose began to explain.

Bella interjected. "He was worried that you picked an unsafe apartment for me. He wants to put in a security system."

"It's not a bad idea Bella." Emmett paused when he saw Bella stand in front of the door way with her hands on her hips. He shook his head and continued. "You think I'm worried about Jacob? Please, I think I'm all set." He looked away from Bella and focused on his wife. "Honey when is dinner going to be ready?"

Rose and Bella exchanged looks and just laughed