Can I just take a minute to say WOW! I mean...you guys have always been great to me, but with the week I was having last week, I needed the love you all gave me. My phone didn't stop chiming all weekend. I've got some big life changes coming in 2014, which I will be able to talk about once things finish settling down, but the first of many big weights has been lifted and it feels fantastic.

PLEASE READ! Quite a few people have asked if they need to read both stories, and I wanted to answer this here since many more might be wondering and not asking, or just saying, "ehh, they're the same, right?" Now, while the plot is the same, as they're companion pieces, as two separate people of varying ages and life experiences, (Bella is 24, Edward is 34 at this point in the story) they're way of approaching and thinking about things will be different. Also, they have lives that don't intersect all that much, especially in the beginning, so there are moments that will be missed, and some funny side characters that will only make brief appearances in the other story, because they're a friend or coworker of either Bella or Edward. I try to keep overlapping dialogue to only needed moments and I think you'll enjoy both sides. But choosing not to read both is still an option if you prefer. Just pop over to the other POV if there are questions about why either Bella or Edward acts a certain way in the opposite POV, because there's a good chance the answer will be there.

Once again thanks for the reviews, faves, follows, and to Mizzdee, my beta and wifey, for handing my the metaphorical paper bag and reminding me to breathe.

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.

Chapter 2

"I'm sorry, I thought you said you wanted me moved in here in three weeks." I laughed, but when I met his eyes, I could see he wasn't joking.

"Esme didn't tell you?" he asked sounding shocked.

"Tell me what?" I asked.

"During the week this is a live-in position. She renovated the fourth floor of the house for you. It has a private bath and a little kitchen as it was created to possibly be a legal apartment if necessary. It also has two terraces and is quite lovely; I'll show it to you before you leave. Now, I'm going to make a few calls to give you time so you can look over the contract." Edward stepped out and I looked over the information.

For the most part it was straightforward and very similar to the arrangement I had with Carlisle and Esme, but I would be working sixty hours a week. The car service could be called if I needed it beyond scheduled uses like taking the kids to and from school and during the week I would be staying at the house. My free time was my own, but he stated that I wasn't allowed to have men overnight at his house unless he approved of the visitor, which I completely understood. I had paid vacation and sick time, though he did request that I use their visitation weeks with his ex-wife for my vacations if at all possible. All in all it was very generous and as there was nothing hidden in the fine print, I didn't have any problem signing the contract.

I took my copy of the paperwork with me as he led me upstairs to what would be my room. Along the way he showed me the main floor with all the common spaces and a lovely verandah out past the kitchen and sun room. The second floor had his master suite and Alice's room, while the third floor had the media center/play room and Jasper and Rosalie's rooms.

As I climbed the stairs to the fourth floor I smiled at the little landing with a door with a lock, something I know Esme would have thought of when she redid this floor for me. I opened the door and gasped at what I saw. There was a single living area, much like my apartment in Little Italy, but Esme had used creative room dividers to break it up, and the bedroom area was on a platform with a wall coming out right in the center of the room, almost making it like a museum diorama with a sliding heavy curtain for some privacy. The main area did indeed include a little kitchen, not to mention a small table with four chairs. Even the living room area with the TV mounted to the wall and visible from both the bed and the couch was in the style I loved, something I'd discussed with Esme on many occasions. There were two large closets, one for clothing and another for general storage and the bathroom was a dream with a clawfoot tub and shower combination.

But that wasn't the best part. On either side of the building were a set of terraces that were mine. The one on the front of the building was set up with a small wrought iron table and various shrubs and flowers, giving me a great place to sit out and watch the bustle of the city, while the back half had two large glass doors and the top half of the back wall above the bedroom area was all the way to the fifteen foot ceiling were glass windows that let in a lot of light. Esme had situated my desk along that wall so I could easily look out the doors if I wanted to. She even set up a little area for me to put a sewing machine and dress form.

"Esme had to know that you were going to hire me, because this is exactly what I would have done with this space," I told Edward, who seemed to be waiting for my opinion. "When do the kids go to visit their mother?"

"They leave next week and will be gone two weeks, so they should be home just in time for my birthday." Edward pulled out his phone, checking something on the screen. "Yes, they fly back in the evening of the nineteenth. I'm just glad that Tanya kept that in mind when she planned the trip."

"It sounds like it was amicable," I ventured cautiously.

"She used to be my best friend, but we grew too far apart. But through the whole thing she kept the kids in the front of her mind. We may have been having problems, but the kids needed a stable parent and she wasn't able to be that. It was nice that she didn't fight me on that. Anyway, I'm going to let you go, as you have a very important day tomorrow." Edward once again led me down to the play room where I said goodbye to everyone and confirmed with Esme the breakfast reservation for tomorrow.

"Why does it sound like you made a reservation for all of us, Aunt Esme," Rosalie asked as she shot me another glare.

"Because this is an important day for Bella, and I thought that you would want to be there, and besides, it's a chance for us to be together as a family," Esme answered.

"But she's not family, she's just the help." I was shocked by her comment, but Edward was already leading her into her bedroom for a talk.

"I'm going to head home, but I will see you tomorrow."

Walking outside, I headed towards the subway and then picked up some take out on the way home. After calling Angela to tell her about my new job and joking around about the ice princess that Rosalie was channeling and Edward's yoyo mood today, I climbed into bed and vegged out watching TV for a few hours before I went to sleep.

The next morning I was running around trying to get everything ready. The ceremony was in Brooklyn, so Carlisle said that we would take two cars. Carlisle would drive us over in his SUV and Edward would take his family, but first we were stopping at Norma's for breakfast.

Esme had asked me to bring the kids to meet her there one Sunday for brunch, and it quickly became the place I treated myself to when I wanted to celebrate something. The food was amazing and I was excited that Esme planned for us to come here today.

The children were all talking over one another about what they wanted to eat while I talked to Esme about moving into the brownstone. She started discussing shopping trips and organizing what would stay at my apartment and what would go to the room at Edward's, which quickly had me talking her down from a weekend in Soho and Nolita as she helped me shop for my new wardrobe. It was one of the few things that I didn't like about my job, I was representing the Cullen's when I was watching the kids, so I needed nicer clothes, which didn't last when you're chasing paint stained munchkins.

Jasper called my name from across the table, so I turned my attention to him. "When are we meeting your mom and dad, Bella?"

I swallowed past the lump in my throat as I looked to Esme before meeting Jasper's eyes again. "My dad is a police man and he lives all the way on the other side of the country, so he couldn't come today, and my mom died when I was in high school."

The table got quiet for a minute before Tia reached over to squeeze my hand, sensing my unease. Carlisle caught Jasper's attention, asking him about a book he had been reading and soon the table had all but forgotten about the awkwardness that had been sitting there.

We made small talk while we ate and then to my surprise Edward picked up the check before the four of us got the kids out to the car and made the drive to Brooklyn.

The ceremony was crowded, but as I left the Cullens to find seats, Angela grabbed my wrist and pulled me off to put on my cap and gown and get into position.

"Who is that fine piece of man candy talking to Carlisle?" she asked as Ben just shook his head.

"Right here, sweetheart," he teased but Angela just waved her hand in his direction.

"Honey, you know I love you, but he is so fine, I'd fuck him on top of you," she said, earning a few stares from the people around us. "Now, 'splain Lucy?"

"That's Edward Cullen, my new boss, and his kids."

"Your new boss? Is he a Broadway producer with a butler that is already scheming to get you two together?" She smirked and I took my gown from her, draping it over my shoulders as I stomped away from her.

"You are insane, and referencing the Nanny doesn't make you cool," I called out as she followed me.

"Bella, that man is checking you out in his sly little way. I thought you said he was a little cold towards you yesterday? Did you warm him up, or was it that dress that put that smile on his face."

"Angela, you have no idea what you're talking about. This is my job, one I would like to keep so if you could stop making obscene comments about him, I'd appreciate it."

"Fine," she pouted, "I'll stop until you need to talk about all the sexual tension that you'll be dealing with once you get to know him better."

"You're impossible," I muttered as we found our spot and settled in.

The ceremony itself was long and boring, and I felt bad for the kids, but if I knew Esme, she had something to keep them occupied so only the adults were bored during the proceedings.

When it was finally time to get our diplomas, we stood up and handed in our name and degree information so that by the time we walked across the stage the announcer had it. I heard some cheers as I took my diploma, a blush flooding my cheeks as the tears welled up in my eyes. I'd never had that many people cheering for me, even if half of them were going through the motions at the moment.

The ceremony wrapped up and we waded through the crowds trying to find the Cullens and Ang and Ben's families. Charlotte was the first to spot me, running over at a full sprint and wrapping her arms around my middle.

"Bella, I'm so proud of you! I can't wait until I can go to college." Charlotte was my little scholar, and I was sure she would get accepted anywhere she wanted to go.

"Thanks, Lottie, and you'll get to walk across the stage at your graduation next year, so you'll get your first taste of celebrating a big milestone then." I smiled down at her just as the other kids made their approach. Well, almost all of them.

Tia and Jasper both gave me big hugs while Alice held out her arms to be picked up. Knowing that was likely a big step for her, I lifted her onto my hip and looked around to see Edward smiling at the two of us.

"Congratulations, Isabella."

"Thank you, Mr.-" I started, because he'd never said I could call him Edward, but he cut me off before I could finish it.

"It's Edward, and you're welcome," he said as Rosalie huffed at his side.

Esme and Carlisle both gave me one-armed hugs as I still had Alice attached to my hip, and then turned to greet my friends.

"Angela, it's so good to see you again," Esme gushed as she pulled her into a hug, passing her along to Carlisle while she hugged Ben.

"Edward, these are my two best friends, Angela Weber and Ben Cheney. Guys, this is Edward Cullen, Carlisle's brother and my new boss."

"It's nice to meet you both, and congratulations on your graduation," Edward said genuinely.

"Nice to meet you too, Sir, and this must be little Alice," Angela cooed. "We've heard all about you and Jasper and Rosalie."

Leaning in to hand Alice back to Edward, I whispered, "Just so you know, Ben and Angela are getting engaged tonight, even though she doesn't know it yet, so I wanted to ask permission for Ben to be at the house. He's like a brother to me and there wouldn't be anything for you to worry about with the kids."

"That's fine, he seems like a nice young man and Esme and Carlisle obviously let him around the girls. Thank you for telling me about it before I walked in one night to see him on my couch with his shoes kicked off."

"I told you that I'd respect your rules, and I meant that. Now we better get going, can't keep the Pastor waiting," I said, placing a kiss on Alice's forehead.

"Pastor?" Edward blanched.

"She means my dad," Angela explained. "He's a Lutheran minister out on Long Island."

"Oh wait, we have to get pictures before you leave." Esme organized us quickly for a few shots before they eventually waved us off.

"That man has it bad for you, B," Angela whispered as we found where her parents and brothers were waiting.

"There you are," Pastor Weber called out. "We almost sent a search party out for you." With a round of laughter, we started taking even more photos and then the nine of us got on the subway to make our way to our dinner reservation.

Lee Cheney, Ben's dad, had gotten us a table at Tony DiNapoli's for an early dinner, which was a family style Italian place in the heart of Times Square that we loved.

Every adult at the table knew what was going to happen during dessert, but as we ordered our food for the table and enjoyed the celebration, no one was letting on what was coming.

For nearly two hours we laughed and joked and carried on like a big family, something both the Cheney's and the Weber's had always included me in when they were aroun. But everyone grew quiet as Ben pushed back his strawberry cheesecake and turned to Angela.

"Ang, babe, we've been together since the day I literally tripped over you in Penn Station, and in those four years all the love I feel for you has only grown. You always keep me guessing and I can't think of a better way to spend the rest of my life than trying to figure out what you're going to say next. Angela Weber, will you marry me?"

"Yes," she whispered, a true sign of her shock.

Ben slipped the ring out of the tiny box and onto her finger, sharing a kiss with her as the restaurant erupted into cheers and applause. As I watched my two best friends celebrate their engagement, I couldn't help but smile at the fact that today was a new start for us all.