Disclaimer: The characters all belong to Stephenie Meyer, we just get to play with them.

A/N -Thank you to Dandiegoose, for being an awesome beta. You Rock. Also thank you to Eifeltwr for the help with ideas

and help with some wording and prereading, and Karen E. Teague all the help with prereading.

You all Rock.

************Tissue Warning Issued************* on the advice of some.

Chapter 4

Edward knocked on my door promptly at four pm. I smoothed my hair for the millionth time;

I was nervous. I had met Edward a few days prior while in line at Starbucks. Being the clumsy

person I am, I spilled my Caramel Frappichino down the front of him. Thankfully, he'd laughed

and asked for my number.

I opened the door and saw him standing there, looking more handsome than I remembered, holding a bouquet of assorted flowers.

"Hi Bella," he smiled as he extended the bouquet to me. "I wasn't sure what you liked,

so I got a variety," he added nervously.

"Thank you, Edward. These are perfect." I breathed in there heavenly scent as I stepped aside

to let him in.

"You look beautiful, Bella," he complimented as he shifted from foot to foot. I sighed in relief

when I realized that he was as nervous as I was.

"Thanks, you look great too." I started toward the kitchen and almost ran into Alice as she

came running from the hallway.

"Oh, God," I mumbled under my breath as I looked back towards Edward. Alice was a whirlwind of

energy and I didn't want her to scare Edward off. He smiled at me, although I could tell from his

expression that he didn't know what to think.

"Don't leave yet," Alice practically screamed.

"What are you doing Alice?" I asked, leery of what her plan entailed.

"I want to take your picture. I know you'll thank me for it one day," she smirked at me.

I looked over at Edward and mouthed, 'I'm sorry.' He nodded his head and smiled.

Alice directed me to stand in front of Edward, his arms wound around my waist, and I couldn't help

but relax against his chest, I felt safe and warm. She then handed me the flowers.

"Perfect," she squealed after she snapped about a dozen pictures.

"Bella, I'll take these for you and put them in water," she said, already having grabbed the

bouquet and walking toward the kitchen.

"Thanks Alice, I'll see you later." I picked up my jacket.

"No problem, go have fun," she called from the kitchen.

Edward took my jacket from me and helped me into it.

"Thank you." A slight blush raised against my cheeks as I smiled shyly at him.

"Not a problem," he murmured, his finger traced along my heated cheek. "Shall we go?"

"Yes," I croaked as he opened the door.

We strolled to his car and like the gentleman I was learning he was, he opened the door for me and

waited until I was settled in my seat before closing it softly.

"Where are we going?" I wondered out loud as he slid into the driver's seat.

"I'd like it to be a surprise, if that's okay," he smirked at me.

"Of course it's fine, I just wanted to make sure I was dressed okay," I said quietly, looking

down at my hands, suddenly feeling shy and awkward.

"Bella." His fingers lifted my chin up so that I was looking at him, his green eyes smoldered

with some unknown emotion as they met my brown ones. "You look perfect," he insisted

before he smiled a beautiful crooked smile and started the car.

I nodded as he began the drive down my street towards wherever it was we were going.

It was quiet - a comfortable quiet- in the car. It felt like we didn't need to fill the space with

empty chatter.

Every so often we would catch the other's glance, causing us both to laugh or smile.

We finally arrived at our destination, The Guggenheim Museum of Art.

He jumped out as soon as the car was parked, so he could race around to the passenger side

and open the door for me.

Is he for real? I thought to myself.

"Thank you," I said taking his hand as he helped me from the car.

"You're welcome." He smiled down at me and I felt my heart flutter. "Surprise! I remembered

you saying how much you loved art, so I thought this would be a good first stop to our night."

"This is wonderful. I haven't been here in a really long time," I exclaimed as he led me inside.

He paid for our tickets and we began wandering around, taking in the various paintings

and sculptures that lined the spiral walkways.

"This museum has always been one of my favorites, not only for the art, but also for the

way it's designed," I told him as we looked at the various contemporary sculptures.

"I'm glad I chose this particular museum then," he commented as he reached for my hand

and laced our fingers together. His had was warm and strong, and fit perfectly with mine.

We walked through all six floors of modern and contemporary art and discovered along

the way that we had similar tastes.

Once we felt like we'd seen all there was, Edward drove us toward Central Park. Apparently there was a concert in the park scheduled.

He grabbed a basket from the trunk before he came and opened the door for me.

He lead us to a soft patch of lawn, unfolded the blanket, motioned for me to take a seat and went about unpacking our dinner.

It turned out that Edward had made dinner himself, which included pasta salad, bread and wine, an assortment of fruits and Italian cookies for dessert.

"This looks great, Edward," I complimented after I took a sip of the wine.

"Thank you, Bella."

It felt so comfortable being with him, like we'd been together forever, instead of being on

our first date.

Around seven o'clock, the concert started. Edward was nervous that I wouldn't like the music.

Once it started, I reassured him that I liked it.

The sun started to set and the air turned chilly, so Edward pulled another blanket out of the

bottom of the basket and wrapped it around us. I leaned against his chest for the second time

that night and felt content. I'd never had this sort of connection with anyone.

Edward nuzzled his face against my ear and whispered, "Are you having a good time?"

My heart started galloping in my chest, I nodded. "I'm having a great time." I turned towards him

and our noses brushed, Eskimo kisses. "Edward," I said quietly as I shifted more toward him

and laced my fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck.

Edward's eyes had grown dark, his face coming closer and closer towards mine, until our

lips brushed together. He tightened his hold on the blanket around us, pulling us into our

own little cocoon. His lips met mine with more vigor and I opened my mouth to him and

our tongues caressed. I whimpered.

We pulled apart, both gasping for breath and unable to catch it. His eyes sparkled and

his lips quirked. He's perfect, I concluded.

I heard Alice's voice calling out to me frantically, as I started to come to. It sounded like

she was in a tunnel.

My eyes fluttered open and I saw her panic-stricken face as she was kneeling over me.

"Bella, you scared the crap out of me!" she wailed, gesturing with her hands.

"Where am I ?" I stammered looking around me wide-eyed. "Why am I on the sidewalk?"

Realization dawned on me and I knew it wasn't a dream. "Edward!" I murmured as I tried

to get up.

Alice helped me to get to my feet and I looked toward midtown Manhattan. I could see the plumes

of smoke wafting up into the sky.

Edward and Jasper's building was no longer there. Emmett's building looked as if it were leaning.

I shook my head, trying to clear the image from my sight. I assured Alice I was fine as I opened

the car door and slid into the passenger seat.

Alice rushed over to the driver's side and got in. She quickly started the car and drove toward

the Holland Tunnel.

My thoughts were everywhere from - Did they make it out? How could something like this happen?

Oh God, I thought, what if I never see Edward again or see that damn crooked smirk

that I love.

"Alice drive faster," I insisted as I ran a hand through my hair; a habit that I picked up from Edward.

"Bella, I'm going to get us there," she said as she accelerated down the freeway.

"Alice, have you heard anything from Jasper?"

"No, my cell isn't picking up any signal," she pouted. "How about yours?"

"No, nothing," I said looking down at my cell phone and then looking out the window.

I prayed silently for Edward, Jasper and the countless others who were in

those buildings.

As we reached the tunnel entrance, we were told that due to the incidents in Manhattan all

tunnels and bridges into the city were closed until further notice.

"Shit, Alice, how are we going to get into Midtown?" My voice echoing the panic I felt.

"Do you trust me, Bella?" she asked as she turned the car around and headed toward the docks.

"Yes, Alice, I trust you, but what are you thinking?" I asked eyeing her up and down.

"Don't worry. We are getting into that city," she said with determination.

Alice drove to the NY Waterway Terminal and she parked the car. "Bella, stay here and I'll

be right back," she said as she started to walk away.

"Alice?" I called after her.

"It's fine Bella, I'm going to find Alistair. He'll get us across." She confidently said as she turned back around

and headed toward the ferries that lined the docks.

I sat back in the seat and pinched the bridge of my nose, just like Edward does when he's

frustrated or upset. Another habit I picked up from him. Hopefully he hasn't picked up any

of my habits, I thought as I pulled my phone from my pocket.

I dialed Edward's cell number, in hopes of reaching him, but I received no answer. As

I looked down at my phone before putting it away, I noticed that the message indicator was

flashing. I quickly dialed my voicemail and listened to the message.

"Bella," his voice cracked thick with emotion. "I love you so much, baby. Um, everything

happened so fast...something hit our building, a plane, I think. Jazz and I are stuck

in the stairwell. We tried to get out, I don't know what floor we are on, maybe the main

floor now. Everything came crashing down, baby. I can't move my legs; something

is pinning them down, and I can't get it off me, love. I need to get out of here so I can

come home to you."

Edward coughed, the sound was wrenching at my gut.

"Baby, I'm not sure if I'll ever get to see your beautiful brown eyes, feel your soft lips

caress mine, or be able to make love with you like this morning again. I need you to know that I intend

to make you my wife and I want nothing more than you to be the mother of my children. I'm holding on for you, Bella.

You're my entire world, my reason for existing."

The tears were flowing as I listened to him. Edward coughed again, I could tell how much it hurt him.

His voice become quite raspy.

"Baby, please tell Alice that Jazz loves her so much and remember that no matter what

happens that I love you so much, my Bella. I. . .I need to go now, the air is thick in here.

I can hardly breathe. . .I'm getting sleepy. I promise you I'll make it home. I love you..."

Those were the last words I heard Edward say to me. I had tears streaming down my face

and heartbreaking sobs were coming from me as Alice opened the door.

"Bella, what the hell happened?" She cried taking in my face.

"Edward," I said between sobs as I handed her the phone.

Alice pressed replay and she listened to Edward's voice. Her sobs quickly echoed mine.

"Oh my God, Bella," she said as she grabbed on to me and held tightly, as we sobbed

into each others shoulder.

When we were finally able to calm down enough to speak, Alice told me that Alistair could

get us on a ferry into Manhattan.

We wiped the tears from our faces, grabbed our stuff then hopped out of the car.

Alice locked the car and led the way to where Alistair was waiting. She made a quick

introduction as he led us on board.

We quietly took a seat as we sailed across the Hudson River.

I replayed Edward's message several times, listening to the fear and pain in his voice.

My heart ached for the love of my life. I prayed that I'd get the chance to look into his

intense green eyes and hear his laugh again.

I never really thought about having children, but with Edward I think I'd want to. I only

hoped that I'd get the chance one day.

It didn't take long to get across the river. We exited the boat; the scene around us was chaotic.

People were coming toward the docks, in hopes of fleeing the city. Alice and I walked toward the

main street struggling against the crowd of people.

There was a sense of the unreal; people looked into the eyes of strangers, uncomprehending.

Many were in shock and had no words.

As we walked, there were no words spoken, we just walked side by side. We saw many people sitting on the curbs,

holding on to each other.

Some were sobbing, others staring up at the smoke coming from the North tower.

The further we got from the docks, the more insane it got. People were running everywhere.

The air was thick with smoke and there was ash falling like snow covering everything.

Injured people stumbled down the sidewalks trying to escape the horrors they'd seen.

We got swept away in a crowd of people as we began to hear a rumbling sound and the

ground trembled beneath our feet.

We looked toward the North tower and it appeared to be leaning, as if it were caving

inward on itself.

I looked to my left as the rumbling continued and saw someone who worked with Edward.

"Felix?" I called out. He didn't hear me so I called his name louder.

"Bella," he said running towards me. "We need to get away from here." He frantically began

pulling me and Alice with him.

"Did you see Edward and Jasper?" I asked, hoping that he had an answer that I wanted to hear.

"No, not since leaving the stairwell. They were behind me a few flights up," he explained as he kept guiding us further down the street.

More rumbling sounded around us and I could feel everything trembling as Felix pushed me and Alice in front of him.

We were huddled in a doorway as a huge wave of ash and debris rushed by us.

What we didn't realize in that moment was the North tower had fallen.

As soon as the dust cleared a bit, we came out from the storefront. Felix left us to go look

for others he could help. It was eerily quiet; you could only hear the sound of distant sirens and

the sobs of the people walking.

"Bella, where are we going?" Alice asked.

"To the hospital," I said as we continued on. Alice nodded her head and walked beside me.

Most people walked aimlessly toward the hospitals in search of loved ones and co-workers.

Others sat on the curbs and tried to call anybody.

We made our way to the Avenue of the Americas and headed towards the St. Vincent's Medical Center.

The ambulances continued to speed down the street passed us. People were rushing to help the visibly injured.

As we continued walking, I hoped to hear from Edward again; just to know if he was still alive. Not knowing was the hardest part.

Alice, who was normally chatty, walked silently at my side. Probably thinking of Jasper and not knowing how to deal with everything either.

I know I was in shock and disbelief, even after seeing it with my own eyes. I couldn't believe all this had really happened.

We approached the front of the hospital, there were people parked all along the sidewalk. Many sat there in shock,

some were sitting in wheelchairs waiting to be seen.

We walked along and I felt someone grab my arm.

I turned around to see who grabbed me and I looked up to see him. His eyes were trained on me.

"Bella," he said as he pulled me into his arms.