Bella

After dinner Edward helped me with the dishes, it was weird how easy it was becoming to talk to Edward. I sometimes got the feeling he forgot he was talking to me and thought he was talking to Alice or Rosalie. He looked so relaxed and everything he said came so easily, where as before it seemed like he had to think ages before he knew what to say. Of course I liked this freedom of speech much more I placed the towel on the chair and sighed deeply before he smiled weakly my way.
"I should be going now, I actually promised the others I'd meet up with them at the movies." he said while he took his jacket in to the living room.
"I would have asked you to join us it would be a win-win situation. You get to know some other people and I don't sit there like the fifth wheel." he said serious as I smiled and nodded.
"Too bad, huh but thanks for the invitation." He nodded shortly as he took my phone off the table in the living room before placing it in my hand thirty seconds later and winked slyly at me.
"So here's my number in case you need a talk or a taxi." He said before walking to the door.
"Are you sure that that was a good idea?" I asked amused as he turned around to face me, he smiled cutely and shrugged.
"I can always change my number." He replied before kissing my cheek and disappeared out the door.

I sat down on the couch as if I needed a minute to process what happened tonight. Nathan crawled up on my lap and placed his head against my chest. I sighed deeply and kissed his forehead.
"Shall we go and sleep?" I muttered as he looked at me and nodded. I looked at him surprised he had finally given me a reaction and I was not able to control my happiness. I shook my head still smiling as I led him upstairs.

I dreamt about mum and dad, except I wasn't part of the dream just some sort of observer watching from the side lines, as if it was a movie. I recognized instantly one of our movie nights, and how we all sat down under our blankets closely together with some popcorn and soda. Those were the nights I enjoyed the most. Since Nathan wasn't old enough we watched Disney classics, my favorite? The Lion King just because we used to sing along with 'Just Can't Wait To Be King' & 'Hakuna Matata'. Nathan used to love that but whenever dad did his version of 'Be Prepare' Nathan used to ran around screaming while dad followed him. One moment he seemed to enjoy it and the next he seemed really scared. The dream suddenly changed and I saw us sitting at the dinner table with my parents and Nathan. Dad with his hands against his face and mum playing distractedly with her food. Nathan eating as if nothing was wrong while his eyes glanced anxiously between mum to dad. I was scared which one of them would start the argument first and the whole night would end up in false accusations. They loved each other so much but my dad's busy work schedule didn't make it always easy for them. My mind jumped again and I see myself opening the door all smiley until the police in front of me asked me my name.

I jumped up and shook my head to remove the last part of that dream. It was four in the morning and I wasn't able to fall asleep again. When Nathan woke up I was somehow able to control the whole situation. But I knew that I had to keep myself busy so that I wasn't able to drift back to the dream. After getting myself and Nathan ready for the day ahead I began our breakfast. I had to find a new school for Nathan and a job for myself. School was starting again in three weeks so I at least had some time. But I really needed a job. I've been hoping I could find something in the architect business but realized I wasn't going to find it straight away. I knew I had to take a temporary job as we were running out of money. I looked outside and saw the sun appear from between the clouds. They predicted the weather would be better this week. I decided to eat our breakfast on the porch. I really enjoyed the sun's rays grazing my face. After breakfast I got Nathan ready to head out. As we had to pass by Esme's house, I decided to make a quick stop.

Esme seemed delighted that we stopped by even though I told her we could not stay too long she made us sit down and drink something.
"So what are your important plans today that stop you from staying too long?" she asked as she sat down across from me.
"I was planning on getting Nathan registered at school and hopefully finding a job. Actually I haven't seen the school yet, is it far?" I asked hoping that it wasn't too far from town.
"No, when you go to the mall you go to the left then around the corner you will see the school. But I think that they start with the registration next week." I sighed deeply and smiled briefly at her.
"Do you think they still will have a spot free? Since it's so hard to find a school just lately." she laughed briefly and nodded still amused by my question.
"Of course they will this isn't Phoenix." She said and winked at me. I shook my head lightly and smiled. So the only thing that ended up on my to-do-list was searching a job. I looked at Nathan who was playing contentedly in the corner with his two cars he brought along. I noticed there was a vacancy at the mall, but since that Jessica girl worked there and seemed not really fond of me I decided to try and search for something else.
"You haven't seen any vacancies around except from at the mall by any chance?"
"I did not pay attention to it, but if I see something I will let you know." She replied kindly.
"I was hoping to find a job today, but if I fail in my mission I will let you know." I told her honestly, as she looked at Nathan and then back at me.
"Are you planning on carrying him around with you everywhere?" she asked as I nodded in confirmation.
"You know that I won't mind watching out for him when you need it, right? Finding a job is hard enough, so carrying a child around whilst you're trying to do that…" she shook her head and looked concerned at me.

I knew she would take good care of him, but I was not sure how Nathan would react with being left with near strangers. Of course this could be a good tester Esme could call me if he was not coping with me being away from him.
"That would definitely make searching for a job much easier." I smiled I wrote down my number and told Nathan I would be back soon. I thanked Esme again and headed out the door beginning my search for a job.

EDWARD

Mum called me up to help her with her TV digital box. She wanted to hire a movie and because dad normally did those things and he went fishing again she called me up.
"You really need to learn how to do this." I sighed as she let me in. Once I reached the living room I saw Nathan sitting in the couch.
"It's not for me Nathan wants to watch a movie." I raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly confused as to why Nathan was here in the first place.
"How do you know, he doesn't talk?" I asked as she shrugged and sat down next to him.
"He was pointing at the television." She replied as if it was the most obvious answer.
"So would he be happy with a cartoon." She shook her head in response and showed me his car.
"He always shows me this when I asked if he wanted to watch cartoons." she smiled her evil smile she did when she knew more than the rest of us.
"So he wants to see Cars"' I sighed as Nathan nodded excitedly.

"So why is he here?" I asked as the movie began Mum shrugged and smiled.
"I offered to watch out for him while Bella is searching for a job. So did you see her after the town fair?" I wondered if Bella said something about it. That evil little smile appeared back on her face. I nodded shortly and sighed knowing what would follow.
"I knew it! I knew that you would pass by her house, you left way too early. So you like her, don't you?" She rattled as she almost ran towards the kitchen jumping around so as not to disturb Nathan.
"I just passed by because she was upset that Nathan reacted towards me and not to her, that's all." she raised an eyebrow and I knew that whatever I said would not make any difference. If she would ask Bella out right and hear that I gave my number to her she would totally freak out. Maybe I should ask Bella not to tell too much to my mum.

The doorbell went off and I just had a feeling that it would be Bella. Mums face was a picture defiantly Oscar worthy. Her behavior was getting so weird it was as if she believed that she was cupid or something. I greeted Bella as she smiled back and looked at the television.
"You have 'Cars'?" she asked mum as she shook her head and smiled. She looked confused as mum made her sit down.
"Nathan made it obvious he wanted to see cars. When I asked if any cartoon was fine, he pulled his car up. Edward of course recognized that his car was from the movie called 'Cars'." she explained as Bella smiled widely and shook her head.
"You knew it was that movie." I mumbled as mum nodded.
"Yes I knew it was that cars movie I just didn't knew it called 'Cars'." Esme said as I raised an eyebrow. When I looked at Bella I saw that this little conversation between mum and me amused her.
"It's unbelievable how he still is able to say what he really wants without saying a word." she said after a while as she looked at him.
"So did you find anything?" mum asked as she looked at Bella and she nodded.
"I will be working at that little restaurant until I find something else."
"At Mt Haven?" Mum asked as she nodded. The restaurant was well known but still I refused to go there. Jacob, the son of owner and I never used to be best friends. I knew that Jacob left for a year to go to California to spend some quality time with his mother. I heard he recently came back and worked in his father's restaurant as a cook.
"What was it again that you studied?"
"Interior design." She responded as I looked at the television as 'Cars' was just finishing. Nathan crawled off the couch and stood next to Bella, waiting for her to take him on her lap. Between the conversation she was having with my mum Bella stroked his hair and kissed his forehead and I wondered if she was aware that she took him on her lap and was stroking his hair. I looked at Nathan and smiled weakly seeing how exhausted he looked, but as stubborn as children could be he fought against it.

"I should be going he really needs his nap now." She said towards my mum as I came out my thoughts and somehow stood up at the same time she did. I smiled weakly and did not even want to know the look on my mother's face now.
"Leaving too?" she asked as I had to face her now. That evil little smile appeared again and I rolled my eyes.
"Yes, because it is unbearable to stay longer than I already have in the same room with you." I said laughing as I kissed her cheek as she hit me lightly. I smiled and took my jacket while Bella said her goodbyes to my mum.
"So did she ask you something about yesterday?" I asked once we walked towards the cars and out of my mother's hearing range. She looked up and shook her head.
"No why?" I shrugged and opened the door of my car.
"Let's say that she easily sees things that are not there, whenever I talk to a girl she thinks that we will be dating in the next few days or so. Let's say that she is losing hope, even though I'm only 25." she smiled and lightly shook her head.
"You are indeed getting old." She smiled as I narrowed my eyes but wasn't able to hide my smile.
"But I promise I won't give her too much hope."
"If you want I can drop you off at home, he seems really tired." we both looked at Nathan as I saw her considering it. She smiled briefly and shook her head.
"It's not that far and I just promised that we weren't going to give your mum too much hope, and since she is watching from behind the curtains..." She somehow seemed amused by all this as I looked at the window and rolled my eyes.
"She would make bloody good paparazzi." I mumbled as she laughed shortly.
"I assume I'll see you around some time." She asked smiling.
"I assume that too… since Milford isn't that big." I replied giving her my own smile.

Bella

Once I placed Nathan in his bed I took my drawing paper out and sat down in the corner of the living room. I looked around and thought about all the possibilities for this room. I made about ten different samples and decided that the most simple of designs looked the best. That meant that I had to paint the ceiling a light grey and the walls I had to paint white. I did not understand what mum and dad thought when they decided to paint three of the walls red and one black. The more I concentrated on it the more I felt the urge to get the new paint straight away. Though because Nathan was sleeping I decided to keep myself busy by writing down everything I needed to make this living room into something warm and cozy. The things I needed to buy were a huge mirror for above the fake fireplace and obviously some new curtains. I shook my head in disbelief and smiled at the thought of how much mum and dad's taste changed in Phoenix, and how do I thank God for that.

After a half hour I checked on Nathan who smiled weak when I walked into his room. I automatically smiled back and kissed his forehead. Since Edward had been around I could see such a change in Nathan's behavior. Ok he smiles weakly but he smiles. He nodded easier, just the talking stayed away. We headed to the bathroom as I washed his face and combed his hair again. Downstairs I gave him a little snack as I gathered my stuff together.
"Ready?" I asked as he propped the last piece of toast in his mouth and nodded. I gave him a bottle of water and cleaned his face once more.
We had been walking for 20 minutes and I still had not seen a paint store. I looked at Nathan who was starting to tire from our walk. I picked him up and was about to walk into a store as Rosalie walked out.
"Hey, Bella, right?" she asked giving me a small smile. I smiled back and nodded.
"Hi." I responded shyly, I don't think she was a real talker herself as we both stood there in silence looking at Nathan.
"Urm, do you know where I can find a paint store?' she looked back at me and nodded.
"I do, it's pretty far but if you want I could take you."
"Nah its ok, I don't want to interrupt your plans." I said as she smiled and shook her head.
"I would not mention it if I had any plans, come on." she said as I followed behind her towards to her car.

She drove a Meganne Cabriolet and to my surprise she had a car seat. She smiled as she unlocked the doors.
"I have to pick up my sister's daughter from time to time." She said whilst nodding at the car seat as I placed Nathan in it. We drove for about 10 minutes before we stopped at the shop.
"Planning on changing a few things?" she asked as we walked into the shop I raised an eyebrow and laughed briefly.
"Let's just say I definitely need to change all the rooms. I confess that I was much happier with their taste in decor when we were in Phoenix." I laughed smiling at my parents decorating skills.
"Is it that bad?"
"You are always free to come and look for yourself and judge." I smiled as she smiled back and nodded.

I raced around the store and grabbed what I needed and went to the check out. Rosalie followed me and helped me to carry everything outside. Once we arrived back at my place I invited her in for a drink. She agreed saying she was curious as to what state the place was in. I couldn't help but check her expression when she walked in she smiled and raised her eyebrows quickly.
"Ok, I get the make-over." she said as I nodded.
"I thought you would say that so what would you like to drink? I have water, Ice tea, Lemonade, red bull and strawberry milk." I responded.
"Totally the milk" she smiled and then laughed and said "Lemonade" afterwards. We sat down at the kitchen table as Nathan played at the living room with his cars.
"So how is Milford treating you?" she asked.
"I do not know that many people yet, so honestly it is pretty boring. I confess I am quite happy that I can go and work next week."
"Really? Where?" She asked intrigued.
"Mt Haven. But I am planning to search for something else I do not see myself working at a restaurant forever." I smiled.
"Mt Haven? Have you met Jacob already?" she asked with a crooked smile while raising one eyebrow.
"No, but he's the owners his son, right? Why?" I asked my curiosity piquing.
"Let's just say that he's not our best friend." she mumbled she seemed uncomfortable all of a sudden.
"our?" I questioned unsure of who else she was referring to.
"You know Jasper, Emmett, Edward, Alice…" I nodded as she smiled and looked at Nathan again. I wanted to ask why, but I was not sure that was such a good idea. Besides I think that Jacob has a right on a fair chance. So if Rosalie did tell me why they did not get along I maybe would look at him differently. I would definitely have to ask her at a later date when I knew her and Jacob better a little better. We talked about the usual stuff and the longer we talked the easier it became for both of us I assumed. I walked her to the door as she invited me over to hers sometimes. She left her phone number and asked for mine so we could set a date.

So we had been here for six days and I was able to get three phone numbers. Maybe I was getting popular for a change. That of course was sarcastic. If Kate had been here she obviously would have had 20 numbers just at that event. While Nathan was playing outside I placed the couch in a safe place and wrapped it in plastic to be sure it won't get any paint spots on it. I wore my old dungarees, proud that I knew they would become handy someday. I began with the smallest wall, which include the window. It was obvious that it would need a second coat maybe even a third. I never knew why, but doing things like this helped me to relax.

I couldn't help it but to think back to the time in Phoenix. I loved going to college, even though I did not have a lot of spare time. Through my years at collage I got to know two people especially Nikki and Kate. They were always nice to me, and some days they forced me to take a break and organized a girl's night with just the three of us. Those days always did me good I assume that a lot of people at collage saw me as one of the nerds. But then again I never saw myself as that smart. The only reason I constantly hung over my books all the time was because I needed to study day in day out to graduate. I didn't see Nikki and Kate that much after my parents past away. We were in the middle of our exams and shortly after that Nathan and I left for Milford. They were at the funeral but there were so many people from dad's and mum's jobs that we hardly got the chance to talk to each other. They wrote a card saying sorry they were and thought it was sad I had to leave Phoenix and of course that they hoped we could still stay in contact. We emailed a bit but since I arrived here I haven't checked my emails once.