DISCLAIMER: STEPHENIE MEYER OWNS ALL THINGS TWILIGHT!

Chapter 4: Some Rain and Coffee

"Hello?" I said quietly as I answered my phone. I walked to the back of the store toward my locker.

"Hey Bells." My dad said nervously.

"Hey dad. Is something wrong?" I asked worriedly. I slowed my walking and stopped once I got near the door.

"No, no. Nothing's wrong." He cleared his throat. I stayed quiet and waited for him to continue. "I was just wondering if you wanted to come over tomorrow?"

I raised an eyebrow, knowing there was more to the question than he was letting on. I knew him better than he thought.

"Continue…" I laughed.

I heard him grumble something and then give a loud sigh. "I just want you to come over to see Billy and Jacob. They haven't seen you in so long and they're always asking how you are. Just for an hour Bells and then I promise you can leave." He pleaded.

My smile faded. I leaned my head against the wall and closed my eyes. I felt the coolness of it on my forehead as I thought of a response.

I was ready to give the excuse that I always gave, "No, I can't dad. I have so much schoolwork to do and then I have to go to work. I just don't have time." That would normally be the response Charlie would receive. He always took it like he hadn't heard it before, and sometimes I would simply say no and he would be fine with it. But Billy and Jake were practically family, and it was time that I started following Edward's advice.

It had been three days since my last meeting with him. And after our talk, regrets and wrong decisions had come crashing back to me and it was pretty difficult to take it all in at one time. It even took me a couple of hours to realize that I couldn't ignore everything forever.

So, after a lot of thinking, I had decided to ask Angela if she was available anytime this week so we could go out. It had taken me quiet a few minutes after I arrived here to work to even ask. When I finally gained enough courage to ask, it had gone smoother than I imagined it would go. She looked very happy and told me that Friday would be perfect. I was nervous to say the least, I hadn't been out in a while, but maybe this would give me the inspiration to go through with what I had promised both Edward and myself.

"Umm, sure dad. I'll, uh, I'll be there." I said, opening my eyes. I bit my lip to keep myself from blurting out that I had changed my mind. Not only would my dad be crushed, but this would also be my first step in trying to start over.

"Really?" He asked, surprised. I could hear the happiness in his voice, which was enough to make me smile.

"Yup. What time should I be there at?" I asked, wanting this conversation to be over. I was so close to backing out.

"Tonight at seven thirty is fine."

"Of course." I sighed out and then laughed. The games always started at eight and ended around ten. My dad being a huge baseball fan was always on schedule.

"You don't have to be there long if you don't want too. Just as long as you come for a bit." He compromised.

"Ok. That sounds fine."

"Thank you so much Bella. I know Billy and Jacob will be happy to see you."

I nodded even though he couldn't see me. "No problem dad. I'm excited to see them too." I said sincerely.

"Ok, Bells. I'll see you tonight."

"Bye."

I put my cell phone away and put it on silent as I usually did every time I arrived to work, but because I had been so damn nervous I had forgotten this time. It was so quiet in here that it almost scared Angela and I half to death when it rang.

"Your dad call?" she guessed, smiling as she arranged some of the new books we had received at the front desk.

I sighed. "Yes he did. Wants me to go over tonight."

"That's nice. Does he miss your cooking?" She laughed, knowing very well that my dad couldn't cook to save his life. He had a hard time finding something to eat everyday after I moved out.

I giggled. "Probably. He's going to have some company later so I should bake a cake for him or something." I became anxious again and I bit my lip, my eyebrows pulling together in worry.

Angela probably saw my expression and went back to what she was doing with a quiet nod.

A couple minutes later and I was heading over to my car to drive home. Class started a little later today than it normally did. It usually began an hour right after I left work but because the teacher decided to move the time, I now had three and a half hours free on my hands. Something I usually tried to avoid.

I walked the couple steps up onto my floor and forced myself to open the door to my apartment.

Sometimes it was depressing to just walk into a quiet place where you knew you would be all alone. No one there to greet you or keep you company. Instead you had to think of something entertaining for you to do by yourself and sometimes that was even possible which made…enough with the depressing thoughts Bella!

I let out an annoyed noise and walked into my room. I grabbed all the things I would need for class and headed out the door again. I slammed it once I was outside and literally ran down the steps. I wasn't going to sit around for three hours and go through what I had to deal with every night anyway.

Grrr-umph! My car sounded as I tried to turn it on. The engine would start for about a second and then make that awful noise. I tried it once more and cried out lightly in frustration when it did it again.

"You have got to be kidding me." I mumbled to myself as I leaned my forehead on the steering wheel. This was not my day…

I got out of my old red truck and kicked it as hard as I could when I closed the door. I sighed and rubbed its hood as I walked by. I couldn't be mad at the damn car even if I wanted too.

I put my book in my bag and put on my sweater. The wind was starting to pick up and the grey clouds started to move in. It wasn't supposed to rain today but it would be a miracle if that were actually true.

After walking for a bit I decided that a nice hot coffee would be good. The coffee shop wasn't very far from here and it would give me something to do before I had to go to school.

Three blocks down and it started to lightly drizzle. I didn't really mind, it actually felt good on my skin, but not even five minutes later did it start to pour. I was getting drenched and the one day I didn't bring an umbrella it was raining like no tomorrow.

I began speed walking underneath anything that would keep me dry, but there really was no use because I was already pretty wet. I leaned against a dry wall and rubbed my arms to try and gain some heat. I was already freezing and I had only brought a thin sweater to wear. The thought of a hot coffee sounded much more appealing now but the thought of getting there made me want to cry!

As I pondered over what to do I heard someone honk their car horn. I turned my head to look and squinted as I tried to look at the driver in a nicely polished Volvo.

"Bella!" someone called and my eyes widened at the sound of my name. The car pulled up to the sidewalk and I pushed off from the comfort of the dry wall I was still leaning against.

"Edward?" I asked quietly to myself, not exactly sure if I was right or not. I walked over to the car anyway and smiled when I realized I had been right.

He chuckled lightly when I got near and smiled. "Hey, are you ok?" he asked nicely.

I blushed but nodded quickly. "Ya, I'm just headed to the coffee shop a couple blocks down. I was just waiting for the rain to settle a bit." I explained.

He laughed again and gave me his famous crooked smile. "I can give you a ride if you'd like. I could use a hot chocolate right about now."

No way, he probably had somewhere important to go and something much more important to do. I could suck it up and walk a couple more minutes.

I shook my head. "No that's ok. I don't want to get your car all wet and I'm almost there. Thank you though."

I began to walk away from the car when he spoke again. "I really don't mind Bella. Come on."

I shook my head again. "I can walk." I replied.

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow and I gave him a questioning look. "What?" I asked.

He shook his head and laughed. "Ok then." But instead of pulling his car away from the sidewalk to drive off, he turned off the car and got out of the drivers seat.

"What are you doing?" I asked in shock.

He shrugged as he closed the car door and came toward me. "I'll walk with you." He said simply. "I told you I wouldn't mind something to drink."

I gasped. "Edward, don't be ridiculous. It's pouring out here." His hair was already wet, falling into his emerald eyes. The droplets slid off of his nice leather jacket and onto the pavement. I didn't know what shocked me more; the fact that he looked so stunningly beautiful or he was actually going to walk with me.

"You're walking and you seem perfectly fine. I'd like to walk with you." He gestured with his arm for me to go ahead of him.

"No! Get in your car. You're being absurd."

He only chuckled. "The more we stand out here the more we're going to get wet. I suggest we start walking to that coffee shop." He said, pretending to shiver.

I glared at him and walked over to the Volvo. "Just get in the damn car." I pointed to it demandingly, but again he laughed!

"Only if you get in with me." He compromised.

I rolled my eyes, and crossed my arms. He came over next to me and leaned back against his car. It looked like neither of us were really going to give in, so with an annoyed sigh I finally nodded.

Once we were both in and he had turned up the heater, he turned to me and said, "You are so stubborn. "A smirk planted on his face.

"I could say the same about you." I mumbled, looking ahead of me and nowhere else.

"But my stubbornness actually made sense. Why would you want to walk in the rain?"

I turned to look at him. "Because it would have been a fun experience." I lied, keeping a straight face.

He raised an eyebrow. "You live in Seattle. The experience isn't fun anymore when you see rain everyday."

I cracked a smile. "Fine. I just didn't want you to stop from whatever you were going to do and give me a ride."

"I actually have nowhere to go so I would of felt really bad if I had actually let you walk in this weather."

I shrugged. "Well you know what they say, assuming makes an ass out of you and me."

He laughed. "And how does that exactly apply to this situation."

"Because I was being a stubborn, angry person and you actually got off the car to persuade me to get in, which I didn't appreciate by the way." I glared at him playfully but he only chuckled.

"Reverse psychology works every time."

"This is the second time you've used that on me Mr. Cullen and I can't say that I like it very much."

"When was the first?" he asked, pulling his eyebrows together to try and remember.

"The first time we met. You used it very skillfully to make me open up in our first therapy session. It worked that time too." I reminded him. I didn't really know why but I fought the urge to smile at the memory. I didn't exactly know why that emotion came up. I was a crying wreck after that therapy session.

"It has it's rewards though, doesn't it? The first time led you to open up and let out some of the things that were bothering you, thus making you come back to therapy. And this time, you are no longer walking in the rain but instead are sitting in my beautifully repaired, warm Volvo." He smiled triumphantly.

I rolled my eyes but giggled. "Whatever you say."

I brought my hair over my shoulder so the hot air would hit it and dry it a bit when I noticed droplets falling onto the seat. I bit my lip and blushed a little. He seemed like he really cared about his car and I was getting it all wet! "I hope you don't mind that I'm making a mess in here. This is another reason why you should of let me walk."

"It's leather Bella. Slides right off." He chuckled.

"Well I'm not a very car savvy person so I wouldn't know that."
"I can tell. By the way, why aren't you driving your monstrosity of a car again?"

My eyes widened and I slapped his arm. "It is not a monstrosity! It is a unique car and I love it!"

"Ok, ok. I take it back. So why aren't you driving your unique, beautiful car?" He laughed, rubbing the spot on his arm I had slapped.

"I did not hit you that hard," I laughed. " But thank you for changing the adjectives in that sentence."

My smile dropped and I pouted slightly. "And the engine wouldn't start. I have to take it to the mechanic now."

He turned to look at me when he hit a red light and smiled. "Well if you'd like, I know someone who is awesome at fixing cars. You wouldn't have to pay."

"Really?" I asked excitedly. That way I didn't have to get it towed and I'm sure it would of cost a lot to get it fix.

"Ya."
"That'd be perfect Edward!"

"I'll just have to call you to see when would be a perfect day to come by." He said. He pulled into the parking lot and picked a spot close to the coffee shop.

I nodded and took my seatbelt off, putting my bag on the car floor but taking out my wallet so I could pay.

I was about to open the car door when Edward beat me to it. He held out his hand for me to take and smiled. I took it shyly and mumbled a quick thank you, then let go as soon as I was out of the car.

We neared the door and he took a couple steps quickly to get in front of me and open that as well.

I gave a small laugh at the thought of him being so gentlemanly. His mother had really taught him well.

"What?" he asked, an eyebrow raised.

I scrunched my eyebrows. "What?"

He chuckled. "What's so funny?"

"Oh," I shrugged and walked forward in line. "It really isn't anything funny."

"Well not I want to know even more." He laughed.

"Hello, welcome to Seattle's Best Coffee what can I get for you?"

I turned away from looking at Edward and looked forward to order what I wanted. That is, until I noticed that the girl behind the counter wasn't even looking at me, but instead at Edward.

"Uh, I don't know what I want yet so I think I'll let her order first." He said politely, his eyes on the menu above her head. She frowned slightly but then quickly smiled again.

"I wouldn't mind telling you our specials if you'd like." She said, a bit too friendly in my opinion.

I scoffed without thinking and then widened my eyes when I realized she had heard. I tried clearing my throat to play it off but I think my blush had given me away.

Edward laughed quietly beside me and I bit my lip. "No that's ok. I'll just have a simple hot chocolate and this lovely lady would like…" he trailed off.

"Umm I'll have the white chocolate mocha cappuccino. No whipped cream." I avoided eye contact and instead focused intently on taking out the money I would use to pay for the beverages.

"Ok. Your total will be fourteen dollars and ten cents."

I was counting out the money when I heard her open up the cash register and put something in. My head shot up and saw that she was already giving Edward the receipt and another very friendly smile.

"Did you just pay?" I asked, surprised.

He laughed. "Yes." He grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the front counter, leading me to a table.

"Edward, you didn't have to do that! Now I feel really bad." We sat down and he laughed again.

"I'll tell you what, I'll let you pay me back for your drink if you tell me what you were laughing about before."

I raised an eyebrow. "You still haven't let that go?"

"Nope."

I sighed and crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. "How do I know you'll keep your promise?" I asked.

"I guess you'll just have to trust me." He smirked handsomely.

My heart seemed to stop for a second and then restart, but my speech seemed to take a while to return.

"I, uh, I just thought it was f-funny that you're such a gentleman. In a, umm, very good way though." I stuttered stupidly. Why I was even talking, I didn't know.

"You find that funny?" He asked curiously.

" See, I told you it wasn't something worth telling." I mumbled. "I don't think I find it funny, exactly. A girl just can't help but laugh when a guy is so polite. You don't see that very often and it's a nice feeling." I felt myself blush profusely so I looked down at my hands that were placed on my lap for a second and then back up again when I felt like it had gone away more or less.

"You know I've never really had a girl appreciate me being polite before. Girls usually complain that a guy needs to be more gentlemanly and what not, but when it actually happens it's like they don't care. That's why a guy loses interest in trying to impress them that way."

I laughed. "So I don't seem like a weirdo by laughing at something that really isn't funny in the first place?"

He shook his head. "Nope. I actually appreciate it. You're not the only one who laughs at it by the way. My cousin Alice finds it funny too."

"And why does she think it's funny?"

"Because by now it's actually a habit. My mom made me attend some ballroom classes when I was smaller and along with that came the etiquette classes. So whenever she gets the chance, she brings it up and it keeps her laughing for hours."

I couldn't help but let out my own laugh as I thought of a young Edward taking ballroom classes. I tried to hold it in, but as I thought about it again another giggle slipped out.

He narrowed his eyes playfully. "That's not laughing that I hear, is it?"

I shook my head and kept a smile on my face. "Nope it's not." He raised an eyebrow and I laughed.

"You know, I'd love for you to meet my family. I think you'd really get along with them." He said suddenly.

I let out a nervous laugh and then bit my lip. "Believe me, I'd love to meet them. But like I've told you before, I'm not very good at meeting new people."

"I know. I just think it's a good idea to help you start overcoming that."

I excitedly opened my mouth to tell him that I was starting to overcome it by going over my dad's house today. I'm sure he'd be excited to hear that.

"One hot chocolate and a white chocolate mocha cappuccino." An employee from the shop called out before I could say anything. I looked back and noticed our drinks sitting on the counter. Without thinking, I stood up to get them.

"I'll go get them," I said hurriedly, putting my purse on the chair, which reminded me of something important. "And before I forget, here is the money for my cappuccino." I said, smirking as I placed it on the table.

Edward was about to protest when I shook my head. "You promised." I reminded him. He chuckled and I smiled as I left the table.

Once I returned I placed the drinks and napkins on the table. "Excuse me for a sec. I'm gonna go to the bathroom and clean up a bit." I told Edward once I opened my cappuccino to let it cool while I was gone. Because we had been talking this whole time, I had completely forgotten that I was soaking wet. I had started to shiver when I was standing in line and my damp sweater wasn't helping.

He nodded and I made my way to the bathroom, groaning when I looked in the mirror and noticed my hair was still pretty wet.

The last thing I wanted was to get sick, so I grabbed a paper towel and dried it as much as I could. I tied it up in a ponytail very quick and then moved onto my face. I didn't really wear any make-up but the bags under my eyes seemed to pop out at me today. Or maybe it was just the fact that I knew I was with Edward and felt a little more self-conscious than usual. Either way, I couldn't really do anything about it so I just took off my sweater, glad that I wore a long-sleeve under it, and made my way back to the table.

"Feel better?" He asked sweetly.

I smiled and nodded while I sat down.

"So I know our next session is Monday, but I was just wondering if you wanted to get anything off your chest before then."

I nodded and laughed lightly. "It's kike I was actually going to tell you before I left that I'm actually going to my dad's house tonight to see some old friends. They're practically family but I haven't talked to them…in a long time, so I'm really nervous about going."

"Bella, that really is great." He said, grabbing my hand that was resting on the table and giving it a squeeze. "I know you're nervous, but if you say that they're practically family then there's nothing for you to really be nervous about."

I shook my head. "But it really has been a long time. They were there when I was going through the worst of it, and I can't exactly say I was nice to them all the time. I literally pushed myself away from anyone who gave me a pity look or tried to talk to me about it. It was just the way I wanted to deal with it."

Pouring out my feelings in a coffee shop was the last thing I expected to do today. The weird thing was that I didn't even mind. Talking to Edward was already making me feel better. Spilling out all your worries didn't seem so bad when you had someone to talk to about it.

"They only did because they thought it would help you. They obviously care about you Bella, and now they know that trying to help is the last thing you want. People learn quickly and I'm sure that they'll be so happy to see you that giving you a pity look is the last thing they'll be doing."

I smiled because everything he said made complete sense. It didn't sound like something rehearsed or taken out of a book, but instead something he really thought was the problem for me. And it was. "You know I was actually looking forward to seeing them, and now with your reassurance it just seems so much better." I meant what I had just said. The worry and anxiousness had died down and I knew that I could go through this because I was starting over. It was my Billy and Jacob for crying out loud! I shouldn't be worried about seeing them!

"I'm glad I can help. I really am proud of you Bella. I know you're really trying to get past this chapter, and I know you can get through it."

I laughed lightly. "I don't want this to sound cheesy but, I don't think this would be easy if I were doing it on my own. I'm glad I have someone I can talk to about all of this."

He smirked. "See, I knew you'd like my therapy skills."

We both began to laugh and I shook my head.

I took my phone out and noticed we had about an hour to get to class. "Umm, do you mind if I ride with you for school today. I know we have the same class but I don't think walking would be a good idea."

"Of course." He chuckled.

We grabbed our drinks and walked outside. I shivered violently once I got into the car. Edward noticed and he turned up the heater.

"You cold?"

I nodded. "Ya, but my sweaters too damp to wear. Wearing a thin long sleeve was not a good idea." I shivered again.

I rubbed my hands up and down my arms to try and gain some heat when I felt Edward put his jacket lightly over my arm.

"Edward no. I'm sure your cold too and we're almost to class anyways."

"Bella I'd rather you be warm and not get a cold, just please put it on." He said sweetly.

The way he was looking at me was enough for me to nod mutely and slip it on. I inhaled the sweet scent that was coming off the jacket and wrapped it around myself even tighter. It was big on me anyway so I tried to be subtle about it.

His scent was something like I'd never smelled before. So much better than any cologne or perfume I had ever smelled. I actually felt a bit crazy when I realized I was trying to get a whiff every few minutes. Yes, that wasn't weird at all Bella…

Class, like all the other times, held nothing very exciting and important today. She quickly talked about a group project we were going to work on in a couple of weeks, and then assigned us a couple of chapters to read from a book we would have a test on soon.

It felt like a long time before class ended, but soon enough Edward was already dropping me off at my apartment building.

"Thank you for the ride, or should I say rides." I blushed.

"No problem Isabella. It was my pleasure."

"Hey, you know I don't like my first name." I glared as he chuckled. I was taking off his jacket to give it back when he grabbed my hand.

"You can give it back to me on Monday. It's still pretty cold outside."

"My apartment building is right out front. I won't get sick if I walk a couple steps to my-"

"Please Bella. I really don't mind."

Again with the eyes! I swear, those emerald green eyes could get you to do anything!"

I sighed loudly. "Yes sir." I said, saluting him as I got off the car.

He laughed loudly and handed me my bags before I closed the door. "I'll see you soon Bella."

I nodded. "K."

I waved goodbye to him and watched as he drove off.

At seven thirty on the dot, I was standing outside my dad's house with the cake I had baked with the time I had left at home.

To get here, I had taken a bus and then walked the rest of the way. I didn't really mind. I needed time to just think and calm down completely before coming.

I breathed in a deep breath and let it out as I rang the doorbell. The nerves had come back a bit but keeping Edward's words in my head kept me calm. He was right, seeing them again was enough to make me happy. And that was the only emotion I should be concentrating on.

My dad smiled widely and I lifted up the cake. "I brought you your favorite." I said. I felt like I had to break the ice somehow.

He laughed and opened up the door to give me a hug. "I'm so glad you came Bells." He whispered to me.

"I am too dad."

He pulled back and gestured for me to come in. "Billy, Jake. Bella's here."

I bit my lip and waited them to come out from the kitchen, where I knew they'd be if my dad ordered pizza. Despite that, it didn't take long for them to come out.

I was ready for this though. I was ready to begin the relationships I had put on hold for a long time.

A/N: Well I hope you guys like this one! It's just some Edward and Bella "fluff"! Promise more of the drama will come next chapter.

Love you guys,

Edward Is My Lullaby