OK-If you haven't seen The Hangover yet, I suggest you do so. It is hilarious! I tried not to use too many lines so that I didn't spoil anything for those who haven't seen it.

Thanks for the reviews!

Chapter 4

Bella

Edward called me every day before we went to bed. We talked for hours about anything and everything. Each time I hung up with him, my heart felt light in my chest, and I was grinning from ear to ear.

I was rushing through the house, trying to find something to wear on my date with Edward. I'd finally decided that I hated everything I owned. After throwing clothes around my room for what felt like hours, I finally settled on a pair of green twill pants with sequins running up the sides and a light yellow tank top. I slipped on my brown flip flops and checked my appearance in the mirror.

I never really wore makeup, but I put on a little mascara and some lip gloss that Alice gave me on Saturday so that I didn't look so...mom-like. I ran my fingers through my now stick straight hair--it had taken me almost an hour to get it this straight. I was so sick of blow drying and running the flat iron over it, that by the time I was done, I was seriously considering cutting my waist-length hair off.

I threw everything I needed into my brown purse just as the doorbell rang. I smiled broadly as I raced down the stairs to answer the door. Standing on my doorstep was my own personal god. He was wearing a gray Affliction shirt with black graphic designs all over it and a pair of jeans with holes in the knees. His hair was a disheveled mess on the top of his head. He looked like he'd just given some girl the ride of her life and then crawled out of the bed. I looked at his gorgeous face and saw him rake his eyes over my body appreciatively.

"Hi," I breathed, still smiling hugely.

"Hey. You look great. Your hair is beautiful." He flashed a wide grin at me.

"Thanks," I said, blushing. "You look really good yourself." I looked down at his shoes and giggled.

"What?" He looked down to his feet. He picked up one foot and shook it in front of him. "Hey, don't knock the skater shoes. They're awesome."

"If you say so." He held out his hand to me and I took it, feeling the sparks of electricity pulsing through my arm. "So where are we going?"

He walked us over to a shiny silver Volvo. "Well, we have two options available. I made reservations at my favorite steakhouse and my favorite seafood restaurant. It's your choice."

He opened the door for me and watched me sit down. His car smelled incredible. I could barely keep my thoughts in order as I inhaled the scent.

I looked back up at him. He was waiting for an answer, leaning casually against the door. "Um...it depends I guess. If you're really wanting seafood, that's fine as long as I can get something that doesn't involve shellfish."

"You allergic?"

I nodded. "Yep. Ever since Eli was born."

His eyes widened. "Really. Well, we can go to the steakhouse."

"But is that what you want?" I didn't want to go somewhere he didn't. "I mean, it doesn't matter to me where we go. I'm not picky. I even like shellfish, I just can't eat it without an epi pen. And that's not an option because I hate needles."

"The steakhouse is fine." He smiled at me.

"Are you sure?"

"Bella. Are you going to sit here and argue with me all night?" He grinned crookedly at me, causing me to lose focus on the conversation.

"What? Um, no I guess not." He looked at me quizzically before shutting my door and getting into the driver's side.

He started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. "So, you don't like needles, huh?"

"No." I shuddered. "Anything like that makes me queasy." I looked over at him. "I would never be able to do your job."

He laughed. "Ah, well, I wouldn't be able to do your job. I burn everything I touch."

"Really?" I giggled.

"Really. I can cook stuff in the microwave and maybe spaghetti. The kind with the sauce in a jar."

"How do you eat?" I couldn't imagine not being able to throw something together whenever I was hungry.

"I order take-out. Or eat cereal." He glanced at me. "Or I ask hot chicks out on dates." I could see him grinning crookedly as he watched the road.

"Oh, okay. I see. So you do this often, huh?" I teased.

"Oh, yeah. Every night." I laughed at him. "Seriously, I haven't been out on a date since I got home."

"Really? Why? Wait, how long have you been home? I don't think you've ever said." I couldn't imagine a girl telling someone who looked like Edward Cullen 'No', so I could only guess he hadn't done any asking.

"Since February. I just haven't found anyone I was interested in to ask out." He shrugged.

"Well, that makes me feel pretty good about myself," I joked.

"It should," he said grinning. "I'm a catch."

I laughed. "You're cocky, is what you are."

"Ha. Far from it." He pulled the car into a parking lot and maneuvered into a space. He looked over at me. "Do not touch that door."

"Okay," I said slowly.

I watched him get out and come to my side, opening the door for me and held out his hand. I took it, shaking my head as I stood up.

"What? Can't a guy show a girl a little chivalry."

I blushed. "I'm just not used to things like that."

He looked down and held my eyes with his. "Bella, when was the last time you were on a date?"

I thought about it. Which was pathetic in itself. "Two years ago, I guess?"

"What?" he asked, incredulously. I merely shrugged. He stared at me for a minute before continuing. "All right, don't take offense or think I'm trying to get into your pants or anything." I raised my eyebrows. "But when was the last time you got laid?"

"Two years ago," I said, automatically, looking down at the ground.

"Holy shit."

"Yep." I was blushing now.

He pulled my chin up so that I was looking at him. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted like that. If I embarrassed you, I apologize."

"It's okay. I know how pathetic it is. But it's like I said, I don't date. Guys usually run the other way when I mention I have a son."

"Hmm. I'm curious. Since the last date you went on and the last time you had sex are in the same time period, it's safe to assume it was the same guy?" He was grinning.

"Yeah. Same guy. I told him about Eli on the next date. Poof, gone."

He laughed. "But you got what you wanted out of him first, didn't you?" he smirked.

"Hey! A girl's got needs, too!" This caused him to laugh.

"That they do." His face turned serious. "Bella, you have to know I'm not going to disappear, right?"

"I'm getting that." I smiled up at him. "So when was the last time you got laid?"

He ran his hand through his hair. "Uh...three weeks ago, maybe?"

"Are you serious?" God, I'm such a nerd.

"Yeah."

"Well, now I really feel pathetic." I looked over at his car.

"Don't. Please?" I looked back at him and lost all train of thought. How does he do that?

"All right."

"Let's go eat some dead animals, shall we?" He held out his arm to me and I hooked mine around it.

"Ew, that sounds disgusting." I scrunched up my nose.

"And that is incredibly cute." His finger touched the end of my scrunched up nose.

"Thanks." I blushed again. "I'm going to be permanently red before this night is over."

He laughed. "Get used to it. I say whatever's on my mind. Actually, I say things you wouldn't believe." He winked.

"So you're a stereotypical sailor?"

He gave the hostess our name. "Yes. I am." He paused. "Did you not pay attention to my brother? It's in my blood."

I laughed. "Yes, I did. Are you worse than Emmett?"

"Oh, absolutely not. I can hold a conversation without using a single curse word. Emmett cannot."

We were still laughing as we sat down. We looked over our menus for a few minutes before ordering.

"Hey, Bella?"

I looked over at Edward to see him smiling at me. "Yeah?"

His smile turned crooked. "Thanks for moving to Chicago."

I giggled. "You're welcome."

"I feel kind of like an ass asking this, but how old are you?" He ran his hand through his messy hair causing me to bite my lip. It was so hot.

I had to shake myself out of the daze he had put me in. "Twenty-seven." He nodded. "You?"

"I'll be thirty on Saturday."

"Wow, and you've been a doctor for how long already?" I took a sip of my water.

"Four years. I graduated med school a year early."

"Smarty pants," I teased."

He laughed. "You're one to talk. You seem pretty smart yourself."

"Thanks."

"Well, while I'm making an ass of myself, what exactly is your relationship with Jacob? Is he your ex?" He took a bite of his roll.

"No. Actually, he's like my brother. Eli was an accident."

His eyebrows shot up. "I think I need to know this story, Bella. I mean, I don't know how you do things over in Forks, but here in Chicago, we don't sleep with our siblings. Or people who we refer to as like a brother or like a sister." He used air quotations, causing me to practically spit out my water.

"Who uses air quotations?" I giggled.

He gave me a wide grin. "I do. Now, are you going to tell me the story or not?"

"Sure. It's not very interesting though."

He leaned forward. "Try me."

I nodded. "It was on Jacob's twenty-first birthday. He's a few months younger than me, so I took him out to all my favorite places. We got hammered and one thing led to another. I don't remember actually sleeping with him. At the time, all I knew was that I woke up naked in his bed." Edward snorted. "What?"

"I've been there. But I, thankfully, was smart enough to use protection in my inebriated state." I glared at him playfully. "I'm sorry. Go on, please."

"Three weeks later, we found out I was pregnant. Obviously, there's no way Jacob could ever deny Eli--not that he would. Eli doesn't look a thing like me, doesn't even act like me. He is his father, made over."

"This is going to sound crass, and I don't mean it that way--I'm just trying to understand." He looked at me pleadingly. "Weren't you on the pill? I mean, if I understand you correctly, you were twenty-one when this happened, correct?"

"Yeah. And no, I wasn't on the pill. Edward, you have to understand. I was a virgin until that night."

His eyes bugged out of his head. "Seriously?"

"Yep."

"Wow, Bella, I don't even know what to say to you. I can't even imagine what it must have been like to lose your virginity and get pregnant on the same night by accident. And not even remember it. I'm sorry? Is that what's appropriate here?"

He looked so cute, I laughed. "It's okay. It's not a big deal. At first it was, but not anymore. I love Eli and can't imagine my life without him." I changed the subject. "So, what's the deal with your family? What does everyone do?"

"My father, Carlisle, is a surgeon also. I kind of followed in his footsteps. We come from a long line of doctors and surgeons." I smiled at him. "My mother is just my mother. She was an architect before she and my father had me, but decided she wanted to stay at home and raise us instead. My brother Emmett is a policeman and believe it or not, Rosie is a mechanic." I felt my mouth drop open. She had never mentioned it Saturday. "Yeah. Alice is a personal shopper at Neiman Marcus. She's in school, majoring in fashion design. Jasper is studying to get his masters in psychology."

"How long have Alice and Jasper been married?"

"A year," he answered.

"When are Rosalie and Emmett getting married?"

"Next May, I think. It's up in the air. They haven't decided on where they want the reception or something like that." He shrugged. "What about you? Got any brothers or sisters?"

"No, it was always just me and my dad. My mom died when I was little and my dad never really got over it." I smiled sadly at him. It would have been nice having a mother growing up, but now that I was an adult, it no longer affected me the way it did as a child.

"Jesus, Bella. I'm so sorry. I just keep asking you questions that lead to sad answers. It's not exactly the conversation I wanted to have on a first date."

I chuckled. He was so incredibly sweet underneath all that muscle and tattoos. "It's all right. You had to find out eventually, right?"

"I guess so."

The waiter came over with our food, sitting our plates in front of us. Edward and I both eyed our own plates before looking at each other's hungrily.

"That looks really good," I said, pointing to his steak.

"So does that." He looked at my salmon.

"Want to share?"

He smiled. "Yeah."

We split up our food and put half on each other's plates. We ate dinner, laughing and talking the entire time. He asked me everything he could think of, from my favorite color and flower, to my best friend from high school. It was so natural, so comfortable between us. There was never an awkward silence; Edward filled every silent moment with a question or a joke.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked me, standing up.

"Don't you have to pay?"

"I already did," he said, laughing.

"When? I would have paid for my half!" I hated it when people spent money on me.

"No way, Bella. I asked you out, therefore I pay." He checked his watch. "We'd better get going if we're going to make it to the movie on time."

I nodded my head and began walking with him towards the car. I felt his hand reach over and gently grab mine, interlacing our fingers together. My heart skipped a beat with his touch and I looked over at him and smiled. The feeling that he sent coursing through my veins with his touch was amazing.

We made our way out of the restaurant and half way down the steps before I tripped, twisting our hands awkwardly and falling down the remaining steps on my ass. I felt my face flame up in embarrassment, even though I was on the verge of laughing.

Edward crouched down beside me, looking like he was about to laugh himself. "Are you all right?"

I nodded. "Did I mention I was clumsy?"

He grinned. "I think you might have mentioned something Monday night." He still looked like he wanted to laugh.

I started giggling uncontrollably. "You can laugh, it's okay." He started to laugh with me.

After our laughter died down, he held his hands out to me. "I'll help you up."

He pulled me into his arms, causing his intoxicating scent to wash over me. I suddenly felt dizzy as I breathed him in; I was fortunate he had his arm wrapped tightly around my waist. He brought one of his hands up to my face and cupped it gently. I felt myself instinctively lean into him as I looked into his scorching green eyes.

"I know the date's not over, but I have had an amazing time tonight."

I smiled. "So have I."

He leaned down toward my face, his eyes questioning. "Can I kiss you?" he whispered.

I felt the chills run all throughout my body thinking of those beautiful lips against mine. "Yes."

He leaned down slowly, never breaking eye contact until our lips finally met. My mouth parted with his and I felt the fire race through my veins again. His tongue traced across my lips before meeting with mine. As our mouths moved together, I felt his arms pulling me closer to him--molding my body to his. I wrapped my arms around his neck and ran my hands through his hair before gently tugging it with my fists, eliciting a small moan from him. We stayed locked like that until we were both out of air.

He pulled away first, breathless, but I wasn't at all ready to be parted from him. Who needed air? I stood up on my tip toes and attacked his mouth with mine again. He chuckled before kissing me back, just as feverishly, roaming his hands all over my body as our mouths continued to move together. My whole body ached with his touch; I had never felt anything so intense before.

We finally broke apart, panting, as we looked into each other's faces.

"Well, that was interesting," he smirked.

"I'll say," I breathed.

"I've never felt anything like that before." His eyes had darkened as he ran his gaze across my face.

"Me neither." I was still gasping for air.

"I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that we should probably keep that kind of thing to a minimum unless we're in private." He looked around. "I mean, it was hot, but I'm not sure I want to share that with the whole world."

I giggled. "Sounds good to me."

Edward

We walked up to the movie theater, and I groaned. Standing next to the entrance was Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett.

"What?" Bella looked at me, worried.

I gripped her hand tighter and brought it to my mouth, placing a soft kiss on it.

"I may have mentioned to my brother that we were going to see The Hangover yesterday and now he, Rosalie, Jasper, and Alice are all standing at the entrance, waiting for us."

She laughed. "That's okay. I already got to kiss you."

I ran my hand through my hair and laughed. "Really?"

"Really. It's fine."

We made our way over to them, and I gave each of them a glare before speaking. "Why are you here?"

"We wanted to see the movie! We'll sit on the other side of the theater if you don't want us around." Alice answered, enthusiastically.

"No, I don't want you around. I don't want you here at all. What part of date did you not understand?" I seethed.

"Edward, don't be so rude." Bella looked at me and scowled. "It's okay. You can sit with us."

"Seriously?" Emmett asked.

"Yeah, of course." She smiled back at him. God, she is amazing.

"Dude, your girlfriend fucking rocks! Unlike you, tight ass." Emmett pushed his way past me, laughing.

"Uh.." I was a little uncomfortable with him using the term 'girlfriend'. Bella and I hadn't discussed it yet. I didn't want to pressure her into anything, even though I would love to refer to her as my girlfriend.

"If it makes any difference, Cullen, I begged for them to stay home and leave you guys alone." Rosalie was frowning at everyone else.

"Thanks, Rose. Have I mentioned I love you lately?" I grinned at her.

"Not lately," she laughed.

"C'mon! Let's go before the damn thing starts!" Jasper pulled Alice behind him and went inside.

I shook my head and led Bella to the doors. "After you," I smirked.

"Why thank you," she giggled.

We made our way to the concession stand and each got a drink while Emmett and Jasper ordered popcorn for themselves, Alice, and Rosalie. After stopping so Emmett could butter his popcorn to death, we managed to sit down just as the previews started.

"Cool, we're the only ones here!" Alice exclaimed, causing us all to laugh a little at her enthusiasm.

I grabbed Bella's hand and held it in my lap as we watched the previews. When the preview for the new Harry Potter movie came on, Bella nudged me.

I looked into her smiling face. "I want to see that. Go with Eli and me?"

"Yeah," I said. "I'd like to spend some time with Eli." Her face lit up at my comment.

"You like Harry Potter?" Emmett asked, incredulously.

"Yeah. And I promised Eli I'd take him to see it."

Emmett snorted with laughter. "Dude, your coolness level just went down about four levels."

She laughed. "What are you, the cool police?" I snickered.

"Well, damn. I was trying to keep it on the DL, but yes, undercover actually." He grinned at her.

"Well, I hate to inform you of this, but I'm not going to spend my life looking over my shoulder wondering if Officer Emmett is going to arrest me for being uncool." She rolled her eyes and took a drink of her Diet Coke.

Jasper leaned over and looked at Bella. "You don't dress up, do you?"

"Of course not! Not that there's anything wrong with it or anything," she hurried.

"Uh, yes there is something wrong with it!" Emmett looked at her. "You're not doing anything to help your coolness here, Bella."

I was laughing at the comments they were hurling back and forth to one another. Finally, the movie started and we all quieted down.

I leaned over to Bella and whispered in her ear, breathing in her scent as I did. "You fit right in."

She looked at me sideways and smiled, reaching over and stealing some of Emmett's popcorn. She popped it in her mouth and gave me a sour look.

"God, Emmett! This is disgusting! I think I'm going to puke just from one bite! How can you eat this crap?" I couldn't help but laugh.

"That'll teach you to steal my food, Jelly Belly." He gave her a smug smile.

"Oh, God. You've gotten a nickname. Now you're screwed," I told her.

"Would you shut up down there? I'm trying to watch this!" Alice hissed.

Just as we turned our attention to the screen, we saw one of the characters adjust his jock strap.

"OH, GROSS!" Emmett roared. Thank God we were the only ones in the theater.

After laughing for almost the entire movie, we finally made our way outside. Jasper playfully grabbed Bella's purse and hurled it on the ground.

"Hey! There are Skittles in there!" she screamed, causing us all to crack up. An elderly couple passed us by and gave her a strange look. "Hi," she said sweetly, waving.

Emmett started laughing at her. "You are such a retard."

"Get it right, Em. It's RA-tard," I corrected him.

"Oh, right. Sorry. Your girlfriend's a RA-tard."

If he called her my girlfriend one more time, I was going to hit him from embarrassment. I decided to take offensive action and leave.

"I've got to get to the hospital by eight and Bella's got the early shift at the restaurant, so we should get going." I gave my family a smile. "I know I was an ass earlier, but this was fun. I'm glad you came."

"Me too," Bella chimed in.

"I'll talk to you guys later."

"Bye Bella! See you Saturday!" Rosalie called after us.

Bella turned and waved before wrapping her arms around mine. "That was an awesome movie."

"Yes, it was."

We rode back to her townhouse listening to the radio. She started dancing in her seat to a song that came on the radio. She looked over at me and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I like that song."

"I like it, too." I turned it up and started bobbing my head to the music while snapping my fingers against the wheel. I'm sure I looked like a nutcase.

She giggled. "You are so funny sometimes."

I shrugged. "Well, you know..." I grabbed her hand and intertwined our fingers, resting them on the console.

We stayed like that for the rest of the car ride. After I pulled into one of the spots next to her townhouse, I caught her looking at me from the corner of my eye.

"Walk me to the door?" she asked shyly.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

I reluctantly let go of her hand and rushed over to open her door for her. She got out, and I wrapped my arm around her waist, leading her up the stairs.

"I can walk you know."

I chuckled. "Yes, well, I'm not taking any chances. The last time we were on stairs together, you fell."

"Hey! I told you I was clumsy! If you're going to be around me, it's just something you're going to have to get used to."

We reached her door and I spun her around in her arms. "Do you want me to be around you, Bella?" I asked, cocking my eyebrow.

"Yes. Do you want me around, Edward?" She locked her gaze with mine.

"Yes." I was done talking.

I leaned down and kissed her, feeling all the passion that I had felt earlier. She fisted her hands in my hair again as our tongues moved together in perfect synchronization, igniting the spark that burned through my body with her touch. I could feel myself running out of air, but I was too wrapped up in tasting her sweetness to pull away.

Finally, after we both were gasping for air, I pulled back and gently kissed the tip of her nose.

"I'm not ready to be away from you, but I don't think it would be wise for me to come in." I knew I wouldn't be able to control myself around her if I was on any soft, flat surface with her.

She nodded her head. "I need to get to bed anyways. I have to be at work by seven tomorrow."

"Okay. I'll call you tomorrow." I looked down into her beautiful chocolate eyes. "I wish I could see you before Saturday, but I don't think I'll have the time." I was very angry with my schedule at the moment.

"That's okay."

I leaned down and kissed her softly, pulling away before my body could get carried away again.

"Goodnight."

"Night."

I stood there and waited for her to get in the door before walking back to my car. I sat there and realized that I was already missing Bella's presence. I shook my head and smiled--I was in deep.