~Edward~

I woke up, warm and comfortable.

Too warm.

Bella was curled up tight to my chest; her arm wrapped around my waist holding me close. I was no better, both my arms draped around her back, my hands buried in her hair.

It should have felt strange. All of this intimacy should feel strange. But it didn't.

After my shower, I walked to the end of the hall where Bella waited. She was already in bed, and it felt completely natural to lift the blanket and slide in beside her. Reaching over, I flicked off the light, and she nestled close. I drew her closer, wanting her warmth.

She had closed the curtains, the dim light shut out, so the room was dark. It wasn't where I had expected to be today, but it felt good—it felt right.

Emotion hit me, as I thought about all that transpired to get me here, and tears burned, hot and heavy on my cheeks. A sob escaped my throat and Bella moved up, cradling my head on her chest, soothing me with her touch and quiet voice.

"It's okay, Edward, I've got you—let it out."

"He's not worth it," I mumbled, yet unable to stop the damn waterworks.

"He's your father, Edward. Whether or not he's worth it, of course this would upset you. Just let it out. When you wake up, we'll start fresh."

She held me until I fell asleep.

I couldn't remember ever sleeping so peacefully. It had only been few a few hours, but I felt refreshed. I looked down at Bella—this girl, this perfectly wonderful girl, I barely knew; yet I trusted her more than any other person in my life. She offered me a level of trust I wasn't used to, one I wanted to measure up to. I wanted to give her what she gave me so freely—herself. I wanted her to know me and I wanted to discover everything that made Bella Swan so special. I never wanted her to regret opening her heart to me and asking me to stay with her.

Carefully, I slipped out of bed and made my way down the hall. When I was done, I spent a few minutes looking around upstairs. Charlie's room was actually a little smaller than Bella's, and I grinned knowing he must have given her the larger room. The third room was about the same size, but had a great view of the forest behind the house. It would be a perfect place to sit and play music, looking at that view. I went downstairs and rummaged around the cupboards, finding the coffee, the cream in the refrigerator, then spent a few minutes figuring out the coffee pot, finally getting some brew going.

In the light of the day, I gazed around the rooms I had seen only hours ago, now taking in the details. There were lots of small projects and a few bigger ones, I could see, I would need to do. I liked the fact Bella needed work done—it would make me feel useful and needed. I wanted to feel needed by Bella. I had a feeling I was going to need her just as much.

When the coffee was done, I shoved my feet into my sneakers, grabbed my coat, and went outside. The sun was shining and warm on my face, although the air was cold and there was snow everywhere. I sipped the hot beverage, enjoying the quiet of the area, until a surprised voice startled me.

"Hello?"

I turned and met the curious gaze of a woman walking up the driveway. She was holding a casserole in her hand, but seemed puzzled as she stopped at the bottom of the steps.

"Hello." I smiled at her. "You must be Esme."

She looked even more surprised.

"I am. And you would be?"

I held out my hand. "Edward."

She shook my hand, still frowning. "I was expecting someone else."

I nodded. "Bella. I know. She's still asleep. With all the delays, it was a long trip home for her, and she's pretty tired." I stepped back, indicating the door. "Can I interest you in a cup of coffee?"

She hesitated, and I had to laugh. "I assure you, Bella is upstairs, asleep. If you want, I'll wait out here and you can go in and check on her."

She shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry."

"Don't be. I'm sure you weren't expecting Bella to drag home a stray."

"Is that what you are, Edward? A stray?"

The door opened behind me and Bella spoke up. "No, he's not a stray. He was lost, but he's home now."

Turning, I pulled Bella close, dropping a kiss on her head. "Yeah, I think I am."

Esme beamed at both of us, then reached over to hug Bella, telling her how glad she was to meet her. Bella started thanking her for all her help and looking after the house, so I stepped inside to give them some privacy, knowing Charlie would be brought up and Bella would get emotional. I grabbed some more mugs and poured the coffee, adding more to my mug.

When they came in a few moments later, I could see I was right. Bella's eyes were misty, and I lifted her hand, kissing the palm before pressing it to my face in silent understanding. I took the casserole Esme had brought and put it on the stove, then joined them to finish my coffee.

Esme was warmth personified. She listened to Bella's story of meeting me in the airport, her eyes wide when she realized we'd only known each other such a short time. Then she shook her head. "You seem so right together."

"We are," Bella and I stated in unison, then laughed.

"You don't seem . . . shocked," I observed.

Esme grinned. "I met my Carlisle on a Wednesday and we moved in together that weekend. We were married a month later—that was fifteen years ago. Sometimes your soul just knows."

Bella spoke up. "Your husband—he's a doctor, correct?"

"Yes. He's working today, but he's off tomorrow night. Maybe you and Edward would like to come for dinner? I'd love to get to know the two of you more. We're going to be neighbors after all."

"We'd love to, Esme, thank you." Bella beamed. I could tell how much she liked Esme already and I had to admit it was an easy thing to do. I liked her as well.

"What do you do, Edward?"

I shrugged. "Whatever I have to. I'm going to take a walk later and put in some applications. I want to find a job and then start working on some repairs in the house for Bella."

"You're a handyman?"

"I have a lot of construction experience. I need to see what tools Bella has and what I'll need to get."

"Edward's a brilliant musician, too." Bella stated sounding proud.

I lowered my head, feeling embarrassed. "I hold my own."

Esme clapped her hands. "You can borrow some of Carlisle's tools. Why he has them, I have no idea. He's a brilliant doctor, but he can't hammer a nail to save his life. I have a list of things to be done and I've been looking for someone to take on the job—if you're interested."

"I'd be happy to have a look—are you sure Carlisle won't mind?"

She chuckled. "The last time he tried to do a repair, I had to drive him to the hospital for stitches. The nurses had a good laugh when Dr. Cullen became the patient. I doubt he wants to experience that again—his ego took a big hit that day."

I frowned at her. "Dr. Cullen?"

"Yes?"

"That's my surname, as well."

"Really? It's an uncommon name. Maybe you're related."

"My father never mentioned any family aside from the two of us, but maybe so."

"You'll have to chat with Carlisle about that tomorrow." She stood. "Now, I have to go and do some errands. Do you need a lift anywhere, Edward?"

"No, I'll walk around, but thank you."

"Okay. Dinner tomorrow at six. If you need anything before then, just come across the street or call." She grabbed a piece of paper and wrote something down. "There's my cell and home number."

With a final hug to both of us, she left.

Bella smiled at me shyly and I drew her into my arms, grazing her cheek with my lips. "Hi."

"Hi."

"Sleep well?"

"I slept very well." She grinned up at me. "You're a cuddler."

I chuckled. "I think we both are. We were pretty entwined when I woke up." I dropped another kiss on her cheek. "I liked it."

"Me, too."

"What are your plans for the day?"

"I have to go to the bank and the lawyer."

"Okay—I'll walk with you and investigate the job possibilities, and maybe we can meet somewhere?"

She tilted her head back. "You don't have to have a job by the end of the day, Edward. Don't put that sort of pressure on yourself."

"I'm not. Honest. But I want to check it out, then make a plan." I pulled her a little closer. "This is a new start for us, Bella. I'm excited. I want to move forward and begin my life with you."

"Okay, then."

I kissed her one more time.

"Okay."

Thank you for reading. Chapter 5 was loaded up wrong - the unbetaed version. It has been corrected, so you can reread if it bothered you. I will address the questions I keep asked. Why a week between updates and why are some of the chapters shorter? I am still recovering, I am busy writing a new book, and I am trying to still write both OF and FFN, and with a bad shoulder it takes longer. Sometimes chapters are shorter as there is a natural break in the story. Simple. I am doing the best I can.