A/N: Wow! Just 3 reviews for the last chapter :(- that's got to be a record low for me. I'm sorry if this story has drifted off somewhat, I'm trying to keep it interesting. Obviously I am going wrong somewhere, so it's probably a blessing that this is the last but one chapter. All the same I hope you like it and if you can find it in your hearts to review then it would mean the world to me.

~*Chapter 7*~

I woke up around seven o'clock the next morning scowling at both the clock in front of me and the heavy throbbing in my head. I felt terribly thirsty and hot, but that was the least of my concerns when I felt a body shift behind me. I froze, panic flooded me and it was only then that I became aware of the strong arm that was wrapped around my waist and the hair that was tickling at the back of my neck. Cautiously I looked around the room for any clues as to where I was but nothing became any clearer in my fuzzy state.

My head started to throb again as a wave of nausea hit me. Oh why had I drank so much? I had to remember what happened. I was near hysterical as I tried to remember anything about last night and how I came to be here, wherever here was? Except nothing became any clearer.

Reluctantly, I forced myself to look across the king size bed that I was currently lying in and came face to face with a partially naked man next to me. I couldn't see a lot besides a thick head of hair buried deep in my neck, but I would know that bronze-reddish chaotic mess anywhere.

Horror washed over me, I turned back around and buried my head into the pillow in front on me. What I had done? And how the hell had I ended up in bed with Edward?

Suddenly it all came flooding back to me; The wedding, dancing with him at the reception, arguing over some stupid woman he was talking with, and finally Edward warning me to slow down drinking before I made myself sick. After that my memories were pretty vague. I had a dim recollection of going outside to get some air and then absolutely nothing past that! It was like there was a massive hole in my memory.

I lay there immobile while I racked my brain for answers. None came and I could remember nothing of the journey back to Edward's house or more importantly how I came to be lying in his bed, wearing one of his shirts no less.

The one thing I did remembered was how much I wanted Edward last night and that thought alone was terrifying. But however much I lusted after him, I wouldn't have actually gone through with a night of meaningless sex, would I?

Again, I felt nauseous, however I didn't know whether it was caused by the hangover or by the possibility of what had happened the night before which I had absolutely no recollection of.

I didn't think I had moved, but I must have because Edward stirred and pulled me closer towards him. I shut my eyes, pretending to be asleep, but I felt his eyes on me as he leaned over and kissed my cheek, while he muttered something unrecognizable into my neck, before rolling onto his back, bringing me even closer to him. I stayed there paralyzed with fear while trying to think of a way out of this mess.

A few minutes later when I was sure Edward was asleep, I carefully slipped out of bed, praying he would not to stir as I hunted around the room for my clothes. I got dressed, before I quietly padded out of his bedroom and made my way towards the front door. I knew that I was only fooling myself, but in my head I had convinced myself that all of this was not real, and if I left now it would all be forgotten about.

Twenty minutes later I finally arrived home to see Charlie's cruiser parked in the driveway. Shit! I hadn't even considered calling him to let him know that I was okay. No doubt he would give me an earful for making him worry, so I sneaked inside and crept around the house. It was all quiet downstairs, until I heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

Charlie appeared moments later and I was so embarrassed that I could barely bring myself to look at him. Judging by the sheepish expression on his face I could tell that this was as awkward for him as it was for me.

"Sorry dad," I apologised immediately. "I had a little too much to drink last night and crashed at Rose's." I explained. I hated lying to him, however it was far better than telling him the truth. Whatever the truth may be, he was liable to shoot Edward first and ask questions later.

"You may be an adult now Bella, but I still worry about you. A call would have put my mind at rest," he said in a stern voice, which made me feel far younger than my twenty three years.

I looked down at the ground as I sheepishly mumbled my apology once more. "Sorry dad."

After a while I forced myself look up and he offered me a small smile, which I knew meant that I was forgiven before he headed off to work.

I went straight into the kitchen and slumped against the counter. Sweat broke out over my face as the reality of the situation threatened to overwhelm me. I took a deep breathe as I considered what had happened last night. Recalling some of the details made me blush and cringe and it didn't take a genius to work out what had transpired. Edward was Edward; an extremely attractive and sexy man and I was a lonely, tired, drunk, who was fed up with pretending to hate him any more.

It was a sobering thought and I felt so sick I thought I might indeed vomit. This really was the hangover from hell! I had changed into my pj's and just settled down in front of the TV when the doorbell rang. I approached hesitantly but was relieved to see that it was only Rosalie.

"You look like shit," she said, cruelly loudly as she took in my ragged appearance.

No doubt I looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge backward, while she was looking as perfect as ever. She was already dressed and ready to go, when it suddenly hit me that we were meant to be going out for brunch this morning.

"Oh god," I moaned aloud at the prospect of food, before rushing towards the bathroom where I proceeded to empty my stomach of last nights alcohol.

When I was finished, I took in my appearance in the full length mirror across the room. My hair was a complete mess so I attempted to tame it, however it was a loosing battle and I gave up shortly after. I went back into the kitchen to find Rosalie sat at the table with a cup of coffee waiting for me.

"Are you feeling any better now?"she asked, looking across at me kindly.

"A little," I lied. With so much uncertainty I was far from okay.

"I want you to tell me every detail about what happened last night, but first you need breakfast," she declared as I slumped in my seat in resignation.

I hadn't felt like eating anything at first but I must admit that I did feel a lot better after I'd drunk a large glass of water, ate a few slices of toast, and taken two painkillers.

"So tell me everything. I want all the gory details," Rosalie insisted.

I felt all of the colour drain from my face and I stayed silent for a few moments as I debated what I should say.

"Don't hold out on me Bella!" she said impatiently.

"I'm not holding out on you. I can't remember anything okay!" I added quietly. I felt tears starting at the back of my throat so I drank some more water as I tried to hold in the tears that were threatened to fall.

"What! Surely you remember some of it?" She persisted. I remained silent and heard her sharp intake of breath. "Are you honestly telling me that you slept with Edward and you can't tell me a single thing about it?"

"I had far too much to drink, and Edward was being so nice, and I wasn't thinking straight. One minute we were dancing, the next thing I know I woke up in bed with him. Oh Rosalie, what have I done?" My voice cracked and I couldn't hold the tears in any longer.

I suddenly started to cry and Rosalie instantly put her arm around me. "Oh honey, don't cry. It'll be okay," she soothed.

"No it wont." I was trying my hardest not to sob and failing.

"Try not to panic Bella. You might not have done anything. Surely you'd know if you had. I mean, do you feel any different, you know down there?" She cautiously asked.

I squirmed around awkwardly in my seat at what she was implying. "Well not there specifically, I feel pretty sore all over thanks to many drunken stumbles. Aside from that the evidence is pretty damming. I woke up in one of his shirts, so at the very least he's seen me naked," I almost shrieked.

"So what? That doesn't automatically mean you slept together," Rosalie insisted, though she was probably only trying to ease my concerns. She was after all the one to ask me for all the details!

"Come on Rosalie! This is Edward Cullen we are talking about," I replied unconvinced.

"Hmm, it does sound pretty damming," she mused. "Either way, you could have done worse than Edward. I mean I knew you guys had chemistry, but wow! There are going to be a lot of jealous girls in town."

"No!" I shrieked, horrified at the prospect this spreading around town. The towns gossips would have a field day. "This can't get out Rosalie. Promise me you wont tell anyone?" I begged.

"Relax Bella, your secrets safe with me. Just promise me you will go to the doctors. We need to get you checked out just in case something did happen and you guys weren't safe. We wouldn't want any accidents would we?" said Rosalie knowingly.

I hadn't considered the repercussions of mine and Edward's possible actions, but thankfully a unplanned pregnancy was the one thing I definitely didn't need to worry about. Thank you irregular periods!

"There's no need. I'm on the pill," I explained to Rosalie. She looked relieved but I didn't share her optimism. There were so many thoughts swimming around in my head I felt dizzy. I needed to find out what had happened but how was I ever going to face Edward again?

"Then your next step is talking to Edward. You need to find out what really happened," she said, echoing my fears.

After Rosalie left I sat wallowing in self pity as I tried to think of my next move. Did I contact Edward directly to find out just what had gone on or did I wait for him to come to me? My mind was all over the place and by the end of the day I still hadn't come to a decision.

The next morning, I was still suffering from the worst hangover of my entire life. As a result, I couldn't face going in to work. I was feeling a little nauseous still, but more importantly it was the possibility of bumping into Edward around town which really turned my stomach. Despite the promise I had made Rosalie, I didn't know the best way to go about talking to Edward and sorting out the mess that I had gotten myself into. I knew I would need to talk to him at some point but at the same time I needed to avoid him until I could face him calmly and unemotionally.

I hated letting Esme down but luckily she was kind and very understanding when I explained that I was still suffering from Saturday nights blow out.

"Don't worry about it Bella. It's usually quiet on Mondays and I dare say a few drinks never hurt anyone," she'd laughed lightly. "You need too loosen up and let your hair down more often. It was nice seeing you having fun and I know Edward had a good time too."

I felt a lump in my throat at the mention of his name and I made an excuse pretty quickly after that to get off the phone.

I spent all day at home, but on the plus side I could actually eat something today without throwing it back up. Rose called after lunch to see how I was doing and to see whether I had heard from Edward. When I told her that I hadn't contacted him either, she was disappointed but thankfully she didn't push me when she knew I wasn't ready yet. Thank god Alice was on her honeymoon otherwise I'm sure I would have had even more tricky questions to answer!

After a quiet day at home resting on the couch and watching crappy daytime TV, I was finally starting to feel back to my normal self and I decided that I was ready to face Edward tomorrow.

I must have drifted off to sleep again because the sound of knocking woke me from my slumber. I ignored it for a moment, thinking that it was somebody trying to sell something, and that they would grow tired and go away after a while. However when the knocking persisted I reluctantly got off the couch and went to answer. I opened the door without bothering to check who it was and all the air left my lungs when I looked at the person facing me.

Edward...

It looks like that talk wouldn't wait until tomorrow afterall...

A/N: Yeh, I know I'm cruel to leave it as a cliffy but think of it this way; at least the update was earlier! With one chapter left to go I think we know where this is heading:)

Please review:)

Me x