Gack, I'm late! Sorry about that, but keep in mind, I did give you two chapters last week. I'm going to try to update every 4-5 days now, with chapters this length I should be able to manage that.

My faithful reviewers rock my world. Thanks everyone for reading, I hope you enjoy this one!

7.

"Edward, hello son, how are you doing?" my mother's soft voice greets me. Esme is always cheerful and calm, but it never sounds insencere or forced. Never in my life have I ever doubted her love for me, even when I started to understand what it meant to have been adopted. After having lost her first son soon after his birth, she couldn't stand to go through another pregnancy. She and Carlisle had taken me in as an infant after my parents had overdosed. As a child I always felt greatful to them for choosing me. As a man I realized how fortunate I was to have them – my life could have been so different otherwise.

"Hello mom, things are," I pause, searching for the words and ending with a sigh. "Things are difficult mom."

"Oh dear, job hunt not going so well?" There is no judgement in her voice, only support and concern.

"Not well at all. I should ask Dad what his trick is, he told me about the new position."

"Yes, he's excited to be back in family practice again rather than living the crazy life of a surgen." I know for mom this is like getting her husband back, my father's crazy life had an impact on the whole family.

"And I suppose you can't wait to get out of the city again?" I chuckle as I tease her. As comfortable as she seemed at gala events, my mother really was a small town girl.

She laughs with me. "I can't wait to get dirt under my nails again Edward. Your father has promised me lots of room for a garden." She pauses and I sense some hesitation. "Actually Edward, there is a favor I need to ask you. Can you meet me for lunch?"

"Of course mom, where would you like to go?" I resist the urge to ask her to tell me the favor now, but only because it's already 11 am.

"Why don't you come out to the house dear, I'll get something ready and we can eat when you get here." Ah, she knows me so well. My parents live in a large house just outside the city, the drive there would be shorter than meeting her downtown and waiting for a table.

"Sure, I'll see you soon."

"Thanks son, good bye."

I spend the drive over trying not to guess what it is my mother needs from me. I have a feeling it has to do with the move, but I can't guess what it could be. The movers will handle all of the packing and lugging, and if she did need help with that she would have asked outright. My father had said Forks was a small town, just the kind of place Esme would feel at home, and she seems so excited, I know she doesn't want me to try and change his mind. All I can do is wait and hear what she has to say.

Pulling up the curved drive I smile at my mother standing outside the front door looking as anxious as I feel. She's not what one would necessarily expect from a high paid surgen's wife. Her hair is pulled up in a pony tail and she's wearing jeans and a tshirt. She's always been so down to earth, living on as little of my father's income as she could and donating or investing the rest. The thought strikes me that I still have a lot to learn from my mother.

"Welcome Edward, how was your drive?" She greets me as I pull myself out of my silver Volvo, wrapping me in a hug as soon as she can.

"It was good mom, very little traffic this time of day, it made for a quick drive."

She gives me a sideways glance. "And it being quick had nothing to do with that lead foot of yours I'm sure." She says knowingly.

"Remember mom, I learned how to drive from you."

She swats me playfully and leads me into the house. The kitchen table is spread with chicken salad, fresh rolls and fruit coctail. As always, it looks delicious.

"Sit and eat Edward. I have a proposition for you." She sounds like she's scheeming and I look up at her.

"Trying to butter me up with home cooking, are you?" I ask before sitting and beginning to fill my plate.

"Of course." She sits down beside me and takes her time dishing out her own food. I can tell she's going over what she wants to say and wait patiently as I eat.

"You know, Edward, that while we've been in Chicago I've never worked."

I nod, adding between bites. "The charity work always seemed to keep you busy though."

"It did, but being in a small town will be different. I doubt I'll find five places to volunteer, let alone being on eight different committees." She sighs. "And really I don't think I would want to. Not that I didn't enjoy the work, it filled the time nicely and I was able to make a difference. But I think this will be an excellent opportunity to do something for myself."

"Of course Mom, I'm sure Dad will be supportive no matter what you want me to do."

She hesitates. "I'm sure he will too, but you know your father, he's not nearly as adventurous as I am, always worried about the details and such."

I nod slowly, leaning back in my chair, curious about what my mother was planning and amazed at how cunning she could be.

"I want to open a bed and breakfast when we move to Forks. I've always had a passion for interior design, and I love to cook. It wouldn't be anything too big, so I could do most of the work myself, leaving room for quite a bit of profit." Her hands are clasped on the table in front of her and I can tell she's trying hard not to shake with her excitement.

I can't help but smile, excited and proud of her. It takes a lot of bravery to step out and do something on her own. "Sounds wonderful mom, I'm sure dad will agree." I raise my eyebrow, curious and cautious as I ask. "Um, where do I come in?"

She looks down and I can't help but wonder why she looks so nervous. "Well, like I said, I can do most of the work myself, but Edward, I have no experience running a business – traking expenses, advertising, making a profit." She takes a deep breath. "I thought maybe, since you're between things right now." Another breath, and she looks right at me. "Edward, would you be my partner and business manager?"

I sit there, mouth hanging open. That was unexpected. My mother watches me quietly, giving me space to think while at the same time making me aware how anxious she was for my reply. I try to come up with a good reason to say no, to let her down gently. I'm surprised to find that no such reason comes to mind. I am jobless, which will soon leave me homeless. As much as the city has to offer, my social life didn't leave me any strong ties to the city, aside from Em and Rose. I have been wanting a change in my life but was unsure how to find it. It seems that change is coming to me.

"We'll need to go over the details – I'd never even heard of Forks until Dad mentioned it." She motions for me to continue, to say the words, but already a wide smile is growing on her face. "I'm in."