* Thank you for reading. It's very encouraging to receive notices about alerts, reviews and favorites. Thank you for your support.

* Thank you to Dunna for being my beta when she definitely does not have the time. Dunna, "You is kind. You is special. You is important." (especially to me)

* Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and its characters. I just really love them. No copyright infringement intended.


Chapter 7 The Cullen House

I drive out to the Cullen's immediately after work on Tuesday. The sun is setting and I feel like I should be tired from my day, but I am strangely invigorated.

Despite what Edward said about parking, I just can't bring myself to park in the driveway. I park in front of the house, on the Cullens side of the street.

The door opens before I reach the porch. "Belly!" I hear Nessie shout out. I look up and see Edward walking toward me with a wide grin.

"Hello. What a welcome. How are you today, Nessie?" I ask. Edward takes the table from me and starts inside.

"Why you bwingin' that table? We gots tables, silly Belly."

"That's a special table I use to give Aunt Esme a massage."

She looks confused. "Can't you just wite her a message on paper? That's what Unkie Eddie and Unkie Japper do."

I chuckle at her mix-up. "Not a message, a massage. That's when I rub her muscles to help her feel better."

"Oh." Nessie grabs my empty hand with hers, and we walk into the foyer hand in hand. Esme is inching her way down the last few steps.

"How are you feeling today, Mrs. Cullen?" I ask.

"I'm very glad to see you, Bella. I'm quite stiff today and please, call me Esme."

"Yes, of course, I'm sorry. Let me go set up and I'll be right back." I walk to the guest room and find that Edward has already unfolded the table for me. I get everything else arranged and go to retrieve Mrs…Esme.

I enter the sitting room just in time to witness Nessie jumping up and down shouting, "Pizza, pizza, pizza!"

"Alright, alright. You win, Little Miss. Let's order pizza." Edward turns to me, "What kind of pizza do you like?"

"Me? Oh, I uh…"

"Belly, you eat pizza wiff us, pwease? Unkie Eddie buying it for me!' " She starts jumping up and down with excitement again.

Edward gives me his own puppy dog eyes, "Pwease, Belly, will you stay and eat pizza with us when you're finished?"

Esme nods to me and says, "Bella, I'm going to go get ready, just give me minute."

She stands stiffly and starts to leave the sitting room as she shuffles toward the door. "You guys sure know how to pressure a girl. " She chuckles. "Bella, we would all love it if you would stay to dinner. Sorry it's nothing fancy. I just don't have the energy to cook a proper meal today and Edward has no idea how to tell Nessie 'no'."

I giggle. "Of course, I'd love to stay for dinner."

"Hooway!" Nessie shouts out. "Unkie Eddie, go call it on the phone. Pwease can we get a pwain cheese fo me?"

"Well, let's see what Bella likes." Nessie pouts a little, but turns to me anxiously.

"I like anything on pizza, except anchovies. Just plain cheese is okay too." I say.

"What's ant-T-V's?" Nessie asks.

"Those are little fish," Edward answers. "Do you want to try it? Some people really like it."

Nessie wrinkles up her nose. "Nu-uh! 'sides, Unkie Eddie, Belly don't yike dem fish on her pizza."

"Okay, plain cheese for the princess, but I think we'll go get your bath and then call for pizza. That way Bella and Auntie Esme can have hot pizza too."

"Okay, wet's go Unkie Eddie." She's pulling on his arm toward the stairs. He runs his free hand through hair.

"See you soon," he says to me before he grabs Nessie, tosses her onto his shoulder and starts up the stairs.

I walk to the guestroom and knock softly. "Come in, dear," I hear Esme say.

I close the door quietly behind me, let my eyes adjust to the dim light and walk across the room to get some warm oil.

"Did they get the dinner situation worked out?" Esme asks.

"Yes, Edward's ordering a plain cheese pizza."

"Of course, he is," she chuckles. "I try to tell him not to spoil her, but I don't think he can help himself. He just loves to dote on her. I think he'll be heartbroken when she goes back home."

I press gently on her neck to begin. "Is that going to happen? I thought maybe you'd be adopting her. From what Edward said, her parents don't seem like the best guardians." I immediately realize that I probably shouldn't know all of that.

Esme puts my mind to rest. "I hadn't realized Edward had told you. They aren't really the best parents for her, and I really would love to adopt again. Best thing I ever did was adopting those two boys." She sounds very loving when she talks about her children.

"How's that pressure?" I ask.

"It's fine, maybe a little harder would be good." I begin kneading a little stronger.

"Okay, just let me know if I hurt you. What will happen if Nessie's parents can't take her back?"

"I don't like to think about that. I guess she could end up in the system. But I think Edward would adopt her himself before he let that happen." She sighs, but I can see the outline of a proud smile on her face.

"Really?" My hands stop working and my mind is processing what that would mean for Edward. "Would they let him do that? He's not married and he's so young."

She sighs again, and I work my way down her back, gently pressing out the stiffness. "I know it wouldn't be an ideal situation, but the courts are much more lenient now about adopting to single parents. Edward is responsible and loving. He is young, but he could definitely take care of her."

"He does seem very responsible for his age."

"I think he's always been that way. I wonder if it's because of his early years with his biological mother. He was serious from the moment I met him. We've tried to encourage him to loosen up, but it's not the way he's wired."

"I've only known him for a short while, but he seems happy to me."

"I think he is." She pauses like she wants to say more, but is thinking about what to say. I just work silently waiting to see if she starts talking again.

Then she does. "Honestly, Bella, I think you're the first woman he's spent time around that hasn't driven him crazy. You should have seen him when he dated that Tanya. She sure ran him ragged and harped on him about every little thing. Carlisle and I were glad to see her go."

It is so sweet how involved they are with their children. My parents barely even met Jacob before our wedding. I doubt they ever gave it much thought.

"Edward told me a little about her," I say, but feel compelled to add, "But of course, they were actually dating. Edward and I are just friends." I'm not sure who I'm trying to convince with that statement, but it sounds like a lie to my own ears.

"It's none of my business, dear, but I know he's quite smitten with you. He mentioned that you have reservations about him because of the age difference." Her pitch changes when she says "age difference". It sounds so trivial the way she says it.

I feel a little betrayed that Edward would be so honest with his mother about me.. "Um, yeah," I stammer. "I think Edward's really great, but I also have to be realistic. We are in different stages of life. He should be out traveling the world and hanging out with girls his own age."

Esme lifts her head and looks directly at me. "His father told him the same thing, you know?" I shake my head. He hadn't told me much about his father at all in fact.

"Carlisle told him to play the field; experiment a little. He told Edward to get out of the house more. He can't understand why Edward is such an old fogey at 23." Maybe that explains Carlisle's stance on the porch yesterday when he caught Edward kissing me.

She reaches out and clasps her hand onto my forearm. "But, Bella, he doesn't want that. He wants a family; a wife to care for and 2.5 kids." Hmmm…that sounds vaguely familiar.

She sounds very serious. "Who are we to tell him what he should be doing or wanting. He's ready for the happily ever after part. You've seen how he is with Nessie. He'll be a wonderful father and husband, Bella. I don't know what you want out of life, but if it's a family, I would challenge you to find someone more capable than Edward." I just nod, but don't say anything.

She lowers her head back to the table and leaves to my own thoughts for the rest of our hour. I never thought Edward's mother would be pushing me to date him. It's one thing for Rose and Alice to tease me, but his mother?

I have to admit, she had some very good points. A family is what I want, and Edward certainly seems to want the same thing. What do we really have in common? Is it a real option to date him? What am I so worried about?

I'm pulled out of my thoughtful trance by a fancy doorbell.

"That must be the pizza delivery guy," Esme tells me. "Thank you, dear, for a wonderful massage once again."

"It's my pleasure, Esme. I'm glad I can help."

"It's amazing what you can do. And, Bella, I really hope I'm not overstepping my bounds and being a meddling mother." I begin to shake my head. I guess she is technically meddling, but it doesn't feel like that. It feels more like good advice.

"I just love my son and I want him to be happy. Who he marries will play a huge part in that." I smile back at her and move toward the door.

"Anyway, I'm sorry for overstepping my bounds. I am very glad that you're around."

I nod, close the door and walk down the hallway where I hear Nessie asking the guy if he brought her a plain cheese pizza. He assures he that he did.

"Sweetie, give the man the money, now. He has other pizzas to deliver." Edward sounds amused and tired at the same time. He sounds like a father.

"Do any of dem pizzas have fish on dem?" she asks.

"No, ma'am not tonight. Do you want me to bring you anchovies next time?" He chuckles and I can tell he's teasing her.

"Yucky, no sank you."

"Thank you very much," Edward says and then I hear the door close.

"Pizza, pizza, pizza," Nessie chants as they start toward the kitchen.

"We're going to be polite and wait for Bella and Auntie Esme before we eat, remember?"

"But I hungy now, Unkie Eddie," she whines.

"Now, Ness-"

"We're all finished," I interrupt, coming around the corner. "Let's go eat!" Edward looks relieved, and it's obvious that he didn't want have to make her wait.

We follow Nessie in her pink princess pajamas to the table. Edward begins setting out plates. He puts a piece of cheese pizza on a plate and sets in the freezer.

"Bella, would you like some wine?"

"Will other people be drinking wine?" I question thinking more about how it might appear more than what I actually want.

Edward smiles a devious little crooked smile at me. "There's always wine on our table, Bella, in case you are worried about being judged."

I feel my cheeks turn red. "In that case, I'd love a glass."

"How 'bout you, Little Miss?" he asks Nessie.

"Unkie Eddie, you know I always want chocolate milk."

He walks over and leans down to talk to her. "Nessie, you know Aunt Esme won't let us have extra chocolate at dinner. We don't want to get into trouble."

She pouts her bottom lip out and frowns for a minute. Then she wraps her hands around Edward's shoulders, pulling him toward her. She whispers something in his ear. He nods and her faces brightens into a huge smile.

"Okay, Unkie Eddie. Regular chocolate is okay." I'm dying to know what their little secret might be, but Esme walks into the kitchen before I can ask.

Dinner is lively with Nessie monopolizing most of the conversation. Esme looks tired, and she barely says anything at all. I do notice her watching Edward and she occasionally glances over to me. It 's like she's non-verbally pointing out how great Edward is with every glance.

Halfway through dinner Jasper comes in. He grabs a piece of pizza and sits down with us. "Hey, mom, how are you feeling today?"

"Better after Bella got her hands on me." She turns to me," You really are gifted. I can't believe how much better I feel."

"Thank you," I say quietly.

"Unkie Japper, you yike fish on you pizza?"

"Where did that come from?" Jasper asks snickering.

"Oh, Bella here, is enlightening Nessie on pizza toppings." Edward nudges my arm with his elbow teasingly. "How are things at the Meadow? Busy?"

"It's okay. I had to cut Mike Newton off last night. He left steaming. There's a band that wants to start playing on the weekends. I can't really afford to pay them, but I'd love to get some live music in there."

Edward turns to me, "Jasper is half owner and full time manager of a bar. He loves it, don't let him fool you."

"Oh, that sounds like a fun job, except for the drunk people part."

"It is most of the time. The hours kind of suck, but I'm a night owl anyway."

"You should come by some time. I'll buy you a drink for taking care of my mom and humoring my brother." He smiles at me, dimple blaring.

I bite my bottom lip nervously. "Okay, sure. That sounds great." I turn to Edward, but he's giving Jasper the evil eye so he doesn't notice.

Jasper just stares back at Edward. Finally, Nessie breaks the silence. "Pwease can I have just one candy from my candy bucket? I eat all my pizza and I didn't have extra chocolate in my milk!"

"Yes, Sweetie, one piece," Esme answers emphasizing the word one.

Nessie smiles mischievously at Edward and he winks at her.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Edward and I tuck Nessie into bed and read a bedtime story called Guess How Much I Love You. She happily munches on a piece of red licorice that Edward snuck her from his room. Apparently that was what their little chocolate milk negotiation was about.

When Edward finishes reading, "I love you all the way to the moon…and back." Tears are streaming down my cheeks and I'm trying to hide them. It's so silly to be crying at a baby's bedtime story.

"Belly, why you sad? It's a happy story."

"I know it is Sweetie. It makes me happy that the mommy loves the baby the most."

"It's a Unkie Bunny, isn't it Unkie Eddie?"

I turn to Edward accusingly, and he looks at me sheepishly. I at his little brainwashing scheme.

"Of course, it's an Uncle Bunny." He kisses Nessie gently on he cheek, turns on a night light, closes the closet door, and pushes play on a CD player before he turns out the light.

"Unkie Eddie, what about 'Night-Night Nessie'?"

Edward looks embarrassed. "What's that?" I ask him inquisitively.

"It's just this little song I made up to help her sleep." He shrugs his shoulders trying to look like he's indifferent to the song.

"Pwease Unkie Eddie…I need you sing it fo me." She sits up and pouts out her bottom lip, like she did with the chocolate milk.

It seems to be some sort of Edward kryptonite because he says, "Bella, why don't you go on downstairs, and I'll be there in a minute. Hmm…"

Reluctantly, I pat Nessie's head and tell her goodnight, before slipping into the hall, pulling the door almost closed.

Once I'm gone Edward starts humming a little tune. Then very quietly I hear him singing to her.

Night-night-Nessie , your day is done.

Night-night-Nessie the sun has left and gone.

Beautiful girl, dream a story so sweet

Here's a kiss for your head and one for your feet.

I can't see them, but I think he did kiss her feet because I hear her giggle before he starts singing again.

Night-night-Nessie I'll be standing guard tonight

Night-night-Nessie I'll tuck you in so tight.

Beautiful girl, you had such a great day

Night-night-Nessie, tomorrow we will play.

He stops singing and asks her what she wants to play tomorrow. She starts explaining about baby dolls, and I tiptoe down the stairs before I get caught.

Edward finds me packing up my supplies in the guest room. "Thank you for staying tonight." He's smiling contentedly, leaning against the door jam.

"Thanks for dinner. I'll be back again tomorrow around the same time. Hey, do you think I could leave this table here?"

"Oh, of course. I should have suggested that yesterday." He nods and I walk toward the door. Before I can exit the room, he reaches up and softly strokes my cheek. I feel my face flush where his fingers teased and look to the floor.

"Bella," he whispers, "I appreciate you looking after my girls tonight. Mom feels so much better, and you made Nessie's night." I look up just in time to see his green eyes disappear behind his thick lashes. I inhale deeply just before his lips brush against mine.

I hear his soft moan as I reach my empty hand up to grip him firmly by the nape of his neck. He pushes me into the guestroom supporting my lower back with his other hand, never losing contact with my lips.

My heart is pounding. I am lost in his mouth, when he suddenly pulls back and steps away. Confused about what just happened, I'm blinking away the stars clouding my vision when Mr. Cullen appears in the doorway.

"There you two are," he says. "Thank you for coming out here again, Bella." All I can manage is a flustered nod in his direction.

Edward is flushed but very calm. "Bella was just gathering her things. She's going to leave the table though since she'll be back tomorrow." A crooked smile flashes across his lips looking very mischievous and tempting.

"Of course," Carlisle answers. "I'm going to run and say good night to Nessie if she's still awake."

We follow Carlisle out and Edward walks me to my truck. "Where were we," he asks closing the distance between us. He wraps his arms around me and starts devouring my lips again. I feel so exposed standing on the street where Carlisle had caught us kissing before. My body is begging for more, but my brain is on tense alert.

I pull back first, settle into the driver's seat and promise to see him in the morning. I watch his shadow disappear behind me as I drive away.


* Thank you for reading. Please review, if you are so inclined. I would love to hear from you.

* This was somewhat of a transitional chapter. My outline flew out the window a few chapters back, and I'm enjoying the unplanned ride.

* Guess How Much I Love You is a published book by Sam McBratney. It is a sweet bedtime story about two bunnies. It's one of my favorites.