Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

Thank you to cheermom13 and twilightdoctor for taking the time to read and review so many of my chapters. They are much appreciated. And to all of you who have put my story on alert and added it to your favorites, thanks to you too. If you like this chapter, send me a review. I would love to hear what you think!

Next chapter should be up by Tuesday.

Now on with the story…

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~

Chapter 7

BPOV

Night, Beautiful. Thanks for the perfect day. I'll call you tomorrow, sweet dreams. I know I will have them since they will be of you. E

God, could he be any sexier? I had to admit to giving the girliest of squeals, ever, after I read the text from Edward. I wanted to call him so badly before I went to bed. After talking with Seth, I just needed to hear his voice so much. I knew I would need to talk him soon, but like I always did, I was going to put it off as long as I possibly could.

What to say back to him? It pleased me greatly to know that he enjoyed the day as much as I did. I mean, he acted like he did, but you can never tell, you know? Hmm… I wanted to let him know I was thinking about him, too, but not come out sounding like I was pining away for him.

I glanced back at the screen where his message was still on display and pressed the keypad to type:

Night to you, too, Edward. I can't remember a more perfect day, so thank you and thanks to M&M. I'll be seeing you in my dreams. Until tomorrow…B XOXO

That should have done it, nice and sweet, a little flirty, too. I debated about adding the hugs and kisses on the end, but I really wanted to do it! I was sorely tempted to sign off with 'Love, Bella' but decided it might be a tad too soon for that.

Sighing, I placed my phone on the nightstand beside the bed and crawled under the covers. What a day! I sure had never imagined the first day of my vacation ending up like this: to end up as one the best days I could remember. Edward. Maddie. Masen. Three perfect people. Smiling to myself, I felt myself float away, drifting off to sleep, knowing that, like I told Edward, I'd be seeing the three of them in my dreams…

Waking up to the sounds of Rufus's pitiful whines from the kennel, I rolled over and looked at the time, 8:30 A.M. Not too bad, Bella, I thought to myself. Normally I was up as the ass crack of dawn so that Mike and I could get an early morning workout in before I had to start the day. No Mike that week, so no workout that morning! Yeah for me.

I pulled on a pair of yoga pants and slipped into some flip-flops to go check on Rufus. Poor little guy, I thought as I scooped him up and grabbed his leash from beside the door. Time for morning business. I grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge as I was walking out the door and we made our way outside so he could use the bathroom. Thankfully, the loft had a small clearing across the street so we headed in that direction. I stood still, drinking my water as Rufus finished up his morning bathroom break and then headed back upstairs.

I didn't hear any sounds coming from Seth's apartment as I went back to mine which meant he was either still sleeping or was already gone for the morning. I wondered what Edward and the twins were doing? I knew it was the first day of their Spring Break and they had plans. Maybe I could go to the park with Rufus and see if I could run into them, accidentally, of course. No, Bella, you'll just have to wait until Wednesday like you planned, I sternly told myself. I consoled myself with knowing that Edward might call me. I sure hoped so. I missed his voice, wondering if that was possible already. I didn't know if it was or not, but it was the truth.

I made sure Rufus had food and water in his bowls and made my way to the kitchen to start on the cookies for the shelter. I so enjoyed baking for the kids there. I wished I could spend some time visiting with the kids, but my "celebrity" status made that really difficult. Celebrity, my ass. Why looking good in a bathing suit made me famous I would never understand. But, because it was a women and children's shelter where abused women went to feel safe, it was impossible for people to know I volunteered there. The safety of the people inside would be compromised if photographers followed me to and from there.

Now, if I was known for when I was on the National Team, that would be something different. Of course that was 5 long years ago. Besides this was New York City; I was a soccer standout from the other side of the country. And, unfortunately, I got hurt before the Women's World Cup so I was not a part of the build-up when it happened. Hurt, what an understatement. Annihilated would be more like it. I shook my head, stopping those thoughts before they could spiral out of control and ruin my day, and set out the ingredients for the cookies.

Oatmeal raisin cookies, my favorite. A lot of people didn't like raisins, but I loved them. In granola or in cookies. Yum! I effortlessly made batch after batch, carefully placing them in the box to take to the shelter. I hoped Zaphrina was there; I loved her! She was a little intimidating until you got to know her, but I supposed in her job as director of the shelter, she would have to be. She had a heart of gold though. Zaphrina was an amazing person and I was lucky to be able to call her a friend.

Friend. I didn't have many of those. In fact, I could count them on one hand. J, LeLe, and Seth, of course. Then there was Zaphrina and lastly, was my personal assistant, Angela. I met Angela Jacobs in college. We were attending the University of Oregon together. I was there on a soccer scholarship, full-ride. I majored in English, and so did Angela. She was like the sister I never had. She was a lot like me, completely nerdy. We both loved to read, and read we did. We spent many a Friday and Saturday night when I wasn't working, quietly reading in our apartment together or watching movies. Jasper, Rose, and Seth were all at UO with me, but because Seth was on the football team and Jasper was on the track team, I didn't get to spend as much time with them as I would have liked. Rose was still my best friend, but her social calendar was so full it was hard to find time to see her. I didn't complain; they were always there for me when I needed them. We were all just spreading our wings a bit once we were able to leave Forks behind.

I was busy myself. Soccer practice took up a lot of time and when I wasn't practicing with the team, I practiced by myself. I also had to work, a lot. I worked in the bookstore on campus and waited tables at one of the nearby sports bars on the weekends. I didn't get any money from my parents, not that I expected to either. It was okay though, I wanted to make it on my own.

When I was selected to the National Team during high school, I really felt like I had it made. I had set that as a goal, and worked and worked until I achieved it. It wasn't easy, not at all, and I had so many things against me, mostly where I lived. Because Forks was so small, I had to travel to Port Angeles to play on a team once I got too old for the Forks Soccer League, starting at about age twelve. My dad never once complained about the drive: two days a week for practice, plus games on the weekend. Jasper played there, too, and he would come with me. His parents worked so much they couldn't bring him to practice, so my dad happily brought the both of us. If he had to work, Sue would take us. God knows, Renée couldn't be bothered.

When we had games on the weekends, Rose and Seth always came with us. They never missed a game, not one. I still played on the boys' team with Jasper, and I was still faster than all of them, J included. I got along with most of the boys. Being a girl on an all boys team was not the easiest thing to do, but I managed. It helped to have Jasper with me; he never let anyone say anything bad to me or about me.

I continued to improve, until I made it to high school. I knew once that happened, I would have to start playing on the girls' team and I did. I was good enough and fast enough to keep playing with the boys, but they were all so much bigger and stronger than me, that I really couldn't do it. Soccer scouts started to notice me and I was invited to attend many prestigious soccer camps during the summers. I was also invited to guest play on teams that traveled all around playing in tournaments.

As soon as I made it to the summer between my Junior and Senior year of high school, I was invited to attend the camp where they selected the girls who would be playing on the United States National Team. I was so nervous about going. It meant being away from J, LeLe, and Seth, plus Charlie, for at least 3 weeks over the summer. If I made it, I would be staying even longer and I would have to go back frequently for practices. I almost didn't try out; I was convinced there was no way a girl from small town Washington could ever make it. Jasper took me aside one day and told me how much he believed in me, how I had worked hard, and I deserved the chance to prove to myself and everyone else that I could do it. He convinced me to not let the way Renée felt about me dictate what I wanted. It was the harshest he had ever spoken to me, but I got the message. I left the next week, and didn't come back for a month. I made the team, just like Jasper knew I would, and I was convinced my life was about to change.

It changed, that was for sure, just not in the way I had expected or hoped it would.

I finished getting the cookies into the box after they had cooled some, even though they were still a bit warm. I grabbed my phone and purse and walked downstairs to catch a cab to take me to the shelter. I arrived and made my way into the kitchen. As I made my way through the door, I had to stop. I had the feeling I got yesterday in the park; the one where I could feel Edward. It was impossible, I knew, but damn it was almost like I could feel him here with me.

I left the cookies with Zaphrina, promising another delivery later in the week. I was going to be busy, really busy in the near future, but I didn't want to let the kids at the shelter down because I knew the cookies I made for them were one of the few indulgences they had there. The shelter was funded completely by donations, and Zaphrina did the best she could with what she had. I knew there were some doctors that donated their time to the women and children, giving them check-ups and what not. I was impressed by that; maybe I could meet them one day.

I walked back to the loft, still not seeing Seth. I collected Rufus and took him outside for his lunch bathroom break and gave him a treat once we made it back into the loft for being such a good puppy. I still couldn't believe Seth had gotten him for me, but after what happened the day before, I thought he deserved a special dinner… or even a few plus dessert.

Edward. Just thinking about him made me smile and my girly bits get tingly! Please, let him call today! I thought to myself. I could have called him I supposed, but I really wanted him to call me first. Old-fashioned, I knew, but I wanted to make sure he was interested before putting myself out there. He was the one with the kids; the one who had more than themselves to consider. I couldn't imagine how hard it would be to be a single parent and to try dating, especially in the city. Hell on Earth I would have imagined.

I picked up my phone to call Angela and check in. She was at the office at Volturi's that week. She confirmed the release date of the magazine and reminded me about my schedule for next week. I was tired just thinking about it all, and it was only Monday and I still had six more days of vacation to enjoy. She let me know that she had sent my schedule to Jasper and Rose in California as well, and that J had some paperwork I needed to sign.

I hung up the phone with her and sighed. I knew I needed to call and talk to Jasper, but I was hesitating. Out of all my friends, he was the most protective of me. I knew why and where he was coming from, but he did tend to forget I was 24-years-old sometimes. Steeling myself, I hit the speed dial on my phone as his cell phone rang on the other end.

"Shortcake! How is the first day of vacation?" he asked me.

I was pretty sure that I would be 85-years-old and Jasper and Seth would still be calling me 'Shortcake.' They gave me the nickname when we were in first grade. Strawberries had always been my favorite fruit and strawberry shortcake was my absolute favorite dessert. It was my birthday, and we were celebrating both mine and Seth's, like always. Harry and Sue were having a big party at their house for us, all our friends from school were invited, the boys from the reservation, and all our parents' friends. It was my year to pick out what kind of cake we would have and I wanted strawberry shortcake. Charlie and Sue tried to convince me that it wasn't strawberry season and I needed to pick something else, but I was set on having shortcake for my birthday. I begged and pleaded and threw such a fit that they drove three hours to Seattle to pick some up and bring back to make my cake. From that birthday on, Seth and Jasper called me 'Shortcake' or 'Strawberry Shortcake' if they wanted to get picky. It didn't help that as I got older I began using strawberry scented shampoo, either.

I smiled. "Hey, J. Vacation is just fine. I miss you, how is Lele?" I asked.

He grunted. "Damn sister of mine is a pain in my ass, that's how she is. She's been going on and on about some new client she has that needs his car customized like yesterday. The guy is an ass and has been giving her a hard time. She is convinced it is because she's a woman. I tried to tell her it is because she's a bitch." He laughed at me.

Those two, I swore. If they didn't love each other so much, they would be liable to kill each other. I had never seen two people gripe and bicker like the two of them did. They would die for each other, but they were just as likely to beat the shit out of the other one, too. They were twins…reminded me of my other favorite set of twins. Ah, Edward. That thought made me smile.

"Jasper, really. Rose is not a bitch and you know it. She just hates when people assume that because she is so beautiful, it means that she doesn't have a brain. Now, I talked to Angela this morning and she said you have some paperwork for me? Can it wait until I see you in two weeks or do you need to Fed Ex it to me?" I asked.

Properly chastised for speaking badly of his twin, Jasper told me, "Nah, Bell, it can wait until you get here, nothing too important that it can't wait. Did Seth give you your present yet?"

I should have known Seth talked to him before he gave me the dog. "Yes, Mr. Know-It-All, he did. I got Rufus yesterday, as a matter-of-fact. Cutest damn thing you have ever seen, too. I was mad as hell at first, but the little guy has grown on me so much already, I couldn't give him back even if I wanted to." I giggled at him.

"I told him you would love it. What a dumbass. I agree with him though, you are alone entirely too fucking much and it will be good for you to have someone to keep you company for a change…unless you have something you want to tell me?" he pointedly asked me.

"Damn gossiping old women, I swear that is what the two of you are," I griped to him. "What do you want to know, J? I know you're dying over there, so just ask what you want to," I sighed to him.

"Tell me about yesterday, Bell. Who is he?" he quietly asked me.

I took a deep breath and started talking, telling him all about yesterday from start to finish. Getting the puppy, walking to the park. I pretended not to hear the sharp intake of breath from the other phone when I said that. To finding Masen while I was sitting on the bench. I told him about teasing with him to make him smile so we could go find his dad. What I felt when I saw Edward for the first time. I may have spent a little too long describing him in minute detail, I wasn't sure. I told him how I felt talking to Maddie and watching the three of them playing with Rufus on the grass. I told him about lunch, even telling him about sitting facing the building instead of the street; that got me a grunt. I told him about Edward whispering in my ear and what that felt like. I told him how I felt when I kissed him goodbye. I kept talking, telling him everything. Everything I felt yesterday and what Seth and I talked about last night when I got home. I told him about the text message from him last night and the one I sent back to him. I told it all.

Silence. I was met with complete silence on the other end. Shit, I could kill Seth for talking to Jasper before I could. I was so going to kill him. No special dinners, that was for damn sure!

"Bella, honey," I heard Jasper say as he took a deep breath. "I…I'm so happy for you," he quietly told me.

I gasped. "J, are you serious? No lectures, no telling me he isn't good enough for me, just that you're happy for me?" I asked him incredulously.

He snorted in annoyance. "Bell, what Seth told you last night is correct. You just need to be careful, there is more to consider than just you and Edward. And you DO need to talk him soon, and tell him who you are. But, if he is okay with all that, and from what Seth tells me there is no way he won't be, then you deserve this. I didn't believe him this morning when he told me he had never seen you this way before, but I get what he's saying now. I can't see you, but I know you are smiling. I can hear it in your voice. I love you, Shortcake, you know this, and I just want you to be happy. It has been entirely too long. I take the blame for that, and if this Edward puts a smile back on your beautiful face, then I will owe him more than I could ever repay," he finished off in barely a whisper.

Of course at his words, I started crying, but managed to get out, "Jasper Lee Whitlock, you know what happened was NOT your fault, you have to stop blaming yourself. Please?" I begged him. "What happened with James is not because of you. You know this," I finished.

"Whatever, Bell. It is, and there is nothing you can say that will change my mind. Now, tell me about this date you two have planned," he said, effectively changing the subject.

I let him, knowing that it would only cause an argument to keep fighting with him. I knew the truth; I was to blame for what happened because of James, no one else, and certainly not Jasper.

I told him I wasn't sure, I was supposed to see him on Wednesday at the park with the kids, so I was hoping that even if I didn't talk to him before then, that we would firm up our plans.

"Another date with the puppy and kids, huh, Shortcake?" he asked me.

Ass. "Shut it, J, I promised Masen he could play with Rufus again, I can't go back on my word now, you know," I huffed at him.

He snickered at me. "Sure, Bell, you keep telling yourself that all day. You know, and I know, you are dying to see Edward again."

"Of course I am, fucker, I can't wait. But, I don't want to come off as a lovesick idiot either. You should have seen me last night after I read his text. Totally embarrassing. On second thought, I am so glad you weren't here! I would so never live that shit down." I laughed at him.

"Damn, now I wish I had installed those hidden security cameras in your room like Seth and I talked about. That would have been blackmail material for sure!" Jasper told me.

I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't see me. That sounded like something those two idiots would do. "Oh, I have plenty of my own material on you two fools to get you back, don't forget about that," I threatened him.

"No shit. I don't even want to think about it. Bell, really, I am happy for you. Am I nervous for you? Hell yeah I am, but you knew I would be when you called. You deserve to be happy, Bella, so much. I gotta run, make sure you call Rosie soon. She'll be dying to hear all the details you won't tell me," Jasper told me.

"Tell Rose I'll talk to her tonight or tomorrow. I love you both, J, and can't wait to see you. Two weeks then I'm all yours for 14 days," I said.

"Right back at ya, Shortcake, be good. Love you," he said as he hung up the phone.

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~

I puttered around the apartment for the rest of the day, picking up a little, reading a lot. After a few hours of completely vegging out, I got up and made my way into the kitchen to start making dinner. I decided to make Seth's favorite: chicken enchiladas with homemade cilantro rice and black beans. I spent time chopping and mixing, getting lost in the motions. I loved to cook, so much. I had a degree in English; I used to tell myself I wanted to be a writer or a teacher, but that was not really what I wanted to do. If I could have done anything, if I could have dreamt up my perfect job, I would have owned my own bakery where my other house was, in Lake George.

I loved it up there. It was quaint and peaceful. People left me alone up there. I could bake and read and take walks and be myself. I would be heading up in a few months, for Memorial Day, when I went to open the house up for the summer. I knew I would be busy finishing up my contract with Volturi's but I'd be damned if that kept me from going up there a few times. It was my most special place.

I finished getting the enchiladas prepared and put them in the oven. The rice and beans were cooking on the stove and I started making the cream cheese brownies that Seth loved so much for dessert. Who was I kidding? Seth loved all food, especially food that he didn't have to make himself or cook in a microwave.

I heard him as he came in the door. I swore his sense of smell was better than a bloodhound's. Somehow he always knew when dinner was about to be ready.

"Seth Michael Clearwater," I three-named him. "You are in so much trouble. How could you tell Jasper about Edward before I had a chance to talk to him? I told him you two are like a bunch of gossiping old women. Couldn't you have at least waited for me to talk to him first before you two started talking behind my back?" I grumbled at him.

Hanging his head a bit he said, "Sorry, Shortcake. He called this morning to see how you liked the puppy and I told him about you taking him to the park yesterday, which turned into talking about Masen, which led to Edward."

"Ah, it's okay, babycakes. You're forgiven. Besides, I was going to have to tell him anyway," I told him as I handed him a plate of food.

He told me about his day and I let him know I had talked to Angela and gone over the schedule for next week. He let me know he had everything under control and that he would be meeting with Jacob when he got back next week to go over the changes that needed to happen once the magazine came out.

Fucking job! I hated it!

Seth finished eating, grabbing some brownies and petting Rufus on his way out of the door. Because I was not going anywhere that night, he had a date and needed to go home to get ready. His taste in women sucked. The only women he dated were brainless bimbos who took one look at his body and then stopped looking. One day, I hoped, he would find someone that would keep looking until they discovered what was underneath the muscles and the sarcastic humor. He would make that someone feel like a queen.

It was only about 7:30, so I cleaned up the kitchen and then decided to take a long, hot bubble bath. I ran the water in my huge bathtub, another gift to myself. I lit some aromatherapy candles in the bathroom, and turned the lights down low. I picked my mellow playlist on my iPod and set it on the docking station and lowered myself into the steaming, fragrant water.

My thoughts of course immediately drifted to Edward. I hoped he and the kids had a good day. I hoped he called; I missed the sound of his voice. I though back to yesterday and the way it felt when he whispered in my ear, how my whole body tingled, especially the parts down there. My hand absentmindedly traveled the path of said tingles until I realized I was touching myself, lightly tracing circles on my stomach and then trailing down toward the ache between my legs. I kept imagining Edward's voice, only this time he was talking to me in my ear, quietly pulling me close to him as we were riding in the cab home from our dinner date. I felt his lips on the spot behind my ear that drove me crazy and then down lower to my collarbones. His tongue was so warm as it moved back and forth. His warm hands gripping me, holding me closer to him, pressing my body completely against his. I imagined running my fingers through his hair, feeling how soft it was. I pictured him kissing me, pressing his tongue into my mouth, nibbling on my bottom lip. My index finger was circling my swollen clit, rubbing back and forth. My other fingers pressed through my wet folds. I could feel my orgasm building. It was so close. I pictured Edward as he pressed me against my front door, our date finished, feeling his solid erection against my thigh. His hand pressed against my breast, rubbing over my hard nipple, his tongue still pressing against mine, kissing me deeply. I rubbed my clit harder, feeling the orgasm as it ripped through my body, until the aftershocks subsided. I leaned my head against the wall, breathing heavily.

Holy shit that was intense! But it felt so good…

I finished my bath and grabbed a towel to walk into my room. I put on a tank top and panties and began to brush my hair. The phone rang and I raced over to the nightstand to grab it. Fuck me, it was Edward. Internal girly squeal as I answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Beautiful, I've been thinking about you all day!" Edward said to me.

Sighing in contentment from hearing his voice I said, "Edward." I hoped he could feel the smile through the phone because I was sure it was about to split my face in two.

He laughed at me. Yeah, he could tell I was smiling. "Hey, Bella, it is so good to hear your voice," he told me.

"Yours, too, Edward. I thought about you today, too. A lot," I shyly told him.

"Really now? Do tell. What exactly were you thinking about, Angel?" he cutely asked me.

Angel, really? Oohh, I liked that. I really liked that.

"Well, wouldn't you like to know?" I cheekily answered him. "You be nice to me, and maybe I'll think about telling you," I smartly told him.

I heard him chuckle. "Bella, don't you worry your beautiful head, I promise to be nice!" Edward answered back to me.

"How are you, Edward?" I asked. "What did you and the kids do today? Did they have a good day?"

"I'm better now, Angel, now that I'm talking to you, and yes, the kids did have a good day today. I took them to the aquarium and then we stopped for ice cream on the way home. Totally spoiled their dinner, but it's vacation so it's okay," Edward told me.

I laughed. "So Maddie got to pick today's activity, huh?"

"How did you know that, Bella?" Edward asked me, sounding somewhat surprised.

"Um, well, yesterday at lunch when she and Masen were talking about what they wanted to do, I thought she said that the aquarium was on her list. Besides, the aquarium sounds like Maddie. Nice and quiet, and lots to look at," I answered him.

"You're right. It was Maddie's idea. Tomorrow is Masen's day. We are going to Pete's Pizza, where they have all those obnoxiously loud games to play."

"Poor Edward." I giggled at him. "You know you'll have fun, you just don't want to admit it," I teased him.

He had the grace to laugh at that, knowing I was right. "Yeah, it is fun. Pizza is terrible, but the beer is cold and I rock at Whack-A-Mole!" He chuckled back.

Fuck…could he have been any more adorable?

"Well, I am sure you three will have fun tomorrow," I told him.

"I'm sure we will. My cousin Demetri is going to come with us tomorrow. Tanya came today and kept Maddie company, and Demetri will be Masen's partner in crime tomorrow," Edward explained.

That caught me by surprise. I couldn't picture Edward having cousins as young as the twins, so I asked, "Oh, I didn't realize you had cousins that young, Edward."

He snorted as he answered. "I don't, Bella. Demetri is 29 and Tanya is the same age as my sister, Alice."

Tanya, who the hell was Tanya, and what was she doing going with to the aquarium with my Edward and my Maddie and Masen? Shit.

"Oh, I see," I curtly told him.

I heard him gasp on the other end. "Bella, is everything okay," he sweetly asked me. "Did I say something to upset you, Angel?"

"No…well, yes. Um, stupid question, but who is Tanya, Edward?" I asked succinctly.

I didn't think he had a girlfriend; he sure didn't act like it the day before. Both he and Masen told me he didn't have a mom, which led me to believe she was not a part of their lives at all. I didn't want to sound like a possessive bitch or anything, but this I needed to know before we went any further.

"Shit, Bella, I'm sorry. I didn't think about the way that would sound. Tanya is Masen's godmother and one of my best friends. Her parents and mine have been friends since they were in college together. Tanya went to high school with my siblings and me. She also is one of the partners in the practice my dad and I own. She's just a friend, Bella. She's only ever been a friend," he answered me.

Okay, now I felt like an ass. Kill me now please.

"Oh, Edward, I'm sorry. It's just, you said her name and I immediately thought something else. I should know better. People assume the same thing when they see Jasper and me or Seth and me together. I really am sorry, please forgive me…" I rambled.

I heard him softly laughing. "It's okay, Bella, completely understandable. Now tell me, who are Jasper and Seth, hmm?"

Now it was my turn to explain I guessed. "Remember at lunch yesterday when Masen asked if I had any brothers or sisters and I told him I didn't, but I had three friends who were like my siblings? That would be Jasper and Seth. I have known Seth my whole life, literally. He was born 12 minutes before me and we have been inseparable pretty much since birth. Jasper and his twin sister, Rosalie, moved to Forks, where I'm from, when they were five and we met on our first day of kindergarten. The four of us have been the best of friends ever since then," I told him fondly.

"Okay, good to know, I would hate to start out beating up random men fighting for your affection!" he teased me.

I could have gotten used to this flirting thing with Edward. Yes, I could very much have gotten used to that.

"Come on now, Edward, you know you're the only one who's affection I want," I said with a small laugh.

That was nothing but the truth, and really, couldn't he tell?

"Good to know, Bella. Good to know," he said.

We chatted back and forth for a few minutes about nothing really when I remembered something.

"Wait, Edward. Did you say earlier you and your dad have a practice together? Does that mean you are a doctor or something?" I curiously asked.

Edward and I did talk quite a bit the day before, but we didn't get too personal so I had lots of questions for him.

"Yes, Angel, I am a doctor, a pediatrician actually. My father works with me. Tanya is the OB/GYN specialist at our office," Edward informed me.

Holy hell, a doctor! But, I could see him as a pediatrician, he was so good with his own kids, I could only imagine how he was when he was taking care of a sick child.

"That is amazing, Edward."

I meant it. It was amazing. To be that dedicated to something, to spend the years you had to in school in order to become a doctor was a true testament to Edward. I knew there were probably a great many men and women who entered into the medical field solely for the money they could make, but I knew Edward was not one of them.

"Hey, Bella…um, I have a really strange question for you, too. Ah, this is kind of awkward, but, how old are you? Fuck, please don't take that the wrong way, but I don't know and I kinda want to," he asked timidly.

I had to laugh at that. Crap, now that I thought about it, I hoped this didn't cause a problem. What if he was freaked out about being older than me or something? It was only eight years, but it might have seemed like a lot to him. God, I hoped he didn't let that freak him out.

Taking a deep breath I answered. "I'm 24. I'll turn twenty-five in September?" I said in a way it almost sounded like I was asking him a question.

"Whew! Here I was thinking I was robbing the cradle or something!" he chortled to me. "I figured it was somewhere around that actually. Um, Bella, you don't care that I am eight years older than you or anything like that, do you?"

"No, Edward. I've known how old I am compared to you since yesterday. You're the one working at the disadvantage here, not me buster," I smartly answered him.

Eight years, that wasn't too bad was it? I didn't think so, besides he didn't look anywhere close to being thirty-two anyway.

We talked a bit longer, I told him which books were my favorite, he told me his. We argued over the best albums of all time.

"Edward, maybe your brain is starting to rot from old age or something, but there is no way in hell that Ok Computer by Radiohead is a better album than Joshua Tree by U2, no fucking way," I heatedly told him.

Dissing U2 was a complete no no in my book and dude had better back the hell off.

He responded back, "Angel, I never said Joshua Tree wasn't a great album, I just think Ok Computer is better. And what the hell, making fun of the old man already, huh? So not cool, Bella."

"Whatever, old guy, just remember I love me some U2 and Bono so if you want to stay on my good side, no disrespecting is allowed. Remember that, and we'll be just fine." I giggled.

We talked a bit longer. He told me some stories from when he was younger about himself, Emmett, Alice, and Demetri. I told him some about me, Jasper, Rose, and Seth. We laughed and talked and the next thing I knew, I glanced at the clock and it was midnight. We had been talking for almost three hours, and it literally seemed like 5 minutes.

"Damn, Edward, do you realize it is midnight. I should let you go. You need your rest if you are going to keep up with the twins tomorrow," I quietly told him.

I didn't want to say goodbye. I could have talked to him all night and not minded at all, but I knew he would pay for it tomorrow if he didn't get some sleep.

He took a deep breath and said with a sigh, "I suppose you're right, Angel, I need to get some sleep. Maddie will be in here at the crack of dawn, like always. I'm so glad I got to talk to you tonight, Bella. It's been great, truly."

"I'm glad, too. Um, will you call me tomorrow, well I guess, later today?" I asked shyly.

"Of course I will, Beautiful. Now that we've started talking, I don't think I'll be able to stop," Edward answered me. "I don't want to say goodbye, Bella, but I guess I'd better go," he whispered.

I responded back in kind. "I don't either, Edward, but we'll talk again a little bit later. I'm really glad you called. I was so nervous you wouldn't."

"Bella, don't be silly. I debated last night for an hour if I should call you or not. I looked like a teenager pacing back and forth trying to build up the courage to ask a girl out on the first date," Edward admitted to me.

"If it makes you feel any better, I did the same thing," I told Edward honestly. "Good night, Edward, sleep well and sweet dreams," I murmured, really not wanting to let him go.

"Night, Beautiful. I'll call you later today, okay? Sweet dreams to you too, my angel. Rest well," he gently told me.

I sighed softly. "Night, Edward," and pressed the button to disconnect.

I picked up the pillow beside me and pressed it to my face, screaming into it. Taking a deep breath, I picked up my phone again and hit speed dial number 3 and as the person answered the phone, without waiting for a greeting, I said, "Rose, I am so fucked!"

~~~~OOO~~~~OOO~~~~