Authors note; Thank you, all of you who reviewed. It's really great to read your comments and to know that you are enjoying the story so far.

Beta reader; Thank you NatalieRB for your comments and encouragement.

Disclaimer; I do not own Twilight but I own this story.

COOK WANTED

Wednesday

When I woke up in the morning I had time for a shower and enough time to dry my hair properly. I took a slice of buttered toast with me to the kitchen. I made a cup of herbal tea to drink while making the breakfast. Pancakes instead of French toast today, bacon, scrambled eggs and tomatoes. I decanted the fresh orange and set the table.

Rosalie was the first to sit at the table this morning. She looked immaculate. She was as beautiful as a model and she knew it. I asked her what I could get her. She made her choice and I took the plate out to her with the coffee pot.

"Thank you. It looks very good." Finally a breakthrough.

"You are welcome Miss Hale." I said and went back to the kitchen to get a plate ready for Jasper who had just come downstairs.

He picked out the food he wanted and I took the plate out to him. "Thank you, Bella."

He said giving me one of his encouraging smiles.

"Your welcome." Everyone else was now up and sitting at the table. I plated their food requests and took the plates into the dinning room.

Mrs Cullen confirmed with me that there would not be any guests for dinner tonight.

So my menu would not have to be too complicated. I opened the diary and jotted down a few ideas that I would decide on after breakfast. I put on another pot of coffee and set a small plate of breakfast to one side for me. I took the full coffee pot to the table and then sat on a barstool to eat. When I finished, I started to clean up and then clear the table as the family left. They all made their way to work and once again the house was quiet.

I wrote out the final list for the evening meal. Leek and potato soup, herbed salmon fillets, green beans and sautéed potatoes and a fresh fruit salad. It was another dry day although a little cloudy, but I thought I would take my chances and go and get the food myself today. When I got to the grocery store the owner greeted me warmly. I read out the list and he began to collect the things from around the store. That job done I went to get the fish and the next shop for some meat to make a pâté for Thursday's meal and pre-ordered a joint of beef to be delivered that morning. With the shopping done I made my way back to the house. It was just beginning to rain.

I made a start on the soup and then made the fruit salad and added a little Kirsch to the fruit mix. I put the bowl into the fridge to give the fruit plenty of time to soak up the Kirsch. I prepared the herb mixture to coat the salmon later and prepared the green beans and peeled and diced the potatoes and made the dough balls. With all of that done I needed a break. I made an herbal tea and a sandwich and sat on a barstool. I jotted a few notes down in the diary for the next day. Only two days to go. I wonder where he will take me? I hope he is getting some rest at the hospital.

It seemed really strange that he was not in the kitchen with me. I was already missing to him, even after such a short time of knowing him. I wonder if he even thinks about me. He probably doesn't have the time.

I heard the front door open. Charlie called out to me. "Bella?"

"Hi, Charlie, I'm in the kitchen. Please join me." He entered the kitchen. "Take a seat, would you like something to drink?"

"Please Bella, a coffee would be great." He said looking at the fresh pot.

I poured him a cup and we sat down.

"How are you settling in then? Do you like your rooms? And do they like your food?" he asked leaning forward eagerly awaiting an answer.

"Well, I've settled in very well. Everyone has been very kind. The rooms are great here and in Forks. I still can't believe I got the job. And yes, they are enjoying the food. Emmett has the best appetite of course!" We both laughed.

"Well, let me assure you, I have heard nothing but praise about you Bella. I've been driving some of the family around town since Monday and they look forward to coming home to see what you've cooked for them. You're doing a great job."

"Thank you for that, Charlie."

"So, I take it you have met Jessica? Don't pay to much attention to her. She's good at cleaning but is a bit of a gossip."

"Don't worry Charlie. I shall keep conversation with Jessica to a minimum."

"So, what are you going to be doing to do with your time off on Friday."

I thought quickly as to what I would say. "Well, I thought I would do some sight seeing. Seattle is still new to me so it would be a good idea to see some of it."

"Make sure you get a good guide book and have a good pair of shoes. What sort of things interest you?"

"I enjoy art so a museum might be a good place to start and maybe if I have time a show."

"Well, whatever you do I hope you enjoy yourself." He said checking the time. "I had better make a move. You have to get on I suppose and I need to get Alice to an important meeting, something to do about her designs. If all goes well I am sure you will find out about it this evening. She's very excited. More so than usual!"

He got up to leave and we wished each other well. "See you over the weekend maybe, Bella. Take care."

I set the oven to warm up and went to get changed. I was looking forward to seeing Alice later. I hoped that she did have good news to share with everyone. She is a very talented designer, very passionate about her work. We have a lot in common. Creative and we care about Edward. Once back in the kitchenI put the dough balls in the oven to cook.

I had about an hour of spare time on my hands before I had to worry about cooking the rest of the evening meal. I took out all the ingredients to make the pâté for tomorrow and set to work. My thoughts became consumed with thoughts and images of him. I miss him so much. I didn't know that I would meet anyone that would affect me the way he does. Alice thinks that we would be good together, but what if she's wrong? I don't want to loose my job. This could be so good for my career. If things went wrong I might not be able to get another job at all in Seattle. I'd have to move back to Phoenix! My brain was beginning to go into panic mode. I could feel myself panic breathing! Calm down, Bella. Nothing has happened. Maybe nothing will happen. Maybe he'll just take you out sightseeing and then that will be it, nothing else. But be truthful, Bella girl, you want it to be something else, something more than just sightseeing in Seattle. Oh, get a grip why would a gorgeous man like him even want to get closer to you, Bella?

I had to pour myself a glass of water to calm down. I had to put him out of my mind, right now. I had to get the food ready or I would get the sack. I set the table, restocked the condiments and returned to the work in hand. I put the coated salmon in the oven, the green beans in the steamer the soup to heat up and began to sauté the potatoes. The pâté had cooled enough for it to finish setting so I covered it and placed it in the fridge.

Suddenly the front door flew open as if a gust of wind had taken control of it and in flew a small tornado. It was Alice, she was buzzing with excitement. Jasper was trailing a little behind her deep in thought. She was calling out for her parents in a high pitched voice, high even for Alice.

"I'm sorry Alice, but they're not home yet." I said loud enough so that she could hear.

"Oh, Bella," she began as she ran up to me, quickly checking that I wasn't holding anything in my hands, and flinging her arms around me trapping my arms by my sides. I stood somewhat shocked by this wave of emotion that had forced itself on me in the form of Alice. "I've been selected to do a collection!"

She looked at my face expectantly. I gave her a small smile and thought quickly. "Wonderful, Alice!" I wasn't absolutely sure what all this meant but Alice was happy so I went with it.

"Yes, it is wonderful! I'm going to New York in the fall! Just imagine my name in lights. My designs being photographed maybe even by Vogue. Models, wearing my designs, on a catwalk!"

The pieces were quickly falling into place. I hugged her back. "Yes, Alice it will be wonderful. You deserve this. What an honour to be asked!" My reply was genuine. I knew how passionate she was about her work and finally someone important had too.

"Imagine it Bella, New York!" she continued now twirling like a principle ballerina in the middle of the kitchen. I noticed Jasper leaning against the doorway looking less than impressed. Just a very thin smile on his face. He caught me looking over at him and he looked down to the floor. What is going on, he should be so pleased for Alice?

"So, will you have enough time to get the collection together?" I asked her as I double checked the oven and took the rolls out to rest.

"Oh yes. I've been working on one for a while now. Just the finer details to complete. I shall have to get in contact with an agency to choose models soon. Oh, I think that's Mom and Dad!" She said as she flew down the hallway to greet them at the door.

Jasper walked over to a barstool and plopped himself down. "She's going to be gone for at least ten days." He began sounding very despondent. "We've never been apart."

"Won't you be able to go with her?" I asked turning to look at him maybe a little accusingly.

"I have a very important case coming up during that same week. When Alice said that she might be chosen a couple of days ago, I checked out the dates and of course they clash." He said looking distantly at the floor.

Then it dawned on me that this was why he had been a little quiet recently.

"I know I don't know much about your work, but can't someone stand in for you?"

I asked in a more soothing tone.

"I have thought about it. I just have to decide what to do. This is so important to Alice. But proving myself is as well. I might still have time to sort things out without my decision disappointing anyone. My career has been my main source of focus but maybe it's Alice's career that needs attention now." He said standing up ready to join Alice and her parents in the living room.

"You will work it out, I know you will." I said encouragingly. I saw him readjust his stance and smile as he walked toward them.

When Rosalie and Emmett arrived home, Alice once again relayed her news to them, hugging them and dancing around the living room. She won't be coming off this cloud for quite some time.

Mrs Cullen noticed me setting the soup tureen on the table and ushered everyone to the dinning table. She set to work dishing out the food. Rosalie was almost as excited as Alice, their passion for fashion was the one of the things that bonded them.

Once the first course was finished I collected the dishes, took out the warmed plates and set them down. I returned with the main meal. Appreciative words came from all directions even from Rosalie. Good, Alice's news has distracted her from her 'grump fest' toward me.

Not one person had stopped talking as yet. Dinner was taking a little longer than usual. I was glad that I hadn't made anything for dessert that might spoil. I removed the bowl of fruit salad from the fridge to warm slightly and quickly whipped some cream into soft peaks. Jasper had collected the plates and cutlery and brought the stack out to the kitchen. This sped things up a little and I took the dessert and the cream out to them. I finished loading the dishwasher and sat to have some of the left over soup and a bread roll. I put the coffee pot on and set the tray.

Emmett stood up from the table and cleared the table for me. He walked into the kitchen saying "Bella, that was good! Edward should have come home to eat between his shifts. The hospital food is crap compared to yours!" Umm I wish he did come home, I'm really missing him.

Mrs Cullen called out from the living room, "Emmett Cullen, mind your language in front of the ladies!"

"Sorry, Mom but it's true. How can he eat that stuff? Maybe we should send him a food parcel or something." He let out a huge laugh and we all joined in. I put the coffee pot on the tray. Emmett stepped forward and picked up the tray.

"Let me take this in, Bella. Save your strength for cooking breakfast in the morning." He said with a big silly grin on his face. What's with all this looking after me stuff? Maybe it's just the way they are. They care. Live with it, Bella.

I turned my attention to Thursday's menu. I had already made the pâté, so I was ahead of myself. I jotted down; Make dough for bread. Roast beef, vegetables, roast potatoes. Dessert; baked apples and pears with a honey sauce.

I quickly looked into the living room to check the coffee pot. It was empty. I collected it to make another pot.

"Bella, we've finished now so don't worry about a refill. You get to bed as soon as you can, you look tired." Dr Cullen said in a fatherly way.

I cleaned up the coffee table and took the full tray back to the kitchen and finished loading the dishwasher and set it off. With the kitchen tidy I made my way up the stairs saying 'Good night' to everyone. Only one more day Bella. Not long now!

End of Chapter

Authors note; Well, isn't life boring without the delectable Edward. Please review and you'll find out what happens next. Take care.