Chapter 7

BPOV

I don't know who was more excited Tanya or myself. From the moment I said yes she had practically been vibrating in anticipation. I mean she had married me off to the man already, a complete 180 from her attitude before, which I totally called her on.

"Well that was before I saw the two of you together. It was eye opening to see you so entranced by someone. I thought I was going to have hose the two of you down." She huffed into the phone. "Not to mention how he gravitated towards you. And he is one hot piece of ass let me tell ya. I gotta give you some credit you have some good taste."

I snorted knowing she was right. Attraction wasn't a problem between us never has been, but it was as if the universe was against us.

"I'm just hoping this works out. Edward and I are two different people now but I want to try. I haven't really been honest with you or myself. I'm lonely and I want someone to call my own and grow a family with. Whether or not that's Edward I don't know but I intend to find out." I paused "I do know this, I'm going to let go of the past and give dating a try if Edward and I don't end up together. I….I don't want to grow old alone. One day Erin will be an adult and go off to start her own life and …"

"Sooo what are you wearing? Do you know?" I think Tanya sensed the conversation was get to emotional for me and I was at work. I had been trying not to think about my pending date until necessary so I wouldn't work myself up. I sighed "No Tanya I haven't decided. Maybe we can go shopping Saturday afternoon to pick something out. We can grab lunch at the square and hit a few of those boutiques." I was killing two birds with one stone, well actually three. Erin loved shopping of any kind, I needed some girly time with Tanya and I needed an outfit. Win-win.

Tanya squealed she loved shopping with me. She claimed she had no fashion sense and always managed to look like trailer trash Barbie when she dresses herself and I always looked like I stepped from a magazine catalogue. I put together most of her outfits which she loved. She in turned was gifted at hairstyling and kept my mane sleek and healthy. She was actually a licensed stylist but decided after working in the business for a year that it wasn't what she wanted to do with the rest of her life.

We chatted a few more minutes before she had to get back to work. Just as I put the phone back in it's cradle it rang again and I picked up without looking at the caller ID.

"Bella Swan speaking, how may I help you." A warm baritone filled my ear.

"Hello Bella, it's Edward." I was caught off guard to say the least.

"Hello Edward…how how are you." I sputtered out. "I'm a bit surprised to hear from you."

"I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch with me today. If you don't already have plans that is. I want to see you before Saturday and today my afternoon schedule is light." He finished out.

"Uhmm yeah that would be nice. There is a sandwich café called Hewt's that's about midway between her and the institute. What time would you like to meet?" I was actually pleased maybe I wouldn't be so nervous about the date if we get a little of the anticipation of seeing one another out of the way. And I really wanted to see him again.

"Let's say about an hour from now?" I could hear him shuffling papers in the background and a female voice call his name. I knew he had to go.

"An hour is fine see you there."

About fifty minutes later I sat at a table waiting for Edward to arrive. I was gazing out the window watching people walk by when he got out of his car. I watched him walk towards the café and marveled at his physical transformation he was always attractive but his body now was drool worthy.

He entered the café and I noticed several heads turn in his direction and shook my head. He scanned the room for me and grinned broadly when he caught my gaze. I could see the disappointment roll off several women in the restaurant. I smiled in his direction and rose to greet him. He reached me and without hesitation kissed my cheek in greeting. I almost knew he would, his father had instilled certain behaviors in his sons and Carlilse greeted all the important women in his life with a kiss on the cheek.

"So what's good here." He asked.

"Uhmm I really like their lunch duo specials half sandwich and half soup or salad. The chicken salad sandwich is really good." I said as I skimmed the menu. He took my advice and we placed our orders with the waitress.

As we waited we delved into small talk. "So I can't help but notice that you've gotten a little …uhmm bulked up. What prompted that?"

"Well" he started slowly. "After you left and everything happened I needed an outlet for my frustrations. I was at odds with my family…still am really. I was missing you and my work was suffering. I felt myself slipping into a depression. I saw a therapist a few times before a friend of mine suggested boxing. It helped me compartmentalize my anger a lot. So I began training which means running and weights. After a while the workout becomes ingrained so I have a home gym now and I spar with other guys from time to time at the local gym." He held my gaze unwaveringly the entire time he spoke.

He paused as the waitress arrived at our table with food. "I wonder if I'm getting to big sometimes."

"I like it." I blurted out causing my face to flame.

He grinned and looked at me playfully waggling his eyebrows at me causing me to laugh out loud. And just like that the tension was lifted. Edward had always been this mischievous mix of naughty and forceful that I loved. He was all man no doubt but he had a sense of humor when needed.

"What exactly do you like." He teased.

I could feel my ears burning. "Shut up, you know you look all Wolverinish. Oh God did I just say that." I covered my face with my hands.

"I always loved that blush of yours." He quipped.

The remaining lunch was light hearted and fun. We kept it simple. I think we were both intentionally doing that. We talked about our jobs and he asked me about Erin, it was over much too soon. But I was right it helped curb some of my nerves about our date.

After work I picked up Erin from school and decided to let Demetri grill a few burgers and hot dogs. We lit the fire pit, I wanted to soak up the remaining warm weather as much as I could. It was easy to tell winter was on its, way the evenings were getting a little cooler.

As Tanya and I sat around watching Erin play with Bandit she spoke up. "Demetri and I are discussing having a baby. I know we have other avenues other than me carrying my own child. We could use a surrogate using his sperm and someone else's eggs or try adoption like you did, but I can't help but think I'm being selfish by not having my own child with my husband." I saw Demetri glance over at me before turning his attention back to the grill. "He says I'm being silly that any child we have biologically or otherwise will be loved so much."

"But Bella my mother's disease is so scary and I don't know if I can condemn a child to the uncertainty of their future. I mean I know you can't guarantee that their life is going to be perfect but you can remove as many obstacle's as possible right? I don't know what to do here and I don't want to obsess over it and turn into a crazy lady who loses her husband and friends over baby obsession ya know." I chuckled Tanya was crazy and she watches too much lifetime.

I smiled not surprised at all Tanya and Demetri were ready for children they were great with kids. I knew that eventually they would get the baby bug, it was inevitable with how much time they spent with Erin.

"Wow I don't know what to say T. That's a tough decision I know you're going to have to follow your heart and only you can decide the right course to take. I can tell you this I couldn't love Erin more than I do now biological or not, but I did want to experience pregnancy so I'm not going to dismiss your feelings about carrying your own child. I was devastated when I found out I wouldn't be able to conceive. But once I held Erin the first time, all that hurt and anger, it just melted away. Whatever you choose to do you know I will support you no matter what and so will Demetri." I wrapped my arms around her and she laid her head on my shoulder.

"I know you will."

We spent the rest of the evening watching Erin tire herself out under the stars.

AN: Sorry this chapter is a little shorter than usual but its my busiest time of the month at work and Ive been working 12 hrs at the office so…yeah