Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Thank you to Jen328 for beta'ing and ladysharkey1 and jadsmama for pre-reading.


Bella tugged on the collar of her shirt as we pulled into the restaurant parking lot, and I almost hit the curb when she flashed some cleavage.

"Eyes on the other cars, perv." She straightened her shirt back up.

"Couldn't help it."

To say that she was nervous about dinner would have been an understatement. I'd never seen her act like such a spaz before.

"Do you think your mom will like me?" She reapplied her chapstick for the twentieth time since we'd left the hotel.

"She'll love you."

"Uh huh."

While Bella had been quick to agree to have dinner with my parents, she had been less than calm since we'd left Forks. I had planned for us to stay in Seattle after dinner and spend the next day enjoying the big city before heading back to Forks, but Bella was only concerned about one part of our trip, and we were about to walk into it.

I held her hand as we entered the little bistro and quickly found my parents. They'd had me very young— like right-out-of-high school young, so they were both almost fifty. I hadn't exactly told Bella that, and I could see the wheels spinning in her mind as she stared at them. I don't know what she expected, but it was obvious it wasn't them.

"Edward, baby boy!" My mom hugged me tight. "It's been way too long!"

It had been awhile since I'd seen them, at least six months, but it was obvious my mom was laying it on thick in front of Bella.

Before I pulled back, I whispered, "Be nice, Mom. She's special."

She looked at me strangely for a split second before my dad's voice caused me to look away.

"Hey there!" My dad waved from his seat.

"Mom and Dad, this is Bella." I squeezed her hand to reassure her. "Bella, my mom and dad."

My mom smiled at Bella and held her hand out to shake. "It's great to meet you, Bella."

"You, too, Mrs. Masen." Bella smiled politely.

Though the look from earlier was gone, it didn't escape my notice that my mom was sizing Bella up. From what I could tell, she wasn't convinced she was worthy of her baby boy yet.

Heaven help me.

Appetizers were ordered. Drinks were sipped. Small talk was made.

Bella told them about the online graduate program she was enrolled in. My mom immediately questioned the validity of a program that had no classroom interaction.

"Well, Mrs. Masen, it's really common in graduate programs now. More people want to further their education, but with jobs and family obligations, they can't do it traditionally. My dad is all I have, so I want to stay close to him. It's why I chose this specific program."

"It's nice to see someone with a plan," my dad said with an encouraging smile, trying to diffuse the weird tension between my mom and Bella.

"Bella works really hard on it. I think it might be harder than a traditional program actually since she has to motivate herself to do everything. You know, since there's no teacher around to answer to." I added, smiling at my frazzled girlfriend.

I wasn't encouraged by what I saw at all. Bella looked like she was about to throw up. I knew she didn't handle pressure well at all, and this was pushing her a bit far.

The silence last for a few minutes then our food arrived along with my hope that eating would keep everyone's mouths shut.

Unfortunately, just as I picked up my sandwich, my mom spoke.

"You're a bit young for him, don't you think?"

I froze and so did Bella.

That was it. The moment that would push her over the edge straight into spaz.

I was frozen and prayed for her continued silence as I tried to find the words to tell my mother to shut-up without actually saying the word. Instead, I was rewarded with another Bella Swan gem.

"I'm the exact age he requested when he submitted his application and details."

Bella slapped her hand over her mouth, my dad started laughing hysterically, I choked on air, and my mom looked completely shocked.

"Bathroom break." Bella stood and walked as fast as she could to the restroom.

After I got my coughing under control, I shot a glare across the table.

"She has been so nervous about tonight, Mom. You need to give her a break. I told you to be nice to her." My mom looked a little embarrassed.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I'll apologize. It's just… you've never really brought anyone around us unless it was forced, and you gave in with Bella so quickly. I just want to make sure you're not going to get hurt."

I saw Bella making her way back to the table. "She's not going to hurt me, Mom."

With a deep breath, she sat back down, smoothing her napkin in her lap. "Mrs. Masen, I'm so sorry for what I said. When I'm nervous, things just sorta pop out."

She wasn't making eye contact with anyone at the table, so I reached and took her hand. With the contact, she smiled shyly up at me. I chanced a glance at my mom and saw her features soften as she saw the connection between me and Bella.

It might not have been a lightning strike moment of clarity, but I could tell that my mom had a special place in her heart for Bella. It might have only been a small corner, but in the future it would grow. I was sure of it.

"I'm sorry, Bella," she said softly, and Bella looked up slowly. "I'm being difficult. Let's just start over."

So we did. It was awkward at times, but for the most part, my parents got to see Bella at her best. She was quirky and charming and smart.

As we went back to the hotel after dinner, she took my hand and kissed my palm.

"The things I do for you, Edward." She shook her head, and staring out the passenger window, she said, "You're lucky I love you so much."

I smiled shyly, ignoring the fact that this was the first time she'd said those words to me, and that inside I was overflowing with happiness. Knowing Bella and how she was, I squeezed her hand and said, "I really am. I love you, too, you know?"

In the dim light of the car, I could see her big, happy smile even as she continued to stare off to the side. "I'm really glad you do. You're kind of amazing."

And just like that, we'd declared feelings in our own little way.

I'd never felt more complete in my life.


Thank you guys so much for all the love you have for this story! I hope you liked the dinner :)

I just found out last that this story is up for Fic of the Week at The Lemonade Stand! Please go vote, if you have a minute! I'd put the hyperlink, but FFn keeps stealing it, so here ya go: www. tehlemonadestand . net (remove the spaces and yes, 'the' is supposed to be spelled 'teh' lol)

See you Friday!