Hey everyone. I'm sorry this has taken awhile to get posted but things have been busy. I might finally have a job so the updates are also going to be slower. The other thing is ive had a huge story idea enter my head and im gonna be working on that as well. Trust me, you will love it. It involves Bella, Edward and James. It will be a dark sort of story but it will be worth the wait. Anyway, enjoy this chapter and please be aware that it was more of a filler then anything else. I needed a way to introduce a new character and this was the best way. Enjoy and review.

Six days later, Bella was once again a complete mess as she wondered what she would wear. Standing in her limited wardrobe glaring at all her clothes, she finally sighed and plonked down on the floor. She heard her bedroom door open and a second later Melody was standing in the doorway staring at Bella with utter horror written across her face.

"Bella, Edward will be here in 15 minutes. Why aren't you dressed?" Melody asked and pulled Bella off the floor.

"I have nothing to wear," Bella whined, sounding like Abby when she didn't get her own way. Melody quickly looked through Bella's clothes before pulling out a simple black dress that stopped at the knees.

"Here," Melody said and shoved the dress in Bella's hand before pushing her into the bathroom and slamming the door shut.

"Has anyone ever told you your bossy?" Bella asked through the door and Melody snorted.

"My mother tells me all the time," Melody replied as the door swung open and Bella walked out. Her make up was minimal but looked excellent and she had decided to leave her hair down. The black dress looked amazing and Melody was quite pleased with herself for choosing it.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. Edward is one lucky guy," Melody said. Bella smiled thanks and pulled on a small pair of heels and then turned to look at herself in the mirror.

"I'm ready," Bella finally said after a few minutes of silence. She followed Melody downstairs and took a seat on the sofa that would be a bed for Melody later in the night. She could hear Melody moving around in the kitchen getting the kids dinner ready and it gave Bella a few minutes to herself. She found her mind wandering back to the last proper date she had which had been with Aaron. Never really having any money they had ended up in the back of his car eating McDonald's. She shivered as she remembered what happened afterwards and was glad when the sound of knocking at the front door brought her out of her daydream. She shuffled quickly to the door and pulled it open, smiling widely as she saw Edward standing there with flowers in his hand.

"Hi," she said, a blush rising quickly. Edward's eyes travelled Bella's body before meeting her eyes and returning her smile.

"Good evening," he said in a velvet voice. He handed over the flowers and Bella took a deep breath. Freesias. "You ready to go?"

"Give me a second," Bella replied and carried the flowers into the kitchen. Melody took them from her and told her to have a good night. Bella said good night to her kids and was back in the doorway in less then a minute. "Now I'm ready."

Edward stuck his arm out and Bella slipped her hand in the crook of his arm and followed him out. Sitting in the driveway was a dark blue BMW and Bella stared in envy.

"I do have some luxuries," Edward told her as he held the door open for her and helped Bella in. Edward was in the driver's seat before Bella could even blink.

"So what have you got planned?" Bella asked and Edward gave her a knowing smile.

"You'll find out soon enough," he replied and Bella sighed impatiently. "Patience is a virtue."

"So I've heard," Bella replied and they fell into a comfortable silence. The drive didn't take long and Bella was pleasantly surprised with they arrived back at Edward's apartment.

"Are you hoping for something?" Bella asked as Edward helped her out of the car. A slight tinge of red entered Edward's cheeks but he shook his head.

"I was actually going to cook for you tonight," Edward explained. Bella grinned like an idiot and followed him upstairs to his apartment. As always his two nosy neighbours Mrs Pryor and Mrs Goldsmith were in the hallway gossiping.

"Good evening ladies," Edward said politely and was rewarding with a tight smile from both ladies.

"She's back. That hasn't happened in awhile," Mrs Pryor said as they watched Edward and Bella enter his apartment.

"I'm so sorry about them," Edward said as soon as the door was closed. Bella giggled and followed him into the kitchen.

"It's ok. I'm sure if it wasn't them gossiping it would be Rosalie and Alice," Bella replied and took a seat on one of the bar stools.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" Edward asked politely as he hung his jacket over the back of one of the chairs and opened the fridge.

"Lemonade if you have it. It seems to calm my stomach some what," Bella explained and Edward pulled the bottle from the fridge and poured her a glass. "Now what are you cooking?"

"Beef stir-fry. Mum made sure I could cook before I moved out. Alice hasn't quite acquired the skills so she is lucky she has Jasper," Edward explained. Bella loved learning new things about Edward, much to her own surprise.

"You seem close to your family," Bella noted and Edward nodded as he continued to slice the meat into strips.

"Mum and Dad always wanted a big family but after Alice was born they had trouble and eventually they stopped trying. It bought us all closer together. Alice and I always wanted another brother or sister and I think that is why she is so taken with you. You're the sister she never had," Edward explained.

"But what about Rosalie. Surely Rose is like another sister," Bella questioned.

"Only to a point. Rosalie is more of a shopping buddy for Alice. They both love to shop and that's basically all they have in common. You however, seem to fit in so well. Even my parents love you," Edward replied. Bella blushed and became interested in the coaster under her glass. Ten minutes later dinner was served with candles and plenty of lemonade. The conversation continued about their families.

"Did your parents have anymore kids?" Edward asked as he speared a piece of meat.

"My parents split up when I was only a few months old, although I don't think my mum wanted anymore kids anyway," Bella answered. "They are back together now but neither really talked about having other kids. Before I married Aaron I was usually the one taking care of Renee, so a baby would have been chaotic."

"Did you have any plans for your future before you got pregnant with Abby?" Edward continued.

"I always wanted to teach young kids, or write a novel. But then I had Abby and everything got put on hold. I love my job now but I wish that I had gone to university and studied," Bella replied, sadness evident in her voice. "Never mind."

The sudden confession caused an extreme lull in the conversation and before either of them realised it, dinner was over and Edward was driving Bella home.

"I'm sorry about before. I didn't mean to put and damper on the evening," Bella said as the BMW pulled up to the Nicholson house.

"It's ok," Edward reassured her. "My parents are having a barbeque lunch next week and they would like you and the kids to come. Angela and Olivia will be there and Emmett, Rosalie and Aimee. Would you come?"

"Absolutely," Bella said with a big smile. Edward leaned over and kissed Bella gently on the lips before climbing out of the car and walking her to the door.

"I'll call you during the week," he promised. Bella watched him walk back to the car before sliding the key in the door and opening it. She walked slowly into the kitchen and flicked the lights on and kicking off her shoes.

"Hello Bella," someone said and Bella looked up. She gasped loudly and slid down the wall in shock.

"Aaron," she whispered before everything turned black and she slipped into subconsciousness.