Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.
It has been three weeks since Edward's woken up. The doctors said that everything's been going well. They just need to run some final checks and then Edward can be discharged. It could be any day now.
I've been visiting him regularly, although not as often as I would've liked (i.e. daily, or maybe even twice a day), and we've been sharing stories and catching up on our past. Sometimes Jasper and Emmett tag along. Sometimes Alice comes along as well, sometimes even Rosalie (whom I've heard, is not on very close terms with Edward) comes to visit. But most of the time it's just me and him.
And to be honest, I don't really mind when it's just the two of us. Edward's a lot more relaxed when there are other visitors, of course. We're still pretty tense around one another alone, but things are progressing. But it's only when we're alone that Edward and I get to catch up on our childhood. I almost forgot how much fun we had as kids, even though we weren't on very good terms, then. But back then, things were simple. Life was carefree. We were innocent.
Things are much more complicated now.
"Hey Bella," an all-too-familiar voice calls out lowly. A poor attempt at sounding cool.
"Hi Mike," I reply dryly, adding sugar to my coffee. This is the third time I've 'bumped into' Mike in a day. First, at the corridor leading to Alice's office, then, at the lobby and now, at the pantry.
"What a coincidence!" Mike laughs, clasping his hands together as he gets himself a drink. "We've been bumping into one another pretty often lately, huh?"
"Uh-huh." I mutter with indifference, stirring my drink.
"You know, I think this is what they call..." he pauses dramatically. "...Fate."
I almost choke on my drink, but try to convert my snigger into a cough.
"Right, it's absolutely Fate working it's magic right here." Mike continues assertively, a thoughtful expression on his face.
I hide my face while rolling my eyes. "I'll leave you here to ponder over this incredible discovery. Now, I must see Alice."
I leave the pantry with my drink, rolling my eyes again.
Things are definitely much more complicated here, in the adult world. People just don't get the hint, do they?
"Bella! There you are," Alice almost sprints towards me, an excited expression on her face. "I just got the news from Carlisle- Edward's ready to be discharged!"
I felt my eyes bug out. "Really? That's great!"
"Um, Esme and Carlisle wanted me to tell you that they can't make it over to the hospital now, and they were wondering if you could see to his paperwork for the discharge and bring him home?"
"Uh, but it's still the working hours," I stutter.
Alice rolls her eyes. "Yes but it's Carlisle and Esme asking you to go on their behalf."
"Are you coming along?" I ask, moving towards the door helplessly as Alice pushes me forward. Boy, this girl is strong for her size.
"No, I uh, have to see to some publicity work with Jasper. Don't bother asking Emmett either, he's out with Rose, for some conference or meeting or something."
"Oh," I reply lamely.
"Harry's already waiting for you downstairs." Alice says in a haste. "Oh right," she slaps her head suddenly. "Since you're going out anyway, could you pick up some documents for me?" She slips me an envelope.
"What's this?" I ask.
"The er, address. You can pick up the documents after picking Edward up. It's on the way."
I turn the envelope suspiciously in my hands, but before I can look at it properly, she shoves me into the elevator and presses the button to the lobby. As Alice waves spastically at me with a cheesy grin, I roll my eyes and smile back while the elevator doors close.
Sheesh. What is she up to? There's no need to act so mysteriously just to get me to pick Edward up.
The elevator doors slide open and I am about to step out when a familiar face stares at me in surprise.
"Well if it isn't Jacob Black," I sneer, shooting him a look of disgust. My previous encounter with him appears in my mind again, a fresh wound of humiliation.
"Isabella," he begins, his features twisted into a grimace. I stare at his feet pointedly and he immediately starts stepping aside to let me leave the elevator.
I stalk off angrily, but Jacob Black grabs my arm to prevent me from leaving.
"What do you think you're d-"
"Wait." Jacob Black pleads. His expression is slightly guilty. I stare at him, surprised. His features are no longer twisted in an expression of arrogance. In fact, he seems like a completely different person, compared to the man from our previous encounter.
He exhales sharply. "I thought about what happened with us, previously." He looks at me anxiously, his dark eyes searching my face.
"And?" I prompt, tapping my foot impatiently. He stares at me, wanting to speak, but nothing comes out from his mouth.
I roll my eyes and shrug myself out of his grasp. "If you'll excuse me, I have things to see to..."
"Stop! Wait!"
He grabs me again, spinning me around to face him.
"I'm...sorry," he finally spits out, his face evidently showing signs of discomfort. "It's hard for me to apologise. Hell, I've probably never ever said this before...but," His dark eyes dart anxiously around. "I'm sorry,"he says finally, his eyes settling on my face.
"What?" I stare at him dumbly.
"I know I shouldn't have judged you, like the way I did previously. You were right, I was wrong." He looks down briefly, before looking up at me again, his gaze shining with honesty. "I don't know anything about you, so I shouldn't have belittled you the way I did."
We look at each other for a few moments.
"Well," I huff eventually, surprise coloring my tone. "I'm...I can't say I'm exactly appeased. But..." I look up at him. "Thanks," I say finally. "Thanks, for admitting that you were wrong. Thanks for apologising."
"Well." Jacob clears his throat. "So, I was wondering...if we could perhaps...get to know one another. You know, to prevent any conflict reminiscent of our last encounter from happening."
He offers me a rueful smile. I look at him thoughtfully.
"I suppose we could. I mean, we could get to know one another, but it wouldn't be appropriate right? Since we're 'rivals'?" I remind him, repeating the word he used the last time we met.
He laughs awkwardly. "But I keep a clear distinction between my personal and professional life. Can we be friends, you know, outside work?"
I give him a genuine smile. "I will be more than willing to. But I really have something to see to right now..."
"Oh." He rubs his neck nervously. "Of course, I shouldn't keep you from...whatever you're doing...Well. Anyway, I'm hoping we can continue this discussion some other time?"
"Okay." I promise, offering him a small smile.
He waves awkwardly at me and I turn to leave, then I remember.
"Oh right," I say, turning around again. "Why do I always see you at the lobby of the Cullen Office?"
He shoots me a wry smile. "I told you, I keep a clear distinction between my personal and professional life. I can't disclose anything about my work."
"Right," I smirk, leaving to find Harry.
I catch sight of Harry's car outside the Cullen Office, and slide into it eagerly.
"Hi, Miss...I mean, er, Bella," Harry smiles politely at me from the rearview mirror.
"Hey Harry," I smile back. "So, we're going to pick Edward up."
Harry nods, driving away. "You must be happy."
"Er, I guess I am. I mean, since he's all recovered. He'll still have to go back regularly for check ups though."
"You seem very concerned about him, Bella," Harry is saying. "For someone you barely know."
"Of course," I nod, flushing slightly. "We're married. I have to show some concern for him, don't I?"
"Anything you say, Miss...Bella," Harry says, a small smile playing on his lips.
We meet Edward at the hospital, and he seems pretty excited about finally getting discharged. Edward's already able to walk without crutches, although he can't quite run and over-exert his muscles yet.
After settling the paperwork and getting some medical instructions from the doctors, we leave in Harry's car.
"What's that? I saw you holding it earlier," Edward says, eyeing the envelope in my hands.
"Oh right. Alice told me to pick up some documents for her." I pass the envelope to Harry. "Harry, can you drive us to this place, please. Alice needs me to collect something from there."
Harry fiddles with the envelope and peers at it for a while. He looks at me with a strange look. "You sure this is the right address?"
"Yeah," I look at him, uncomprehending. "I mean, she did ask me to go to this place."
"Let me take a look, Harry," Edward finally says. Harry passes the envelope to Edward and Edward removes some pieces of paper from the envelope.
His brows furrow together as he shoots me a rueful smile.
"Documents, huh?" he passes me the envelope.
My eyes bug out as I see movie tickets in Edward's hands.
I look up at him. "Er, maybe she passed me the wrong envelope."
Edward and I look at each other awkwardly.
Harry finally breaks the silence. "No, I'm pretty sure she wanted to give you that." Harry laughs. "Bella, you hardly ever get a break ever since you've joined the company. And Mr. Cullen's finally well after three whole years of being in coma. Why don't you just humor Miss Brandon and just unwind and have fun today, okay?"
"I think that's a good idea," Edward finally says. "What do you think, Bella?" His jade eyes search my face nervously.
"Okay, let's do it." I smile finally.
A/N: Next chapter's going to be crucial for the development of Edward and Bella's relationship! XD However do note that Edward's still stuck at age fifteen, so he's going to be rather awkward with his actions and words, and he may find it quite difficult to go beyond just friendship with Bella.