AN: Thank you to my amazing Beta, EdwardsFirstKiss for polishing my chapters to perfection. I'd be lost without you! Thank you readers for all of your patience with me, and your continued support of this story.
BPOV
"Nice to see you again Bells, it's been a few weeks."
"Nice to see you too Harry. I'm up for a promotion at work and I've been swamped that's why I've missed a few Thursdays, but I'm here now. How's she been doing?" I ask adjusting the medium sized box tucked under my left arm.
"Okay, she hasn't had an episode all week," Harry says.
He slides the familiar white visitors pass attached to a dark blue lantern under the glass. I snatch it up and throw it over my head.
"Where is she?" I ask.
"In the sitting room."
"Thanks, Hare."
I sling my crossbody bag over my shoulder and shuffle down the hall towards the sitting room. I walk into the small room that Forks Family Care has to offer. An unusually sunny day brings rays of light through the bay windows surrounding the room. I spot my mother in the beige accent chair by the window overlooking the small lake. I set the box on the accent table next to the identical chair across from her before taking a seat.
"Hey mom," I say softly, careful not to startle her.
"Isabella, what are you doing here?" my mother smiles.
"It's Thursday mom, I always come to see you on Thursdays." I remind her.
"You know I don't like you traveling during the week to see me. With all of your coursework and that job, you've gotten, you have no time to spare. Don't let me tear you away from your studies."
"I graduated last year mom remember? You were at my graduation, and then you, Marcus and I went to the Space Needle to celebrate."
"Oh… well umm… how's Marcus anyway? I always liked that man. If he wasn't your boss, I would've had to try my hand." Mom grins.
I smile back at her basking in the lightness of the air with the joke she'd made. She's having a good day. I won't bring her down with the reminder of Marcus's death. She'd already taken forgetting my graduation in stride, so I won't press it with this.
"You shouldn't be asking about Marcus when a little birdy told me you have a certain admirer." I tease her.
"Harry needs to keep his trap shut," she mock glares towards the security counter.
"So, tell me about him," I ask.
"Well… "she starts.
I dig in my purse as she gives me the low down on Walter Pope 45, recently widowed. I find the silver box containing my mother's brush and comb set. I go behind my mother's chair unpinning the clips sending her sandy brown hair flowing down her back. I gently brush her waves. I feel my mother relax as she begins to divulge the details of their midnight strolls by the fountains.
"I'm glad you're happy mom," I tell her.
"I'd be happier if I got to see you more, I miss you, Belle. I get it though, so I won't complain. You only went to Washington State to stay as close as possible to me in the first place, so I won't complain. You're still coming home for winter break, though right?" she asks.
I refrain from reminding her that I'd graduated once more. I will count this as a blessing that she's only a year or so behind. There have been worse days, where she doesn't remember where she is and still thinks it's my first day of high school.
"I'm working on something mom that will bring you closer to me, so I can see you a few times a week instead of only one day; just be patient with me okay mom?" I ask.
I French braid my mom's hair into one long braid adding her silver flower pins. This is how she used to wear her hair on Sunday for church. I remember sneaking into her room stealing just one flower pin, so I could look more like her.
"What's in the box?" she asks, ignoring my earlier statement.
"A gift for a friend," I tell her.
"Ooh now who has an admirer? spill."
"It's nothing mom," I say trying to keep my smile at bay.
"I almost believed you there, if the corner of your lips hadn't turned up slightly." Mom calls me out.
"That's always been your tell Isabella." She grins.
"Fine, his name is Edward. I just met him. He is in need of a coffee maker, so I thought I'd pick up one for him. There is nothing else to tell. We haven't made it to the midnight stroll phase like Walter and you." I tease.
"You will Isabella, you will."
"You know what mom? I don't totally hate the sound of that."
I staywith my mom for a awhile longer. After I finish braiding her hair, we eat dinner and watch a movie until she falls asleep. It is around six when I exit the train a block away from CCA. I walk down the busy street until I reach the building. Security knows me by now, so they let me up. I'm pleasantly surprised when I walk onto an empty floor. I eye Jessica's desk and see the computer screen saver and no traces of her presence. I walk down the familiar hallway and let myself in after a small knock.
"I come bearing gifts," I announce.
I walk in and am instantly winded. I don't know what it is with this man that makes me feel out of control. His glasses are perched on his nose as he's typing away on the computer at lightning speed. I watch those long slender fingers stroke the keyboard and my mind slips into the gutter imagining what else he could stroke with such expertise. He looks over from the computer screen and a small grin tugs at his lips.
"Twice in one week, what do I owe the pleasure?"
"What you will quickly learn is that I'm a woman of my word Mr. Cullen," I say placing the neatly wrapped box on the edge of his desk.
"Is that so?" he grins, rising from his chair to examine it.
"Open it," I tell him.
His soft fingers tug at the large red ribbon until its nothing but thread pooling over the corners of his desk. He slides the lid of the box off and lets out a full belly laugh as he pulls out the Keurig.
"You were serious?" he cackles.
"As I said, a woman of my word."
"Well woman, you must teach me how to use this thing,"
"I believe that was also part of the agreement," I smirk stepping closer to him.
His eyes darken as he eyes my lips. I cock my head to the side and examine his body language. His body instantly reacts to my close proximity.
Very responsive.
"Can we amend the agreement?"
"What do you have in mind, Mr. Cullen?"
"As a thank you, let me take you to dinner." He offers.
"How about as a treat for listening to me about Jessica, I take you out. Without an assistant hereat night I doubt you're getting properly fed. That's something else we are going to have to work on," I say admiring his slender frame.
"Now that we have moved on to making sure I don't go hungry, I say you're spoiling me, Miss. Swan"
"Depends on what you're hungry for." I counter.
"I have confidence you have just the thing to satisfy my hunger." He says licking his plump bottom lip.
"Pick me up tomorrow at eight."
"Eight it is." He agrees.
"Now let's power this baby up, your lesson begins now."