EPOV

I affect her. She was coming back, and I affect her. She thinks I'm a good daddy, and I affect her.

This was all I could think of as I practically swaggered back to the car and strapped Issy into her seat. She didn't even murmur. I could feel my ego growing by the second. She didn't cry when I took her out again at the house and carried her into the kitchen. She bounced quite happily on my knee, trying to shove her tiny fist into her mouth, while I warmed up my dinner Esme had left for me. When she started to fuss, I took a bottle from the fridge and stuck it in the microwave. Then we both settled in the lounge, me feeding her as I ate, and watched sports with Emmett. Hell yeah, this was more like it. He looked strangely at me and I wondered if I'd picked up the wrong baby or something.

'Were you just smiling?' he asked, the shock quite obvious in his voice.

'It happens.' I shrugged him off and he turned back to the screen shaking his head.

'Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all do.' Rosalie muttered as she made her way into the lounge and perched on the sofa next to Emmett. 'Hi Edward, Issy.' she said in our direction. I noticed she was holding her lower back as she eased down onto the seat, and I knew how easy it was to release some of that pressure. I couldn't help analysing people for pain, it was alien to me that they put up with it, when they could just come see me.

'You wanna get Emmett to massage your back Rosie, make him do some of the work.' Rosalie looked at Emmett and then started laughing. He kissed her cheek and stood up to leave.

'Be my guest mate, I haven't got a sofa king clue about that stuff.' and he left the room, tossing the remote just out of Rosalie's reach.

'You'd be an angel if you would Edward' Rosalie pleaded, 'I'd be your on-call baby sitter for a week if you could just make it bearable.' I watched her shifting uncomfortably on the sofa and couldn't stand it anymore. Gently I put Issy down into the Moses basket Esme had set up in here for her.

'Ok, shift forward.' I told her and her face lit up. Feeling slightly embarrassed, I ducked behind her and was glad she couldn't see my face anymore. Slowly I began to put pressure on her lower back with my palms, heating the muscles and loosening any tightness. 'Is that ok?' I asked her but I only got a satisfied 'hmmmm' in reply. I smiled to myself, thinking back to Bella and her reaction to my smile. Of course I knew when to turn it on to my advantage, but I honestly hadn't been trying to charm Bella, it just happened. It was her comment about me being a good father. Even if it wasn't quite true, the fact that Bella thought I could be was enough for me. I think I would have kissed her if I hadn't been holding Issy, and she hadn't just told me she was engaged and her fiancée was dead. After the afternoon's events with Bella, I'd been so pissed off with myself, certain that I'd been imagining this thing I had with her was mutual, but now I wasn't so sure. If Bella didn't feel this attraction then she wouldn't be 'affected' by my smiles, or if she was she wouldn't have minded as much as she did this evening. Should I assume that because she got narked at being 'affected', that she was more 'affected' than she wanted to admit to? I had no fucking idea, maybe I needed a woman's opinion.

'Um Rosie, can I ask you something?'

'Uh-hmmmmm'

I tried to be cunning. 'I'm thinking of buying a new car, and I've seen this car I really like but I don't know if it's right for me.' I waited for her to catch my drift. 'Some people don't want me to have this particular car, they think I wont look after it properly, and I'm not really sure if it's available yet anyway.'

Rosalie turned her head to look at me. 'We're not talking about Volvos are we?' I cleared my throat feeling stupid and Rosalie turned back.

'Ok, no. You see there's this friend of mine…'

'Edward you don't have any friends.' she interrupted and I hung my head gloomily. 'Let's just start with you like this girl, carry on.'

I took a deep breath and prayed she wouldn't guess who I was talking about. 'I like this girl, but things are complicated.'

'Edward, life is complicated.'

'Yeah but this is complicated on a whole new level.' I started pushing deeper with my thumbs, feeling how easy it was to manipulate the muscles compared to Bella's earlier.

'Ok, but does she like you?'

'I don't know.'

'Well have you asked her?'

'God no!' I froze momentarily, just imagining the look of horror on Bella's face if I did.

'Edward. Why not?' I couldn't think of a good reason I wanted to share with her.

I tried to be vague and not arouse any suspicion. 'She recently broke up with her boyfriend, and I think she's still in love with him. It was sudden.'

'Oh.' was all Rosalie replied but I didn't like the tone of that oh.

'What's that supposed to mean?' I asked warily, not sure if I really wanted to hear it.

'Girls hearts are fragile Edward, you might have to just give her time.' That was fine, time I could deal with, it was the whole thing with Emmett that bothered me.

'She also has a very protective uh brother, he's already warned me not to get involved.'

Rosalie started laughing. 'Uh-oh, sounds like something Emmett would do.' .,lI had to try really fucking hard not to react to that statement. 'If he's really that protective of her you'll have to do some sucking up, earn his trust that kind of thing. He'll cause trouble if you don't.' I didn't like it one bit, but she was right. Emmett didn't trust me because he didn't know me. If I proved I was trustworthy maybe he'd get off my case about Bella. I swept my thumbs across her back and realised I'd worked out every kink.

'You're all done.' I said and moved from the sofa to check on Issy.

'God I could sleep for a week.' Rosalie answered as she lay back on the sofa rubbing her globe-like belly. Tanya had hated her stomach, the bigger she got the more disgusted with herself she became. I sometimes wondered if it was getting fat or that it was part of me growing inside her that caused such blatant hatred.

Satisfied Issy was deep in sleep, I decided to have a quick shower. 'Could you watch her for five minutes?' I asked Rosalie and she waved me away in response, not even opening her eyes. Just as I was leaving the room I heard my name.

'Edward.' She murmured from the sofa. 'Next time you see her, if you really want to know how she feels, pay close attention to her eyes. If she likes you she wont be able to keep her eyes off you, and if she stares at your mouth you can bet she's thinking about kissing you. She'll give it all away without even realising it.' As much as her advice intrigued me, I doubted that very much, if Bella could keep her life tragedy a secret from me then I was sure as hell she could keep her feelings hidden. Still, the thought that she might be thinking about kissing me was sending tremors of excitement through my stomach.

A thought occurred to me as I hesitated in the doorway. 'Could you not repeat this conversation.' I didn't want to explain my reasons why and thankfully she never asked for them.

'No problem. Now go away and let me enjoy my pain free body for five minutes.'

The next day was a bitch. I couldn't sit still for five minutes, I snapped at everyone including Jessica who I normally ignored with ease.

'You got something on your mind?' she asked me after the fourth time I'd demanded to know where the hell my diary had gone and she'd pointed out I didn't have one. Eventually, she'd found me a brand new one, but then I couldn't even find my pen.

'No. Why?' I bit out tersely, hoping she'd get the hint and leave me the fuck alone.

'JTTOT' she mumbled back and I felt like hitting something, she always did this.

'What?' I all but shouted at her.

'Just throwing that out there.' she replied as if I was the one being weird, and stalked off towards the ladies. Now that she'd mentioned it though…

'Hold on yes.' I called out stopping her in her tracks. ' I do have something on my mind. Could you cover me for 20 minutes, I have to go do something.' I flashed her a brief smile and felt relieved as she returned it, her whole face softening as she walked back to me.

'Of course I can Edward, you know I'll do anything to help.' she placed her hand on my arm and I felt a tiny bit sick, I had to get out of here.

'Great, that's fab, thanks.' I grabbed my stuff and rushed out the door before she could accost me any further.

Fab? who the fuck says fab? I shook my head as I crossed the road hoping I was doing the right thing. The woman at the reception desk looked bored as hell as I approached her. I coughed quietly to catch her attention and her head snapped up from the magazine she was reading. Instantly her hostile face changed as a big grin spread across it and she sat up straighter sweeping her bleach blond hair back with an extensively manicured hand. Was she actually batting her eyelashes?

'Dr Cullen, what a pleasure it is to see you again.' she drew out the word pleasure and I had to stop myself from running in the opposite direction. Carlisle had introduced me to everyone when I'd been doing interviews, clearly some people never forgot a face.

'It's Mr, I'm not a doctor.' but she dismissed my comment with a wave of her hand.

'What can I do for you Dr Cullen.' she asked me, leaning forwards on the desk as if she wanted to check out my stubble rash. I started to feel nervous and hastily checked around me for my escape routes just in case things got out of hand. She was old enough to be my mother.

'Edward?' It was her, I breathed a huge sigh of relief and turned towards her voice. She looked tired, her eyes bloodshot and weary, with dark shadows underneath that emphasised her skinny bone structure. Her hair was tied back, but as usual not playing the game, and she was dressed in blue oversized scrubs that practically swamped her. I'd never see her look so beautiful.

'I forgot mine.' she blurted out looking embarrassed. Damn, she'd caught me looking. I smiled and walked over to her, suddenly needing to be closer. As I watched her look away from me and start fiddling with the tie on her scrub top, I remembered what Rosalie said and felt disappointed. It seemed to me that Bella was doing anything but look at me. I knew there was a reason I didn't pay attention to that psychobabble, it was all bullshit anyway.

'What are you doing here?' she asked me, still engrossed in her top. I had the most overwhelming urge to pick her up and carry her off to the nearest bed and fuck her senseless. It was the only thing I could think about, and it was turning me on so much that I'd have to think about sitting down soon. Now it was my turn to be embarrassed.

'Uh, you said you wanted to do the thing, the sessions, the sessiony thing.' I was making a complete ass of myself and to make matters worse, Bella was trying her hardest not to smile at me. I didn't understand, I never got tongue-tied around women.

'Oh, ok sure.' she said, the corners of her mouth twitching upwards, which only forced me to imagine her full, pink, cushiony lips wrapped around my….ok enough was enough.

'Great.' I had to go, now. 'I wrote down my available appointments for the next week, let me know which are good for you.' I handed her the paper I'd carefully written dates and times on. It took me four attempts to write the sodding thing without coming across as needy, and I'll be damned if I didn't give it to her after all the effort. She reached out to me and I felt her hand touch my own. I stroked her hand as she took the paper, unable to help myself. Her skin was so soft and delicate, yet her touch was so electrifying. I noticed the sparks I felt were mirrored in her eyes and I knew I was a goner. Never before had I been so strongly affected by a woman, especially one that hadn't even laid a finger on me voluntarily. It was a little unnerving.

'Thank you.' She all but whispered, keeping her head down and avoiding my eyes.

'I better go.' But I stood there, waiting. I didn't know what for but I knew I didn't want to leave her yet. I wanted to touch her again.

'I don't have your number.'

'Oh um here.' I grabbed a pen from the desk behind me and held out my hand for the paper I'd just given her. I scribbled my works number and then my mobile for good measure. I handed the paper back smiling, even though I was shaking inside. Bella took the paper again from me, this time careful not to let our hands touch.

'So are you going on Friday night?' I heard her say, and I almost jumped out of my skin with surprise.

'Are you?' I shot back, hoping for a yes.

'I was thinking about it.' I could tell from here that Bella was smiling, even though she hid her face from me.

'Then yes, I'll be going.' Without warning Bella's head snapped up and her gaze met mine. She was so mesmerising I couldn't take my eyes off her for a second.

'I'll see you Friday then.' She murmured, and I didn't think I could smile any harder. It wasn't that she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen, it wasn't that she was affecting me in ways I'd thought I'd ever be affected again, and it wasn't the fact that we'd be going out together Friday night. The reason I was smiling so hard was that Bella was staring, unashamedly, directly at my mouth, and she licked her lips. That was die-hard flirting if ever I saw it.

BPOV

I couldn't believe Edward was here, I couldn't believe he was looking at me like that, and I couldn't believe I was standing there like a smitten schoolgirl with a silly crush. I had to get a grip on my hormones. Once Edward left I looked at the sheet of paper he'd given me. There were dates every other day and mostly lunch time slots. I hoped he hadn't given up his lunch to fit me in, although saying that, that's probably what I'd have to do to go as regularly as Edward wanted.

'What you got?' Alice asked as she appeared behind me, eating her way through bag of wheetos the size of an actual six year old. I had no idea how she stayed so toned with all the junk she ate, must be all that great sex with a young, gorgeous man. I wondered for a split second if Edward would have the same effect on my thighs, and then mentally kicked myself for it.

'Nothing.' I replied, shoving it deep into the oversized tent pocket I was wearing as a replacement uniform. I still had no idea how I'd forgotten to pick up my dry cleaning that morning. It was a routine trip every Tuesday. I was tired though. Horrified, I remembered how bad I'd looked in the mirror that morning. I was too tired to spend an hour making my face presentable before work, and I wasn't planning on bumping into anyone of any importance. Until Edward. Ah-ha! So he is important to you. My mind screamed at me, but I politely ignored it. Just because he was the most beautiful man I'd ever laid eyes on, or that he was kind and sweet and genuine, or even that I'd needed to kiss him so much just now that I'd almost given into the craving, didn't mean he was important to me. Somehow though, I felt like I was only trying to convince myself.

'So what are you wearing Friday?' she continued, licking her fingers which had turned decidedly orange. I rolled my eyes at her knowing she'd already picked out my outfit and this conversation was pointless.

'I don't know yet, what am I wearing?' I turned to face her and she grinned at me, not even trying to hide it.

'Well smarty pants, you'll just have to see then wont you.' I didn't like the sound of that at all, but she waltzed off before I could stop her. 'Oh and be at mine for 6.30,' she called behind her. 'Esme's making her famous fajitas and apple pie for dessert.'

This perked me up a little. I loved Esme's apple pie. She would make it for us on special occasions, and if we were just feeling under the weather; there was nothing more comforting. But now I had work to get to.

'That's not fair you get to have Esme's pie and I have to watch you eat it.' Jacob complained as we made our way to x-ray to pick up some films for my patients. 'Don't tell me how good it is, no wait, you'll have to tell me how good it is, or actually don't.' I had to laugh, he looked so torn it really was quite sweet. Apart from when I was with Edward, Jacob hadn't left my side, and he'd been in a much better mood with me. I didn't know what he had against Edward, maybe the fact that his fiancée behaved like teenager around him didn't help. I seriously couldn't stop it though, it was as if Edward cast some kind of spell on me when I was with him; it felt like I had no control over my feelings when he was there. I knew it wasn't an excuse and I felt bad for doing it.

'Maybe, but I was thinking about not going on Friday.' A huge smile replaced his frown and the gnawing sensation of guilt I felt over ditching on Alice and Jasper was briefly overshadowed by his happiness.

'Really? We'll stay at home?' and I nodded my head at him, a giggle escaping my lips. We hadn't sat at home like hermits for what seemed like ages, I sorta missed it.

'Sure I'll tell Alice later today, she'll understand.' I wasn't entirely sure she would but I knew she also wouldn't make me.

'And no Edward for an entire weekend.'

'What?' the bubble burst as quickly as it was blown. I had to know what this was all about. 'What is so wrong with Edward?'

'Bella please lets not do this.' but I was determined to know.

'Yes Jacob, lets do this.' I moved into an empty office and shut the door, Jacob was right behind me. 'Now please tell me, why do you disappear whenever he's around? Is that why you don't want me seeing him?' Jacob winced and looked as if he was debating telling me something. 'Spit it out Jake.' I warned him, my voice quiet and menacing.

'Yes, and no. I don't know why I can't be around him, but I don't like the fact that I cant see you when he's there. Just trust me, he'll end up ruining everything. I want you to stop spending time with Edward.'

'Jacob that's ridiculous.' Was that right, could Jacob really not see me around Edward?

'It's not ridiculous, believe me. If you love me you wont see Edward again.' It finally sank into my tired brain what Jacob was suggesting and I was speechless. How dare he come into my life after everything I'd gone through and start making demands of me, telling me who I can and cannot be friends with. He left me. He had no right to ask anything of me. I'd been the one to pick up my life and start again, left behind alone and wishing I had died right alongside them. I had made it this far without him and I wasn't going to stand for this shit now.

'You better not mean what you just said.'

Jacob's face changed from anger to fear, as he realised I wasn't going to pander to his ultimatum. 'He's not right for you Bella, I am.'

'But Jacob you are dead.' For the first time since the accident a small part of me fully acknowledged the significance of that statement. Jacob was dead. And I was alive. I loved Jake wholeheartedly and always would do but I had to start facing reality. I had to make a choice between life or death.

'Look Bells I'm sorry, please don't be mad with me. Go to the party Friday, I honestly don't mind, I was just being selfish wanting you to myself but there'll be plenty of time for that.' I watched his face closely but he seemed genuine, the anger had gone. I smiled weekly back at him. What was I going to do?

'We need to get going.' I said looking at my watch, I should have been there ten minutes ago. I walked out into the corridor and felt Jacob walking behind me. He started whistling 'show me the way to go home' a song we always sang when we were walking back through the forest late at night and didn't want to think about what was surely waiting to eat us. We didn't know it was a drinking song back then. The recollection made me smile sadly at Jacob and he caught my eye and winked back.

I was going to go to that stupid party on Friday and I was going to enjoy it. I was sick of holding back my life, wishing on what could have been. From now on I was a going-with-the-flow kinda girl. I wasn't going to make a choice, I was going to let it make itself. Until then I wasn't going to waste my time dwelling on it. As I continued walking, now on a complete tired high, my mother's voice came into my head. I was awful at making decisions and it used to drive everyone around me mad, except her. She'd just smile and tell me the same old thing, even though it left me more confused. It was those same words that came back to me now.

'Bella, deciding not to choose is still making a choice.' and I still didn't want to think about what the hell that meant.

By the time I reached x-ray, I was ready for a sleep. A nice peaceful lie down somewhere would be just what I needed. Instead I approached the desk and showed my name badge.

'I'm here to collect some films. Dr Steven's sent me.' The receptionist nodded at me and disappeared out the back.

'Ew look over there.' Jacob whispered in my ear and I followed his gaze to where a young boy was sat patiently with his mother. At first I couldn't see what Jacob was so fascinated by but then he turned to look at us both and I clearly saw two small plastic feet of a lego man sticking out of his left nostril and the same sticking out of his right nostril. I had to stifle my giggles.

'Here you go,' the receptionist called out, bringing my attention away from the lego chilld. She was holding out the brown envelopes to me and I reached over to take them from her, except I missed them completely and grasped at air. I could see them there but for some reason I couldn't take them. The receptionist frowned at me as if I was wasting her time and slammed them onto the desk in font of me. This time I picked them up without difficulty and a cold tremor ran down my back. It must just have been the lighting that altered my perception slightly.

'What's wrong Bells?' Jacob asked me as we left the reception area.

'Nothing Jake.' I answered him but with less conviction than I'd intended. I wished I could just be alone to think for a minute. He moved in front of me so I couldn't avoid his eyes.

'You would tell me if there was something wrong wouldn't you? I need to know Bella, please promise me you would.' There was something about the urgency of his voice and the tension in his face that made me think twice about whether I would.

'Of course I would silly. You'd be the first to know anyway, you never leave my side.' Suddenly I knew what I needed to do for some quiet time.

I found Dr Stevens and dropped off the envelopes and then went to my locker to change. 'Are you going out to lunch?' Alice asked me as she passed me in the corridor.

'Uh yeah, I'll be back later.' I added before she could invite herself along. I pulled the paper Edward had given me out of my pocket and smiled.

'Where are we going for lunch?' Jacob asked me looking too pleased with himself, obviously thinking I'd blown off Alice for a quiet lunch together. I should have felt guilty, I should have gone to lunch with Jake, but I needed to do something for me. Minutes later I was walking out of the hospital doors towards the therapy centre with my fingers crossed. The annoying receptionist stared at me when I walked through the door and I shot her my best assertive face.

'Is Edward still free please?' I asked her but she continued to stare. I started towards his office. 'Shall I find out for myself?' and this sprung her into action.

'Yes, I mean no.' She shouted at me running in front of me and blocking the path to Edward's door. 'I mean, he's busy, sorry. Why don't you make an appointment to come back another day?' I recognised that patronising tone and it grated on my last nerve.

'Ok fine, I'll just call him.' She watched in horror as I dug my mobile out of my bag and rang the number on my piece of paper. Edward answered in two rings.

'Bella?'

'Hi Edward, are you free for about half an hour?' The receptionist still had her mouth open and was starting to go a funny shade of purple.

'Sure, yeah, come on over.' He sounded pleased I'd called.

'Actually I'm stood outside your door.' There was a small pause and then a click as the door opened and Edward stood there looking surprised and confused all at the same time.

'Well come on in.' He said still talking to me through his phone. I nodded my head towards the stalker receptionist and walked past her to join Edward.

'Thank you very much Edward.' I said pointedly in her direction, and I hung up my mobile.

Once we were inside his office, I sat down gratefully on one of his huge padded armchairs, probably designed for ergonomic comfort or whatever that really meant. I sank into the leather and leaned my head back, closing my eyes and savouring the silence.

'Uh can I help you Bella?' Edward asked me, now more confused than ever. I couldn't help but smile as I opened my eyes and found him staring at me.

'No, actually I'm fine. Would it be ok if I just sat here for a while? It's quiet here, and I just want to sit.' How could I explain that the only way I could get a break was by sitting here with him, because for some reason he kept my dead fiancée from being around me. How ironic was it, that I'd wished and prayed so hard for so long to have Jacob back, and now that I'd got him, I was desperate to make him disappear for a while. It was just a short while, I justified to myself. Everyone needs a break.

'Oh ok, yeah no problem. Shall I just carry on?' I nodded and smiled at him, wondering how many other men would be so obliging of a psychotic female barging in and taking up their time. Edward sat down at his desk and carried on writing where he'd obviously left off. I closed my eyes again, letting the gentle scratching of the pen on the paper lull me.

When I woke up, I was briefly disorientated. A jacket had been laid over me, and I recognised the smell as being Edward's. I held on to it a second longer, breathing in his masculine scent. Edward was still sat in his chair but he was watching me with faint amusement on his lips. Fear hit my stomach hard, shit had I been snoring, dribbling? I sat up quickly wiping my chin. Out of the corner of my eye I caught the clock and panicked. I'd been here nearly an hour. Quickly I stood up and moved towards the door.

'I have to go. Thank you for letting me uh, sleep for a while.' Aargh I I knew I was blushing hard.

'You're welcome anytime.' he smiled, and then moved from his chair to come around to face me. He'd come a lot closer than I was expecting and I jumped a little when his hand touched mine.

'Oh sorry did you want to keep it for a while, are you cold?' I looked down and realised I was still holding tightly to his jacket. I shook my head unable to form a sentence in my sleep addled brain, plus the fact that he was standing so close I was having trouble breathing. His hand closed around my own, his long fingers capturing my wrist. I lifted my head and was drawn straight into his chocolate gaze, his eyelids heavy and hooded. My eyes moved over his perfect cheekbones before picking out the most appealing pair of lips I have ever had the misfortune to come across and not test out their kissing ability. I didn't know who moved towards who but at that moment the semantics didn't matter one bit. Before I knew what was happening those very same lips were touching mine and I was sighing into his mouth. It was the softest, most gentle kiss I'd ever experienced yet my head swam and my knees almost buckled. And then it was over and Edward was apologising and moving away from me. I was stunned, completely immobilized by what just happened. Edward had disabled my ability to think straight let alone remember what I was supposed to be doing now. That kiss was on repeat in my head, over and over and completely distracting. I needed fresh air.

I noticed Edward was standing on the other side of the room with his back to me and I was thankful I could make a quick exit. 'Thanks for well, you know.' I mumbled not really sure of the proper etiquette after a kiss like that. Edward turned to face me and my eyes instantly went to his lips, those lips that had far exceeded expectations.

'Bella..' Edward started and my heart sank. I didn't know what I thought about all this yet but I really didn't want him to apologise for it or make excuses.

'It's fine, you don't have to say anything.' I interrupted and Edward frowned.

'I was just going to say did you want me to pick you upon Friday?' He grinned teasingly at me and I laughed.

'I'm not supposed to get involved with you.' I stated seriously.

'Me either.' he returned.

'I've got some serious issues going on.'

'So have I. Will you go out with me anyway?' He looked so unsure of himself in that moment that I would have said yes to anything just to make him feel better.

'Ok, but as friends.' I conceded. 'You can pick me up at 6.'

Edward grinned. 'Done.'

'So I'll see you later then?' I dropped his jacket onto the chair and walked back to the door. The sound of Edward's voice stopped me in my tracks.

'Bella, anytime you want to just come and sit, you're more than welcome.'

I pushed down the handle and opened the door. 'Thank you.' I said wishing I had the bottle to reply that anytime he wanted to kiss me like that he was more than welcome. I closed the door behind me and walked out with a huge smile on my face. Edward was picking me up. I couldn't help hoping that Alice had ignored all my previous attempts at toning down her outfit choices for me, was it wrong that I was keeping my fingers crossed for a killer outfit? For the first time in my life I was looking forward to looking sexy.