Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters. I am making no money…

Special thanks to Jayeliwood for your support and ideas, but most of all for your help with commas. She is the best beta a writer could ask for. I must also thank ObsessingOverEdward and TheSpoiltOne for all their contribution. All three of you rock!

Chapter 10: Conversations

Doctor Cullen

I felt a sense of loneliness after Bella had left the house. The place had seemed so much more pleasant and serene when she had been here. I had a myriad of emotions and thoughts running through me and I really had no idea what it all meant. I knew I liked her, but I was afraid. Was I really capable of giving all of me?

I picked up the wine glasses and empty bottle, heading to the kitchen. I knew I would have to take things as they came. I couldn't rush this and I couldn't slow it down either. Things would come as they were supposed to.

I heard the front door open and I was relieved that Alice and Emmett had kept their curfew. "Dad we're home!" Alice announced in a cheery tone.

"I'm in the kitchen," I called loud enough for them to hear.

"I think dad had a date over while we were gone," Alice said with a huge smile before she gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"I smell lasagna," Emmett added, heading straight to the refrigerator to look for leftovers.

"Did you cook for her?" Alice questioned, taking a seat on one of the barstools as Emmett stuck a piece of lasagna into the microwave. "Was it romantic? Did you light candles and play soft music?"

"Leave the poor man alone, Alice," Emmett defended me causing me to laugh.

"I did cook for her as you can see and we had a wonderful time," I replied, revealing all I was going to reveal to my nosy kids.

"I want to meet her, dad," Alice whined, grabbing a fork and sneaking a taste off of Emmett's plate.

"Hey, that's my food," Emmett complained causing Alice to roll her eyes.

"You'll both meet her when the time is right," I replied cryptically. I didn't have a set time line to introduce her to Emmett and Alice. In all honesty, that was a step that scared me.

I wanted her to meet them. I really did, but I was scared of what she would think.. I was even more scared of what my children would think. How would they take the age difference? Would they find it weird? Would they accept her?

"I'm heading to bed. Make sure you clean up after yourselves," I added, heading up the stairs to my room.

I got ready for bed, my thoughts completely occupied with Bella. She had felt so perfect against me and it had taken a lot of restraint to stop me from continuing. I wanted to keep going, but I didn't want to push her. I knew our relationship wasn't ready for that step.

I crawled into bed, taking a deep breath as I heard a text message arrive at my phone.

Thanks for a wonderful dinner. I can't wait to see you! I already miss you!

Kisses,

B

I couldn't help but smile at her message. It was very simple and extremely sweet. It let me know that she was thinking of me just as much as I was thinking of her.

I miss you, too. I can't wait until I see you in my dreams.

Dream of me,

C

I returned her message before placing my phone on the nightstand. I was absolutely certain that she was going to be in my dreams tonight.

Bella Swan

"Good morning," I greeted Edward the next morning as I sat in the kitchen, sipping coffee. I was waiting for just the right time to ask him what exactly had gone on with Angela. She had spent the night in his room.

"Morning," he replied groggily as he served himself a mug of coffee. "You came home late last night. Do I have to kick his ass yet?"

"Stop being an ass. I heard Angela and you last night and I heard her leaving early this morning," I countered with a smug grin. "How was it?"

"We just fell asleep together," he replied looking down at his coffee. He was obviously lying. He never looked me in the eye when he did. I knew perfectly well that they had slept together, but Edward was too much of a gentleman to admit it.

"And, I'm the Queen of England," I answered sarcastically causing him to laugh.

"How about you? Did you sleep with the Doctor?" he inquired, arching his eyebrows curiously. "Did you live out your crazy fantasy?"

"This is more than some crazy fantasy, Edward," I replied, glaring at him. How dare he insinuate that I was only with Carlisle to live out some crazy fantasy! The truth was that I had many fantasies about him, but I really liked him. We had a real relationship and I saw a future with him.

"Come on, Bella, you can't expect to marry the guy," Edward said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"It's way too soon to even think about marriage, Edward. But, for your information, I do see a future with him. I want this and I would appreciate your support," I responded, getting up and putting my now empty mug in the sink. Edward had a way of getting me so angry sometimes.

"I'm sorry, Bells," Edward apologized, taking a deep breath. "I had no idea you liked him that much."

"Why does it bother you so much?" I inquired, leaning against the counter top. "Why can't you just be happy for me? I'm happy for you and Angela."

"I just don't want to see you get hurt," he answered, looking up into my eyes. "And, I'm scared of losing you," he mumbled the last part, looking away from me. I could clearly hear the pain in his voice.

"Why would you lose me?" I questioned, taking the empty barstool next to him. I knew our feelings were purely platonic.

"I love you like a sister, Bella. We've been inseparable since we were in diapers and I feel like pretty soon I'm not going to be the one you turn to when you need help," he explained sadly, studying the counter top carefully.

"Edward, you know I love you and nothing is ever going to change that. No matter how many guys I date or who I marry you will always have a place in my heart," I assured him, leaning over and kissing his cheek.

"I'm sorry for being stupid," he added, giving me a hug. "So, what are your big plans for your birthday? Anything planned with Carlisle?"

"I don't want to do anything. You know I hate celebrating my birthday," I replied, getting up. I was not going to have this conversation with him. We had it every year and I always ended being dragged to some extravagant event.

"Have you even told Carlisle?" Edward inquired curiously.

"It's not a big deal, Edward. Can we drop it?" I asked, pouting slightly. "I hate being the center of attention."

"You know we're going to do something," he replied authoritatively. "I'll talk to Angela and Jasper and set something up. I know Jasper was saying something about a new club not far from here."

"I don't do clubs," I complained. I knew I was fighting a losing battle.

"Yes, you do and you're going to enjoy it," he finished, smiling innocently at me before heading towards his bedroom.

After all these years I still wondered why I bothered to argue with Edward. He always seemed to get his way no matter what I said. I had no choice but to join the circus. I was going to a club on my birthday. I just wished Carlisle could go with us.

Doctor Cullen

I had no idea how I had made it through another day without being with Bella. I was finding it harder and harder to be away from her. I missed her and I had been very tempted to kiss her after class. But, I knew I couldn't. I was not going to put both of our careers on the line. I was a fully grown man, I had to have restraint.

I tried to focus on the papers I was grading, but found it almost impossible. All I could think of was how good it felt to have Bella's small body against mine. I jumped suddenly in surprise as I heard a small knock on my door.

"Come in," I called, straightening up and pretending to be concentrating on the papers in front of me.

"Doctor Cullen, can I have a quick word with you?" Edward asked while standing at my office door.

"Of course you can, Edward. Come on in and have a seat," I replied, motioning to the seats in front of my desks. "What can I do for you?" I inquired, dropping my pen after he had sat down.

"I know this isn't my place to tell you this. And, Bella will probably kill me for this, but I just wanted to tell you that Bella's birthday is this Sunday," he explained, almost hesitantly. I couldn't believe that I had forgotten to ask Bella when her birthday was. I felt like such a bad boyfriend.

"Why hasn't she said anything?" I inquired curiously. Most women would make sure that their significant others would be aware of such important dates. I was completely certain that she had not mentioned it before.

"Bella is not into birthdays. She's really not into anything that requires that she be the center of attention," Edward replied in a laugh. "She hates it when anybody makes a big deal out of it."

"Was she ever going to tell me?" I questioned. My mind was already racing through possible gift idea. Yet, I really had no clue what to buy her.

"Probably not," he responded with a shrug. "I just thought you'd like to know."

"Thank you, Edward," I answered with a genuine smile as he stood up. "You really didn't need to let me know, but I'm glad you did."

"You're welcome," he said, giving me a nod before leaving my office. I knew that I wanted to buy Bella something nice for her birthday, but I had no idea where to begin. I was going to have to do some serious thinking.

I spent most of the evening surfing the internet trying to find the perfect gift for Bella. Some of it seemed like too much while some seemed like not enough. It almost seemed like I couldn't find a happy medium. It was impossible.

I couldn't help but smile when I heard my phone ring. I had been waiting for Bella's call all day and I was dying to hear her voice. "Hello, mia stella," I greeted once I had picked up on the second ring.

"Hi," she answered with a small laugh. "I've missed you today."

"You have no idea," I replied as I leaned back against the comfortable leather chair I used in my study. "How are the rest of your classes treating you?"

"They're not that bad except biochemistry. We have a test next week and I can't seem to understand it. I seriously see no point to that class," she sighed in obvious frustration.

"Why don't you come over this weekend and I'll help you? It's really not that bad," I offered, trying to make her think positive. I knew that the subject matter was among the hardest to really understand. Plus, it would give us time to spend together.

"I know it isn't bad. I just hate the teacher," she explained causing me to laugh.

"Doctor Robertson does have a rather unique way of teaching," I replied, trying to staying unbiased. I really didn't want my own thoughts to influence her view on my colleague. He was a very gifted man, but he was known to be quite the bore.

"If by unique you mean boring and repetitive," she clarified with a laugh. "Then yes, he's very unique."

"I hope you don't talk about my class that way," I teased causing her to giggle.

"You happen to be my favorite professor," she added in a sultry voice causing me to bite my lip. How was I supposed to keep my mind out of the gutter when she spoke to me like that?

"And, I'm sure you're not biased at all," I laughed, trying to keep things light.

"I suppose I'm a bit biased," she agreed with a small laugh. "But, that doesn't mean it's not true." I just wanted to talk to her forever.

"What have you been up today?" I inquired, wanting to hear all about her day.

"School, school, and more school," she said in almost a whine. "This is the first free minute I've gotten since I woke up this morning."

"I wish I could tell you it gets better," I replied, remembering just how challenging Medical School had been.

"I'm not complaining," she corrected quickly. "I just feel like there should be more hours in a day or something."

"I'll see if I can get that for your birthday, mia stella," I answered, hoping to bring up her birthday in a roundabout way.

"Edward told you, didn't he?" she questioned softly and I could almost imagine her biting her lip. She had a tendency to do that when she got nervous. "I told him not to say anything."

"Bella, why didn't you tell me?" I asked, hoping for some sort of explanation.

"I don't like to celebrate birthdays. I hate the pomp and circumstance and all the attention that comes along with it. It's just another day," she explained. "Plus, you never asked and I wasn't going to tell you. I don't expect anything for my birthday."

"That's where you're wrong," I replied, hearing her groan. "Your birthday is very important and I will be getting you something to commemorate the occasion."

"Please, don't," she almost pleaded. "Edward and everyone are already dragging me to some sort of club on Saturday."

"You already have plans?" I asked, trying to keep my disappointment from being noticeable. Yet, I knew that it was perfectly obvious to her.

"They're not really my plans. I don't even want to go," she replied somberly. "But, Edward always makes a big deal out of birthdays. And, now he has Jasper, Angela, and Jessica involved. I have lost all say in where we're going."

"I think you should celebrate," I answered even though I had been considering taking her out for a quiet dinner, just the two of us. "A club sounds like fun."

"It's not really my scene, but I'll indulge them," she sighed half heartedly. "If anything I would rather do something with you."

"I think you should go and have fun with your friends," I replied. "We can do something afterwards. Alice and Emmett are going to see their grandparents for the weekend."

"It's going to be sort of late, Carlisle. I would hate to be a bother at that time," she responded, but I could almost hear the excitement in her voice.

"You're not a bother, Bella. I would love for you to come over after hanging out with your friends. I can swing by and pick you up if you'd like," I offered, hoping to spend at least some time with her on her birthday.

"I'm not making you drive all the way to the club to pick me up. I'll talk to Edward and I'm sure he can drop me off afterwards," she reasoned.

"I guess that works to. Just be careful, Bella. I want you to call me if Edward has too much to drink. Maybe you guys can take a cab to the club. I would hate for anything to happen to any of you," I replied in a concerned tone. I was hyper aware of alcohol and driving ever since Esme had been killed by a drunk driver.

"Yes, Professor Cullen," Bella replied in a husky tone causing me to become slightly aroused.

"Bella, I'm serious," I answered, trying to stay calm and collected.

"You have nothing to worry about, Carlisle," she assured me. "Edward is going to be our designated driver. He won't be drinking that night."

"I just want you to be safe," I added, wanting her to be sure of my intentions.

"I know," she responded, allowing me to sigh in relief.

We talked for another hour until it was far too late for us to continue. We both had early mornings the next day and I hated that I wouldn't be able to really see her until Saturday. Our phone calls were not enough.

I laid awake for a long time after we had stopped talking. I really wanted to go with her to the club on her birthday, but I knew I couldn't. All of her friends were my students and it would be wrong for them to see us together. It was impossible.

I wanted her to have fun and enjoy herself, but part of me was scared. What if she met someone? Clubs were full of younger, good-looking men and I knew I stood no chance against them. She would pick them over me and I was going to be left alone the way I was before.

Yet, another part told me not to worry. She liked me and she really seemed invested in what we had. She wanted to see me afterwards and that had to mean something. I couldn't worry about things that may never happen. I just had to take everything one day at a time.

A/N: Sort of a transition chapter but those are needed to. I hope you enjoyed it anyhow.

A couple people have asked about Bella's age and why she is 25 at the start of Medical School when she should be 22 or 23. I probably forgot to mention it, because I sometimes forget you all, the readers, aren't aware of what goes on in my head. Bella's bday is in Sept so she is held back a year. She graduates high school in June at 18 but turns 19 about 3 months later when she starts college. I alwyas imagined her doing a double major in Biology and Literature so she's about 24 when she graduates. The 2 majors aren't really related so she has a bunch of extra classes to take. Making her 24 at College graduation. She takes a year off study for MCATs making her 25 when she starts Med School. And, 26 by her birthday next chapter. Hope that all makes sense!

Remember I post previews every Friday over on Twilighted and also answer any questions you may have. Go on over and join the fun!

Next Chapter: Bella's Birthday Part 1

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