Disclaimer: I do not own twilight or any of the well known names and places used in my story.

A/N: this is a repost. I just changed charlie's position since after further research i got his job title wrong. No need to re-read the chapter if you already have.

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Chapter 9

The Date

EPOV

I stood at the doorstep waiting for my date to answer the door. After a minute or so I heard footsteps approaching the door followed by the sound of a lock disengaging. I took a deep breath and let it out.

When the door opened I found myself staring into the very familiar chocolate brown eyes of Bella Swan. They have become familiar to me because they have been a continuous presence in my dreams for the past month or so. I moved my eyes upwards to the top of her head where I found beautiful mahogany colored hair. I followed her hair down until I was again looking at her heart-shaped face. She looked a bit lost, her mouth shaped into an 'O'.

"Bella," I said softly crouching down a little so I would be at eye level with her. She didn't reply but she poked her head out of the door and looked both ways. I also noticed she was turning pale, her lips almost white. "Bella, you have to breathe. It is essential to life."

She let out a breath I assumed she was holding and she took in another before she spoke, "Uhm, are you sure you have the right house? "

"Yeah, I think so. I was told the address of my date was 717 Presidents St. This is it isn't it?"

"Well, yes. Wait? You're here to pick up your date? Does that mean I'm you date?" she asked a bit dumbfounded.

"I would assume that's right. Unless there is another twenty-six year old teacher who loves to read living at this address," I replied.

"No, I live alone. How is this possible?" she asked barely above a whisper but enough for me to make it out.

"How do you mean?" I was curious.

"Oh... uhm... well... How can I be your date? Look at you and look at me. We just kind of don't match." I was a bit appalled with that statement. I truly can't believe she doesn't think she's beautiful.

"Well, let me be the judge of that. Let's get this date going, shall we? These are for you," I said handing over the flowers. She took them from me but continued to stand in the doorway. I had a feeling she would back out from the date. But I'm here and I definitely would not let that happen.

"Bella, I think you should put those in water so we could be on our way," I said but she was still just staring at me. "Bella," I called again snapping my fingers in front of her eyes.

She blinked a couple of times before she spoke, "Oh, yes. Uhm, thank you. You're sure you want to go through with this?"

I looked straight into her eyes and responded, "Definitely", with all the conviction I could muster.

"Okay, then. Come in for a bit while I put the flowers in a vase and get my bag." I followed her into her home. I looked around and noticed it had a very comfortable feel to it. In her living area, she had one of the walls was covered with shelves and filled with books. I approached them and read through the spines. Most of them were classics but she had a few mystery novels as well.

"Uhm, shall we go?" she asked from behind me.

"Yes, we shall. Oh, I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Edward Cullen," I held out my hand to her and I was glad she reached out and took it. "Bella Swan." I nodded my head and walked over to her door and held it open for her. After stepping out she locked up and headed over to the car.

I jogged ahead and held the passenger door opened for her. She looked curiously at me before getting in. "What? Chivalry isn't dead Bella." She gave me a small smile before getting in. I closed her door and walked around to the driver's side and got in.

"So, I was thinking we could go to the aquarium then out to lunch, if that's okay with you?"

"Oh, I'd like that. I haven't been to the aquarium in like ages," she replied excitedly then again remained quiet in her seat. The aquarium was not far from her home and when we pulled into the lot I quickly found a parking slot. I cut the engine and unbuckled my seatbelt. She started to open the door but I pulled on her hand.

"What? Are we not supposed to go out?" she asked.

"I'd like to get the door for you, please," I said. She nodded and waited patiently for me to open the door for her. I offered my hand to help her out which she took, thank god. I lead her into the aquarium and asked her what she wanted to do first.

"Uhm, I think I'd like to watch the dolphin show. I just love them, they are so adorable. Then maybe we can go see the jellyfish, then after the birds and the fish." I just stood there watching her talk trying to hold back a smile. "I'm babbling aren't I? I'm sorry, what did you want to do?"

"We'll go with what you want. I like all of them so it really doesn't matter to me." I put a hand on the small of her back and led her towards the dolphin show. We had gotten there just in time for the show to start. We chose a seat in the center to avoid getting wet when the dolphins do their jumps and the like.

"Bella! Bella!" I heard the voice of a little girl calling out to her. We turned around and found Benjamin and his brother running after his sister. "Hello, Tia," Bella greeted when the little girl had reached us.

"Hi. Don't I know you from somewhere?" she asked looking at me.

"I'm not sure sweetie. Are you a patient of mine?" she shook her head. "Uh, do I tutor you?"

"No, Miss Bella, tutors me," she replied. Benjamin grinned at me and whispered something in Tia's ear that got her giggling.

"So, Dr. E, finally got the guts to ask her out huh?" I narrowed my eyes at him and looked back at Bella. She was looking at me, her big brown eyes wide like a doe caught by headlights.

"I'll explain later," I whispered and she nodded. The three kids took a seat with us since their parents stopped them off before tending to some work.

Bella was talking with Tia throughout the show and would send a smile my way once in a while. I would take a glance at Benjamin and he would smirk at me. When the show was done, the kids said their goodbyes and Bella and I headed over to the jellyfish exhibit.

We stood in front of one of the tanks and Bella started to study the jellyfishes swimming inside. I, on the other hand, just stood there and stared at her, admiring her true beauty. "So, what made you agree to a blind date? I'm sure you would have no problems acquiring one."

"Honestly? It was because a five-year old boy wanted his birthday present early." She looked at me questioningly.

"Would you care to elaborate on that?" she asked as she moved over to the next tank.

"Uhm, well, Alice asked me if I wanted to go on a date and I told her no because it wasn't my style. But Alice is Alice and she used Riley and his pouting to get me to agree. How about you? I'm sure guys are just lining up at your door to ask you out."

She looked at me and smiled before moving to the next exhibit which contained information the about the displays. "I was cornered by a very insistent pixie and she asked me in front of a colleague of mine who kind of agrees to her views. Basically I was out numbered. And you're wrong; I do not have guys lining up at my door."

"I find that very hard to believe," I whispered in her ear and I felt her shudder. We went through the rest of the exhibits then headed over to the birds and fishes. It was so much nicer to observe Bella up close. Every smile she would give me would bring a tug to my heart. I was truly smitten and I will not deny that.

I check my watch and I saw it was time for lunch. "Bella, would you like to go to lunch now? We could come back after if you would like."

"No, it's okay. I think I'm good on my marine life for today," she smiled at me and I felt my heart again melt a bit.

While we were walking out to the car I asked her whether she wanted Houlihan's or Amicci. She chose Houlihan's. "Would it be okay if we walked?" I asked since it was very near to the aquarium. "Yes, that would be fine."

We got to the restaurant and I gave my name to the hostess and requested a quiet table in the back. Once we were seated, we ordered drinks and looked over the menu. "What would you like?" I asked her.

"Hmm, I think I'll have the wild mushroom enchilada," she answered.

"Is that all? Any appetizers or soup?" I asked and she shook her head.

The waitress came back and asked for our orders, well more me than Bella, so I took the liberty to place her order. "The lady will have the wild mushroom enchilada while I will have the prime top sirloin, medium rare. Then we would like Jumbo stuffed shrooms and spinach dip with cheezy lavosh in the center." I handed her back the menu and quickly returned my attention to Bella.

"I guess you get that a lot huh?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked back.

"You know, the ladies always drooling over you. I mean I'm sure you know you gorgeous," she said then started playing with the corners of her napkin.

"Well, I really don't notice I'm a bit preoccupied at the moment," I said and she looked up at me and her cheeks had turned a very adorable pink color.

BPOV

I could feel my cheeks heat up as I looked back up into his eyes. It's like I was in a dream. How was it possible that this absolutely breathtaking man was sitting across from me? I can't seem to wrap my mind around that concept.

"Bella, Bella, are you okay?" he asked.

"Huh? Oh, yes. I'm sorry. I zoned out a bit."

"Why don't you tell me about yourself?" he asked.

"What would you like to know?" I asked simply remembering that's it's impossible that he would find me interesting.

"Uh, why don't we start with your name? Is Bella short for something?" he asked.

"Yes, it is actually. My full name is Isabella Marie Swan. But I like to go by Bella. Isabella is too formal. How about you?"

"My full name is Edward Anthony Cullen. I'm the middle child next to Alice and after Emmett whom I assume you have already met." We stayed quiet for a while as our food arrived. I really didn't know what else to tell him about me.

"So, what brings you to Baltimore?" he popped a mushroom into his mouth.

"Oh, well, I took my master's and doctorate here and I was fortunate enough to land a job at Mayfield. It wasn't a hard decision since I loved the place since I moved here." I took a bit of my enchilada.

"Where did you go to school for that?" he asked.

"Johns Hopkins. I have a masters' in teaching and a doctorate in special education. How about you?" I wasn't sure what to ask so I assumed twenty questions would be a safe way to go.

"I also went to Johns Hopkins for my med school and residency. I wonder why I haven't noticed you. I'm sure I would not have missed someone as beautiful as you." His last statement caused me to drop my fork and cause it to make a clanging sound on my plate.

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly. I just nodded my head and when I looked up at him he had the most breathtaking crooked smile plastered on his too perfect face. "You're not used to taking complements?" I shook my head in the negative. "Well, it's barely a complement if it's true."

"Why did you want to become a doctor?" I took another bite of my food.

He finished chewing then dabbed his mouth before he spoke. "Well, my dad is a doctor and he wanted one of his children to follow in his footsteps. Emmett already had his company going and my sister, well; let's just say the idea never crossed her mind. So I took biology for my pre-med so I had the option to go into research. I was the 'science guy' among the three of us. Then I fell in love with children and that's why I chose paediatrics. How about you? What made you go into teaching?"

"Well, my mother was a teacher and I just also fell in love with children. I had a cousin who was autistic that's why I chose to take my doctorate in special education." Of course there was a deeper reason why I fell in love with kids but I don't think it's a first date conversation topic.

We finished our lunch currently chatting about some issued plaguing the nation and found out we shared several of the same views. He settled the check and asked if I wanted desert. I said it was fine and made him choose where to go as long as the place served coffee.

He suggested Caribou Coffee and I agreed. It wasn't too far from the restaurant but he opted that we take the car. He asked me what I wanted and told me to get a table by the window.

He came over with my caramel bar and white chocolate mocha and he opted for a cinnamon coffee cake and cafe Americano. When we were settled he asked me about my family.

"Well, I'm an only child and I grew up in Forks, Washington. My dad is FBI Special Agent In-Charge for the FBI Seattle office and my mom is a teacher. She is currently the school principal in one of the bigger public school in Seattle. They opted to transfer to the city after I moved east. What about you?" I asked.

He swallowed the cake in his mouth and took a sip of coffee before speaking. "As you already know I have a brother and a sister, as well as an adorable niece and nephew and one more on the way. My sister is engaged to Jasper whom I assumed you also have met," I nodded. "My dad is regional director for the NIH and is based in Bethesda, though he maintains residence with my mom in Gaithersburg. It's a good middle ground for them since my mom works here in Baltimore as an interior designer."

"What do you siblings do?" I asked as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Well, my brother owns Cullen Industries and my sister has her own clothing line. Rosalie, my brother's wife does some consulting in the local hospitals for orthotics and prosthetics and she heads that department of Cullen industries."

"Wow, that is just amazing," I replied. I was in awe at how successful this entire family is. I mean my family is successful as well, but we were just three. We continued our conversation on likes and dislikes as well as out hobbies.

We were had just finished out food when his phone rang. "Excuse me, I have to take this." I nodded and he stood and went to a more quiet area of the cafe. He wasn't gone long and when he came back I could see the change of mood in his face.

"Is everything alright Edward?"

"Uhm, I have to go to the hospital. I'm sorry but I'll have to cut our date short, not that I would like to, by the way. One of my patients had been going downhill and his parents want a meeting with the whole team."

"Oh, what hospital will you be going to?" I asked hoping I could go with him.

"Johns Hopkins," he answered as we made our way to the car.

"May I go with you? There's a reading for the kids that I dumped on Angela. I can hang out with them while you do your thing." He face lightened up when I had suggested this.

"I would love that." He opened the door for me and when I was settled he walked over to his side and we were off to the hospital.

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Edward dropped me off in the common area we use for the readings. I saw that Angela had just started on the book. I sat quietly at the back of the room as I listened and watched the kids interact with her. She chose a Charlie Brown book for today.

When she was done with the first book, she saw me seating at the rear of the room. The kids shouted that they wanted one more book. "Okay, let's take a five minute break then we'll go with a Dr. Seuss book."

She walked over and sat beside me. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be on a date?" she asked.

"I was. But Edward got a call and he needed to some over here," she cut me before I could continue.

"Edward? Who's Edward?" she asked a bit puzzled, yet a bit too innocently.

"Edward Cullen, Alice's brother. Don't you dare tell me you didn't know." I poked her in the arm and she burst out laughing. "You knew? You knew for a week and didn't even give me a clue of who this guy was? He could have been a murderer for all I know."

"Oh, come on Bella. Would you really believe Alice would let you go out with a criminal?" she cocked an eyebrow at me. I was about to reply when Henry came up to us carrying a book. "Bella, would you read us a book?"

"Sure, sweetie." I took the book from him and took my seat at the front. I started reading and making different voices for each character. When I was nearing the end of the book I one of the kids shouted. "Bella! Bella, why is Dr. Cullen is smiling at you? Are you a new patient? He doesn't really smile like that at somebody who's not his patient." I looked and saw Brady pointing over to Edward who was leaning on the door jamb and I think I could make out a slight blush on his cheeks.

I smiled at him and turned over to Brady to answer the question. "No sweetie, I'm not his patient. He only takes on children."

"Then why is smiling at you funny?" Brady asked.

"Well, you'll just have to ask him sweetie." I said and he looked at Edward with a 'I got you' look. I reminded myself to ask him what that was about.

I finished the book and said goodbye to the children before Edward and I headed out to the parking lot. When we got to the lobby we were halted by a tall strawberry blonde in light green scrubs. "Hi, Edward. How have you been? I haven't seen you in a while."

"Tanya," he said a bit sternly and I felt his arm wrap around my waist.

"Are you busy? You want to catch a drink later or something?" she stared to rub his arm but he pulled away.

"Actually I'm busy. Just like I am now and every time you asked me in the past. No if you'll excuse me, I'd like to finish my date with this beautiful woman." He removed his arm, placed a hand on the small of my back and led me out the doors.

I stayed quiet not wanting to aggravate the situation. When we got to the car he again opened my door for me. "Bella," he said before I got in.

"Yes, Edward?"

"Uhm, I was wondering if you have any plans the rest of the afternoon and tonight?"

"No, I believe I'm free. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was hoping you would like to spend the rest of the afternoon with me then let me take you to dinner."

He did look a bit down and I'll be dammed if I would refuse an offer from one of the most beautiful doctors in Baltimore. "Sure, I'd like that." I got into the car and when he was settled he drove us to Patterson Park.