A/N- Hey again guys; I quite like this chapter cos we meet Mr Whitlock and Edward gets giddy and smiley for a little while. Quite a bit of ground is covered here, this story is getting moving now and things are getting interesting.

Hope you all enjoy! Let me know what you think please and thank you to everyone who reviews or has added me. I love you all!

Gemma x

Disclaimer: I don't own twilight, Stephanie Meyer does. I do however have a heavily pregnant best friend who is scarily hormotional right now…

As a huge thank you for all your lovely reviews, I'm getting this chapter up today. Thanks guys!

Chapter 10

BPOV

I woke up to a whistling sound, it wasn't loud and offensive just a soft melody. I swatted the bedside table for my phone and it wasn't there. The table felt weird, firm and warm and it smelled good. I snuggled into the bed without opening my eyes; I was too comfortable and relaxed. The whistling sound had stopped and I felt myself drifting off again, this bed was perfect. I curled myself up tighter and the bed shifted slightly and made a humming noise.

This woke me up, something was amiss. I opened one eye and was confronted with the source of the delectable smell and perfect warmth. I was greeted with plump pink lips forming a pout before they pressed into my wild hair. Edward curled his arm around my back protectively, his elegant fingers resting on my hipbone. I found that I liked it; I enjoyed him acting possessively with me. It hit me hard that I wanted it; I wanted to be Edward's. This revelation scared me because I knew there was a good chance that I could never achieve it.

I closed my eyes again to try and gain my bearings and formulate a plan of what to do next, when I suddenly felt the perfect lips press into my hair again with a sigh. I heard a quiet intake of breath and felt something soft and warm thrown over Edward and me. I looked up to the source of it and was greeted by the grinning face of an older man, his eyes were kind and he looked to be just a few inches shorter than Edward.

"Sorry sweetheart, I didn't know you were here and he sleeps like the dead." he chuckled in a jolly way and jerked his head towards Edward who was still holding onto me tightly. I sat up but didn't untangle myself from his grip just yet. I looked down at him and gently moved a lock of hair from his eyes, he was so beautiful. I allowed my fingertips to brush slowly down his cheek and felt him turn into my touch, his lips brushing gently against my palm. The skin tingled where his lips had touched my hand, I was so tempted by his lips, and they were calling to me, begging to be kissed. I was snapped out of my daze by the sound of a throat clearing softly. I looked up and saw the man who I assumed was Edward's grandfather; he had said last night that he was staying here. He stood in front of me still smiling widely, I found myself smiling back at him, I couldn't help it; his smile was contagious.

I looked at him apologetically but he just chuckled.

"You go back to sleep if you like sweetheart, don't mind me. I won't disturb you." He said with a soft smile, I looked down and noticed a heavy blanket had been thrown over me and Edward. I stroked the soft, luxurious material thoughtfully and looked at the kind eyed man in front of me, trying to show my appreciation with my eyes. He just shrugged.

He offered me a coffee and I readily accepted, my throat dry from the night I had spent drooling attractively on Edward's chest. I unfolded myself form Edwards hold and groaned at the loss of contact, it had felt so perfect to lie in his arms.

I noticed that there were official looking documents strewn across the breakfast counter and wondered if they were related to the events of the dinner last night but of course I couldn't ask.

"I am assuming you are Edward's little Bella?" he asked as he tilted his head to the side waiting for confirmation. I nodded with a smile and offered my hand for him to shake.

"Yeah, yes. I mean I'm Bella. It's lovely to meet you." I smiled as he took hold of my hand and brushed a kiss to the back of it with a dramatic bow. I couldn't help but giggle and blush as he did so, I could certainly see where Edward got his charm from.

"The pleasure is all mine sweetheart, you are just as beautiful as you were described." He said with a wink. I was surprised by his words, had Edward described me as beautiful? That couldn't be true, he couldn't possibly look at me that way.

"I am Edward's grandfather by the way, I don't know if he told you that I was staying here. You can call me Anthony and I am so sorry to have woken you. Go back to sleep if you like, you can take Edward's bed; it's still very early." He said sincerely. I gave him a small smile back before I spoke.

"No, it's ok, I'm going to head home so I'll get out from under your feet." I said as I took a coffee cup from him gratefully.

"Nonsense, you stay as long as you like; I love company. Plus, I think Edward is hoping you will be around more often from now on." He said with a smirk causing me to blush at the thought, maybe Edward did want me around, I found that thought more exciting than I should have at this point. I looked over at Edward lying on the sofa, he was stretched out clinging to a cushion with all his strength, every now and again he would sigh or his lips would move silently. I couldn't help but wonder if I featured in his dreams as he featured in mine. I smiled at the thought. Anthony offered me some breakfast but I politely declined and told him I needed to get home and shower and I would have something later.

"Ok then, we had better get you home then hadn't we?" he said as he bounced up from the kitchen stool with a smile. I looked back at him confused.

"Sorry?" I asked, confused by the 'we' in his statement.

"Sweetheart, its 5 am; you are not walking about the streets on your own." he said as he winked at me. I couldn't help but smile back at him, I could see that he had obviously had an influence on the man that Edward was and how Edward treated women. It was nice. I tried arguing with him and stressing that I would be fine and only lived around the corner but he wouldn't accept that.

"You ready to go sweetheart?" he asked with a smile, holding out Edward's jacket for me.

"You wore this last night so I'm sure he won't mind you borrowing it again." I went to grab the jacket from him but he held it open to help me get it on, he had definitely taught Edward to be a gentleman; I smiled at the thought. We left the apartment making small talk about the weather and my work but I could feel that there was something that he wanted to say but he kept quiet. It wasn't an uncomfortable conversation but it was tense. I got to my building and thanked him. He shook his head to dismiss it gently before he took a deep breath and looked at me seriously.

"Take care of him Bella; he is trying to take on too much. That is my fault; I raised all the men in this family to take care of their women, my son never took much notice of that but Edward has. Now that his father is going off the rails, he is trying to take responsibility for Esme and Alice. Please be patient with him Bella, don't give up." He said in a pleading tone. I nodded in understanding.

"I'm not going anywhere Anthony. I promise." I said, hoping that my sincerity shone through in my tone. He nodded gratefully taking both my hands in his.

"What a sweet girl…" he muttered softly before he turned away with a wave.

I chuckled quietly to myself, Anthony was a sweet man and obviously doted on his grandson, I hoped that what he said was true and Edward had spoken fondly of me. My smile continued as I thought back to the kiss last night.

Edward had told me that no one had ever wanted to care for him before and I had all but admitted that I did, I wanted to make sure he was safe and nurtured, that's what friends did. Yeah, friends.

I didn't think twice before placing a soft kiss upon his perfect pouty lips, I felt like I belonged there. This was home.

I hadn't intended on kissing him, in fact I had sworn to myself that I wouldn't. He had only just broken up with his girlfriend and was clearly struggling. I just couldn't bear to see him suffer anymore, I had to comfort him but I couldn't find a way. I couldn't get close enough no matter what I did. I didn't think about what I was doing, I just acted on instinct, I was drawn to him. It was inexplicable and I knew I was done for.

When my lips touched his, electricity coursed through my veins, I felt at home, I felt alive, it was perfect. Or it would have been had he not stood stock still and unresponsive, it occurred to me that I had forced myself upon him, he had given me no indication that he had wanted to kiss me and yet I did it anyway. This belief was quickly dissipated when I tried to apologise for the kiss and Edward brushed me off with a peaceful expression, he didn't seem angry and so I figured that he couldn't have found it too distressing.

I had rested my forehead against his as our breathing began to return to normal and I was desperate to see those gorgeous green orbs but I kept my eyes tightly closed so I wouldn't pounce on him again.

I pulled him to lie with me on the sofa and covered us over with his suit jacket. I hummed to him soothingly until he fell asleep. I removed his shoes and tie, enjoying making sure that he was comfortable. I placed one soft kiss on his perfect lips before laying my head on his chest and listening to the steady thrum of his heart, the even rising and falling of his chest causing me to drift off myself. I dreamt of green eyes, soft pink lips, and strong arms until I was awoken by his grandfather whistling at 5 am this morning. I vowed to myself that I would not fall for Edward, I could not. It was too soon and he needed a friend; nothing more, I would have to take it slowly.

I smiled to myself as I thought about him though, I decided to call Jacob and tell him about my texts and meetings with Edward. I told him how sweet and apologetic Edward had been, I told him about the kiss. He squealed at the appropriate points. Jacob asked if I liked him and I couldn't lie. I thought Edward was amazing, it was just complicated.

"Don't worry babes, it'll work out. Plus he's a hottie, keep a hold on that one." Jacob said with a chuckle before he hung up. Jake was right, it would be ok; I just had to keep going and not give up on him.

I was walking around the apartment in a daze, all my thoughts consumed with Edward. I loved his jacket, it smelled of him and I was sad that I had to return it. I decided to leave him a little note in the pocket for him to find when I did give it back today. I smiled as I placed the note in the inside pocket. I frowned when I felt another piece of paper in there. I know I shouldn't snoop like this but I couldn't help it. The paper was folded and I could see the faint outline of a number on there. I opened the slip up and immediately felt like a bitch. I recognised the note immediately, I had written it. I wrote him another, signed with a kiss and popped them both back into the inside pocket.

I hoped Edward didn't regret last night, especially the kiss. I'm not sure what I would do if he did, just as I pondered this, my phone vibrated from the coffee table.

1 new message: sexy green eyes.

I bit my lip as I nervously opened the message, saying a silent prayer to any deity that would listen that my green eyed boy didn't regret our kiss and that I hadn't ruined everything last night.

EPOV

When I woke up the sun was streaming through the window of my penthouse and I was curled up on the too small sofa. The warmth and sweet scent of strawberries was gone from my arms but remained on the cushion so I buried my nose in them and inhaled deeply.

"Ewww creepy." I heard a little voice say. I ignored it. Something nudged me in the arm.

"Get up weirdie beardie. You need a shave before work." the voice said again and I groaned and rolled away from it. I felt a sharp pain in my back and sat bolt upright in time to see Alice smirking.

"What did you just do?" I asked as I rubbed my back.

"Kicked you, get up before I do it again." She said with a grin.

I sat up and looked around bleary eyed as I tried to remember what had happened last night. My mother was sat at the breakfast counter with my grandfather, looking much fresher than she should have done after the amount she drank last night.

I sat up on the sofa and scrubbed my head with my hands in an attempt to wake myself up a little. I remembered Bella kissing me last night but I didn't remember her leaving. I became anxious to find out what had happened. My grandfather was grinning at me smugly and I didn't understand it. I was still waking up and my brain wasn't working properly yet.

"I'm sorry about last night darling." My mother said with a bright smile as she flitted around the apartment gathering her things. "I'm going to go house hunting today, so I shouldn't be under your feet for too long." she said with an apologetic smile. I shook my head lightly to dismiss her suggestion that she was inconveniencing me.

"You are always welcome here Mom, you know this." I said with a yawn. She came over to me and kissed the top of my head.

"Sweet boy…" She said with a small smile before she left the apartment with a promise to return this evening.

Alice left for class shortly after, having declined my offer of a ride; leaving me and my grandfather alone in the apartment.

"Bella seems nice…" he said with a knowing smirk, my head quirked up to his.

"You spoke to her?" I asked as my brow knitted together in confusion. He nodded and replied.

"Yeah, someone had to walk her home didn't they?" he chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he laughed at my expression. I tilted my head in question and he continued.

"I got up about 5am and woke her; I didn't know she was here. I made her a cup of coffee and walked her home, couldn't have her wandering the streets in the early hours could I?" he said with a guilty expression, I had forgotten all about my grandfather's aversion to sleep. He just always seemed to be awake no matter what time of day or night it was.

"Did she say anything?" I asked nervously, desperate to know what she thought of me.

"A few things yes." He sighed and laughed. "I'm not a thirteen year old girl son, if you want to know what she thinks of you just bloody ask the girl. She seems nice, very pretty." He said and I hummed in agreement and then a thought occurred to me and suddenly I wondered if my dream was a dream at all.

"You said you woke her? Where was she sleeping?" I asked urgently and he jerked his head towards the sofa I was sat on.

A wide grin spread across my face when I realised that Bella had been curled up with me all night, the warmth and scent of strawberries in my dreams had been sweet Bella pressed against me. I liked this thought far too much and had to distract myself from this train of thought.

I looked again at the pile of papers surrounding my grandfather with curiosity.

"I'm trying to sort some things out for Esme." He said simply by way of explanation, his glasses perched on the end of his nose. It was unusual to see him in such a professional manner, since his retirement I had only really seen him in playful, light situations.

"After finding out about Jessica, the divorce itself shouldn't be a problem, assuming your father doesn't contest it or Jessica is willing to sign to say she had an on-going sexual relationship with him." He said, watching me cautiously, no doubt making sure I wasn't going to freak out at the thought of Jessica, not much chance of that, thinking about it; I am the only member of this family that has gained anything out of the whole terrible situation. At least I managed to get rid of Jessica.

"Your mother will want to move on once the shock has worn off, she can't do that until the divorce has taken place, if she does then he can accuse her of adultery and things will get a whole lot more complicated. She needs to be careful." He said thoughtfully and I just nodded, I knew nothing about this kind of thing, so I could do nothing but agree.

"Could he still contest it?" I asked with a frown, I had assumed it would all be easy for my mother now that this had come out, but my grandfather didn't look as confident.

"Edward, your father can still make your mother's life very difficult, she could come out of a 30 year marriage with nothing but a broken reputation if your father tried hard enough." he replied with a heavy frown. I sighed deeply before I replied.

"It will be ok; we'll take care of her, so try not to worry or you'll make yourself ill and he's not worth it. You should talk to Em about it if you are concerned though." I said, hoping I could offer some small amount of reassurance. I walked into the kitchen, slightly confused because I didn't remember removing my shoes and tie last night, I still had no idea what had happened with Bella either. I must have fallen asleep on her, I was so embarrassed but the day had been exhausting and she made me feel so relaxed. Oh, and that kiss. It had been the first kiss of my life and I had just been frozen, why hadn't I moved? Or reacted in some way? I dreaded to think what she would be thinking right now. I had to call her today and make sure we were ok.

I had my back to my grandfather as I made a cup of coffee. He huffed out a breath loudly and slammed a pile of papers onto the counter. It was silent for a few minutes before he spoke.

"He's my son Edward… and he has ruined his life." He said in a voice so sad and weak it didn't even sound like him anymore.

"I …" I started, wanting to once again tell him everything would be ok. He shook his head at me.

"The family will be ok Edward, I know that. I have faith but… he is my son and it still breaks my heart to see the kind of person that he has become. I have fought it for so long, hoping he would change but he never did. I've been so stupid, how could I have thought it would work out?" He rambled more to himself than anyone else.

Before I had chance to reply to him, he turned on his heel and quickly walked into the spare bedroom mumbling about "only wanting to help." I considered checking if he was ok but he seemed stressed and I decided not to push him. I finished my coffee in silence and showered and dressed quickly for work.

I didn't have to wear a suit for work as long as I was dressed respectably but I did anyway. It was just who I was, I liked to look professional. I was boring that way I guess.

I knocked on the spare room door and my grandfather answered, looking a little worse for wear. I looked on silently, considering what to say when he broke the silence with a smile that was obviously not genuine.

"You off to work?" he asked brightly and I nodded. I told him to make himself comfortable and informed him that I would be back late evening and to eat without me as I assumed my mother and Alice would be sleeping here again tonight.

I left the apartment after grabbing my jacket and briefcase, I was thankful that I had programmed Bella's number into my phone last night before texting her as I couldn't find my jacket from yesterday, and her note was in the pocket.

I didn't have time to look for it this morning I would sort it out when I got home. I drove slowly to work, calling for another coffee before I got there.

As I entered the pristine, modern building I was greeted by a number of people that I didn't know, just as I was every morning.

The attention made me awkward just as it always did. The girl on the front desk was particularly thorough in her morning greeting, looking at me in that odd way and smiling far too brightly. I looked away from her gaze as her eyes raked up and down my body and I sped up my pace.

"Leave him be Lauren!" I heard a familiar drawl slur from behind me. I turned around and Jasper was jogging towards me wearing a huge grin, I returned the smile as he clapped me on the back warmly. He flashed a wink at the receptionist who was apparently named Lauren, I did not.

"Boy, I swear she will eat you alive one of these days!" he chuckled playfully.

Jasper did not choose to dress in a suit; he was wearing stonewash jeans and the most ridiculously large belt buckle that I had ever seen. I shook my head in amusement at the sight of him. He had on a well-worn Marvel t shirt and a burgundy corduroy jacket, he completed his quirky look with a pair of shiny black cowboy boots, and yet he saw nothing unusual about his outfit. We were so different in personality, so it was amazing that we got on as well as we did. I had worked at this company for three years, having recommended Jasper for a job here when he joined 12 months ago. It was nice to work with someone that I could relate to; everyone else made me nervous and uncomfortable and so I tended to keep to myself.

"So, how was your weekend? How's the bitch getting on?" he asked loudly, running a hand through his chin length blonde curls. Jasper had been another on a very long list of people in my life that hadn't liked Jessica. I was now on that list, to be honest I think I always was. I never stopped him dubbing her 'the bitch' at any rate.

I groaned in response to his question. It was strange; I had always found I could be blatantly honest with jasper, so why should today be any different?

"Well, I broke up with her because she was well; a bitch…" I started and he barked out a laugh, holding a fist out to me for me to pump in victory, I didn't do that, he retracted his arm with an eye roll.

"Excellent! Well done man!" he said happily.

"Yeah, thanks. Anyway, found out she's been going at it with my dad, oh and she's pregnant." I deadpanned as I picked up my mail from my inbox at the door to the main office floor. Jasper stopped in his tracks.

"Duuuude… you must be bricking it. I mean a baby with a girl you just dumped, that's harsh." He said with a sympathetic smile. I shook my head.

"You're a dick. It's not mine. I can assure you it is most definitely not mine. On the bright side, I'm hoping for a little sister." I said sarcastically with a flat expression.

Jasper looked back at me with a slack jawed expression.

"Holy mother of fuck in a bucket batman!" he said eloquently, I nodded and laughed humourlessly. He nodded back blankly.

"You're dad huh?" he asked still nodding numbly.

"Yup."

"Not yours?" he confirmed with raised brows.

"Nope; definitely not mine." I said with a nod of finality but he persisted.

"You're sure?" he pushed and I inhaled deeply in irritation.

"Jazz, I am a twenty eight year old virgin, Jessica is most definitely not. I think it is safe to say that I'm not the fucking father ok?" I snapped and instantly felt guilty. Anybody else would give me shit for snapping at them but not jasper. He grinned back, grabbed his mail and slapped a hand on my shoulder in a friendly way.

"Oki doke. So, where did you find your balls then little man? You almost sounded tough for a second there." He said with a grin.

"My boy is growing up. I'm so proud." He mocked as he wiped away a fake tear dramatically. I shrugged his hand off my shoulder and growled slightly at him.

Our floor had a main office full of desks, computers and graphics tables where the writers and artists would work in teams so the area was always pretty loud and busy so thankfully nobody had noticed my declaration. Programmers such as me and jasper had individual offices off this main floor. Mine was adjacent to jasper's with our joint P.A in the small office in between us.

"Fuck off Jazz." I said playfully.

"Well that's a big ole' word for a little boy like you…" Maggie quipped in her thick Irish accent, her shock of wild red curls bobbing as she giggled at mine and Jasper's exchange.

Maggie was our P.A and general mother figure in the office. She would give us a heads up when we were late for meetings, take our messages and generally take care of us. She was in her late forties, with a wide smile and a face full of freckles. She had met Jessica a couple of times and guess what? Yep, she had hated her too.

"He chucked her Mag's!" Jasper said happily as he spun Maggie around in a hug very unprofessionally. I noticed he didn't give her the dad-boinking details; for this I was thankful. I could honestly picture Maggie killing Jessica; with her bare hands. Maggie giggled happily.

"Well done Edward, she was a bad one. I told you that didn't I? Trust Maggie dear; she's a good judge of character." She said in a sweet voice as she patted my shoulder.

"Get some bloody work done you two!" she shouted with a giggle over her shoulder as she went into her office.

Jasper and I laughed along with her and I allowed myself to enjoy the light banter, it was a welcome break from the heavy conversations of the last twenty four hours.

Jasper followed me into my office and I settled myself behind my desk and he perched himself upon it. I wondered if I ignored him for longer enough he might leave me alone. I doubted it but I could try.

I decided to contact Bella to thanks her for her help last night and to make sure she wasn't too freaked out by grandpa Masen. He could be somewhat of an acquired taste.

I pulled out my phone and re-read Bella's message from last night; recalling the look on her face as she rounded the corner to find me. She was truly magnificent. I decided to try and keep it light.

Hi Bella, I missed you this morning.

Sorry I didn't wake for you.

Edward x

I sighed as I pressed send; so much for keeping it light. I had told her that I missed her this morning; I groaned at myself, I was getting in too deep here. I didn't understand what I was feeling. I thought about her all the time and was desperate to see her again even though the thought of seeing her made my stomach flip with nerves; I liked it. I was weird.

I tapped my phone on the desk as I waited for a reply. I looked up and jasper was stood in front of me with his arms crossed over his chest and one eyebrow raised in question. I shrugged my shoulders at his staring.

"Who?" he asked as he nodded at my phone.

"Don't say no one, your all jerky and tappy and smiley." He said with a disapproving look at my bouncing leg. I held it still and frowned.

"Go do some work jasper." I said in a cantankerous tone.

He sighed and moved over to my computer, bringing up the page of a Japanese inventions company.

"What are you showing me jasper?" I asked suspiciously, he had got me in trouble with his online discoveries before.

"Did you get my message on Saturday, about the fantastic invention I found?" he said excitedly. I remembered the message but hadn't thought on it this weekend.

I looked at him blankly and he got more excited.

"You will want one even more now you've got rid of the bitch." He said with a sense of finality.

He turned the monitor to face me and was wearing a proud expression; I proceeded to spray coffee all over my desk when I choked and jasper nodded happily.

"I know right?" he said proudly as I doubled up in laughter.

"jasper…what…fuck…." I spluttered out incoherently as I continued to laugh.

"The boob scarf." He said with no shame as I gradually calmed down.

The screen showed two immensely happy looking Japanese women wearing scarfs with large novelty breast fashioned to the ends of them and hanging upon their chests in the traditional position. I laughed again when my eyes drifted back to the screen.

"Right, hear me out Edward. So, you know how Chicago's goin' to start getting cold soon right?" he started.

"It's June." I deadpanned.

"Yeah, so it's getting cold, what better to keep you warm than a nice big pair of…"

"Sorry to interrupt you boys, while you work on your…" Maggie paused whilst she craned her head to look at the monitor, "Boob scarfs." She laughed, shaking her head.

"Hey Maggie, you've got a dog haven't you?" jasper asked and I became concerned about where he was going with this. Maggie nodded.

"Yeah, a little jack Russell why?" she asked nervously, rightly so.

"Does he like tits?" jasper asked with a huge grin as he typed quickly and showed the monitor to Maggie, who roared with laughter.

"They make them for dogs!" she screeched excitedly and I had had enough.

"Right, get out of my office. Enough." I said in mock annoyance.

The laughing died down and Maggie looked to me holding out my suit jacket.

"A lady just dropped this off for you Edward, if you hurry you could catch her; I offered to get you but she said not to disturb you when she could see you were working so hard." Maggie smirked slyly.

"I do work hard." I defended, feigning offense with a palm pressed flat over my heart and a sad expression on my face.

"You have been looking at pornographic winter wear for an hour. Idiots." She said with a flourish before she left the office.

I jumped up to the window and looked to the street outside the office building, we were only a couple of floors up and so I could see down there clearly.

It was relatively quiet on the street below as it was a square design with nothing but office buildings around.

I looked frantically around to see if I could see her leave the building, I knew it must be Bella that came in as Maggie would recognise my Mom or Alice. I gasped as I saw her emerge from the doors in a dark blue sun dress, her mahogany waves blowing slightly in the breeze. I touched the glass wistfully and wished I had ran down after her.

"She's hot." Jasper piped up over my shoulder as he looked in the direction I was looking. We continued to watch as she flipped her hair over her right shoulder exposing the porcelain skin along one side of her slender neck.

"Very nice!" jasper quipped again and I growled.

"You two really need to stop perving. You are kind of sickening and she seemed sweet. Her name's Bella." Maggie said with a small smile and a nod.

"I know." I said without thinking. Their eyes turned to me in question.

"Well I met her at the restaurant on Saturday night…" I started and told them about how I had met Bella, how sweet she was and that I liked her. I left out the other details. Maggie smiled reassuringly and told me to be careful, even though I stressed there was nothing going on.

Jasper pushed for details I wasn't going to give until he slinked off to his office, presumably to order a boob scarf.

I looked at my phone again and saw that I had a reply from Bella, I opened it quickly.

You looked busy so I thought it best I didn't disturb you LOL. Thanks for the jacket, hope you didn't mind me borrowing it. Don't worry about anything. Bella xxx

I also had a message from Emmett asking to meet me this evening, I agreed to meet him at his place for dinner, I had a lot to tell him and I wanted to check on Rosalie anyway. I hadn't gotten along with her at first but now I saw her as a sister and hated the thought of her suffering because of somebody like Jessica.

I smiled to myself as I formulated a reply for Bella,

I don't mind at all, and I'm always hard at work LOL. but I will need a break eventually, are you free to meet up for dinner tomorrow? Edward x

I stared at my phone nervously for a few minutes as I waited for her reply but it didn't come. I told myself that perhaps she was busy, but a voice at the back of my head kept saying she wasn't replying because I had asked her to dinner. I hadn't meant it as a date, not really or had I? Even I didn't know anymore. So what chance did Bella have? My anxiety levels were rising and so I tried to keep myself busy.

I looked in the inside pocket of my jacket to make sure her note was still there, I sighed in relief when I saw that it was. I didn't want to admit it to anyone but I had every intention of keeping that note. I just couldn't say why.

I pulled it out and saw that there was another scrap of paper with it. I smiled as I subtly brought the paper to my nose and found Bella's sweet scent on it. I opened it up with nervous fingers.

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go,

things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you

eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better

things can fall together."

― Marilyn Monroe

You worry too much; I know things seem awful right now but everything

happens for a reason and you're not on your own. It will all work out. I promise.

Bella xxx

I felt a tear sting the corner of my eyes at her words, she seemed so in tune with me, and she always knew exactly what I needed. I knew then that I did want this to be a date, but would she want the same thing?

With that thought my phone vibrated on the desk, I picked it up with a sense of dread.

Sounds great. Text me tomorrow with the details ok? I'll let you get some work done now. :D xxx

The smile that broke out across my face was incredible. Bella had said yes to me, granted she wasn't fully informed what she was saying yes to but it was a yes nonetheless.

Maggie informed me that my father had tried calling a number of times, I just told her to say I was busy. For once in my life, he could wait for me. I had more important things to do. Like replying to Bella and planning a date for tomorrow night.

This time I didn't feel guilty for allowing myself to smile, I deserved it.

A/N – Hi guys, thanks for your reviews and alerts last chap, you were so great that you inspired me to write quicker lol.

If you haven't seen the boob scarf Google images it. It's fantastically bizarre.

Those of you who haven't checked out Bar Room Angel by Vodkavamp76, you're missing out, you won't regret it, it's got me hooked and the author is lovely. Go on, you know you're tempted….

Next up is the meeting with Emmett and the date with Bella. Awwwww…

Next chap will be up at the weekend.

Show me some love please…

Gemma xxx