Happy Sunday! Here is an early update for you...just because.

Thank you for your amazing support of this fic!

Thank you to Liz and Midnight for their work on making this pretty. They love commas and proper sentence structure. Thank Goodness.

I hoped each day would get a little easier. Instead the days got harder.

Bella made a point of being there when we arrived each day to greet Emma. Every day she would smile and exchange pleasantries with me, as Emma reached for her hand. Every night she would wish me a good evening after she expounded proudly on Emma's progress with signing, or showing me a new piece of her artwork.

She was cordial, friendly, interested and polite. And… distant.

I hated it.

I hadn't realized how much I had come to depend on our small daily interactions. And, now that I wasn't able to be part of the warmth of her actions, I missed them even more. I wanted her to reach for my hand. I wanted her to smile at me. I wanted to be able to sit with her and Emma in her office again and eat lunch. I wanted to see her smile at me as she brought me a coffee made just the l way I liked it and one of the cookies she had baked. Now, on the days when I joined Emma, I sat with her in the main room to eat and I got my own coffee, which never tasted as good. Bella would occasionally join us but it was never just the three of us anymore. I wanted her to come and have pizza with us again, but when I quietly asked her at lunch, she sadly shook her head and went into her office, shutting the door.

I was getting frustrated.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized what the strange, light feeling that I had experienced was when I was with Bella. I felt happy. I actually felt happy. She made me smile and laugh. Her quiet, caring nature appealed to me. She appealed to me. I loved how she was so caring and patient with Emma. I loved all her small thoughtful gestures. I wanted to know everything about her.

And she wasn't letting me. I wanted to get closer.

It had been two weeks since Bella had begged for us to just be friends. Two weeks of seeing her every day and being just another one of the parents. I wasn't sure how much more I could take.

And, the excitement I had felt when Emma signed at me was wearing off fast. She still rarely communicated with her little hands other than to tell me she loved me or to say thank you. Despite both the daycare and me teaching her more sign language, she was still unable or unwilling to use it. Some days it felt like forever since I'd heard her little voice, and there were many more days I despaired of ever hearing it again.

"Hey, man," Jake slapped me on the shoulder, bringing me out of my incessant thoughts. "You get your tux yet?"

"Yeah, I picked it up this morning."

"It's gonna be great. I love these hospital benefit dinners. Great food, free booze, lots of pretty ladies to choose from. A chance to replenish my phone list; if you know what I mean. Always a good time for the Jakester," he grinned, waggling his eyebrows.

I looked at him and shook my head. I wasn't looking forward to going, but really had been given no choice.

"Dude, what is up with you these days? You're moping around worse than a chick."

I shook my head. "Leave it alone, Jake."

He looked at me, his brow furrowed. Then his expression changed into the serious one usually reserved for when he was with his patients. His voice became modulated and low. "Seriously, Edward. What's going on? Something's been eating you up. Let me help."

I looked at him, desperately wanting to talk this out with someone. Get another perspective.

"There's a girl," I admitted.

"And?"

I sighed. "It's complicated, Jake. One minute we were friends. Then, suddenly she became more. So much more; except, she told me that's all we can be... just friends. And, I'm trying. But it's not enough. Seeing her kills me."

He pursed his lips. "Is it someone here?"

I shook my head. "No."

"Don't see her, then. Simple."

I shook my head. "It's not that simple, Jake. She is someone I see daily. In order not to see her, I could cause damage to someone else… someone more important than me."

His eyes widened. "The one person you put above all others is Emma. Does this have something to do with her?"

I stood up. I didn't want to go into the details of this with Jake. It was just too personal. "Never mind, forget I said anything."

He stood up and grabbed my arm.

"Edward. Have you gotten involved with someone at Emma's daycare?"

"I'm not involved with anyone," I insisted, sorry I had let him talk me into speaking.

Suddenly, he sat down and rested his face in his hands. He shook his head and then looked up at me sadly. "Dude, did you make a move on that little Swan chick? Didn't you know?"

Fear gripped me. "Didn't I know what?"

Jake stood and laid a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I hate to tell you this, Edward. But, you need to know so you can stop mooning over someone you can never have."

I looked at him, confused.

"Edward. Bella Swan is gay."

I gaped at him.

"What the fuck did you just say?"

"She is gay. You are not her type. Like, ever."

I sat down heavily. Bella was gay?

Gay?

I thought back to the night by the car. She certainly didn't kiss me like she was gay. She responded to me. I felt it. We both felt it.

I looked at him.

"You're wrong."

He shook his head.

"She told me so herself."

I stared at him in complete shock.

"Just like that? She just dropped it into a conversation that she was gay?"

He sat down shaking his head. "Edward, seriously, you need to get out more. I asked her out. When she said no, I asked her why."

"You asked her why she was saying no? You didn't just accept no for no?"

"Dude… the chicks never say no to me. I mean, have you seen me? I am a pretty great catch. I was curious. And, the little chick told me why. I respect her for that. I didn't bother her anymore."

I felt my lips twitch as I suddenly remembered what Bella had said at dinner. "I had to tell him a lie to get him to leave me alone." It all made sense now.

Trying to keep my laughter in, I bowed my head.

"Hey man, don't feel bad. I didn't pick up on it at first either. Then, after she told me, I saw it, you know?"

I couldn't stop myself. "Saw what, exactly?"

"The jeans and the sweatshirts, never any makeup…she drives a truck. That sort of thing."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. If I opened my mouth I was going to start laughing. Really loudly.

He stood up. "Never mind. We'll find us some prime specimens that wanna play "doctor, I have an ache I need you to cure" on Saturday and we'll get you back up in the saddle." He grabbed his bag from his locker. "Don't worry, dude, your little crush is safe with me. See ya tomorrow."

I stared after him blankly for a few minutes, and then gave in. Peal after peal of laughter came out and I didn't try and stop it.

Without even trying, Bella had just made my day better.

*()*

I walked into the daycare, still grinning. I was surprised to see it empty. Bella's door was open and I went in, smiling as I saw Bella and Emma on the beanbag chair reading. Unable to help myself I spoke up. "There are my two favorite girls."

Both of their heads snapped up and for one moment, Bella's face smiled as brightly as Emma's did, before she remembered herself and looked away. I held out my arms and Emma scrambled off Bella's lap to run towards me. Scooping her up, I kissed her forehead. "How was your day, Babygirl? Was today a good day?"

She nodded.

Bella stood up. "You look like you had a good day yourself, Edward," she smiled softly.

I chuckled. "It had its moments, that's for sure."

"Care to share? I could use the laugh."

I hesitated. Should I tell her? Would she be offended?

I looked at her, my eyes briefly drawn to the garment bag hanging on the rack behind her. I could see a wisp of brilliant green peeking out of the bottom. Inspiration struck. "Are you going to the benefit on Saturday?"

She looked startled at the question, but nodded. "Yes, I am. You?"

I nodded, as I put Emma down on her feet. "Go get your coat and backpack, okay?"

I watched her leave the room. I turned back to Bella, my stomach clenching. "Do you have a date?"

She sighed. "No, Edward, I don't."

I stepped forward. "Go with me."

"Edward, I can't…"

"As my friend. Not a date. We won't call it a date. I hate these things, Bella. Please. Don't make me walk in there alone."

I watched the emotions flit across her face. I added an incentive. "I'll tell you what happened today if you say yes."

She pursed her lips. "I'll go if you do something for me."

"Anything."

"We have a trip planned next week to a local farm. I need extra volunteers to help."

"Done."

"You didn't ask what day."

I shook my head. It didn't matter. I would get someone to cover. But I smiled. "What day, Bella?"

"Friday."

"I'm there."

She hesitated briefly and then nodded. "I'll drive myself on Saturday. We can meet there."

I grimaced. I didn't like that. I wanted to pick her up. But I would take what I could get.

"Okay."

"Now, what was so funny?"

I shook my head. "Oh, no, Ms. Swan. You think I was born yesterday? I will tell you on Saturday. Otherwise you may stand me up."

She gasped. "I wouldn't!"

I grinned, enjoying the feeling of being able to tease her again. "Well, I'm not going to test that theory. Saturday, Bella." I leaned down, scooping Emma back up. "Goodnight, Bella."

She huffed. "Goodnight, Dr. Cullen."

I winked at her and walked out of the daycare feeling way better than I had when I came in that morning.

Regardless of what I had said, I so had a date with the 'gay' Ms. Bella Swan. And, I was going to make it count. I could hardly wait to see Jacob's face on Saturday. I chuckled all the way to the car.

Ah.. the Jakester... made me giggle. Hope you as well ! See you later this week!