A/N: This chapter has my first ¼ of a lemon. Yes, I am a lemon virgin and Edward is going to help me fix that but we are going to take it easy here. I am sure he will help me get to the point where I won't be as nervous about it but for right now, we are just having a bit of shower fun.

I want to thank Cintia for being an amazing beta and Dishie for helping me so much. She was kind enough to pre read my chapter and give me valuable advice with the lemony part.

I also want to thank you all for reviewing and sending private messages. Your words keep me going!

EPOV

Our visit to the pond was both amazing and enlightening. I think it was the moment she decided to let me be part of her life, and I let her into mine. She was a little hesitant to be alone with me at first, but she eventually relaxed and gave me one of the happiest days I've had since my mom died.

Before we could go feed the ducks, we needed something to feed them with, so we had to devise a plan to raid the kitchen. After years of struggling to keep Emmett away from her precious food, Ms. Cope banned all of us from the kitchen. A ban that she enforces by swatting our cute little behinds every time she sees any of us stepping foot inside it. Therefore, Bella and I were going to have to plan our heist carefully in order to retrieve the bags of fresh bread we needed to feed the ducks.

After lots of sad puppy eyes and killer pouts, I convinced Bella to play decoy. Grudgingly, she went into the kitchen and distracted Ms. Cope by asking questions regarding dinner, something that was a bit odd since Bella eats the same thing every day and usually in her room, but I think Ms. Cope was just too happy to see her outside of her room to care. While Bella used her charm on Ms. Cope, I snuck into the pantry and took our loot, hiding it under my clothes. Bella saw me escaping the scene of the crime and quickly followed me to the garage, where our getaway golf cart was located.

I guess the sight of me, hobbling around with the crutches and a belly full of bread was funny because Bella began to guffaw uncontrollably when she finally reached me. The sight of her laughing whole-heartedly melted me into a puddle of desire. She was so beautiful and innocent that I longed to wrap her in my arms and kiss her until I die. Luckily, I remembered that she was in no way ready for me to do so, and I just laughed with her about our silly antics.

Once she sobered up, she looked at me with soft eyes and thanked me for giving her a reason to laugh again. She then kissed my cheek and wrapped her tiny arms around my chest. I have won all kinds of awards, but I have never felt more proud of myself as I did at that moment. I had given her happiness, even if it was for a few minutes, she was happy because of me. Right then, I promised myself that I would spend the rest of my life making sure Bella laughed happily every day.

Once we got to the pond, we sat in the grass and began to throw bread crumbs into the water. She was quiet and pensive, and I would have given my left nut in order to be able to read her thoughts. I wondered if she was regretting our outing, or if she had changed her mind about trusting me. She calmed my nerves by resting her head on my shoulder.

"Are you doing ok, pretty girl?" I asked

"hmm hmm," she mumbled

"You're too quiet, sweetheart. Are you tired?" I insisted.

"I'm just absorbing the beauty. It's very peaceful and quiet. You have a very pretty property, Edward," she replied serenely.

"Thank you, but please remember that for the time being, this is also your house, so please feel free to come here anytime you want."

I didn't feel like adding that, if I had my way, everything I own would be hers.

"Thank you, but I prefer to stay in my room or with Dorito. I would hate to impose," she replied shyly.

"Bella, you will never impose. I wish I could explain to you how happy your company makes me. My life is definitely better since the day you and Alice arrived," I explained.

"I don't see how your life could be bad. You are rich, famous and very successful in your career. You are also unbelievably handsome and kind. I bet you could pick any woman you'd like and be happy," she responded.

"Bella, my life may seem perfect from the outside, but I assure you it's not" I answered, trying very hard not to get too excited at the fact that she finds me 'unbelievably handsome'.

"Why do you say that?" she questioned warily.

"I don't know, Bella. None of the things you mentioned makes me happy. In fact, I get pretty bored with everything" I explained.

Bella looked confused, but did not push me further. However, I felt the need to explain my life to her, hoping that she may understand me better. I wanted her to know me, the real me, so that if she ever chose to be mine, she would know what she was getting.

"Bella, I'm not a normal guy. I have an IQ of 145 which is considered to be 'exceptionally gifted'. That may sound like a really good thing to some people, but for me it has almost been a curse" I explained shamefully.

"Why?" she asked

"Because it prevents me from being able to connect to people. It makes me think and act differently, and mostly everything besides music or movies bores me. It has taken a lot of therapy and work for me to learn to act normal, but sometimes I feel like doing so is just another performance.

Ever since I was a kid, I was happy being by myself. My parents told me that I was a very fuzzy baby and did not like to be handled by anyone who wasn't my mom or dad. I did not like to interact or do the usual things that babies do. My brothers are adopted, so my mom had no way to know if my behavior was outside of what's considered normal but she had her suspicions.

She confirmed her fears when, at age two, I was still unable to talk or interact with people. I was immersed in my own little world. She also noticed that my intelligence was much higher than that of other kids my age. I was good a creating patterns and somehow taught myself how to perform simple mathematical operations. However, I would still not speak or look at anyone but my parents. If anyone attempted to reach me whether physically or emotionally, I would throw a fit of epic proportions. Sometimes, it would make me physically ill, which terrified my parents to no end.

My father bought a piano for my mom who loved playing. She soon noticed that when she played music I would focus and really look at her. I could sit for hours just listening to her play, absorbed by it. She decided to teach me how to play, letting me sit with her at the bench and showing me the different notes. The first time I touched a key was the first time I laughed. I also gave her a kiss. Within a week of the day, I composed my own melody."

I looked at Bella to make sure she was okay since she had not moved at all during my explanation. She regarded me with wonder and asked me to continue my story.

"My parents immediately sought professional help, and I was treated by psychologists and pediatricians, but they all had different opinions. Some said I was autistic, others diagnosed me with what is now known as Asperger's disorder, and others suggested different pervasive disorders that would render me emotionally disabled. My mom would not hear any of it. She was a renowned psychologist and knew that, while I was different, I was not impaired. She spent a lot of time teaching me how to talk and helping me to 'connect' with the world. She used music and lots of patience but eventually succeeded.

By age five, I was somewhat normal, I talked when I needed to and was able to interact with people. However, I never quite enjoyed it. When I started school, things became difficult. I was placed in a special school that catered to gifted kids, but it still bored me. I hated being around other kids and soon they began to hate me back. I was outcasted and constantly bullied by the other kids, who called me 'weird' and 'crazy' and would constantly physically attack me until Jasper showed up to school one day and threatened to beat the crap out of them. However, by junior high, I was thoroughly convinced that I was indeed weird. I practically begged my parents to pull me out of school, until they eventually agreed and have me tutored.

Music was the only thing that made me feel happy, until my mom bought me a video camera. I realized that being behind the camera allowed me to connect with whatever it was that I was recording. It was a way to take a peek at the normal world and analyze it. I also enjoyed portraying stories the way I saw them through the lens. I became obsessed with film, and my dream to direct film was born."

"So how is it that you ended up acting?" Bella asked intrigued.

"When my mom died, I lost all my sense of direction. I had no idea what to do or how to deal with the loss, so I began to retract from the world again. My dad was too grief stricken to notice, but Emmett, who had kind of taken over as my caretaker, did, and he did his best to keep me from becoming a 'loner' as he called it. He wanted me to have friends and socialize, but I was too shy and too traumatized by the earlier bullying to go back to school. He eventually found out about a small drama club that met close to our home and enrolled Jasper and me.

I hated the idea at first, but he told me that if I became an actor, I could work with the best directors and learn from them, so that I could eventually direct myself. The drama club was pretty fun. I made a few friends and discovered that by portraying the lives of others, I could understand the 'normal' people thought processes, feelings, and reactions better. Learning from my characters eventually led me become more confident both on and off stage.

I finished high school at age 15 and then decided to enroll at UCLA to obtain a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Film and Television because I knew that acting was the fastest way to become a good director. Jasper helped me obtain work while I was in college. I did some modeling and a few commercials that helped me become more comfortable in front of the camera. We created an amazing working relationship that has led me to become very successful," I explained.

"But you are not happy?" Bella asked, concerned by the ironic way I explained my success.

"No, it doesn't fulfill me. I like the actual art of acting, but I hate the world that surrounds it. It's filled with ambition and fake people who want to take everything they can from you without giving anything back," I replied bitterly.

I could not help but remember Tanya at that point, but I quickly pushed her memory out of my head. She would not disrupt the time I spent with Bella.

"Do you still struggle to connect with people?"

"I think I can pretend to connect with people and do a good job at it. I need to for the kind of job that I do, but I'm happiest when I'm alone, at least until you arrived," I said, a little embarrassed to admit it out loud.

"What do you mean?" She inquired, unable to hide her surprise at my little confession.

"Bella, since the day you arrived I cannot stop thinking about you. When you talk to me or let me hold you, I feel happier than I ever had. For the first time in my life, I feel like I truly 'connect' with someone besides my family and the connection feels stronger than anything I have felt. I feel like you are my home."

Bella's breath hitched and her eyes watered. I immediately worried that I had scared her and kicked myself for being too forward.

"Bella, I'm sorry … I ... uh … I shouldn't have said that," I said, worried about her reaction.

"Is it a lie?" she questioned.

"No, but I know you don't feel the same way and ... something happened to you … and you don't want me …" I trailed off, knowing I was not making much sense.

Bella looked at me warily for a second but soon turned her gaze back to the multitude of ducks that were fighting for the bread crumbs we were throwing at them.

"You are wrong, Edward," she said after a few minutes. "I do feel the same way, and I want you, but I cannot be with you. I'm too damaged to give you what you want or what you deserve."

I was thrilled to know that she felt the same way about me. I was her home too, but she didn't want me to be. I knew she had many wounds from a dark past, and she had a long way ahead before she could heal if she ever did. However, I also knew that losing her would end me. Being away from her was impossible. I needed her near me, even if she never became mine.

"Bella, I don't want you to do or be anything you don't feel comfortable with. If you just want to be my friend, I will respect that. I just wanted you to know how happy you make me and what you mean to me," I explained.

"You need to find a woman that can give you all the happiness you deserve, Edward. I will always be your friend but nothing else. Please grasp that," she begged.

"I understand, pretty girl, and that's fine with me, but please don't ask me to look for another woman. You are it for me. If I can only have your friendship, then I will be your friend until the day I die," I promised.

Bella was quiet and returned to the task of feeding the ducks. The temperature had dropped, and I noticed she was shivering. I took my sweater off and wrapped it around her small frame. She gave me a shy smile and burrowed into my arms. I heard her inhale deeply and let out a pleasant sigh. I was happy to know she felt at ease in my arms.

"I have no idea how to be your friend, Edward. I have spent the last ten years avoiding people. I did not watch TV and the only music or books I know are the ones my parents enjoyed. I don't even eat regular food! The worst part is that I feel guilty when I'm with you because you make me happy, and I don't think is fair for me to be happy when my parents can't be," she explained.

"Bella, I know this is difficult for you, baby. Please know that I'm incredibly proud of you for trying. It shows me you are a strong girl. I don't know what happened to your parents or what caused you to want to think that you shouldn't be happy, but I can assure you that, regardless of what happened, you deserve to be happy. I'm also sure that your parents, like any other parents in the world, would want you to be happy no matter what. Alice told me that they loved you very much, so I'm sure they would not approve of you starving yourself or of your decision to live in the past," I replied, hoping she wouldn't think I was patronizing her.

"But it's not fair!" She wailed. "I got them killed, I should be punished"

"Even if that was true, Bella, they would still want you to be happy. Parents have a funny way of forgiving all of our mistakes, and while they want us to learn from them, they don't hold grudges or wish for payback," I reassured her.

She tightened her hold on me and cried on my chest. I could feel her tears burning in my chest, but I knew that she needed to let her pain flow out of her. She was hurting, and since I couldn't do anything about it, at least I would share her pain. I kissed her head and rubbed her back, hoping to soothe her, while I tried really hard not to let my own tears fall.

XX Broken XX

After we returned home, Bella informed me she wanted to take a nap. I took her to her room and asked her of it was ok for me to eat my dinner with her. She hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed to meet me in Dorito's room.

I asked Jasper to arrange for a table to be set up, along with some candles and flowers. Alice squealed like a little girl when she heard that Bella and I had a dinner date. I was excited too, but I was a little worried about Bella's meltdown at the pond. I did not want to overwhelm her. Alice insisted that her reaction was to be expected, and that I should relish the fact that she was now willing to spend time with me.

Her words settled my doubts, and I began to get excited at the prospect of eating with Bella.

"Edward, I know this is hard for us and a thousand times harder with Bella, but we need to push her. We cannot let her wallow in her misery anymore. I know you are upset because you saw her cry, but honestly, that is to be expected. Please don't let it affect you. You need to be strong and steer her into making better choices," Alice said.

"I just don't know how to do it, Alice. I mean, how much is too much? I don't want her to suffer. She cried so much!" I spat.

"Look, Edward, there is no easy way here for any of us. She finally took a step in the right direction, so we need to push her to take another. If we let her retreat, we would have lost all we have gained. You need to push her, no matter how much she resists. She's stronger than you think, she will pull through," she replied.

"What else do you want me to do?" I asked, frustrated at being forced to hurt Bella, even if it was for her benefit.

"You need to ask her to eat normal food," she replied calmly.

"What? Alice that is too much. She barely got out of her room today. I can't force to do that!"

"I said 'ask,' Edward, not force. Tonight, while you are having dinner, ask her to try some of your food. I already asked Ms. Cope to make mushroom ravioli, which used to be her favorite food. I'm sure that if you use all of your charm and one of your sexy smiles, she will agree. If she doesn't, at least you would have tried, right?"

I blanched. This was too much too fast and it scared me. I liked Alice, but sometimes she was a little too optimistic for my insecure self.

"Look, Edward, think of Bella as a little girl who needs your help to find her way back to a normal life. She's scared and terrified, but she has decided to trust you. Now is your time to guide her in the right direction, and we will all help you do it," she soothed.

"What if she doesn't want to? What if she runs out of the room scared? What is worse, what if she gets mad at me?" I questioned nervously.

"I will step in then, and so will Esme. We will talk to her and make her see reason. However, I don't see that happening. I have a feeling that she will let you feed her," she explained.

"I did not know you could see the future Alice," I quipped.

"Oh hush! I know what I'm saying. Besides, I get to do the hardest part, so stop complaining!"

"What is that?" I asked, worried that Alice would take things way too far.

"After you guys are done eating, I will ask you both to join Jasper and me for a movie night," she answered calmly.

"Oh my God, Alice! Are you fucking crazy?" I replied, too angry and nervous to care about my impolite language.

"No, I'm desperate, but relax. If she says no I'm not planning to push her. However, I do want her to get to that point eventually," she responded. Her calculated demeanor was unnerving.

"She hates movies, Alice!" I whined.

"I know, Edward, but I have a plan. We will get her to watch Disney movies, some of which she has already seen. Like I said, Bella is like a little girl, so we will have to use Disney to teach her. I want her to watch several movies, but the two most important ones are Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King"

"Why?" I asked, confused.

"Beauty and the Beast will remind her that we are all worthy of love, no matter how 'ugly' we are. Bella thinks she's unworthy of being loved because of everything that happened to her. I think it will get her thinking. I assume you know the lesson from The Lion King, right?"

"Accepting death?" I questioned warily.

"Yes. I think she is very similar to Simba. She has forgotten who she is and where she came from. She needs to stop being all hakunna matata and take responsibility for her life. She will also be reminded that she's not guilty of killing her parents, another evil being did, and she needs to win over him"

"So does that make us Simon and Pumba?" I quipped.

"I guess so, but please, Edward, no farting or burping ok?" she laughed.

"Why do I get to be Pumba?" I asked, outraged at the fact that I was the pig in the scenario.

"Because I'm tiny and cute, and you are hairy," she replied, ruffling my hair.

Alice tried to lighten up with our joking, but I could see the dark clouds of hate in her eyes when she spoke of the 'evil' guy, which I assumed to be Marcus, and how much it bothered her.

"Hey, shorty, it's ok to be angry. I know you can't tell me what happened, but you don't have to hide your anger from me. I'm your friend, and I would never judge you," I said, as I rubbed her shoulder soothingly.

She gave me a timid smile and proceeded to inform me she was going to pick my outfit while I took a shower, effectively deflecting. Then she shooed me out of my room, pretending to be in a hurry. I quickly obeyed and went to the bathroom to start the water in my en suite bath.

As I undressed, the memory of Bella in my arms assaulted me. Remembering how smooth her skin was and how good she smelled, my traitorous cock got hard as I imagined kissing her. As the hot water ran down my body, I imagined Bella's warmth all over my body. Closing my eyes, I could feel her skin beneath me as I lay on top of her, kissing all of her body, her breasts taut and perky under my tongue as I flick the hardened tips. Placing wet kisses down her firm, flat stomach I reach her sex, where I run my tongue deep into her folds. Then, I would latch onto her clit where I would remain until she came gloriously, coating my face with her sweet juices. Thinking about her writhing against my lips, her warm juices covering my face was enough to make me convulse with pleasure, the grip on my cock becoming fast and erratic, until I shot my cum all over the tile. Leaning my forehead against the tiles, I begin to mentally chastise myself for thinking of Bella in a sexual way.

Very nice Cullen, you just turned the most innocent girl into your imaginary slut. You are disgusting!

I proceeded to wash the evidence of my disgusting behavior and got ready for a meal with my baby, unable to completely shake the images of a blushing Bella from my head.

XX Broken XX

BPOV

"Alice, I need your help," I blurted out as she helped me prepare for a bath.

"What's wrong, honey?" she replied.

"I … uh … um," I stammered, unable to figure out how to ask without raising suspicion.

Alice looked at me curiously while she gathered my towels.

"I'm having dinner with Edward," I finally announced.

"Oh, sweetie! That is very nice. What is it that worries you?" She asked

"I'm not sure what I should wear. I mean obviously we are eating here in the house, but I feel weird just showing up in yoga pants and a hoodie," I replied, unable to keep my cheeks from burning.

"I see your point, Bella. I can lend you a nice dress if you want. I mean he has been so nice and accommodating to us that it would be almost rude to show up in rags," she explained,

Something was off about her demeanor. She seemed to calm and collected, almost innocent as she untangled my hair.

"Alice, I have not worn a dress since I was eight. I don't know how to do this! Maybe I should just cancel," I replied, nervously.

"Over my dead body, Bella!" she spat, but quickly amended her tone to sound more soothing. "Edward was kind enough to walk the property with you. The least you can do is join him for a simple dinner. Why don't you just take a shower and let me find you a few outfits to try, something casual but nice enough to look appreciative, okay?"

"Thank you, Alice. I knew you would help me," I responded, feeling much more relaxed, knowing she would help me look nice for Edward.

After my shower, I spent the next hour trying different outfits and letting Alice have way too much fun playing hair dresser. We giggled like little girls as she created outrageous hairstyles out of my long limp hair. She also helped me wax my legs, which was extremely painful, but according to her, very necessary. Apparently, guys don't like hair anywhere on a woman.

I wondered if this was true for our private parts, and shuddered at the thought. That would surely be painful. I guessed I was spared from it since I would never let a man touch me anywhere near close to that part of my anatomy.

When I refused to let Alice do my makeup, she whined, complained, and even stomped her feet until I finally agreed to let her put some nasty gooey stuff in my lips and a bit of mascara.

When I looked at the mirror I almost didn't recognize me. I looked very different with my hair straightened and then pulled up into a high pony tail with some lose strands framing my face.

The clothes were snug against my figure, something that made me a bit uneasy, but Alice assured me didn't look too provoking. She had me wear a simple black skirt with a blue top that wrapped around my body enhancing my waist line and making me look elegant. I wore some flat shoes that were black and sparkly but fit me a little bit too snugly, since Alice had smaller feet.

For the first time in my life, I looked like a grown up and at that scared me a little. I did not know how to act like a lady or what kind of conversation I should have with Edward. I wanted to be able to end the evening without turning into a crying mess, as it was usual for me.

"Relax, Bells, don't think too hard. Just let him lead you. If he asks about you, tell him about our time in school, how you used to love to dance or talk about your paintings. Edward is a nice guy, and he knows not to push you. Just be kind to him and try to be agreeable. I mean, you know he won't ever force you to do something you don't want, right?" Alice chided.

"I know, he is very sweet, and I'm glad to be his friend," I replied, smiling at the many memories of Edward's kindness.

"Bells, can I ask you something and you promise not to freak out?" She asked innocently.

"I'll try my best not to freak out, Alice," I answered, feeling a lot more at ease than I usually would when Alice asked me that.

"What do you feel when you are next to Edward. I mean, do you like him?"

"Of course I like him, Alice, he's a nice person," I replied, hoping she would leave it at that but knowing she wouldn't.

"Bells, what I meant to ask is if you feel something different for him than you feel for Jasper or Dr. Cullen, who are also nice people," she explained.

Knowing that Alice would be able to see right through me if I lied, I decided to tell her the truth.

"Well, yes, I do feel different. He is kind and sweet, and I like it when he hugs me. I feel safe and warm when he touches me. I don't know how to explain it Alice, but I really like to touch him. It's like my body craves him. My stomach flutters when he is near me, and when he looks at me I feel all warm, but a different kind of warm. I don't know why, It's pretty weird," I explained, as my face turned beet red and my nails were glued to my lips.

Alice looked really happy at my response, and although she was obviously trying hard not to, she squealed a little bit as her eyes shined with glee.

"I know what you are thinking, Alice, but you know I should not act on it. Edward deserves much better than me. He doesn't know about Marcus and his friends, and you know how men care about those things. We are no longer in junior high, and Edward isn't Jacob," I reply dryly.

"I know that, Bells, but Edward is not an ass. I'm sure he would understand if you let him in. Seeing that you are comparing him to Jake, the only boy you've ever kissed, I assume you like Edward that way. I know that you don't have any experience with these things Bells, but please let your heart rule and not your mind. I'm sure Edward is the right person for you, just give him a chance to decide for himself, all right?"

"Alice, I've told you this before. I don't ever want to feel a man's touch. The sole idea of being kissed makes me want to puke, even if it's Edward. I will never be able to forget Marcus and his disgusting tongue all over me. So please, Alice, don't get your hopes up. Nothing will ever happen between Edward and me, okay?" I replied angrily.

Alice looked like she wanted to argue but thankfully dropped the subject. Instead, she regaled me with details about her relationship with Jasper. I was happy to hear her so excited about him, but I was even happier to feel close to her again. She had always been my best friend and the one person I could talk about anything with. For a moment, I felt like the happy girl I used to be, talking about silly crushes and gushing about our favorite bands.

Once the time arrived, Alice walked me to Dorito's room where she reminded me to be nice to Edward and let him lead me. With a mischievous wink and a slap on my butt, she left me at the door and ran to Jasper's room. I straightened my clothes and then nervously walked into the room where Edward was surely waiting for me.

What I found there shocked me. The room was decorated with floral arrangements and a small table had been set up in the corner, complete with a fancy dinner set and candles. Soft music was playing in the background. Everything was so beautiful, but when I saw Edward standing by the bed holding a single rose and smiling like a kid on Christmas, I literally lost my breath.

He was wearing dark denim jeans that made his legs look long and sexy, along with a gray button down shirt with a lighter gray undershirt. His hair was damp, and he smelled like heaven on earth. I was stunned by his beauty, and for a tiny moment the idea of having him kiss me did not revolt me. However, as soon as that thought crossed my mind, the memory of Marcus' disgusting tongue assaulted me, reminding me that I would never be able to satisfy Edward's desire, or my own.

He looked shocked when he first saw me, his eyes traveled all over my body, and judging by the blinding smile he gave me, I assumed he was pleased with my appearance.

"Bella, you look stunning!" he exclaimed.

"I was thinking the same thing about you, Edward," I replied shyly. "Thank you for doing all this, but it wasn't necessary," I added.

"I know it wasn't necessary, Bella, but I wanted to do something nice for you. To show you how much you mean to me," he replied.

A silence fell upon us as I had no idea what to say to him. He closed the distance and handed me the rose, telling me that its beauty failed in comparison to mine. Needless to say, I blushed bright red and fidget nervously as I thank him for his nice comment.

"Shall we?" he said, pointing to the table.

He pulled my chair and placed my napkin on my lap before walking to his seat. He sat down in his chair and informed me that Ms. Cope would be bringing our dinner soon. He then pull out a couple of sodas from a bucket filled with ice and filled our glassed with them.

"I hope Ms. Cope blamed Emmett for the stolen bread, or I will be eating cold pasta," he quipped.

"I'm glad she thinks of me as too innocent to be so deceiving. I would hate to eat cold chicken," I replied.

Edward made a face but quickly composed his features, attempting to hide something unpleasant.

Ms. Cope came in with a tray carrying our food, asking Edward if he wanted to try a salad before his entrée, but he politely declined. I was sure he did it because he knows I wouldn't eat anything else besides my own entrée.

She then proceeded to serve our dinner, apologizing for serving him store bought dinner rolls. She explained that Emmett had somehow gotten into the pantry and stole the two bags of freshly baked French bread she had made. She then informed us she had punished him by not serving him dessert. It took all of my effort not to burst out laughing, but I somehow managed.

Once Ms. Cope left, Edward looked at my plate and then fidgeted nervously.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," he said averting his gaze from mine "Enjoy your diner," he added with a half-smile.

"Edward, what's wrong? You are making me nervous," I replied, wondering why he was bouncing his leg like crazy and running his hand through his hair.

"Bella, I want to ask you something, but I don't want you to be upset," he said, sounding suspiciously, similar to Alice.

"What is it, Edward?" I replied defensively.

"Uh … I … you ...um ... food," he stammered. He was definitely hanging out with Alice a little too much.

"Huh?"

He took a deep breath and grabbed my hand, eyeing it nervously.

"Bella, would you like to try some of my food? I ... uh ... I know you don't like to eat anything but the same thing, but I was wondering if you wouldn't mind, you know like … try … or just taste a little bit … um, just a bite… please?"

His nervousness would have been comical if he would not have been requesting such a thing from me. My body tensed as the sudden realization that Edward did not accept me hit me like a ton of bricks. Suddenly, I felt like I wanted to ran out of there, grab my things and run back home to Carmen. However, the pain was too much for me to move.

Of course he doesn't accept you, Isabella. What were you thinking? You are too fucking crazy for someone so perfect. He doesn't want you!

Without realizing it, tears were flowing out of my eyes and breathing was becoming extremely difficult.

"Bella, baby, what's wrong?" he asked panicky.

"You don't want me," I said quietly, my chin resting against my chest.

"Bella, baby, please don't ever say that again. There's nothing I'm ever going to want more than you. You are my life now."

I felt my heart swell with something that made me feel warm inside, yet my doubts implode at the same time. I knew at that moment that Edward Cullen was mine if I wanted him. Now, the question is, can I allow myself to finally let someone in … to let Edward in?

A/N: Oh, my dear Bella. She is too confused. I truly feel for her. I hope she follows Alice's advice and listens to her heart. Poor Edward has a lot of work to do, but I think he is up to the task.

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