A/n: Happy Friday Everyone! I hope everyone has a great weekend and has had a wonderful week! Thank you to all that have R&R! To all the newcomers WELCOME! As a TREAT for all your patience this chapter will be longer then the rest! Enjoy!

I do not own anything Twilight...


When I pulled up to the house I let out a nervous sigh. This was actually the first time Isabella and I would be able to actually talk. Her distant demeanor had been driving me insane. If she was here for me why was she so withdrawn? This was what I was thinking as I was opening the door. When I stepped out of the limo and noticed her standing at the door all negative thoughts went out the door. Bella stood there looking much more beautiful then I had ever seen her. She had on a beautiful blue off shoulder blouse, a pair of black pants and a pair of black flats. The blue made her brown doe eyes and hair stand out in such splendor. I was mesmerized for a moment.

"Edward" her soft voice greeted me, bringing me back to the present.

"Wow. You look stunning." I smiled as I walked over to her.

"Thank you. You don't look to bad yourself" She smiled and again that beautiful blush appeared. There was nothing more I wanted to do then run my hand against the red on cheeks.

"I'll take that as compliment." I chuckled. "Should we get going?" I asked holding out my hand.

"We probably should." she smiled as she took my hand. The moment our hands met warmth passed through me.

"Sorry." She mumbled removing her hand. She must have felt it too.

The moment her hand was removed all the warmth was gone.

When we got into the limo I noticed her looking at me. Noticing she was caught the blush appeared again.

"How has your day been?" I smiled over at her.

"Umm…it was interesting. The girls are really…sweet, in their own way. But you can't have a house filled with so many of them. Especially, when they're there for the same guy." she chuckled.

"I can't even imagine. Do you like the house?" I asked remembering how much I wished to be staying there instead of in ours.

"Oh it's lovely! It's huge and it has a great library! I have to admit I spent my whole day there." She smiled over at me.

We settled into a comfortable conversation about her favorite books. As she finished telling me about the book she was now reading, the limo pulled up to our destination.

"Oh no." Isabella whispered so low I'm sure she didn't want anyone to hear, but I did.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Umm…" she whispered as she bit down on her lower lip. I knew that sign. She was nervous.

"What's the matter Isabella?"

"I have a confession." She whispered looking up at me in terror "I'm terribly afraid of heights."

I had hoped this wasn't the situation but I knew that I could deal with this.

"If you would like we can go to dinner instead?" I suggested. I didn't want to pressure her into doing anything she wasn't comfortable with. I would have loved the helicopter ride but I would rather get to know her instead.

"I have an idea!" she suddenly perked up. "We can go to dinner and then I'll have the courage to go on the ride. That way a perfect date would not go to waste."

"What's the difference between now and later?" I grinned.

"Well I have a theory." she smiled as the blush appeared again.

"Okay so what is it?"

"I think that if you are having a wonderful time on a date and are comfortable with them then there is no way that the end can be a disaster. So if our date is going good by the time dinner is finished then heights can't be so bad." She blushed.

"Interesting theory…" I chuckled. "So how many times have you put your theory to test?"

"Never. This would be the first time." She grinned.

"Well… let's test that theory." I said grabbing her hand to lead her to the restaurant.

As we walked down the Venice Beach Pier Isabella turned to me. "Hey Edward."

"Yes."

"Call me Bella. Isabella is so…formal."

"I agree. Bella is perfect." I grinned. "So other then reading what else is there about Bella I should know?"

"Well I think you know the basics. I work as an assistant editor. I love my job but can't wait for the day to become editor. I have a very small family. It's just my father, mother and I. They are madly in love with each other after 20 years and they are the most loving parents. I don't have many friends other then Angela. I'm always so busy with work that I don't get out. To be honest this is the first time I've been on a date in about five years. It's always been school and work. And although I love my job I miss being apart of a world outside of it. I don't want to be that type of girl that is only focused on work and her. A snotty career driven women, I am not. I want a life. I want to fall in love and know what it is to love someone so unconditionally and what it is to be loved unconditionally." She whispered looking straight ahead as if she was thinking about something that had happened in her life. "Love that transcends everything, that's what I want."

I could tell you what I was feeling at that exact moment. I was completely captivated. Here was a girl that had just spoken the words I had been thinking about for the last four months. It was as if she could see into my heart and knew what it was that I wanted more then anything in this world. I wanted to love and to be loved, unconditionally.

"I think I've rambled far too much." She let out a nervous laugh.

"Not at all." I smiled. "But we should probably head in."

After being seated at our table Bella asked a question that I hadn't been asked yet.

"So how are you feeling?" she asked as she looked over the drinks menu.

"Good." I simply said thinking it was the simplest answer. But Bella wasn't a person that accepted simple answers.

"That tells me so much Edward." She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Honestly? I know it must be a little difficult. Six ladies vying for your attention. I would be confused."

"You are so different then I expected." I grinned because I expected a quiet woman that was difficult to talk to. But I was wrong. She wasn't quiet and she wasn't difficult to talk to. It was nice talking to her.

"You expected quiet Bella, am I right?" she sighed. "I'm sorry I'm talking so much."

"No! I mean yes I did expect that after not being able to talk to you the other night but I like that you aren't quiet. I think I would have ripped my head off trying to get you to talk to me." I smirked at her. "Honestly, I am in a whirlwind. That's the only way I can describe it. I wish most dates were one on one because that way I don't have to feel like I have to squeeze the girls' times into one hour or half an hour. I know that this is how it is, though. And I think that I'm the type of guy that knows right off the bat who I would connect with and who I wouldn't. But here, it's kind of hard to grasp that most times." I sighed because it was difficult to figure the ladies out in only a set amount of time.

"Well this is important Edward. This is about you finding love and finding the right women to join you and Gabriela and make a family. I think that if a one on one date is better for you then you should ask for it. Remember, this is about you finding someone to spend the rest of your life with, it's a huge deal. Ask for what best suits you."

"Thank you, Bella." I smiled over at her as she looked back at me. And I was thankful. She was right. This was a huge leap in my life and I had to be sure the person I chose would be there forever, not temporarily, not for popularity, not for competition.

"No need to thank me Edward. It's about what's best for you, your family and especially Gabriela. She needs a mother figure in her life and not a temporary one."

As she talked I watched her. I watched the way her eyes filled with passion; her lips produced a small smile and the way her words flowed from her lips. I could tell she cared and that was something I hadn't seen. No woman outside of my family and close friends had ever cared about what was best for Gabriela or what was best for me. They assumed and stated it but never had they expressed it. And this beautiful woman in front of me expressed it with so much passion, so much honesty.

"Excuse me sir." The waiter suddenly interrupted my thoughts.

"Sorry." I smiled over at him. "Would you like some wine Bella?"

"Sure. You pick." She smiled at me.

After choosing a wine and ordering our dinner Bella and I flew into a comfortable conversation about family and work. That's how our dinner was spent, talking and getting to know each other.

Two hours later as we walked out of the restaurant I asked the question I had been waiting to ask.

"So what's the verdict? Was this a good date or a bad one?" I asked.

"Let's so see about that helicopter ride." She suggested with a smile on her face.

"Let's go then." I grinned.

An hour later we were on the helicopter watching the magnificence of the city. If I thought LA was beautiful during the day; it was nothing compared to the beauty it possessed at night.

"This is the most beautiful site I've ever seen." Bella whispered as she peered down. Her lips formed a small "o" as her eyes light up with amazement. Her hair fell forward to cover her face, her eyes and lips now hidden from me. I leaned forward and brushed it behind her ear. As I did so she looked over at me in surprise.

The second our eyes met everything disappeared. It was just her and I, nothing else existed. They were beautiful pools of brown. My insides were never as warm as they were now. I felt myself being pulled into those eyes. I had seen this scene so many times, in movies and shows, but I had never in my life experienced it. And as I felt my heart beating erratically, I finally understood. I finally knew what it was to be held captive in someone's eyes, how it felt to not want to break the intense connection.

"I've seen an even more beautiful site." I whispered because speaking above it would have ruined the moment.

As I predicted, Bella turned her face back to the city as the red showed on her cheeks. I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable so we resumed watching the city below us. At one point Bella shivered from the coldness of the night so I wrapped a blanket that was on the seat around her. She snuggled into it and continued looking around.

After the ride Bella asked if we could walk on the beach for a while so that was what we were doing when my phone rang.

"I'm sorry." I apologized about to ignore the call. When I noticed it was Gabby and that it was already almost midnight, I was on edge with worry. "I have to take this." I told Bella and pressed the accept button.

"Now shouldn't you be in bed missy?" I answered the phone.

"Well yes daddy, but you forgot all about me." Gabriela sighed into the phone.

"I would never forget about you darling. I'm so sorry I didn't call earlier."

"Daddy I miss you." She suddenly whispered into the phone.

"Princess I miss you too."

"I know I promised to be a big girl but I miss you daddy. I wish you would come back home. I don't want a mommy, I just want you daddy." her sobs erupted through the phone. My heart shattered. I stood on the beach at a lost for words. "I promised I wouldn't cry daddy but I miss you so much."

"Princess, its okay. I promise that I will be home soon. I miss you so much too but I promise that daddy will be home soon. Please don't cry honey."

"I'm sorry daddy. I should be a big girl."

"No sweetie, don't apologize. I know this is hard and that you miss me but I'll be home soon and the time will go by fast. And remember, soon I'll be home forever. Remember what I told you."

"I love you too daddy. Are you sleeping?" she sniffled into the phone.

"No daddy is awake."

"Are you on at date?" she asked this time with a little excitement in her voice.

"Yes, I am." I smiled into the phone.

"Oh! Can I talk to her? Please Please daddy! I will be good, I promise!" she suddenly squealed.

"You should be in bed little one. Now goodnight and I love you." I chuckled.

It wasn't that I didn't want Bella talking to Gabby it was just that I didn't want her asking for Bella if Bella wasn't here to stay. Somehow I knew though, that Bella would be here long, I wasn't sure how long but I knew I wanted her here.

"No daddy please please! Just once! I promise!" she pleaded and then came the puppy cry. The one she did when I wasn't in her presence to see her puppy face. There was nothing I refused to give my daughter.

"Fine Gabby but no more after this. Let me ask." I said and heard her squeal as I turned to Bella.

She was standing at the edge of the water with her shoes in hand. She looked up at the stars in the sky until I called her name.

"Bella."

"Yes." She turned to look at me.

"I know this is kind of awkward but Gabriela would like to speak to you. You don't have to if you don't want to." I quickly added.

"Nonsense." She smiled and took the phone from me.

"Yes." "Umm…Yes." "Of course. We're at the beach." "Yes it is." "Oh really? I didn't know that. Thank you for sharing." "Okay, I promise to try." "It was nice talking to you too." "Okay I will. Good night. Don't let the bed bugs bite. Sweet dreams sweetie." Bella smiled and then closed the phone. "She said to tell you good night and that she loves you."

"Oh well I feel slighted." I grinned.

"She's a wonderful little girl Edward." She smiled over at me.

"She really is. She's my everything."

"So she told me a secret." Bella smirked as little by little she moved into the water.

"And what's that?" I laughed.

She made to seal her lips and then kicked her feet forward in the water. "You know Edward, not everything in life has to be all work. You know what they say, "All work and no play…." She smiled and kicked her foot harder sending water splashing my way.

"Bella!" I warned her as she laughed. That laugh reminded me of another. A wonderful one that came from the number one girl in my life. It was filled of happiness.

"You know Edward, I can't swim but I heard you were a great swimmer." She grinned and moved into the water soaking her pants.

"Bella get out of the water. It is dark. What if a shark bites you?" I teased as I stood there looking at her.

"Will you not save me Edward?" she smirked.

"I can't answer that. Let's not test the theory. Come on." I called as I walked in to get her.

"Yeah. I rather not test that theory." She smiled and then started walking towards me.

Two things happened at once. Bella stepped closer to me as a wave passed making her fall into my arms. And as she fell into my arms we both stumbled backwards into the water.

"Bella!" I groaned as she began to laugh. I suddenly realized the thrilling flow running through me and that she was in my arms. When she realized the same she stopped laughing and looked into my eyes, once again capturing me in hers.

"Edward." She whispered.

"Yes." I asked still not moving my eyes.

"I…" she started but before anything can leave her lips she crashed them to mine. I was caught off guard. That only lasted a second because when I felt the warmth of them on mine I kissed her back. Kissing Bella was entrancing. The way her lips molded into mine, the way she pressed hers to mine with soft but firm pressure, the way she her hands held onto my shirt with tenderness. I didn't want it to stop.

But all too soon she pulled back.

"I'm so sorry!" she apologized getting up and heading out of the water.

She wringed out her hair and shirt as best she could, and then continued walking towards the pier. I got up and walked behind her completely confused. One moment we were kissing and the next she runs away from me.

When I arrived at the limo Bella was already inside looking out her window.

"Bella. I'm sorry for whatever I did." I apologized hoping she would forgive me.

"I'm not sorry, Edward." She whispered, still facing the window.

"Huh?" I asked taken off guard once again.

"I'm not sorry about what happened." she sighed finally turning to look at me. "I can't be when it was so…wonderful."

"I'm not sorry either, Bella. And I want you to know something." I took her hand in mine.

"What's that?" she asked.

"I don't regret anything about tonight. This has been the most fun I've had in a long time." I smiled as I squeezed her hand gently "Thanks to you."

"So my theory was correct." She smiled. "A great date leads to a great ending."

"I agree." I chuckled. If I was honest with myself, I didn't want this night to end.

"We're here." The limo driver called.

As I looked out I realized that our night was at its conclusion. I heard Bella sigh next to me and looked over at her with a sad smile. "I had a great night. No matter what, I want you to know that."

"I did too. Good night Edward." She whispered and leaned in giving me a kiss on my cheek.

As she walked up the stairs to the house I suddenly wished the time would have gone slower.

"Bella." I called as I grabbed something from the compartment in the limo and rushed out and up to the door.

She turned looking at me curiously but I didn't give her time to ask anything as I pressed my lips gently against hers. I pulled back and brought forward the single red rose. "I want you to know that I want you to stay. I don't know where things will lead us but I do know that I want to find out. So will you make my night even better and accept this rose Bella?"

"Yes I will. Thank you." she smiled taking the rose into her hand and then placing a kiss on my lips.

As she walked into the house I smiled and headed back home.

I would never regret choosing her…


So what's the verdict? This is what you have all been waiting for! :-) Click below and let me know your thoughts! A review is ALMOST as thrilling as a rose from Edward, Jasper or Emmett! :D

Eliminations are next! Who do you think will go home?

Until next time!