Happy Monday everyone, see you on Wednesday.

Chapter 14

I sit here looking at her, waiting for her to say something. "Can we be friends, at least, Bella?"

Bella eyes move to meet mine and she bobs her head a little.

"Are you sure?" I ask again.

"Yes, yes, I'm sure, and yes, I would like us to be friends again."

I pull her to me, hugging her close to me. "Thank you, I promise not to fuck up again," I say still holding her. Slowly, her arms wrap around me and I smile a little. We still got a long way to go, but we have just taken a huge step in the right direction to fix things.

"Do you need to go home?" Bella asks softly, and I look to see that it's after eight at night.

"No. I can stay for a little bit longer, if you want?"

Bella nods at me, and we walk into the living room. Bella switches on the TV, but keeps it low. We both sit on the sofa, not touching, but close.

"What have you been up to?" I ask facing her.

"I was working with Marcus and Debbie at the restaurant. Then two weeks ago, I started college."

I smile unable to stop, when I see Bella's small one. "College, already, are you enjoying it?"

"Yes – it has been good so far, most of the kids don't seem to recognize me."

"What are you studying?"

"Marcus was teaching me how to make some of the food they served. I enjoyed it so much, so I'm doing cooking."

I smile at Bella, feeling very proud of her and her choices. "You'll make a great chef someday, and I must say I can picture you in your own little restaurant."

Bella frowns a little and I see the stray tear as she wipes it away. "Marcus and Debbie left me the restaurant. They weren't able to have kids of their own. All the kids they have fostered have moved on with their new families."

I let out a soft sigh. "They cared about you, too, Bella."

"What about you – what have you been up to?" Bella asks in a voice that makes it clear to me she wants to move on from what we were talking about.

"Nothing, besides working, that is," I say sounding rather detached.

Bella looks at me with a frown.

I clear my throat and just tell it like it is. "I have been wallowing in self-pity." I look away from her and shrug a little in embarrassment of how I've been living. "I missed you like crazy, and the whole living by myself just allowed me to simply wallow in misery."

"Why did you move out of your family home?"

"Because, I needed to get away. I hurt them, too. They all missed you, but the worst was my mom. I felt so guilty. I couldn't stand it, so I moved. My apartment is just across the street from here, strangely enough."

Bella sighs and rubs her head. "Edward, I'm not sure we can do this ..."

I go to plead again, but thankfully she carries on talking.

"Maybe we should talk to someone, you know friends therapy?"

I nod at her right away. "I'm willing to do anything."

Bella smiles a little and gives me a nod. "Do you think it will always be this awkward?"

I shake my head at her. "No, I don't think so. Right now we have a lot to get past. I hurt you, and you have been through a lot this year. Give us a chance and we will be something great, I promise, Little Chef."

Bella shows her silent agreement. "I still feel so tired," she says quietly.

I stroke her head. "Then we should call it a night. Can I make dinner for you tomorrow? I'm normally done at five?" I ask.

"No, I'll make you dinner, it's been a while."

I grin and nod at her. "I would like that," I say, before placing a soft kiss on her head.

I stand and so does she. I go to ask if I can hug her, but she cuts me off by wrapping her arms around me. I hold her close for a few short minutes, but let go enough to walk to the door. "Good night, Little Chef."

I walk out the door feeling calmer and lighter than I have in months. I take the short walk home, leaving my car parked in front of Bella's. I take a quick shower and walk into my room. My eyes go to the window. I open the curtains that I've left closed since moving in. I let out a gasp of shock, seeing that my room window faces Bella's. I stand here motionless, surprised over just how close she's been all along.

All of a sudden, Bella stands and heads toward her window. I watch her raise it a little and when she looks up, she sees me. She seems to also be a bit stunned for a few seconds, but then waves. I return her wave and smile at her. Bella holds up her finger and disappears only to come back with something in her hand. I feel my cell phone buzz in my pocket and I pull it out. I chuckle, when I see it's from her, it says "Goodnight, Edward, sweet dreams."

I quickly type out a reply and hit send. I watch and I see her smile get bigger. She waves again and turns walking away. I wait until her light goes out, before climbing into my own bed. I finally feel like a weight is off my chest, and I fall into a good sleep quickly.

*~FB~*

"Edward, Caius wants to see you in his office," Renee says from the door.

I log off my computer, as I nod at her.

"You're looking happier today. I take it things went well after you took off yesterday?"

I bob my head at Renee and give her a smile. "We'll talk after lunch." She gives me her raised brow to say that talk will be happening no matter what, as I head out of my office.

"Caius, you wanted to see me?" I ask as I walk in.

"Yes, I did, young Edward, please sit."

I move to his desk sitting down and looking him in the eye.

"Aro's going be pissed at me, but I know a boy in love when I see him. I also know that you know you fucked up. Lastly, it's clear to me that Bella loves you, too. That's why I'm telling you that today is her nineteenth birthday."

I swallow pulling at my hair. "Shit, uh, damn it, she never said anything. Okay, um, thanks. Yeah, it gives me some time to, ah, find her something."

Caius chuckles at my lack of verbal filter and stuttering. "You have some time, Edward. She's really not that fussy, but this is really her first birthday without her dad."

I look at him and feel my heart sink remembering that Eleazar passed away in the early morning on the fourteenth of September – so tomorrow. "Thank you, again," I say.

Caius gives me a gentle smile. "You're doing great, Edward. Just take your time and be open with her, and above all else, listen to what she says." I grin and bob my head.

"Take the rest of the day and weekend off; go and get that girl smiling again."

I jump up and give him a wave. I walk into my office waving for Renee to follow. I give her the quick rundown of what happened last night, and then what Caius said in his office just now.

"So what should I get her?" I finally ask having no clue.

"Every woman's different, but the main thing is you're getting a gift as a friend, so nothing big. Go along the lines of flowers, chocolates, or even a small piece of jewelry. No diamonds, nothing over the top, keep it simple. You care for the girl, Edward, that's clear. You'll be able to pick up if she wants her mind taken off of things, or if she wants to talk." She gives me a wink and pushes me out my office.

I look at my watch seeing that it's not even four yet. I have already been to the mall, and picked up a necklace that has a locket in the shape of a heart. I got them to put a picture I downloaded from the Internet of Bella and her dad. I also went to Candytyme, and picked her up four different kinds of chocolates. I drive over to the florist next. I explain to the florist that this girl is important to me, but right now we are just friends. The lady helps me and I end up buying a rather large bunch of flowers, and a balloon that says 'happy birthday.'

It's now five to five. I take a deep breath, let it out and knock on her door. The door opens and I'm a little shocked to see Jasper standing behind Bella.

"Hi, Edward," he says with a curt nod. "I'll see you next week, Bells."

He walks past me and I grimace in worry looking at Bella. "Sorry, I'm a little early," I say worried I interrupted something important.

"No, you're fine, come on in." She moves back allowing me in.

"These are for you," I say handing her the flowers – she takes them from me, holding them close to her face as she smells them.

"Thank you, they're lovely."

"I got you a few gifts for your birthday, do you want them now or after we have dinner?" I ask feeling unsure.

"After dinner, if you don't mind," she says with a smile.

I follow her into the kitchen and she places the flowers in a vase. When she's happy with how she arranges them, she starts to cut up the onions.

"Can I help?" I ask after a few moments and Bella bobs her head at me.

I carry on with the cutting as Bella makes fresh homemade pasta. With us working together, it takes us little time to get dinner cooked and served.

"I'm sorry that I can't offer you a beer or something."

I chuckle, while pulling my hair. "It's fine – I don't drink anymore."

Bella just looks at me as if I should explain.

"After the cocktail party, I tried to find you. When I found you had moved and no longer had the same cell number, I drank a lot—a shitload—as a matter of fact."

"What do you mean a lot?" Bella asks.

"Like thirty beers and a fifth of Jack Daniels to be accurate. I drank so much and got so ill from it, I have no desire to ever drink again."

"You're lucky to be alive," Bella says looking at me in shock.

"I couldn't do it, I just … it broke me. Your face … I would never have said that to you. I felt angry and trapped. She had me by my balls. When I turned and I saw you standing there, I knew that I was fucking breaking you. That's when I knew I had made the wrong choice. I yelled at Tanya and got a cab to your home. When I couldn't find you, the last part of my heart felt like it was ripped out of my chest. I just wanted to numb the pain – to stop it somehow. The intense pain I was feeling led to me drinking. The more I drank, the more pain I felt, but at the same time, I was forgetting why I was drinking, so I drank more."

"I'm sorry," she chokes out.

I shake my head at her. "It was on me. Okay, enough of the heavy. It's your birthday – what would you like to do?" I ask.

"Not sure. Dad used to take me to see a movie each year."

I nod at her. "Is that something you would like to do with me?"

Bella bites her lip and then nods at me.

"Okay, let's eat, then you can open your gifts, and we'll go see a movie."

After dinner, we sit on the sofa and I pass her the gift bag. I watch her open the chocolates first. I bite my lip as she opens the necklace, worried it may be too much. "I had them put a picture inside," I say softly.

She opens the locket and I see the tears fall from her eyes. I start to pull at my hair, knowing I have fucked up again. "Shit, Bella, I'm—"

I get cut off, when she wraps her arms around my neck. "Thank you so much. I love it," she sobs and I let out a long breath as I pull her on my lap. I hold her for a few minutes and we both calm down.

"Come on, Little Chef, time to go see a movie." I wipe away her tears and she bobs her head at me.

Bella leaves it to me to pick a movie, and I take my time looking at what each one has to offer. I want to see what they are about and try to choose a funny and nice one for her. I get us some snacks and led her to where we have to go.

I feel Bella slowly relax next to me, which in turn makes me relax more. By the end of the film, she's sitting closer to me and my arm's around her shoulder.

"Would you like to go for a walk?"

"Yeah, I would."

I grin as we start walking. Bella's hand is lying loosely at her side. I drop mine and slowly start to touch her hand with my fingers. When she doesn't pull her hand away, I slide my hand in to hers. I wait for a few seconds, before interlocking our fingers.

"It's nice out tonight."

I turn my head and smile at Bella. "Yes, it is."

"Do you think you could come along and see Jasper with me next week at three? Or we could see Peter if you'd rather?"

I swallow. "No, it's fine, we can see Jasper. I know he means a lot to you." I can't help but worry if he will try and talk her out of being with me.

"Is Jasper the reason you don't go home often?"

I shake my head at her.

"Edward, for this to work, you need to be truthful with me."

"He's not the only reason. He and Alice are dating, and I know with good reason that he doesn't care for me."

"That's not a reason not to go home, Edward. If he loves Alice, then he must accept you as part of her life."

I chuckle a little. I wish it was that simple.

"It is that simple, Edward."

I frown and roll my eyes, as I figure out that I must've spoken my inner thought out loud.

"Anyway, I've told him that you're going to be in my life, and he will just have to deal with it. Edward, he has been there for me through everything. I can talk to him. That's the only reason I wanted us to meet with him, but if you can't, then Peter will help just the same."

I shake my head at her. "No, really, Jasper's fine. It's about time I man up, and that means talking to him, too."

We walk around just talking for another hour, before I drop her off at her door. I run home and up to my apartment, and head in my bedroom. I grin, seeing that Bella is sitting on a seat looking out the window. She holds up her hand, waves and then looks to her hand.

My cell buzzes. "Thank you, Edward, I had a good time tonight."

I hit reply on the phone and quickly type out my response. "I did, too. Get changed for bed, grab a hot drink and meet me back here in five?"

She nods and I quickly strip to my boxers and t-shirt; I grab a chair and take it to the window. I place my phone down on the ledge. I look over and see Bella's not back yet, so I quickly go into the kitchen grabbing some water. I just sit down when Bella does.

She picks up her phone. "Are you enjoying working with Caius?"

I grab mine as soon as it vibrates. "Yes, he's good and is showing me the ropes. What all have you been doing at college?"

"We just started – so the basics. Esme and Marcus have already taught me most of what we've covered so far. Do you think I could see Esme again?

I swallow as I read her text and quickly type out my return. "She would love that. She's missing you like crazy."

"I have been missing her, too."

I text out a sad face, then a happy face and send it. I watch as she chuckles. I quickly type out a new text. "You have a beautiful smile and I plan to see it on you more often.

We spend a little over an hour chatting and laughing. When I see her yawn, I know I need to let her get to bed.

"Time for bed, I think. Sweet dreams, Little Chef."

I wait and watch as she taps out another text message. "Sweet dreams, Edward."

I sit back and smile as she walks around the room and then turns off her light. I hope this becomes a nighttime routine for Bella and me.

A/N: Well it looks as if they are going to take things slow and get help to work things out. What are your thoughts?