A/N: I own nothing, and there's a long AN at the end, so I'll stop here. But I've made this longer to make up for last night's shorter than normal chappy! Enjoy!

"Irina, it is a pleasure to see you again. How are you liking your cast mates? I'm in the process of finding your leading man." Edward charmed her. I smiled. Yeah, he would have had one had it not been for me, I thought, but then refused to blame myself for that bubkis.

"Ah, very good, Mr. Cullen. They do exactly as they're told. The set seems like it should be bigger, though." Her brow furrowed and I tried not to yawn. I was here for lunch and I was hungry. Business made me gag, this was not a good combination.

"It is a small coffee shop, Irina. The set is supposed to be small." Edward replied, and his hand tightened around mine again. At this point I'd think he'd let me go considering he was not dating his kids' nanny. He didn't, and I couldn't help but enjoy every moment of his big hand engulfing mine. It was warm, and happy, and content. I wish he'd hold the rest of me.

What?

"We can discuss this at length if you'd like, in my office tomorrow. Miss Hale will be there and we can get some things squared away." Edward's voice took me far away from my happy thoughts.

"Of course, you're clearly busy." Irina snapped and went back to her table, leaving us alone.

"Well, that was obnoxious." He whispered as he led me to a table by the window, overlooking the lake.

"Why do you deal with people like that?" I whisper back.

"Because, Bella, may I call you Bella?"

"You've been, and I don't mind." I smiled. I could feel a blush creep into my cheeks.

"Right, well because. Performers aren't the nicest people on the planet, but they can sell your show. Irina is a popular artist at the moment and with her name as top billing more of the younger generation may want to come to my play. The more money I make on a show the better. Sometimes there are sacrifices that must be made." He answered. I was shocked at how forthcoming he was. I didn't expect him to really answer me, I mean I wasn't anyone special. It really wasn't any of my business. "You're doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Putting yourself down. I can see it in your facial expressions. Stop it."

I bowed my head as the blush took over and tried not to smile. He was very observant.

"May I get you something to drink? Or are you ready to order?" The waitress came by just in the nick of time. I look up at her expecting her to be speaking to me (most wait staff are trained to ask ladies first), but she was looking at Edward. He was frowning.

"Bella?" He asked, the waitress' face fell a little as she turned to me.

"I'll have the lobster roll with the homemade chips and salad, Italian, please. Also a water." I replied and Edward grinned.

"I'll have the same, please." And the waitress was dismissed. "How rude." He grumbled.

"What is it now?" I asked, he laughed a little.

"The waitress. She never should have asked me first. She must not have much training."

"Mr. Cullen, she was flirting." I laugh, this time a belly laugh. He couldn't seriously be that oblivious.

"Please, call me Edward, and no she wasn't. She was being rude."

"Edward, trust me." I reached over the table and patted his hand. "She likes you!" I think we were both shocked at my touching him, but I tried to shrug it off. He had just held my hand for like - ever!

"Fine. Oh, and before I forget, don't get the wrong signal when I go back to calling you Miss Swan in front of the children." I looked at him and smiled. He really was a caring person. He could have just gone back to it and thrown me for a loop, but he was being respectful. I liked that.

"Right, same here. But, just so you know, the kids call me Bella now." I replied.

"Good! That means they like you." And he smiled widely. It was infectious, and by the time our waitress was back with our waters we were simply grinning at each other.

I thought it would be awkward spending time alone with Edward in any capacity, but he made it really comfortable. He treated me as an equal, which made me very happy. The only problem was that I could seriously get used to it and seriously like it, and that scared me.

"This is delicious." I had been totally in my own head until the food was properly put before us and Edward had taken his first bite. I wondered why he let me stay in my own head space for so long.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, must have been day dreaming." I winced and took a bite myself. It was delicious. "Mmm!"

"Exactly! And everyone needs a moment. I'm sorry James treated you that way today." He dove right back into conversation.

"He's a jerk, but it didn't bother me too much. I'd just met him and was planning on ignoring him anyway. When I finally had a sober moment to think about it I realized he wasn't safe for me. His ex really freaked me out. You know she signaled she'd slice my throat?"

"You're kidding! Should we alert the police that he knows where you live now?" Edward's eyes were huge.

"Well now that you put it that way!" I exclaimed. "What the hell? I'm such a yutz! How could I put myself. . .those kids. . .Oh my god!"

"That was not your fault, Isabella Swan (pause, please. I just died! Wrap me up in a tarp, throw me in a hole and watch me push up some daisies!), you gave him your phone number. There was no way for me to know you met him at the bar the night after I had spoken to him on the phone. That was a big coincidence. Do not blame yourself for someone else's issues." His green eyes were blazing into mine and I felt tears form, but not because he yelled at me, not because he looked pissed, but because he cared. He really, seriously cared. (Ahem, Oy, mame, bin ihk farlibt! Oy, mame, bin ihk farlibt!)

"You're right, I'm sorry." I tried to hide my crap eating grin. I mean, seriously, this was so going in my diary tonight.

"I think you should keep away from the bar you went to for a little while and just keep an eye out. Other than that you're going to be just fine. We all are going to be just fine. If it will make you feel better, if he comes back I'll throw Rose at him." This time he had me laughing so hard I was crying. He had that crooked grin on his face that I adored, and he chuckled a little, too.

"Gosh, this is exactly what I needed. A nice relaxing afternoon out. How did you know?" I sighed.

Edward left money with the check and didn't even wait for change. We headed back out and walked slowly through the park, heading back to the house. "When Charlotte died, I didn't know what to do with myself. The kids hated the world and God for taking her away from them. They looked to me for answers and I didn't have any. I hated Him for hurting my family! How could He take away their mother - my wife - so quickly.

And then there were days when I was happy she didn't suffer in sickness for long. I refused to speak to God, I refused to go to church. Emmett tried to talk me down from my own personal ledge, Rose tried to make me jump." He laughed at this, but it was hallow. He shook his head and smiled at me. "That's when I started walking Central Park. God, I know every nook and cranny of this place. Have you seen the little stone bridge yet? Not many people find it, simply because it's one of the hidden gems you don't cross on your daily walks."

"I have. I found it once when I was having a bad day. I sat there and stared at the water below and pretended I was Desdemona in the water. I don't know, just weird reflections when I'm down."

"Desdemona, from Othello? You enjoy Shakespeare?" Edward's eyes widened and I smiled.

"Oh, Edward, I love the sad and near impossible romances. Shakespeare, Austen, there's something about work from so long ago that lightens heart. But we were talking about you."

"Well, I just was saying that I'd come here - there it is right over there - and reflect." We didn't speak again until we both stood leaning over the stone bridge.

"You know, God does things weird. He gives us only what we can handle. I know it seems like He punishes good people, but He has a plan for everything. I don't know, I'm not super religious or anything, but He's always there when I need Him. And if He's there for me - a fair weather friend - He'd be there for you. There's an old saying I thought about when you were talking. Got nemt mit ain hant un git mit der andereh. It means God takes with one hand and gives with the other. True, don't you agree?" I smiled down at our rippling reflections in the little river below.

"You know, Miss Swan, you're one surprising woman. Not to say I didn't expect you to be incredibly intelligent, but I find I'm always surprised by you. You keep me on my toes." Edward grinned.

"Good, I'm glad, now. It's time to head back. Emmett's probably pulling his hair out by now." Edward offered me his arm and we strolled back to the house, not in any hurry, and talked about everything and nothing.

Dear Diary,

I have to find out more about Charlotte, and I have to find out how the kids are coping. Edward seems to be doing better than I thought, but he's still so sad. Oh well, if I think hard enough I know I'll come up with something.

Oh, and God, that whole fair weather thing. I'm sorry about that. And, uh, if you could give me more days like today I'll go back to Temple. Regularly!

A/N: Thanks for reading. This one may not be super funny, but it's super important and sweet, I think.

Oy, mame, binikh farlibt means Oh, Mama, I'm in love. It's a Yiddish song composed by Abraham Ellstein. The painting I'm speaking of is here: s3*hubimg*com/u/2651794_f520*jpg and it's one of my all time favorites. The bridge is amazing, and it does remind me of this. Here is a picture of the bridge in Central Park. image*shutterstock*com/display_pic_with_logo/57561/57561,1216342715,4/stock-photo-a-stone-bridge-gapstow-bridge-in-central-park-ny-15028297*jpg I didn't find it when I was there, but I DID see the Alice In Wonderland statue, as seen on Remember Me! OH, and we ate at Eddie's Ice Cream, which is where they had treats after visiting the grave site in the beginning of the movie. I find it funny - Rob ate at Eddie's and he plays Edward. Tool, I know, but I liked it. This story, if I haven't said it before, is dedicated to my sister from a different mister (yes I just said that, sue me!), Lisa - the girl I stayed with in NY! She took me to the wax museum so I could molest Rob's wax figure. He's got a nice ass!

Anyway, loooooong author's note! Please R&R and let me know what you think!

Joie