I don't own Twilight. I do own several, well, a couple, well, a few chocolate Easter eggs. One, there is one egg. There, you feel better now?

Chapter 25

The day after Christmas Bella was woken up ridiculously early by both the phone ringing and Charlie yelling her name. It was five-thirty in the morning and the panicked call was from Alice. She was desperate for Bella's help or rather her mother was.

The woman in charge of the food for the gala had injured herself skiing at Whistler. She was now nursing a broken leg and concussion at a hospital in Vancouver. Esme Cullen was in charge of the entire gala and while she had exemplary cooking skills and could possibly cater the entire event by herself, she needed help. All the local caterers were fully booked for the holidays and couldn't even spare a server, let alone a sous chef, to help. It was a cost saving measure that the ladies auxiliary had come up with, providing the catering themselves, so Esme was in a bind. The menu had been set and most of the ingredients purchased, they just needed someone who could cook and follow orders. Alice had volunteered Bella.

After conferring with Charlie, who was delighted that Bella had somewhere to go while he worked holiday overtime, Bella was packing to spend the next week in Seattle. Alice squealed with delight and promised to find Bella just the right dress for the dance. Esme had cried with relief and promised that someone would come down to collect her so that she wouldn't have to drive herself up to Seattle.

Six hours later Bella was organized, the house tidied, and the kitchen stocked with many ready meals for Charlie. Bella was reading one of her new books when a car pulled into her driveway. Bella rushed to get her coat and bags so that whoever was driving wouldn't have to wait too long for her. When the knock on the door came Bella was bent over lacing her boots. She reached over, blindly and opened the door.

"Hang on just a second." Bella said still bent over.

"Okay." A familiar voice said.

Bella stood up too quickly and faltered. Edward was the one who came to drive her to Seattle. She would have to spend four hours alone in a car with Edward. Edward who barely tolerated her. Edward who was only friendly with her because of her associations with Tyler and Alice. Edward who was still too pretty to look at even if she didn't really like him right now. Edward who smelled kind of yummy, she should have had a snack before. Edward who was smirking at her.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked as she gathered the last of her stuff.

"Yup."

He grabbed the biggest bag she had and motioned for her to go first. She walked out of the house to see that Edward had driven down in his father's car. At least the hellish drive would be in the comfort of a Mercedes.

Edward placed her bag in the back seat and held the passenger door open for her while she put the rest of her stuff in the back. She thanked him and sat in the very plush leather seat. She buckled herself in while he walked around to the driver's side.

"Sorry you got saddled with chauffeur duty. I hope I didn't put you out too much or spoil your plans." Bella felt mildly guilty. But that didn't stop her from babbling.

"I didn't get saddled, I volunteered. I wanted to talk to you and the last time we talked it went so horribly, I didn't think I'd ever get the chance again. So, now I've got you trapped in my car for a few hours and there are no flowers for you to beat me with, maybe we could have a conversation?" Bella wasn't the only one feeling guilty and babbling.

"I guess I don't have any other choice, do I?" Bella sighed. She had no idea what it was he wanted to talk about.

"I should say that I sorry to trap you this way but I'm not. I am sorry for many other things though. Too many other things." He paused, having no idea where to start his apologies.

"First though, I have a confession. I overheard you talking to Tyler after Thanksgiving. I know I shouldn't have listened but I couldn't help myself. What you said to him, Bella, I had no idea. I'm so sorry that I was so arrogant and mean to you. I know now that I really should have read the letter you wrote me. I really should have been more gracious and smart but we both know that I am neither of those things. And then when I mean up with you again at your school, damn, I was such an asshole. All I ever saw was the crush. I never saw the girl behind it. I never, for one moment thought of your feelings outside of what I thought they were. I could excuse it and say that I was only seventeen, young and stupid but you're seventeen and, god, so much smarter than I was, than I am now. Please forgive me? I don't know why you would want to, but I'm asking. Please forgive me?"

"Eighteen."

"Pardon?"

"I'm eighteen, not seventeen."

"I'm sorry." He was still waiting to see if she would respond to what he had told her. She sat staring out the window at the trees as they passed them. In her head, over the years she had practice what she would say to him if he ever spoke to her again. Forceful, biting words that would show her mental and intellectual superiority. She never imagined him apologizing to her.

"Why now? Why ask for forgiveness now? What does it matter now? The school year is half way over. I have no idea if I'll have the same study hall next semester. You might not have to deal with me in a few weeks."

"I don't want to just deal with you, Bella. I want to atone for how I've treated you and hopefully earn your respect. When I saw what was happening at school and I saw what kind of person you really are, it made me realize just how truly awful I've been. I couldn't let any more time go by before trying to make it up to you. You are such a good person, Bella, you deserve much better from life and from me. " Edward noticed her wiping a tear away from her cheek. Shit, he thought to himself, now I've made her cry.

"Please don't cry, Bella. I'm sorry." He pulled the car over to the side of the road. There was nothing around them for miles and it had been a while since they had seen another car. He unbuckled his seatbelt and reached for her, gathering her in his arms.

AN: Tune in in a few days when they get down and dirty in the backseat of Carlisle's car. I was busy on April first so I'll mess with you today instead.