A/N: I know, it has been a long time since posting but I recently had a death in the family and a whole lot of other RL crap going on so just bear with me, k?

Many were wondering where the angst would come in…and I give you chapter 26!

Steph owns

Chapter 26: Purple Lace

BPOV

"Bella," Mari said looking at me with raised eyebrows. "You fucked him?"

I sighed and just looked down at my wine glass. Why am I doing this again? Telling her all of this?

"Oh my god…" She shook her head uncontrollably and pressed a palm to her forehead. "I can't believe you…little Miss Precautious fucked your daughter's sperm donor."

"Don't call him that!" I scolded and stared straight into her. "He is a good man, Mari."

"I think I might faint." She sat down on the edge of the couch and looked up at me. "Really?"

I nodded down at her, chewing on my lip and held up four fingers. "Four times."

"WHAT?!" She screeched at the top of her lungs and I thought about beating my head against the wall. Or hers...

"You don't have to be shocked at quite that decibel." I pinched my ringing ears.

"I'm sorry." She shook her head and fanned herself. "I just can't believe this! Was it good?"

I hummed and rolled my eyes. "Good does not even cover it…I have not had sex in so long Mari, I almost couldn't believe it was happening! I don't remember it ever being that good."

She started fanning herself again. "Geez…sit down and tell me everything."

I sat right beside her on the couch and lowered my voice as if just speaking about it, everyone in the world would hear me. I told her all about the other morning, how he drove over then how he stayed at the house all day and cooked lunch with me, we watched home videos. "When Rose got home he took us to dinner and he talked to her about his ex-ballerina mother that called a few friends in Seattle…he convinced her to go to school Mari. How long did I try to talk her into going?"

"Forever!" She was just as shocked as I was. "I thought she didn't want to go."

"Me too but I knew that she wouldn't pass up an opportunity like that. She is so excited about it and I can't help but to be so thankful for him because if I have ever wanted anything for Rose's life, I have wanted her to be happy and now…I really believe that she is."

"That's great…but you fucked him again?" She asked anxiously. I snickered and rolled my eyes at her. She didn't care about Rose dancing, she just wanted the grimy details of our romp in the sheets…and on the couch. Probably shouldn't go into so much detail about the later because she and I are sitting on aforementioned couch.

"Yes." I nodded and chewed on my lip for a moment. "Dinner was amazing and the entire time I sat there…silently watching him and Rose, and she was getting so excited about dancing again. He was all smiles and 'I want what's best for you Rose,' all night long and it was such a turn on…to see him actually in the role of a dad. It was really…hot."

"So? So?" Mari was practically bouncing in her seat.

"So we came back here and Rose went to see Jake for a bit, I all but jumped him." I said, feeling my cheeks heat up at the memory of me on my knees in front of him. I shuttered and shook my head. Didn't need to start thinking about that while Mari was here. "Then he stayed the night and-"

"Wait!" Mari threw her hand up to stop me. "He stayed the night? Here? With Rose here and everything?"

I nodded sheepishly as she stared at me with her eyes squinting the way they do when she's about to give me a piece of her mind.

Great.

"Wow…I must say that you are not the same Bella." She observed and I looked at her curiously.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well for starters…you slept with a complete stranger." She frowned and shook her head. "Well maybe not a complete stranger but a man that you hardly know. You have welcomed him into your life with no hesitations and you haven't even stopped to second guess it? It's so…" Mari chewed on her lip for a moment as she thought of the right word. "It's so unBellaish."

"UnBellaish…" I repeated and raised an eyebrow. "He makes me happy."

"Because your daughter is happy?" She asked, repeating the eyebrow raise.

I frowned and looked down at my lap. Mari placed a hand on top of mine and continued, "It's not that I am not happy for you…Bella if you are happy I am ecstatic for you but it's just so unlike you. You normally second guess everything, you take every precaution there is. You have been like that for as long as I have known you…longer I am sure. I have never seen you jump into something so blindly and not know how it will all end. What if he gets bored? What if he runs away from you two just a few weeks in? I don't want to see you hurt. You are my best friend next to Peter and it would kill me to see you go through heart break…and it would kill Rose too. I'm just concerned that you are so excited about companionship that you aren't looking ahead…you're not seeing more than one possible outcome. I am afraid that you are thinking that he is here to stay just because of your daughter. I don't want to see you or Rose hurt, that's all."

Shit.

Really?

She is right. I have thought of this all before. He may decide that this isn't the life he wants to live. And if he does get tired of us…then he will be gone and we will never hear from him again. Rose will be crushed…I will be devastated. I am acting so uncharacteristically about this whole thing. Normally I would take at least a week or so to analyze all of this before inviting him over for dinner. I have barely known him a week and he has already been in my pants…four times!

Shit. What have I done?

"You're right." I said, almost numbly. "I am being so unBellaish. This isn't me…I don't do this. If he hurts Rose I will hate him forever. I can't let that happen to her…I can't let him hurt her."

"And you can't let him hurt you." Mari reassured me and patted my back. "I'm not saying you need to cut him out of your life Bella because that would upset Rose too. I just want you to be careful. Step lightly."

I nodded and looked at my best friend. I was so lucky to have a friend like her that would make me stop and see the pile of shit I was about to step in. I hugged her tightly to me and said, "Thank you Mari."

"You're welcome." She said, rubbing my back and then standing up from the couch and smiling. "Now, how about some retail therapy?"

I smiled and shook my head at her. Leave it up to Mari to make this about shopping. But what could it hurt? I sighed and nodded before standing to grab my bag. Shopping couldn't hurt. Plus, I need a new skirt.

"I am not going in there." I stated firmly and stood my ground outside of the lingerie store.

"Come on, Bella. Live a little." She winked. "Edward would like it."

Well, more than likely. But it won't stay on very long-wait!

"Mari, pick a side of the fence. You just said I am jumping into this thing with him too fast and now you're trying to get me to buy lingerie for the man?"

My voice was a little more shrill than I intended it to be.

She rolled her eyes and grabbed my arm, dragging me in. "I said go slow, not shut down Happy Land."

Her hand waved towards my crotch and I thought about passing out.

Dear God, kill me now! Sincerely, ME!

"I don't even know what to look at." I admitted and took in the racks filled with lace and transparent material. I am in too deep here. I don't even know what kind of stuff Edward likes. And why am I even thinking about looking at lingerie to wear for him?

Because you secretly want him to rip it off of you with his teeth!

I gasped at my own thoughts and the nice mental image that went along with it.

"Bella," Mari hissed at me quietly. "He is a man. As long as it shows most of your body, hugs your tits and goes up your ass he will go crazy!"

The sales lady looked at us in surprise as Mari so bluntly spoke to me. I shook my head and mouthed 'sorry' to the poor lady who had to hear my friend's crude mouth.

"Ew…" Mari gasped and pulled me to a large rack. "This is pretty. A nice dark purple. Try it on Bella."

I sighed, realizing I was fighting a losing battle with her, and just looked at the lame excuse of a garment. It was a dark purple lace bra, completely transparent with a sheer camisole over top of it and matching lace panties. I shrugged because…it was kind of pretty. And I liked the color.

"Winner." Mari squealed excitedly and handed me the garment as she turned to dig through the rest of the rack.

Fifteen minutes and four more pieces later, I was being shoved into a dressing room by Mari and a new enthusiastic sales lady, who was more than likely just looking to make a good sale.

I groaned and mumbled and cursed Mari under my breath as I ripped my clothes off and pulled up the panties to the purple piece I liked. Hmm…these panties were awesome. Fit like a glove and actually pretty comfortable. I turned to the mirror and eyed myself, naked with the exception of the panties. It didn't look all bad. It was kind of…sexy. I turned slightly to the side and gaped at my ass.

Damn, ass! Where have you been hiding?

I felt my teeth prick my lip as I imagined what Edward would think of the underwear. I imagined his eyes bulging out of his head before he walked slowly up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and trailing his fingers up to my chest, palming me gently as his lips pressed against the back of my ear.

I exhaled heavily at the thought and swallowed hard.

The shrill ring of my phone broke me out of my fantasy. My cheeks were on fire as I rushed over to grab the offensive device from my purse. I was having a really nice day dream. Damn you phone for interrupting me! I was about to just ignore the call until I noticed that it was Edward.

"Hi." I squeaked a little too loudly into the phone. I felt so embarrassed. Here I was, picturing the man touching me and he calls, like he knew exactly what I was thinking and was only calling so we could talk about it.

He chuckled lightly through the phone and said, "Are you alright? Did I catch you at a bad time?"

"No." I shook my head and looked around for the rest of the piece, I wanted to cover myself up some way but I couldn't get the bra on with one hand. "Nope not at all. You're perfectly fine."

I wrapped an arm across my chest to feel a little more covered. Why? I have no idea because it's not like he can see me.

"Good." I could hear the grin in his voice as he sighed. "What are you doing?"

I looked around the room and into the mirror as I smiled a little. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

He chuckled again. "Try me."

I made a weird face. "Really? You're gonna pull that line?"

He laughed and said, "Bella, tell me. I'm intrigued now."

I huffed and ran my free hand over my face, efficiently uncovering my boobs. "Well, completely against my will, and in a very forced manner…I am trying on lingerie."

Silence.

I licked my lips nervously and listened intently to Edward's breathing. It was…heavier.

More silence and then finally… "Do you have it on now?"

I blushed and took a deep breath as I looked down at my half naked body. Shrugging to myself I hummed and said, "Ummm…well sort of."

"Sort of?" He questioned immediately. The perve.

I laughed once and said, "Yeah, I was kind of dressing when you called."

"So you're naked." He said instantly. His voice deeper. I felt my girly parts tingle and my scalp crawl with desire that went straight down my spine.

"No…I mean, I have…well I have panties on." I stuttered out and shook my head.

He groaned. Long, low, deep and loud. He groaned. I swallowed again trying to wet my suddenly dry throat as I breathed out slowly.

"What color are they?" He whispered in a deeper voice. A voice I have heard him use only a few times before.

My cheeks were on fire and my eyes were closed tight, trying to picture him. What was he doing right now? "Dark purple."

He hummed. "I like purple."

My cheeks went from hot to inferno.

"What else were you about to put on?" He questioned softly, but his voice was on fire.

I opened my mouth to speak but was cut off with, "Bella! Have you tried them on yet? I wanna see!"

"Who is that?" He questioned instantly, sounding worried.

"Mari. She ruins all my fun." I sighed and pulled the phone away to yell at her. "No Mari. Go away. I will be out in a minute."

"She ruins your fun, eh?" Edward asked when I put the phone back to my ear.

"Always."

"Who are you talking to?" Mari screamed through the door. "Is that Edward? Does he know you are getting sexy for him? Get off the phone and get your skinny ass in those thongs!"

"Did she just say thongs?" Edward, asked with intrigue in his voice.

He could hear her. Of course. Why not?

"Yes. She did and in the mean time, I am dying here." I groaned and covered my face. How embarrassing is this!

He laughed once and said, "I believe you are mistaken my dear Bella…I am the one that is surely dying. Is it possible for men to die with a dick so hard it's knocking on the table."

"Edward." I hissed in shock, and arousal at his confession. Really?

"Go put the rest on and wear something for me tonight." He said, smiling the entire time.

"Tonight?" I asked. This is all news to me.

Mari is beating on the door now. Rather loudly. I am almost afraid that she might break a hole in it.

"Yeah. Our baby girl is staying with my sister. You think I am going to let you sleep in Port Angeles all by yourself?" He asked me as if that was the most absurd thing he had ever heard.

"Well…I didn't really think about it." I smiled. He said, our baby girl. My smile was untamable right now.

"So, I will be there about 7:30…and by 7:30, I mean more than likely 6:30 because I can't wait that late."

I snickered and said, "Ok, are we going out?"

"Out. That's right, I should probably feed you before I lock you up in my bedroom for the entire night! Glad you thought of that."

I grinned and said with a slight shrug. "I can't wait."

He groaned again and said. "Ok so I will see you at 5:30."

"That's an hour from now." I said with a grin that wouldn't quit.

"Oh you're right. I didn't realize the time. I am on my way now. Don't want to be late" He laughed, causing me to laugh.

"You are completely insatiable." I informed with a wicked grin.

"Eh, it happens." He sighed and I imagined him shrugging.

"I will see you tonight." I smiled widely at him and wished he was here with me right now so that I could kiss the ever living hell out of him.

"I can't wait to kiss you."

He was reading my mind today.

"BELLA! COME ON!" Mari was screaming rather loudly now.

"I gotta go."

"Bye baby." He whispered and I heard some noise in the background that sounded an awful lot like Emmett.

"Bye." I whispered back and listened closely as he hung up just as Emmett started yelling.

I sighed and quickly changed out of my clothes. I was definitely getting the purple thing. I didn't care about the rest.

"Purple it is." I grinned and handed it to Mari has I gave the rest to the sales lady. "I need a new dress. Edward and I are going out tonight."

Mari grinned widely at me and nodded. "Hell yeah, let's do this thing!"

I almost expected Edward's jeep to be sitting in the driveway when I got home. To say that I wasn't a little disappointed that he wasn't leaning against the porch railing looking all smug would have been a lie. I was really disappointed. But I'm sure he had to go home and clean up after work. No biggie. I needed to shower and shave and blah blah blah. All that mess. I sent Mari home with a big hug and a promise to think about our talk early and to take things slow with Edward.

She was right. I needed to go slow. But this all felt so right and the thought of going 'slow' kind of hurt me. What does, 'slow' mean? No sex? No over nighters? Yeah…if that was slow I didn't want it.

But what if slow meant keeping mine and Rose's feelings off the chopping block? Was it worth it then?

These thoughts filled my brain from the time I got home until I was sitting on the couch anxiously wondering where Edward was. It was now 7:15 and that was completely unlike Edward to not be early. I wanted to call him and ask where he was at but I didn't want to seem pushy. If he wasn't here by 7:45 then I would call.

I pushed myself off the couch and went to my room to look through my bags I had packed. He mentioned staying at his place tonight, and I know that we are staying there tomorrow night so I went ahead and packed my clothes. I was going to ask when he got here where we would be staying tonight. I unzipped the bag and looked at the purple camisole lying on top of my clothes. I suddenly felt so embarrassed for wearing this underwear under my brand new black dress. It was hot. I loved the dress. Tight and short but not too tight or short for someone my age. It made me feel young. I liked it a lot but now, I felt stupid and insecure all because Edward wasn't here yet.

I groaned loudly and flopped down on the bed as I started thinking about what Mari said early today. I am being so unBellaish. I have never bought lingerie for a man. And now I feel stupid for doing so.

Is he serious about us? Does he really want to be in our lives or has he just been blowing smoke up my ass for the past five days? I want him to be in our lives but as Rose's father. Not as my on again off again lover. Is that all he wants from me? Sex? I am more than likely wasting my time with this whole thing, and only getting myself and my daughter hurt in the process?

I couldn't live with myself if I allowed this man into my daughter's life and he hurt her.

And what happened last night when she drove to Forks? Why hasn't anyone told me about that, yet? He hasn't mentioned it since this morning. Rose didn't want to talk about it. Am I doing the right thing here?

I sighed and grabbed my phone checking the time. It was 7:23 and my heart was pounding out of my chest. What if he doesn't show up? What would that mean for him and me? For Rose?

I took a deep breath and quickly called my dad.

"'Ello?" He answered the phone quickly and I could hear the sports channel on in the background.

"Hey dad." I tried to sound positive and not all Debbie Downer.

"Hey baby. What's up?" He replied and I heard the TV noise stop.

"Not much just um…sitting here."

"Oh, where's Rosie?" He asked instantly.

"She is staying with Edward's niece tonight. They are doing the whole sleep over thing." Stop sounding mopey!

"Ok, you want to go get some food, maybe?" He questioned, trying in a roundabout way to ask why I was calling him and sounding all mopey, I am sure.

"Oh no. I just called to talk. I am supposed to go on a date tonight." I shrugged and then cringed at the words, 'supposed to.'

"Supposed to go on a date? Well that's new. Who is he?" Charlie asked, instantly going into cop mode.

I took a deep breath and realized, no time like the present. "Edward."

Dad was completely silent for a moment before he finally spoke. "You don't want to go?"

"No, I really want to go I'm just trying to figure out if this is the right thing or not." I sighed and felt tears sting my vision. I didn't want to cry and ruin my make-up but right now I wanted my daddy to fix this for me. Tell me what was best.

"Huh-well…baby girl listen to me…I want you to be happy, and I want Rosie to be happy. If you are happy with Edward, then be happy. Don't let anything else stand in your way. If you feel that it isn't right, then don't go. It's that simple. But if you are second guessing it just because of something that shrink put in your head, then stop. Edward is a nice man it seems and I honestly think he could make my two baby girls happy. If he hurts either of you…I can handle that. But don't let Mari stop you from being happy."

I smiled instantly. "You know Mari doesn't like to be called a shrink."

"Well, that's what she is." He answered, annoyed.

"Not anymore." I argued.

"That's neither or nor there…the point is-be happy, Bella. Make your own decisions. Believe it or not 40 year olds make mistakes sometimes, just like 19 year olds do. But they can make the right decisions too. Don't be afraid to live baby."

I smiled even wider and said, "I'm not forty yet dad."

"Close enough." He said gruffly and I laughed a little. "And you tell that boy when he gets there to just remember what I can do with a taser."

"Ok dad. Love you."

"Love you Bells."

I sighed and hung up the phone, wearing a smile.

A/N: So…is Edward going to show up?

Let me know what you think!

Thanks to SinCity TowGirl as always. She is the best!

New chapter as soon as I can get it together.

*KRay*