All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer, no copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 37

The next morning I awoke early to find Josh still fast asleep in the travel cot. It gave me a chance to run through my mind all the happenings of the night before.

I was still in shock to realize that Edward really did want me. People had told me over and over again that he still had feelings for me, but I wouldn't allow myself to believe it was true. We had sat down and told one another everything. Everything except just how deep my feelings ran for him. I loved him with every bone in my body, but I wasn't ready to tell him that just yet. The last thing that I needed to do was to scare him off.

Edward had admitted in a roundabout way that he also had feelings for me, how deep they ran only he knew. Could he perhaps love me too? Maybe he could grow to love me! We certainly had a lot to learn about one another. Even though we already had a child together, we still knew very little about each other. So far, eighty percent of our time together had been spent fighting. Now it was time for us both to act like the adults that we are and start afresh like any normal couple.

Dad had gone to bed by the time Edward and I had arrived home last night, not surprising really as it was almost half past midnight before we rolled through the door. We made sure that we were quiet as we sat on the sofa holding hands and talking. Nothing happened sexually, other than a long lingering kiss, before I finally climbed the stairs to bed leaving Edward alone on the sofa.

I decided to have a quick shower before Josh woke up and quietly got my things together and tip- toed out of the room. I could hear movements downstairs, but I wasn't sure on whether it was Edward, dad or both. I quickly washed my hair and body and felt refreshed almost immediately. Standing back I took a long hard look at my body in the full-length mirror before getting dressed, and I thanked my lucky stars that nothing sexual had happened between Edward and I. If he saw just how much weight I had lost, he would only end up blaming himself. I had gained some of it back and was starting to look much better than I previously had; but I was still far too thin for my own liking, let alone anyone else's.

Josh was stirring when I returned into the bedroom, and I left him to wake up properly before picking him up for our good morning kiss and cuddle. I made quick work of cleaning him up and getting him dressed for the day before packing up our belongings and taking him downstairs.

Edward was sitting alone at the kitchen table reading the morning paper when we walked in the room. I was surprised to find him in the shorts that he had worn yesterday and no shirt, which actually pleased me no end.

"See something you like?" he said flexing his chest and smiling before rising up to give Josh and I a kiss. "I saw you checking me out," he whispered as his lips rested on mine a little longer than was necessary, not that I was complaining.

"Break it up, lovebirds," Dad joked as he walked into the kitchen. I was a little embarrassed having being caught kissing by my father, although I soon realized that to Charlie this was nothing unexpected. As far as he was concerned, Edward and I had been a couple for a while now.

"Why are you in yesterday's clothes?" I asked Edward as he took Josh from my arms so that I could prepare breakfast.

"We got in so late last night that I forgot to get any clean clothes from your room. I didn't want to disturb either of you, so I figured I'd wait until you got up to shower and change," he said placing Josh down on the floor to play with his toys.

"Have you finished with this?" Dad asked as he picked up the paper that Edward had been reading.

"Yes, thanks. I'm going to shower if that's okay?"

"Sure, Son, help yourself to whatever you need."

Edward walked up behind me at the counter where I was preparing the batter for pancakes and snaked his arms around my waist, giving me a gentle kiss on the pulse point of my neck; automatically I leaned back into him.

"Breakfast won't be long," I said mindful that Charlie was still in the room.

I could feel his lips on my neck pulling up into a grin. "Okay," he pushed himself away from me giving my hip a gentle squeeze. "I won't be long."

"You two seem to be getting along well," Dad commented over the paper once Edward had climbed the stairs. "You're good together. I guess date night was a success?"

"Date night WAS a success," I smiled over my shoulder at him. "We had fun."

"Glad to hear it!"

Charlie was a man of few words and I was glad of that because the last thing I needed right now was the Spanish Inquisition!

Sue joined us again for breakfast and it seemed like she and my dad were getting very close. I was glad that he finally had someone in his life he could have companionship with, and I was positive in my own mind that Sue had fallen in love with Charlie. I noticed the way she looked at him, and it was the same way that I looked at Edward. I was pretty sure that Charlie felt the same way about her too, if only I could read Edward so easily.

We packed up our belongings and said a tearful goodbye. I always hated saying goodbye to Charlie, but this time I felt much better knowing that I was leaving him in Sue's capable hands. At least I knew he'd be eating properly if nothing else, and I had a strong suspicion that Sue spent far more time at Charlie's house than either of them were letting on!

Almost five hours later, we pulled up outside my apartment block, tired but happy. We could have been here much sooner, but Josh showed off hungry for lunch, so we stopped to eat and stretch our legs.

"That's everything put away," Edward called from Josh's room while I made a pot of coffee in the kitchen. Josh was toddling around the apartment looking for mischief.

"So, what are your plans for the rest of today?" Edward asked as he came into the kitchen and took the mug of steaming hot coffee that I offered him.

"Well... I have the exciting task of doing this weekend's laundry, and I need to get some meals cooked and frozen for Josh." It was so much easier now that I didn't have to blend up Josh's food anymore. I could just make myself a meal with smaller portions for Josh, which I could put in the freezer for Leah to give him during the week.

"Wow, you have an exciting afternoon ahead of you," Edward grinned as I whacked him with a tea towel.

"What about you?"

"I have a desk full of work that I need to catch up on," he said solemnly.

"That's a shame. You could have stayed for dinner; I have steak that needs eating!" I tried tempting him.

Edward groaned, "I'd love to, but I really need to get some work done before I have Carlisle breathing down my neck."

"Forever the CEO," I nodded my head in understanding.

"It comes with the territory I'm afraid. Being a Cullen does have its drawbacks, as well as its advantages," he said looking across the room at Josh who had found his fire truck.

He placed his coffee back down on the counter. "Come here!" he opened his arms for me to snuggle into.

"I'm so glad this weekend worked out," he spoke into my hair as I wrapped my arms around him and buried my head into his chest.

"Me too," I tightened my grip around his waist bringing him even closer. "I've missed you," I said as I looked up at him.

He brought his hand up and delicately ran his finger across my cheekbone and down my jaw line making me shiver. "I've missed you too."

I stood on my tiptoes and pressed my lips softly to his, opening them slightly until both our lips danced gently together in perfect sync. There was no eagerness and no rush; this was about the two of us reconnecting.

Reluctantly, we both parted yet remained in each other's arms. "When can I see you again?" Edward asked as he peppered my hair in soft kisses.

"Whenever you want," I whispered. Although neither of us said the words, we both knew that we needed to take baby steps with one another, the way that it should have been the first time around.

"I'm out of the office all day tomorrow," he said still peppering me with kisses, "But how about we share lunch in the cafeteria on Tuesday?"

"Sounds perfect," I raised my head giving him a simple chaste kiss on the lips. "You still owe me a date as well, remember?" I raised my brow and smirked.

"Don't worry about that," he winked. "I have something in mind."

"Really! Like what?"

"Never you mind, just leave it with me. I'll get everything sorted."

I raised my eyes with a puppy-dog look and pouted.

"That won't work, Bella," Edward laughed at my feeble attempt to get some information out of him.

"You're no fun," I said playfully pushing him away and picking up my now lukewarm coffee. I cringed as it touched my lips and poured it down the sink.

"Josh, tell daddy he's no fun," I called across the room to him.

"Dadadee," Josh grinned looking at Edward who just laughed.

"See, even Josh agrees," I joked.

Edward walked over to Josh scooping him up and tickling him, and in return Josh kicked his legs, squirming and squealing with laughter in Edward's arms. "See, that will teach you for siding with your mother," he joked. "Daddy's got to go now. Are you going to give me a kiss?" Edward asked Josh who had now calmed down.

A few minutes later, after Edward had received his kiss from both Josh and I, we reluctantly stood at the door waving him goodbye. As Edward walked out of view, I couldn't help but beam with happiness at just how perfect this weekend had turned out.

"Come on, spill," Alice demanded as she and Rose walked through the door uninvited later that evening.

"Can't I just get five minutes peace and quiet without being disturbed?" I asked uncurling myself from the sofa and placing the magazine I was reading on the coffee table.

"Don't blame me," Rose defended herself. "It was Miss Marple here who decided you needed interrogating," she said pointing to Alice.

"Who invited you over anyway? You could have called and asked first." I sighed.

"You would have said no, and anyway, who needs an invitation when you have a key?" Alice said smugly as she sat herself down beside me dangling the key to my apartment in front of my face.

"So come on," Alice encouraged getting impatient. "We're waiting."

Rose took a seat on the floor, probably for prime position. She couldn't fool me, she was as eager for information as what Alice was.

"Fine, but no interrupting," I grumbled, warning them both.

"Oh, my God," Alice squealed bouncing up and down on the sofa beside me, once I had finished retelling the events from the whole weekend.

"So that's everything?" Rose asked.

"Everything," I repeated.

"So, no more mask?"

"Nope, no more mask, and no more interfering from you two either," I said giving them both a pointed look.

"We never interfered in the first place," Alice said taken aback.

"Maybe we did just a little bit," Rose said as she made her way into the kitchen and poured us all a juice. "But perhaps you both needed it."

"Perhaps," I conceded with a nod of the head.

"I can't believe you actually confessed about Roger," Alice giggled as Rose handed her a drink.

"Well, I wouldn't have needed to if SOMEONE," I pointedly looked at Rose, "could have kept her mouth shut."

"Hey, don't blame me! It was Jake who started it," Rose answered.

"He certainly has a lot to answer for when he shows up here for a few days, causes havoc, and walks away," I chuckled. "I love that guy."

Alice and Rose nodded in agreement.

"To Jake," we all raised our glasses and clinked them together.

Soon it was Tuesday, and I had spent most of the previous evening baking a birthday cake for Leah and decorating the living area with banners and balloons. I knew she wasn't one for fuss, but I couldn't let the day pass without making an effort. She had done a lot for me these last few months. She had stayed late at short notice, been a confidant and a shoulder to cry on, as well as doing little things that I had not even asked her to do, such as bits of laundry and fetching things from the grocery store when she noticed we were running low. Besides employing her to look after Josh, she had also become a friend, and this was just one small way of thanking her for her kindness.

"Happy Birthday," I cried out as she walked though the door jumping in surprise. She looked genuinely shocked as she brought her hands up clutching her chest as she took in the surroundings.

"You've done all of this for me?" she gasped.

"You didn't really think we'd let this day go unmarked did you?" I asked smiling as Josh climbed up into Leah's awaiting arms, and she gave him a kiss.

"I don't know what to say," she said, still visibly stunned as she walked over to the kitchen counter and looked at the birthday cake with one solitary candle burning away on the top of it.

"I forgot to buy candles," I confessed. "I only had the one that we used on Josh's cake, so I figured that would do. Besides, who needs a reminder of how old they are anyway?" I chuckled.

"Oh, Bella, it's perfect. Thank you so much," she gushed as she blew out the candle and made a wish.

I took Josh from her arms before handing her a neatly wrapped gift, "I hope you like it."

She smiled widely as she slid her finger underneath the tape holding the paper together before peeling it back, revealing the purse that I knew she had been wanting for a while.

She did a quick intake of breath before throwing her arms around me, "Thank you so much! How did you know this is what I wanted?"

"That would be telling, but I have my means," I said tapping the side of my nose smiling.

"So, what plans do you have for today?" I asked as I put on my jacket. It was almost time for me to leave for work.

"Well, Josh and I have a date at the park," she said bending down and tickling him under his chin. Josh giggled and threw himself at her legs wanting to be picked up. "And Embry's taking me out for dinner tonight," she beamed. "I'm not even sure how he knows it's my birthday. Maybe SOMEONE mentioned it to him when they bumped into him the other day!" She raised her eyebrow looking at me pointedly.

I shrugged, "I haven't got a clue what you're talking about." I tried to act nonchalant, but it really didn't work, and we both ended up laughing. I gave Josh a kiss and wished Leah a Happy Birthday once more before leaving to find a cab.

"Bella!" Mike called for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. "Did you write up the Swindon report?"

"It's already on your desk," I replied without looking up.

"Oh, right, thanks, and what about the meeting that I asked you to arrange?"

"All the details are on your desk, Mike, just like you asked." I was exasperated with him this morning and as he left the office, I let out a huge sigh of relief and slouched back in my chair. Checking my watch, I saw it was still only 11.30. I had an hour and a half before I was meeting Edward for lunch. That thought alone put a smile on my face as I once again buried my head back in the mountain of files that currently filled my desk.

"Penny for your thoughts!" Edward said as he bent down and planted a kiss on my lips bringing me out of my musings. I had already helped myself to a ham and cheese salad from the cafeteria salad bar, as he placed his lunch on the table and took a seat opposite me, removing his knife and fork from the inside the paper napkin.

I smiled up at him, "Sorry, I was miles away."

"Tough morning?" he asked tucking into his chili and rice leaving a little sauce lingering at the corner of his mouth. As his tongue snaked out and wiped it clean away, my girly parts clenched at the memory of just what that tongue was capable of.

"You could say that. Mike has been driving me insane; Bella, where's this report? Bella, where's that file? Bella, have you made my appointments?" I mimicked.

Edward chuckled and took my hand across the table while he was still eating chili and rice with his fork in the other, and the sight of it made me smile. I gave his fingers a gentle squeeze just to make sure it was all real and not some figment of my imagination.

"So, it's Wednesday tomorrow; what plans do you have with Josh?" I asked curiously.

"Well, actually, I was going to talk to you about that. We'll just be hanging around my apartment doing nothing in particular, and I wondered if you'd like to join us. You still haven't seen his playroom, and his bedroom is almost finished, so you could see that too," he said expectantly.

I thought about it for a while, "I'd love to, but maybe another day. I have so much that needs doing at home, plus that's yours and Josh's bonding time; you need that time together alone."

Edward looked visibly crushed.

"Hey, I'm not saying 'never', just not tomorrow," I put down my fork and held his hand in both of mine. "You could always stay a while longer after you've brought Josh home and we've put him to bed," I wiggled my eyebrows for effect, making him smile.

"I'd like that," he wiggled his eyebrows back at me causing me to laugh. "Besides, I have a proposition for you!"

"Sounds ominous!" I narrowed my eyes at him playfully, "Do I really seem like the type of girl you could proposition, Mr. Cullen?"

"Most definitely Miss Swan!"

Wednesday evening came around so quickly, it had been a busy day. Leah had arrived that morning gushing over how Embry had taken her to dinner and had presented her with the jewelry that I had helped him pick out. She adored it and vowed only to wear it on special occasions. She finished by saying they had taken a stroll along the waterfront afterwards. It all sounded quite romantic, and I couldn't help but wonder what Edward had in store for our date.

Mike still hadn't let up at work and he cracked the whip even harder today. I had spent the whole day, including my lunch hour, with my head stuck in the Cooper, Whyat and Greene file. That account really would be the death of me, but the good news was it had brought in so much work that at least seven new jobs had been created. Victoria had phoned down at lunchtime to tell me she was actually getting married in two weeks time. She had decided since it was such short notice, she would forego a bachelorette party and just have a few quiet drinks after work with the girls instead. She told me she would give my wedding invitation to Edward, considering that it had both our names on it. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of my name being alongside Edward's.

After work was finished for the day, I arrived home and made myself a bite to eat before getting started cleaning. Not that the apartment was dirty, but I just found it so much easier to get everything done while Josh wasn't here. I vacuumed the whole apartment, dusted, washed down all the woodwork, cleaned the bathroom from top to bottom and changed the bedding on both beds. All of that was after I had cleaned the oven, which really is the worst job in the whole world. I was exhausted, physically and mentally!

Checking my watch I realized I still had almost an hour before Josh and Edward arrived home. That gave me just enough time to have a soak in the bath, rather than a quick shower. I hurriedly wrapped my hair up into a tight bun so that it wouldn't get wet, and slid into the hot water complete with my favourite bath oil. I instantly relaxed, leaning my head back. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, and the next thing I knew, there was incessant banging on the door.

"Hang on!" I called as I jumped out of the now cool water, pulling out the plug and wrapping my dressing gown tightly around my body.

"Is everything okay?" Edward asked concerned as I flung open the door.

"Yeah, sorry, I was in the bath. I must have fallen asleep."

"You look exhausted," he commented as he lowered his head and kissed my lips. It didn't escape my notice how his eyes raked over my robe-clad body.

"It looks like I'm not the only one," I said as I pointed to a softly snoring Josh, who was asleep against Edward's shoulder.

"He fell asleep in the car, but he's only been out about ten minutes. What do you want to do? Wake him up or put him straight to bed?"

"Let's just change his diaper and put his pj's on. If he wakes up, we can bath him, and if he stays asleep, we can just put him to bed."

"Okay," Edward handed me the changing bag that was over his arm. "Shall I just take him to his room?"

"That'd be great. Actually, would you mind making a start while I go and put some clothes on?"

Edward pursed his lips as if he was about to say something, then shook his head like he'd changed his mind.

I sniggered to myself knowing exactly what was running through his mind as I walked off towards the bedroom. Edward followed close behind and went into Josh's.

After sliping into my underwear, I opted for a casual pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt. Alice would throw a fit if she could see me now, but I didn't particularly care. Edward took me as he found me, and I was past pretending to be someone that I wasn't. The mask had been put firmly away and this was me, this is who I am.

I popped my head around Josh's bedroom door just as Edward was placing him down for the night. I never could get enough of seeing Edward and Josh together. They fit together like two pieces of a puzzle, and it was obvious for all to see that the bond between them was unbreakable.

"He didn't wake up then?" I whispered, leaning over to place a kiss on Josh's forehead before tucking him in.

"He's out for the count, never even stirred when I was getting him changed," he said, running his hand up and down my spine as I leaned over tucking in the covers.

"Come on," he quietly took my hand and led me out of the bedroom closing the door behind us.

He pulled me along the small corridor into the living area taking a seat on the sofa before bringing me down beside him. I automatically snuggled up into him and wrapped my arms around his waist. He took one of my hands in his and placed the other one around me running it slowly up and down my side.

"I've missed this," I told him as I curled my legs up underneath me.

"Me too, I can't believe I was so stubborn to have throw it all away in the first place...Thank you for giving me another chance."

"You weren't the only one to act like a fool, Edward. If I'd have just told you everything from the start, it wouldn't have happened."

"It probably would have," he admitted, shifting his weight slightly to get more comfortable bringing me further into him at the same time. "I would have freaked out anyway. I've done a lot of thinking over the last few weeks, Bella. I behaved like a spoiled child and threw away one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I made that mistake once, and I'm not going to let it happen again. This is it for me now. You and Josh mean the world to me, and I promise to never run away from you ever again."

I raised my head from his chest, his face was full of sincerity and his eyes full of emotion. There was no doubt in my mind that he was telling me the truth. I placed my lips delicately on his and ran my hand along the stubble of his jaw line, "I'll never run away from you either." I kissed him once more and felt his lips curl into a smile before I settled back down and snuggled against his chest.

We sat for a good hour just talking about nothing in particular, holding one another and never wanting to let go.

"So anyway, what plans do you have for Friday?" Edward asked as he twisted my hair back and forth around his fingers.

"Nothing much, same as every other night; put Josh to bed, watch the TV, read a book, the usual."

"How would you feel about Josh spending the night with Mom and Dad?" he asked cautiously. "He knows them well enough now, and they absolutely adore one another. I thought we could maybe have that first date I promised you!"

"Do you think he's ready? I mean, I know he's slept over at Angela and Ben's before, but he's known them from birth and even though he doesn't see them very often, he still recognizes them and knows who they are."

"Bella, relax. I promise you, Josh knows Mom and Dad well enough by now, and we'll both have our phones. If there's any problem, they can contact us and we can go and pick him up. I wouldn't suggest it if I didn't think he was ready."

I thought about it for a short while and realized Edward was right. The insecurity said more about me than it did about Josh, and I did promise Esme and Carlisle that he could eventually start spending the night there.

I blew out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. "Okay, are you sure it will be alright with Esme and Carlisle? What if they have plans already?"

"They don't. I sort of already asked," he said giving me his best panty-dropping smile.

I poked my finger into his side making him jump, "You tricked me!"

"No, I just did a little groundwork first," he laughed.

"So where are you taking me?"

"I'm not telling,"

"I need to know. How will I know what to wear?"

He thought for a moment. "If I tell you what to wear, you'll only panic."

"That doesn't sound good, Edward," I said alarmed.

He laughed, "Trust me you'll love it. Besides, I've already enlisted the help of Alice."

"What? So I'm not capable of choosing my own clothes?" I said pushing away from him slightly miffed.

"No, it's not like that," he pulled me back into him. "Alice and Jasper were at my parents' place when I asked them to keep Josh for the night. They asked what I had planned, and Alice being Alice, said she had the perfect idea for an outfit. Let's face it, no-one argues with Alice!"

I had to agree with that. I almost started to feel sorry for him. "She railroaded you," I smirked.

He nodded. "It's Jasper I feel sorry for though. You should have seen the clothes that she had him dressed in, ripped jeans, a yellow plaid shirt, and a cowboy hat. He looked like Woody from Toy Story," he laughed a full-on belly laugh.

I shook my head at the mental image. "So you could at least give me a clue of what you have planned."

"Not really, I don't want to spoil the surprise. Alice won't spill either, so don't even think about it!" he warned.

I pouted my best trout-pout, but even that didn't work.

"You know what I'm going to do now, right?" Edward asked with a raised brow and a glint in his eye as he pushing me backwards onto the sofa.

"No, what's that?" I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I'm going to kiss that pout right off of your face."

My stomach tightened as his tongue snaked out to lick his lips slowly, and I realized that I was doing the same.

"Well, don't keep a girl waiting," I whispered closing my eyes as I pulled his lips down to meet mine.

They touched softly at first; several delicate kisses shared between us before Edward took my bottom lip between his teeth sucking on it gently, my tongue snuck out begging him for entrance which he complied with immediately. Our lips moved and our tongues fought for dominance as the heat of the kiss greatly escalated.

My hands found their way into his hair and I tugged on it hard needing more from him. Climbing on top of me, he parted my legs with his knee as one hand snuck underneath the hem of my t-shirt and stroked the soft skin of my stomach.

"Oh, God," I moaned as I felt my panties getting wetter by the minute. Edward must have sensed my urgency as he pushed his growing erection into my heated centre; our need was so great that we could feel one another's want even through the barrier of our clothes.

Our kisses were frantic and Edward's mouth left mine to leave a hot open mouthed trail down my throat to my collarbone, where he bit down, enticing a deep moan to leave my throat. I swivelled my hips upward to meet with his now solid cock that was threatening to burst though his jeans.

"Bella..."

"Mmm,"

"Bella, we have to stop," Edward said stilling himself and bringing his forehead up to rest on mine.

"You don't want me?" I asked, feeling the weight of rejection wash over me.

"I want you more than you'll ever know," he replied breathlessly.

"Then why...Why stop?" I asked looking into his eyes; mine filled with tears of rejection.

"This is a whole new beginning for us, Bella. I want to do this right. We've been together, split up, got back together again. We even have a fourteen-month-old son, and we still haven't been on one single date. Do you know how fucked up that all is?" he chuckled. "Just for once, I want to do the right thing by you. Do you understand that?"

"Yes," I choked out, understanding his reasoning, but not being too happy over it.

He kissed me softly, "You don't know how hard it is for me to stop right now."

"Believe me, Edward, I know exactly how hard it is," I said wiggling my hips, suddenly finding my sense of humor.

Edward groaned and let out a chuckle as his head dropped to my shoulder.

"Stay with me," he whispered. "Friday, will you stay with me?"

I nodded my head, "There's nothing I'd like more."

Edward left the apartment shortly afterwards not wanting to tempt fate. It was evident that we still couldn't keep our hands off one another, but at least we both had the knowledge that Friday was only two days away. I couldn't resist teasing him as I kissed him goodnight and whispered that he had left me so frustrated that I would have to seek out the company of "Roger." With the animalistic look that appeared on his face, I thought he was going to grab my hair and drag me to the bedroom; not that I would have minded. Instead he shook his head and chuckled, placed a lingering kiss on my lips, and reminded me that no rabbit could compete with him. He then left me open-mouthed as he walked away telling me he had a hot date with his lube!

A/N

Okay, we're coming to the end of this story now; there are just two more chapters left plus the EPI. As a big THANK YOU to everyone who has read and reviewed I will be posting the final two chapters together. BUT, I want YOU to choose how you want the EPI…Do you want it posting along with the final two chapters or would you like it two days later as normal? It's your call. Whichever way you choose the complete button will be hit at some point this week *Sad face*

Next chapter is the date. Which none of you guessed correctly LOL, although some of you were on the right lines. *smiley face*