A/N: Hey guys! I know there's been a significant delay, but I believe I'll be back to weekly updates from here on out. Without further ado, enjoy!

**Engineering Love**

"So I think that's everything."

"Yes, Edward. That's everything. Sure. Avoid the women's restroom without a chaperone as the harpies like to congregate there, don't have too much champagne, and make sure I stay awake for the inevitable McDonald's stop that will come after as the portions at these things wouldn't feed a small child. I've got it all right up here."

I tapped my temple and gave him my most dazzling smile. We were both nervous, but there was something else there, just under the surface.

"Stick with me or one of my sisters. Or Emmett. My mother and father can be trusted but they'll want to know more about you and I, so if you want to avoid talking about that, I'd avoid being alone with them."

I nodded again and brushed a tendril of hair away from my face. I always wore my hair up in simple ponytails or buns, so I wasn't quite used to this as a style.

"Bella, relax. You look absolutely fantastic. Really."

"Thank you."

"Perhaps we should go?"

"Yes. Rose and Alice mentioned that you normally took a car to these things. Is the driver here yet?"

"Actually, it'll just be you and I tonight. I figured I'd drive us."

"I appreciate that, but I don't want you to change your routines for these things just because I'm here."

"Nonsense. I thought you might feel safer without there being one more stranger added to the mix. Besides, you get to ride in the Vanquish. not even Emmett gets to do that."

He offered me his arm and the two of us made our way to the elevator. As we made our way to what I assumed was the car, I felt a pair of eyes on me. Sure enough, there was James, leering in the background. I expected him to come up to Edward and offer assistance in some way, but surprisingly he kept his distance. I walked slightly ahead of Edward but stopped short at the passenger side door. This car looked like it was a literal inch from the ground. I turned to find Edward standing there, watching me with a mischievous smile across his features.

"Need some help there Bella?"

I nodded shyly. Perhaps this was all a part of some larger than life plan to redeem himself, but my ankles weren't going to make it without the assistance. I heard a beep and suddenly the doors of the car sprung up, almost like wings.

"Butterfly doors."

He was like a kid in a candy store, showing off his shiny new toy. Slowly, he grabbed me by the hand and helped steady me as I lowered myself into the car. Without closing the door, I watched as he walked around to his seat and got into the car. I heard rather than saw him press a button and the doors of the car folded in.

"Seatbelt on to your liking?"

"Yes. I'm ready to go."

"If you're going to change your mind about this, you should probably do it now."

"Not going to change my mind. Besides, the time to do that was before I let Rose put me in lingerie."

I watched as the tips of his ears went pink and he nodded his head.

"Let's get going then."

Observing Edward drive was otherworldly. He was simultaneously the most relaxed person I had ever seen behind the wheel. He liked his fancy car, that much was clear. But he loved his speed and efficiency more. Like in life, Edward was not what I would describe as a patient driver. Periodically he would ask if I was alright or needed to stop for anything. Not wanting to a burden, I declined every time. Apparently, while Edward's penthouse was located in downtown Chicago, tonight's fundraiser was at a mansion in Lake Forest. Rose had implied that while this was my first time there, it was a popular venue, so it was unlikely that it would be my last.

"Rose says your mom is tonight's official named host."

"Yes. She likes to go first every season. Tells us that it's up to the Cullen's to show everyone how to throw a party."

"Is that what this is? A party?"

"In my experience, parties involve loud and popular music, pizza, and beer. So no. Definitely not a party."

His musical chuckle was cut short as we pulled in a large circular driveway.

"I'll open the doors and help you out. I'm having the car parked by one of my mother's ongoing staff."

"Surely a place as nice as this has valet."

"They do. But they certainly won't be parking this car."

With that, he was sliding out from the car gracefully, while I was rolling my eyes at a boy and his toy.

Before I knew it, Edward was reaching his hand in to help me out, and thanks to him, I felt more graceful than I really was. Thankfully, Rose and Alice were waiting for us at the door. Emmett's hulking form was easy to make out, but Alice's date wasn't known to me. At my confusion, her date smiled a smile almost as charming as Edward's and stuck out his hand.

"Jasper Hale ma'am. Delighted to make your acquaintance."

I took his hand and was only slightly surprised when he brought my fingers to his lips and kissed them. In the few words he'd spoken, I heard a slight southern accent in his speech.

Seamlessly, wordlessly, Edward took Alice's arm to head inside while Jasper and I continued to make conversation.

"I'm Bella, Bella Swan. I thought I heard a bit of an accent earlier. You're not from Chicago are you?"

"No ma'am. Good ear."

"And how do you know Alice?"

He smiled a secret smile then.

"Alice and I are friends. But I'd give my left arm to be more."

He seemed genuinely sweet. I made a mental note to ask Rose and Alice about him when we inevitably all went to the bathroom together later.

Landing inside, I was amazed at both the way things were decorated and the obvious theme. It looked as if we had stumbled into some Roman architectural dream. I hadn't met her yet, but Esme Cullen must have been a formidable woman because the place looked gorgeous. Everything looked like it was gold or gold painted. The amount of marble in the place was truly incredible.

Again, I was switched around, this time back to Edward. He'd somehow managed to quickly take my coat and returned with a couple of glasses of pink champagne.

"I'm afraid this is the part of these things you're going to hate. We have to go an network."

I nodded then, taking a large swallow of my champagne for courage.

"Ok Cullen. Give me the highlights."

I wasn't aware I'd said something funny, but he smiled a dazzling smile anyway.

"Straight to the point Swan. I like it. First up are my parents. They'll ask questions because you're new, but Rose and Alice obviously accept you, and my mother is easily distracted. You let me worry about my father."

"Easy enough. After them?"

"There's Carmen and Eleazar."

"Who are they and what do you need?"

"They're the money I need to fund my next project in Africa."

"What's the project?"

Another smile then, most likely because I displayed in interest in his work.

"Economically sound water filtration created entirely from recyclable materials. We also think we've able to invent an entirely independent vegetable garden. Food will grow, sustainably, even in a drought or famine."

"This seems different than Cullen Engineering's usual product placement."

"It is. Call it a passion project."

"Fair enough. Surely those aren't the only two on your list?"

"No-"

"Eddie bear. I think you've forgotten about me."

Both Edward and I turned and I thought literal lightening would descend from the sky's. The woman in front of me was blonde, about a foot or so shorter than Edward and while everyone else had chosen long evening gowns, this woman was wearing the shortest cocktail dress I'd ever seen. Suddenly Rose and Alice appeared and they did NOT look happy. Surprisingly, Rose, not Edward, was the first to speak.

"Mallory. There's no way that Esme Cullen invited you here, so you can explain what you're doing here and leave voluntarily, or I can have someone walk you out. Either way, you aren't staying."