EPOV

—

Bella sat a beer down in front of me before leaning against the bar, staring at me. I wiped my face, making sure there was nothing there. "What? Is there something on my face?"

"No," she said with a laugh. "Look, I know our bet is to win the title of the best matchmaker, but that's not really tangible is it?"

I hummed in agreement. "No, not exactly, so what are you proposing?"

"I think we both should decide on something we want from the other, and whoever wins gets their prize. What do you think about that?"

"That sounds reasonable."

"Great!" She grinned. "Do you need time to think about what you'll want from me, or do you know?"

There was something that I wanted from her, but she was going to think I was absolutely insane. And she had every right to think I was. It was an enormous risk, taking the chance and asking for what I actually wanted. Chances were she was going to run from the bar screaming.

"I already know. Let me explain before you say anything, all right?"

She eyed me carefully. "Okay…"

"Well, we both know that in a few years I'll be forty and that I've spent most of my time single, yet helping other people find love and start their lives and families together, right?"

"Right…where are you going with this, Edward?"

"The one thing I've always known that I've wanted is a family. But I haven't met the right woman…until you. So if I win…I want to have a baby with you."

"What!" she shrieked, her hands slapping against the bar. "Are you out of your fucking mind?"

"Bella, keep your voice down. Everyone is staring," I hissed.

"Sorry, are you out of your fucking mind?" she whisper shouted. "No! No, no, no!"

"Why not? I mean, is it so appalling to think about having a child with me?" I frowned.

"That's not it at all. It's the fact that we've known each other for like a month! Yeah, I like you a lot, but a baby is a kind of gigantic fucking commitment, don't ya think?"

I leaned in closer to her, grasping her hand in mine. "I know chemistry when I see it, Miss Swan, and we have it. I think we could have a great future together, and I feel you'd be a fabulous partner. You'd never have to worry about money; I'd take care of all of you. We could fix up the bar. Think of the possibilities of committing yourself to me in such a way. Besides, what are you so worried about? Aren't you sure that you're going to win? It should be a moot point, shouldn't it?" I raised my eyebrows, smirking.

She pulled her hand from mine, standing up straight and leveling me with a glare. "You know what, Mr. Match, you're right. It is a moot point, because I know my best friend. You haven't even met her, you just have some fact sheet she filled out about herself. So, fine, if you win, we have a baby."

"Ah, but I have met her. I haven't worked this long and climbed nearly the top of my career by being lazy, Bella. Rose and I met for coffee the other day and spoke for nearly three hours, going over what exactly she's looking for. And I've already searched my databases and come up with a few matches. But, for fun, let's say I don't win. What were you going to ask for?

"

"I…well, fuck! I was going to ask for something sane and funny. We're having a drag night here next month, and I was going to have you dress in drag and tend bar for me."

My eyes went wide before I laughed loudly, throwing my head back. "Oh, that's brilliant. I love it. Look, even if I still win…I'll make good on that. You know, since you'll be carrying our baby and all, I need to keep you happy."

"God, you're insane. You realize that, don't you? I guess that makes me just as insane, though, because I'm agreeing to this, but only because I'm sure I can't lose."

Chuckling softly, I stood and made my way around to her side of the bar. I cupped her face between my palms, kissing her softly. "I'm glad you're so confident, but our babies are going to be beautiful, just like their mother."

She rolled her eyes. "You're insufferable."

—MM—

I slowed the treadmill, stepping off and grabbing a towel, wiping the sweat from my face and neck. I turned to face Emmett. "I think I have the perfect woman for you."

"Oh yeah?" He grinned. "Is she hot?"

"Seriously, Em? That's the first thing you ask me when I say I've got the perfect woman for you? Don't you care about her personality or her interests?" I threw my towel at him.

"Gross, dude." He chucked the towel onto the floor before stepping off of his machine. "Of course, I care about those things, but I gotta be attracted to her, don't I?"

"Well, yes—"

"All right, then tell me, is she hot?"

I sighed heavily. "She's blonde, about five-foot-seven, a hundred and twenty pounds. She has beautiful brown eyes and a brilliant smile. Yes, she's hot."

Emmett rubbed his hands together. "Now we're talking! What's she like?"

"She's definitely assertive and likes to be in control. She's independent but is looking for someone to share her time with. Family is extremely important to her, and she wants someone who's ready to settle down. She's not looking for a proposal any time soon, but she definitely wants that level of commitment in the near future. Rose owns her own garage where she works on everyday cars, but specializes in classics. She's not afraid to get her hands dirty."

"Assertive and likes to be in control? Likes to get her hands dirty? You think she'll tie me to the bed and cover me with chocolate?" Emmett waggled his eyebrows.

I snorted loudly. Of course, that's where his mind would go. "I have absolutely no doubt that she'd be down for that, Em."

"Well then, sign me up dude!"

I grinned, slapping him on the back. I knew that Rose and Em would hit it off. But in order to make sure, I had to set Rose up on a few other dates so that Emmett would look even better to her than he would to begin with.

I was going to win this competition, of that I was sure.

—

A/N: Sorry this is late! My son doesn't have school today and I got completely sidetracked!

Let me know your thoughts!

Also, Happy Veterans Day!