~!~

Gripping the sink, I looked at myself in the mirror.

"Get it together. Get your shit together," I whispered shakily.

Now that Edwards's larger-than-life energy wasn't bombarding me, I began to feel a little calmer and more in control, and after washing my hands and giving myself a once-over, I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.

Edwards's parents' home was an old stone farmhouse, and according to Emmett, it had been built in the late 1800s. Making my way down the hall, I noticed photos of a young family, the two small boys peering out at me from behind the glass. One was of Edward, at what looked to be about eleven or twelve, riding a tractor. Another showed him and Emmett smiling for the camera while they sat in a giant tire swing. Continuing, I noticed a grouping of oil paintings and stopped to admire them.

Before things with Alice had gotten bad, she'd had a job as a curator at a local art gallery. She educated me to a small degree on what constituted fine art, and I picked up just enough tips to hold my own in a conversation. Armed with that knowledge, it looked like some of these paintings were expensive.

One depicting what was obviously the farm caught my eye, and I lingered to give it a closer inspection. I recognized the barn in the foreground, and the fields further gave way to the house in the distance. But there was no shape or form to the house. It was more of a blur, almost as if it were an afterthought, or the artist wanted the viewer to be detached from the people who occupied it. Squinting, I tried to see if I could find a signature.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Turning around quickly at the sound of a feminine voice, Edward's mother stood beside me and smiled softly.

"Hello, Bella. I'm Esme Cullen. It's so nice to meet you."

Returning her smile, I thanked her for inviting me to her home before inquiring about the painting.

"It really is beautiful. Did you have it commissioned?"

"I did," she replied with a wink, "But I know the artist fairly well, and he gave me a pretty good deal."

Nodding, I couldn't help but think it must be nice to have friends in high places who gave you deals on expensive art. Glancing back at the photos, I asked about her family.

"Do you all live here?"

Letting out a loud laugh, she rolled her eyes and linked her arm through mine before walking us toward the living room.

"Lord, no! Emmett lives in a small cottage on the other end of the property. He comes over for dinner about once a week, and Edward lives in an apartment across town. We're all more than happy to have our own spaces. I do not need to know what those boys do with their downtime." She chuckled, and I laughed along with her as we crossed the threshold into the next room. When we entered, I saw Edward, a few feet away, talking to one of his cousins, and I breathed a sigh of relief when I didn't see so much as a flicker around him. Meeting my eyes, he came over quickly.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, feeling slightly embarrassed, and wondered what I must have looked like when we were out by the fire. Had I looked as deranged as I felt?

"Are you sure?"

"I just didn't eat enough today, that's all," I lied.

He didn't look like he believed me but didn't question me further.

"There's food outside. Let's get you something to eat."

Turning to his mother, I gave her a warm smile.

"Mrs. Cullen, it was very nice to meet you. Thank you again for your hospitality. You have a lovely home."

"Call me Esme, sweetheart," she replied. "It was a pleasure to meet you too. Don't be a stranger."

Following Edward outside, I noticed a small group had gathered around Alec as he played guitar. The soft melodies of Cat Stevens's 'Wild World' drifted over me, and I couldn't help but think about Alice. It was one of her favorites when we were growing up. The paintings first reminded me of her tonight, and a feeling of nostalgia washed over me. Rose had written her off after her last failed stint in rehab, but I kept in contact. I wasn't stupid and never gave her money, but she was still my sister.

"What?" Edward asked when he saw me stop. "The song?"

I nodded.

"It reminds me of when I was a kid, when things were easier," I responded quietly.

Edward looked at me for a moment, and I got the impression that he understood.

Even though I didn't think I was hungry, I did feel better once I'd eaten some chicken salad. Edward kept trying to force a coke on me, but I categorically refused.

"You do know you can soak a car engine in that stuff to clean it, right?"

He looked at me with a wry smile but shut up about the coke after that.

We found two unoccupied chairs near the fire, and soon, I felt myself relaxing as I listened to the music and the laughter of the people around us. Jake and Emmett came over, and we traded ghost stories for the next few hours, and I realized it was the first time in my life that I actually enjoyed Halloween.

By ten o'clock, I told Jake I had to get going because I had to work in the morning.

"It's up to you," I said as we walked toward the trash can to throw away our garbage. "You gonna stay with your boyfriend or what?" His eyes rose to his hairline as he stared at me.

"What? I asked. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," he replied hurriedly. "Nothing, it's just … do you think … I mean, he hasn't asked me or anything, but do you think …."

I looked over Jake's shoulder at Emmett, who was laughing at something Alec had said. When he saw me, he raised his hand to wave, and his face broke into the most endearing smile I'd ever seen.

"Yeah, he's your boyfriend," I said, turning back to Jake.

He beamed at me. "He is, isn't he?"

I nodded and gave him a broad grin.

"Shit, I have a boyfriend," he whispered. "I have a fucking boyfriend!" He did a small pirouette before grabbing my hands, and I giggled, overjoyed to see him so happy.

Returning to the group, Edward stood when we approached.

"Oh my God, he's a gentleman, too," Jake said lowly out of the side of his mouth.

Fishing in my pocket for my keys, I smiled at Emmett.

"Thanks for inviting me, Emmett; I had a really good time."

"She did!" Jake chimed in. "And this one, hates Halloween, so that's saying something."

"I'm glad you could make it, Bella. Come back anytime."

I turned toward Edward, who had his hands shoved in his pockets.

"I'll walk you to your car, Bella," he said as he took a step toward me.

My vehicle was just over the ridge, but it was dark, and I'll admit, some of the stories Emmett told earlier had me a little freaked out. Especially the one about the rabid wolves.

"Thanks," I replied with a small smile.

I waved to Alec and Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, and Esme waved back before leaning into her husband's side.

Edward and I were silent as we trekked up the gravel road toward the hill. The only sound was the crunch of stones under our feet and the hoot of a lone owl in the distance. It was eerie out here in the middle of nowhere, and as we made our way further from the house, other noises from the woods rang out around us. Although I tried not to let them unsettle me, I was glad Edward had offered to walk me to the car. When I heard what I thought was a wolf howling, I nearly jumped out of my skin and grabbed his hand.

I quickly tried to pull it away, but he wouldn't let me; instead, he laced his fingers through mine without saying a word. I was embarrassed at what I had done, but if I were completely honest, I liked how my hand felt in his. It made me feel safe.

"Is this, okay?" he asked softly as we continued to walk.

I could only nod in the dark. "Yes."

It was more than okay - it was perfect.

~!~

By the time we reached my car, Edward still hadn't released my hand, and we stood in the darkness without saying anything.

"You going to be okay getting home?" he finally asked softly.

I nodded up at him, not wanting to let go.

"Drive safely," he whispered, moving his face dangerously close to mine.

I could only nod again, tongue-tied by his intense gaze.

"Maybe I'll see you around," I said quietly. "With Jake and Emmett, I mean."

Knowing our time was up, I reluctantly removed my hand from his and turned to open my car door, speaking over my shoulder as I did.

"So, thanks again; I had a really –"

Before I knew what was happening, his arm came from behind me and shut the door with a soft 'thunk.'

"I want to see you again," he said softly, and my heart skipped a beat at his declaration.

Turning, I looked into his hopeful face and knew I needed to see this man again.

"Yes," I replied without hesitation.

Extending his arms, he placed his palms against the car on either side of my body.

"Tomorrow?"

"I work until four." I breathed.

"How about six thirty at that place on Pine Street, do you know –"

"I know it," I answered quickly.

He slowly pulled himself away, and the smile he bestowed upon me was so infectious that I couldn't help but smile back before he opened my door. Climbing in, I settled myself in the seat and gazed up at him as he placed his arm on the roof and leaned down.

"Tomorrow …"

I nodded before buckling my seatbelt. He stared after me as I pulled away, and I watched him in my rearview mirror until his form disappeared into the inky blackness of the night. Reaching the end of the driveway, I pulled onto the road and let out a long shuddering breath before looking at myself in the mirror.

"What the fuck was that?"