Author's note: As ever huge thanks to Sunflower Fran for proofing and improving upon this. Sorry for the delay on this one. Mixed bag of January is difficult and this chapter was difficult for me. Working the next one already. Be warned this is info heavy, cute moments light.
No infringement meant, just playing with characters that aren't mine etc.



Edward walked towards the Orchard Restaurant, and as he passed the Conservatory, he found himself looking through the door to try and catch a glimpse of Bella. The noise emanating from both rooms created a low hum, and Edward braced himself for a long night of talking shop.
Breaking up the evening with some fresh conversation had been enjoyable, to say the least. Edward had always admired Bella. She was intelligent and quick-witted, and debating against her had always been a pleasure, not least due to the slight crush he had on the beautiful spitfire of a woman. Having never spent enough time with her in his uni days, he had written it off as a crush on an acquaintance. Seeing her ten years later, it was easy to see how that crush had developed. Within the few hours he had spent with her, Edward quickly saw Bella as beautiful, kind, and intelligent, all the things that had sparked his interest in their passing encounters in class and on campus. The difference a decade had made was minimal. Bella had matured, but not in any drastic way, and her values were still very similar. It seemed she had found steadier ways to achieve her objectives, and he wondered if the same could be said for him.
Thinking about their catch-up in front of the fire and all the questions he still had for her, Edward shot a text to Bella in the hope of seeing her again this weekend, sooner rather than later.
As Edward slipped his phone back into his jacket pocket and turned the corner, he saw his father standing at the seating plan, searching for his place. Walking up behind him and slapping him on the shoulder, Edward started joking with his dad. "All right, old man, about time you made it. You do know the rest of us have been here since before lunch?" Carlisle laughed and turned to hug his son. "Yes, well, the rest of you aren't the key speaker, are you? I've put in my hours, junior. That comes with some perks."
Dr Carlisle Cullen had been a young parent, and the twenty years between father and son was not as noticeable now that they were both adults. Carlisle's blonde hair hid the greys well, and his face always looked open and kind. Though father and son shared similar facial structures, the family resemblance was not immediately apparent with his lighter hair and grey-blue eyes. Turning to face the seating plan shoulder to shoulder, they looked for their table again.
"I have to admit I'm in need of some help here, though. I left my reading glasses in my room. " Carlisle confided in a lower voice.
Edward guffawed, "No worries, old man. I've got you. Looks like you're on my table anyway. Come on."
Lauren, the event organizer, immediately sought Carlisle out as they walked into the dining room. She had been awaiting him at the entrance.
"Dr. Cullen…and Dr. Cullen pardon me, good evening," she greeted; however, she continued focusing on the task at hand, on Carlisle. "Dr. Cullen, I trust you've checked in okay this evening? Can I help you find your seat, and could I trouble you for a quick word about the schedule for tomorrow while I'm at it?"
"Check in went smoothly, Ms Mallory; thank you. Edward has apparently found my seat for me, but you can certainly borrow me for a moment to go over the schedule." Carlisle turned to Edward. "Son, I'll see you at the table in a minute."
"Sure thing, Dad." Edward smiled as he watched Lauren hold herself steady on her heels with his father's proffered arm and flip her hair as she spoke animatedly about a change in proceedings. Feeling his phone vibrate, he checked it quickly.
I may take you up on that offer and bring a friend if that's okay?
Who could she be bringing? Another bridesmaid, perhaps? Probably not her sister. Edward assumed the bride might have better things to do the night before her big day.
The more, the merrier, he typed, although be warned the company here are just medical professionals. More scintillating tales of misbehaving patients await you. Smiling at the thought of continuing their conversation, he put his phone away once again.
Edward walked further into the restaurant weaving through the crowd to find his table. As he passed one, a hand shot out and grabbed his forearm to stop him. He turned to see Zafrina standing behind her seat wearing a light grey trouser suit, a black satin shirt, and a hopeful look on her face.
"Drinks after dinner? Please?" she checked, her eyes drawn over his shoulder to what he was sure was the more distant figure of Dr. Carlisle Cullen. Edward chuckled and smirked at her.
"Well…" he let the word draw out and hang in the air, while Zafrina did her best to hold back something between a pout and a scowl. Finally, Zafrina spoke again in a rush to get out of the awkward situation she'd created by almost gushing about his dad earlier in the day.
"Or not, I guess. It's not important, really. Enjoy your dinner." Edward held up his hands in surrender and laughed a little again.
"I'm sorry. I was just messing with you, Zafrina. No worries, I'll see you in the bar after dinner, and I'll drag Dad along. He's usually up for a drink or two." Zafrina let out a breath and rolled her eyes.
"And for that bit of fun at my expense, I'll take a GT once I'm there, thank you very much."
"Aye, aye, ma'am. Don't forget to grab Ben, too, if you see him before I do." Edward replied.
Taking his seat, he found himself sitting between Dr. Sinclair, the course leader, and one of the panelists from earlier today. His dad's seat was on Dr Sinclair's right-hand side, and looking around the table, Edward found himself sitting with mainly other speakers and two other attendees who looked about his age. And they say nepotism is dead, Edward thought wryly to himself.
Although he'd worked just as hard as any of his peers to get to where he was, there was no denying that having a family connection certainly made becoming a doctor less of a big unknown, as it was for some of his peers when they started. His father's appearance at this residential course was a last-minute surprise after Edward had booked the weekend. The original key speaker had caught a stomach flu just before the weekend, but his partner in the research project he was due to speak on was available to cover for him. Hence, Carlisle Cullen, with very little experience in pediatric care, became the key speaker covering new treatment options for adolescents with chronic migraines. And now, Edward found himself at the beginning of his career about to have dinner and hours of conversation with a selection of top doctors in their fields. He found it hard to believe it was a happy accident. He was glad Zafrina had outright asked to meet his dad. It was usually awkward as hell bringing up the fact that he was Carlisle Cullen's son, but he understood the value of his connections and wanted to share the benefit when he could. The doctor to his left began a conversation as his dad took a seat, and the first course was served.
"So, Edward, how is life at Royal Greenwich treating you? You moved there recently after finishing your training?"
"It's been good so far, thank you. The chiefs seem sensible if a little stretched, but what's new?" Edward slid his eyes to the name on his dinner companion's badge to remind himself he was Dr Marc Cuthbert from Great Ormond Street. The weekend's overriding theme was pediatric care, and Edward had enjoyed listening to Dr Cuthbert's views on the ethics of pediatric research as a top haematologist at GOSH. He was looking forward to the weekend, as he had decided to focus on pediatrics at Royal Greenwich.
"And how about yourself?" Edward continued steering the conversation to Dr Cuthbert's research and views on pediatric care.
Dinner continued, and Edward learned Marc was working with the hospital to roll out a training programme to improve patient care and wellbeing and on a committee allocating grants for pediatric care initiatives across the UK. Carmen filled Edward in on the practices and new technology at her trust in the South West. By the time dessert came to the table, they were sharing war stories, and Carlisle was enlightening the table about Edward's early years practicing medicine on his sister's dolls. Edward gave his best warning glare over the centerpiece, but he knew this came with the territory too, and he was fairly certain his dad knew where his boundaries were. Still, it didn't hurt to silently remind him.
As coffee was served, Carmen stood to speak and thank the room for their time attending the weekend, reminding them the bar in the library was open for them this evening and of their start time tomorrow morning. Coffees were finished and cleared, and Edward took advantage of a lull in the conversation.
"A few doctors I met at lunch are heading to the bar after dinner if anyone wants to join us. Dad, are you up for it?" Carlisle smiled at the thought of joining his son for drinks. It had been a long time since they both had an evening of downtime together.
"Sounds good to me. Shall we make a move? Hopefully, we'll get a good seat. I'm not sure I'd be up to crowding around a bar. Age is catching up with me," Carlisle replied.
"Oh, I'm sure I can help with that," Carmen chimed in, signalling Lauren from the table next door to come over. "Lauren, could you go ahead to the bar and reserve a seating area for us? We've got to ensure our speakers are on top form, after all." She laughed.
Edward signalled a thumbs-up to Zafrina, who had found Ben at a nearby table. Seeing the exchange, Carlisle prompted the group to move.
"Well then, shall we round up the troops and get settled?" Pulling out Carmen's chair, he offered his arm, and everyone followed, either joining them or saying their goodbyes. Edward walked ahead to collect Zafrina and Ben on the way out, offering his arm to Zafrina as he walked by.
Arriving at the bar, Edward smiled as he saw Lauren rearranging furniture around the fireplace to provide more seating. She took their drinks orders as everyone got settled and introduced themselves where needed, and Edward found himself sitting on the sofa again, this time with Zafrina and Marc. Carmen, Ben, and his dad all took their places in the surrounding armchairs. The conversation quickly turned to work again. Mark and Carmen discussed tomorrow's panels with Ben while Edward and Carlisle got to know Zafrina better.
"Where is it that you're based?" Carlisle started.
"Guys and St Thomas', in the pediatric ward, mostly," Zafrina replied. "I started in the Midlands, studying at Manchester and a junior doctor in Birmingham, but I've been away from home long enough. I decided to come back home. Mum was chuffed, although I think she assumed I wouldn't actually move back in with her." She shrugged and flicked some hair over her shoulder as she continued. She crossed her long legs out in front of her, smoothing some imaginary lint from her trousers as she spoke.
"Doctor gigs don't pay as much as she expected, but it was never really about the money for me. My sister was in and out of hospital a lot as a kid, and I remember spending all my time trying to cheer her up between surgeries, recovery, and treatment. The days when a good doctor was on the ward, you know the ones who actually talk to the kids like they're humans instead of a file. Those were the easier days to perk her up. I wanted to be part of those good days for someone else."
"That's noble," Carlisle responded. "I'm sure your patients couldn't wish for a better doctor."
"I'm sorry that your sister spent so much time in the hospital. How's she doing now, can I ask?" Edward ventured.
"Oh, she's good, thanks. It was a few years, really, and nothing life-threatening, just life-limiting, I guess. She's still in uni, trying to catch up on her education. Says she wants to be in law, but we'll see. She changes her mind every month or so."
Carlisle smiled and said, "Law's a good base for a lot of careers. I knew quite a few doctors who turned to law after a few years of practice."
The conversation turned to second career options, with the rest of the group joining in, animatedly describing each of their passions when their turn to describe their second career came along. Drinks were topped up, and the fire kept everyone warm enough to not want to leave their cosy corner.
As Ben started to talk about his passion for animals and a possible second career as a vet, Edward felt his phone buzz against his chest. Smiling to himself, he reached to look at the message.
Where are you then? B x
Edward quickly responded as the chatter around him continued.
On your sofa, of course. Did you know they turn the library into a bar after dinner? E x
Smirking to himself at having beaten Bella to her sofa without even trying, he hadn't noticed he'd caught Carlisle's attention with his diversion.
"Something funny, son?" he enquired.
"Huh? Oh! No, not really, I guess. Just chatting with a friend." Edward explained. "She's with the wedding party and looking for some fresh company. I told her to drop in. We're old friends from uni, and I bumped into her before dinner. Bella, her name is Bella Swan."
Carlisle barked out a laugh when he heard that name.
"Bella Swan. Now that name sounds familiar. Friends, you said? If I remember correctly, she used to get under your skin a bit. Something about not knowing when to give in?"
Edward scoffed. "Ten years is a long time, Dad. Friends is an accurate description by now, I reckon."
He looked around the bar to see if he could spot Bella and her friend when he saw a flash of blue and pink on the other side of the room. They stood out like a beacon in a room of muted greys, black, and navy. Edward caught Bella's eye and waved her over. She easily cut through the crowd and reached him.
"How did you manage this then? Did you reserve the table in advance just to wind me up again?" Bella started.
"Something like that." Carlisle sniggered in an undignified manner.
"Bella, meet my father, Carlisle. Dad, this is Bella Swan," said Edward rolling his eyes at his father's immaturity.
"A pleasure," Bella extended her hand. "And this is my friend Jessica. Jessica, this is my friend, Edward." she indicated to the woman in pink to her right. Both men greeted Jessica, Edward doing a quick double-take. He had seen her earlier in the day. She looked slightly older, dressed formally and done up, but still, there was something quite childlike about her. Jessica had grasped his hand with both of hers and was beaming at him.
"So you're the doctor friend who made Bella late to dinner? A pleasure to meet you." Jessica rolled her r's enough that it almost came off as a purr, although not quite as natural. Edward arched an eyebrow and glanced questioningly at Bella.
"As I understood it," he began, "I made you late for pre-drink drinks, not dinner. How long did it take you to walk to the bar?"
"Har-dee-har, the both of you. I was not late for dinner, drama queen." Bella said, addressing Jessica.
"Well, take a seat, please." Carlisle offered, standing. "Edward, why don't we go and fetch your friends some drinks and bring back more chairs while we're at it?"
"Oh, please, don't go to any trouble…"
"Oh, thank you," Jessica and Bella spoke simultaneously, with opposite answers. The woman in blue moved towards the bar while the woman in pink took a seat and smiled up at Carlisle. Edward halted Bella's movement gently by reaching out for her wrist and tugging her back towards him. His hand involuntarily tightened a little as he felt a tingle run up his arm at the physical contact with her. In an almost effortless move, he stood, and using the momentum already in action, slid Bella into his now vacant seat next to Zafrina.
"It's no trouble." He murmured, leaning down to reassure her. Standing and raising his voice to be heard, he said, "Now, what will you have?"
Bella looked slightly stunned by Edward's forwardness, but her friend tugged on Edward's sleeve to answer for them both. Looking up and batting her eyelashes in what could have been considered flirting, she asked for two GTs. Edward nodded tersely, extricating himself. As he walked away, he thought he heard Jessica mutter something about, "certainly not my doctor, that's for sure," and he sped up to catch his dad at the bar.
Ordering the drinks to the table, they found two spare armchairs and maneuvered them through the bar to the fireplace, setting them up next to the sofa. Zafrina was talking to Bella and Jessica, asking about the wedding plans for the weekend as they sat back down and handed over the drinks that had just arrived.
"Oooh, Edward, did you hear about the fireworks tomorrow night?" Zafrina gushed. Chuckling to himself, he reached over and squeezed Bella's knee softly.
"I did. In fact, I scored myself an invite." Bella facepalmed and turned her head sharply to meet Edward's eyes. Her usually warm brown eyes were ablaze with an emotion Edward had stirred in her before.
"I can uninvite you if you keep boasting about it…" she threatened. Edward raised his hands in surrender and mimed locking his mouth and throwing away the key.
"That's more like it," Bella added and then turned to Zafrina and smiled sheepishly. "They should be visible from the terrace, but I can't show up to part of the wedding with a whole entourage of doctors. Give me your number, and I'll message you and Edward at the same time."
"No worries, hun," Zafrina handed over her card. "I'm not brazen enough to invite myself to someone's sister's wedding after five minutes, unlike some medical professionals." She laughed.
"So, Bella," Carlisle cut in, "I remember hearing quite a bit about the classes you and Edward took together at uni, but what is it that you're doing now?"
"Um… I'm teaching English Lit at a secondary school in South London. I'm working mainly with students taking their SATs and GCSEs, so thirteen to sixteen-year-olds."
"Wow! That must be a rewarding challenge."
"Well…yeah, it can be. I like the connection with the students and watching them learn, but honestly, a lot of it is paperwork and getting them to jump through hoops for exams. I feel like it doesn't do anyone any favours in the long run to push them through an education they don't want."
Carlisle nodded, and Zafrina huffed next to Bella.
"I see what you're saying," Zafrina interjected. "It just makes me so cross, though. There are some kids that would kill for that sort of education. Some of my patients tell me they're counting down the days until they're discharged and well enough to go back to class."
"Oh, believe me, I know!" laughed Bella, "You try telling that to a room full of teenagers. Honestly, I'm at my wit's end trying to motivate them. After almost seven years, it's beyond tiring."
Zafrina, Bella, and Carlisle continued the discussion, talking about the benefits and pitfalls of the country's education and healthcare systems. Edward sat back and observed, for the most part, occasionally being pulled into a banal chat with Jessica. She seemed very interested in his clothes and his home, amongst other things that didn't particularly catch his interest. Although he tried to be polite, Edward couldn't help thinking that Jessica wanted more than he was willing to give. He had brushed off the third or fourth attempt at conversation to focus again on the group setting the world to rights in front of him when Marc chimed in from across the group.
"Bella, if you're ever looking for more motivated students, I'd suggest switching to hospital education. You'd have your pick of jobs with eager students that way. Actually, I'm not going to lie, they're still kids after all, but your odds are better." Marc laughed.
Bella's face scrunched up in curiosity. "Hospital education? Like schools in hospitals?" she asked.
"Well…yeah…sometimes." Marc continued, "Or close to hospitals, depending on the local provision, to be honest."
"Huh…" Bella smiled to herself and took a drink.
"Right!" Carmen stood up and brushed herself off. "I've got an earlier start than most of you. I think I'm going to call it a night. It's been a pleasure; I'll see most of you tomorrow. Good night all." She picked up her bag and made her way through the bar. Her exit started a mass exodus with the other parties around the fireplace making their excuses and saying good night. Finally, only Bella, Jessica, and Edward remained.
"So, ladies," Edward began, "are we calling time too, or shall I go and get another round in?"
Bella raised her hands about to admit defeat when Jessica intercepted. "Another would be great, please, Edward. Right, Bella?" Jessica raised an eyebrow across the coffee table at Bella.
"Sure, thanks, Edward," Bella added.
Edward smiled at Bella and left for the bar. He'd hoped to catch up with her some more tonight. Jessica was an unexpected addition, but that didn't necessarily mean they couldn't carry on their talk from earlier. As he turned back to the fireplace, he saw Jessica leap across the coffee table and seat herself on the Chesterfield, chatting animatedly with Bella.
That had been his seat.
He frowned a little as he turned back to place their order.