Author's note: I'm running behind again. Blame my paid work and COVID this time. But hopefully you'll think this chapter worth the wait. Good news is I currently have COVID so I should have more time get chapter 7 up in two weeks as planned. I'm fine and I'm not trying to be flippant. Just annoyed as it's meant not being able to get close to anyone in my place for three days so far :(

Huge thanks for SunflowerFran's efforts in pre-reading, correcting and sense checking. As ever no copyright infringement intended, these are not my characters/ Much love to Ms Meyer for the templates.


Jessica leaped over to the seat next to Bella on the Chesterfield the second Edward stepped away and clutched onto her arm.

"Spill, missy!" she demanded. Bella looked at her with a bemused expression on her face. "Oh no, no, no. Don't give me that look. Your face lit up earlier tonight when Dr. Hotty McHotface texted you. He has barely taken his eyes off you since we got to the bar. I know a crush when I see one. I think you're in denial if you think he's not your doctor. He certainly hasn't got eyes for anyone else right now!" Jessica rambled on with a flip of her hair to punctuate the end of her assessment.

"We're old friends," Bella protested. "Not even that, really. More like acquaintances."

"Yuhuh! I always spend hours catching up with old acquaintances in romantic hotels the night before my family weddings."

Bella tutted at Jessica's attitude. She seemed a bit short, and it wasn't Bella's favourite look on her.

"I don't know what to tell you, hun. It's exactly what I say it is; no more, no less. We barely know each other, but I haven't seen him in a decade. It's not like there isn't enough to catch up on to fill the time."

Sitting back a little, Jessica's eyes slid from Bella to Edward and back again, scrutinizing the situation. Edward looked over to the fireplace and frowned at the pair, maybe wondering the reason for both of them looking over.

"All right! If you say so. I'll believe you; thousands wouldn't." Jessica raised her hands in surrender. "I'm certainly not getting anywhere with him, though, so maybe you could help introduce me to some of his hot friends tomorrow night…?"

Bella laughed. "Sure, hun. I'll see what I can do. You know we'll be kind of busy tomorrow, though, right?"

"Pfft! Not once the speeches and dance are out of the way. Then we're free to roam. Well, sort of."

Edward walked back to the fireplace and set the fresh drinks down on the coffee table.

"Ladies, your G&Ts. So, what's the topic of conversation now?" he smiled, looking between the two women.

Jessica let out a big, theatrical yawn and abruptly stood. "Actually, I was just telling Bella how shattered I was. It's been a long day and a longer one to come tomorrow. If it's okay with you both, I might take my drink to my room and get some rest?" Not waiting for an answer, Jessica picked up her drink and bag and threw Bella a wink. "Don't stay up too late, Bella. See you at breakfast. Edward, it's been a pleasure; good night." She strode out of the almost empty bar, leaving Bella gaping like a fish in her wake.

"She seems nice." Edward laughed. "A bit odd but nice. She's a family friend?"

Bella gave a short laugh at that description. "The kind that's almost family." she confirmed. "Jessica and my sister Angela were thick as thieves through school, and she was barely out of my house. It was like having another sister. However, I haven't seen as much of her since I left home. She's the other bridesmaid tomorrow. I have a feeling I'll be keeping tabs on her rather than taking care of the bride."

Edward stepped forward, gesturing at the now empty seat next to Bella in question.

"Oh, please do." Bella scooched to one side, and they resumed their places from their early evening encounter. Edward's arm rested against the back cushion between them, and they faced each other with the noise of the dwindling crowd in the bar and the fire crackling in the background.

"So you're the eldest of the family then? Always taking care of people and never showing the cracks? Is that how you got into teaching?"

"Ha! Is that how you got into medicine?" Bella retorted.

"That's a little presumptuous, Miss Swan," Edward smirked, leaning toward her and lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret. "What if I'm the middle child?"

Bella scoffed at this declaration. "Okay, now that makes sense, though. Competitiveness and attention-seeking are definitely middle child traits."

Edward clutched his hand at his heart, acting wounded for a moment. "Now I'll give you competitive but attention-seeking? When have I sought attention that you know of?"

"When don't you seek attention? I mean, look at you!" Bella blurted out.

Edward laughed and raised an eyebrow. "Look at me? Would you care to elaborate on that? What is it about my appearance that would draw attention? And, more importantly, is there something I can do to alter this 'attention seeking' you speak of?"

Bella felt a blush creep up her neck to the tips of her ears. Edward continued to stare at her, patiently waiting for an answer with a smirk playing across his lips. She felt like she was back in a debate with him and caught in a weak argument again.

Worse!

This time she'd essentially been caught calling Edward hot in a roundabout way while making a weak argument.

Perfect!

In another transparent attempt to direct the conversation, Bella tried to change the subject. "Are all your siblings in medicine then?" She blustered.

Edward's smirk grew wider, and he ran his hands through his hair and sighed. "I'll let you off the hook this once." He said, alluding to Bella's slip of the tongue. "And no. My older brother Garrett is still studying and teaches to fund his studies. Alice is in design, mainly fashion, but she's freelance, so wherever the money is, she turns her hand."

"It's good that you all followed your passions like that." Bella mused.

"Hm, I think it's important. Not everyone is fortunate enough to know what would make them happy. If you do know, you should try for it at least."

Bella hummed in agreement and smiled softly, staring into the fire. She felt Edward watching her as she watched the flames dance and the wood crackle and split. His gaze felt searing like he was trying to see through her. Shaking herself out of the alcohol and warmth-induced trance, she tried to break his stare by continuing the conversation.

"So, what is your next thing to "make a try for" at this hospital then?" she asked.

Edward and Bella spoke for an hour or more about their ambitions. What they were when they started, and what they are now, after time and training. Edward expanded on his plans to get involved with hospital committees and reforms. Focusing on ethics and quality of patient care in a system that was continually subject to cuts and making do with the bare minimum.

Bella filled Edward in on her ennui with teaching. She spoke about her drive to help students find their passion for learning and how the current education system was more results-focused than she had thought it would be.

They set the world to rights in a way that only two people fueled by nostalgia and booze could. The fire dimmed and slowly lifted a spell from over them. They realised the bar was closing, and the effect of the drinks they had already consumed was wearing off.

"Well, it looks like our time is up for tonight. I imagine we both have early starts?" Edward stood from the sofa and offered his hand to help Bella to her feet. Donning his jacket, Edward's movements kicked up the air around him, and the smell of the dying fire, the leather furniture, and Edward's aftershave created a strong sense of place in Bella's mind. She knew she would remember this night for a long time to come.

"This wing or the next?" Edward asked, referring to the layout of the manor house and its bedrooms.

"This wing; 213," Bella replied.

"216. I'll walk you home then." He took her hand and looped her arm through his before setting off for the lift. They were quiet as they walked along the hallway and stepped onto the lift. Bella's head felt heavy, and she rested it against Edward's shoulder. Quietly she murmured, " It's nice to catch up. A surprise, but a good one."

She saw Edward smile crookedly in the mirrored doors. "It has been lovely," he agreed.

They stopped at Bella's door and faced each other. Edward reached out to tuck Bella's hair back and then quickly leaned in to kiss her cheek. As he pulled back, his smile lit up his face, and he gave Bella a wink.

"Until tomorrow then, Miss Swan. Don't forget about me." Laughing, he walked to his own door and let himself into his room, leaving a slightly dazed Bella holding her key card in the hallway.


Author's note:

Just a final word on some images available if anyone's interested in seeing my thoughts of how the setting and costumes etc look visit the link on my bio. I've kept it all in one place and I'll do my best to update as I go.