The following day, as the sun's rays teased at Bella's eyes, she tried her hardest not to slip away from her dream—a strange and inaccurate retelling of the day she and Edward first made love.

In her dream, the ethereal and somehow magical lighting of the morning that found nineteen-year-old Bella waking up in Edward's bed to the slow rising of his back with each deep breath was replaced with the darkness of a strange home masquerading as his. In reality, Bella had woken that morning with a resolve foreign to her young inexperienced self. And as she quietly got out of bed to use the restroom and brush her teeth, she assessed her reflection in the mirror. Messy hair and swollen lips from making out the night before. She was happy with how she looked draped in Edward's old NYU T-shirt. She felt like what her 12-year-old self would considered a woman; small waist and flared hips, breast enough for his handful. Eyes that have observed and learned, lips that have known what it was like to be thoroughly kissed.

After spitting out the toothpaste and rinsing her face with water to ensure no residue remained, she quietly made her way back to Edward's sleeping form that had shifted to her side of the bed in search of her- soft skin he would chant his love for as he kissed every inch of her she allowed. She loved the way he worshipped her and his admission that he started adding cream to his coffee because it reminded him of her color; amazed it stayed even despite the primarily cloudy skies of Washington in the fall.

But rather than making her way back under the blankets to run chilled hands up his back and soft kisses placed on his face, dream Bella found herself lying back in the dark bed with sheets smelling of a foreign perfume. Rather than being rewarded by Edward's sleepy smile, she watched him move to stand at the edge of his bed to take her in with a critical eye, feeling insecure and less-than under his gaze.

Knowing she was dreaming but unable to correct the course, Bella lay helplessly as Edward stared; a feeling of anticipation of what was to come next surfacing. Her musing was interrupted by a parade of acquaintances coming into the room in disregard; his mother, to ask if they were coming, his sister, looking for a straightener, convinced Bella had taken it. And lastly, a male friend whose name she couldn't quite remember but stirred a familiar feeling with his pinched face and cold blue eyes, chuckling at the sight of her.

It wasn't until Maggie arrived, tall, beautiful, and impeccably dressed that Bella knew she had to wake up, feeling trapped by her nonplussed gaze, and whisper into Edward's ear. Bella's eyes flew open only to find herself next to Alice still asleep.

Before she could forget the details of her dream, she opened the note app on her phone, typing in what she could remember to add to her journal, later. A fresh iteration of the dream diary she started as a child upon first moving to Mexico, plagued by nightmares about her mom's mortality and worry about her dad and Emmett alone in Washington. Back then, her Abuela, who had also suffered from nightmares, showed her how to capture what she remembered so it wouldn't occupy her thoughts throughout the day. When night came, they read through it together in an attempt to discern their meaning and expel any dark spirits or evil eyes set against her by influencing her sleep.

So as she noted the last details, the expression on his face, and the way she felt, she let her mind wander to what that morning had really been like for her.

Edward woke to Bella's soft touches and rubbed his eyes of any remaining sleep; he appreciated the sight of her lit in the cool light of morning. How she managed to look so beautiful first thing, better than anyone he had been with before, warmed him from his core and radiated outward.

Pulling Bella on top of him, she let her hair fall to frame their faces as she kissed his mouth before moving towards his stubble-covered jaw and down his neck the way she knew he loved. As she moved down to straddle his hips, she was unsurprised but pleased all the same to find him hard and wanting. Moving her face back up to his, she kissed him passionately, conveying her confidence in what she said next.

"I'm ready."

Surprised by her admission, Edward pulled away to examine her face hoping he wouldn't see any doubt there. "Are you sure?"

With a nod, she kissed him again before lifting his shirt above her head, revealing tanned skin and perky breasts. On instinct alone, Edward moved, so his back rested against his headboard and brushed the hair away that grazed her nipples before taking one into his mouth. Enjoying the feel of her squirming on top of him, he circled it with his tongue before paying the same attention to the other side.

Eager, he gently moved her off as he moved to lock the door. "Okay, let me put some music on. Any preferences?"

"No. Come back."

"Alexa, play Team Sleep," he responded as he made his way back towards her before settling in between her parted legs, moving with her to settle against his sheets and press his length where he could feel her warmth through their thin layers of clothing.

"Bella," she could hear his voice low and husky even now in Emmett's spare bed.

Groaning, Bella thought better of replaying what came next with her cousin soundly sleeping next to her.

"What time is it?" Alice mumbled with her face buried in the pillow, short hair sticking out in every direction.

"Just after ten, you went to bed early."

"Yeah, I can't hang with y'all. I need my beauty sleep."

"It's okay, grandma. Let's go find some food."

Slipping on her sweatpants, Bella left Alice to awake fully and made her way to the kitchen, where she found Rose pouring herself a cup of coffee. Siding up next to her, Bella wrapped an arm around her waist, resting her head on her friend's shoulder, "morning, Rosita."

"Morning, Bells. Just a heads up, your brother saw you and Edward last night," she whispered before twisting away and leaving her floundering.

We're going to play it cool...

We will not freak out…

We are not freaking out… Bella chanted in her head as she reached for a mug and calmly filled it.

"Is everyone else still asleep?" Bella asked, joining Rosalie at the breakfast nook.

"Em and Edward went out for a run but should be back soon. Are you hungry? Should we make breakfast?"

"Rose," Bella hissed. "Do I need to prepare for something? Is Emmett actually out back burying Edward's dead body?"

"Oh my gosh, don't be dramatic,"

Before responding, she heard the groaning of the deck steps under the guys' weight and the muffled conversation as they made their way inside.

Placing a kiss on Rose's head and throwing a nod Bella's way in greeting, her brother wordlessly went to his fridge to chug a glass of water. Looking to Edward for some sort of confirmation that they were caught or in trouble, Bella found him instead, pulling up his shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow.

"Go take a shower. Bella and I will start on breakfast." Rose said, admiring her husband's form from her place at the counter where she followed behind him.

"Gross," Bella said, watching her friend's appreciation written plainly on her face, ignoring Edward's exposed skin and toned body. But a quick cut and narrowing of Rosie's eyes had Bella up and moving towards the familiar kitchen to start pulling out everything they needed.

"Want some help?"

Looking over her shoulder at Edward, she let the smile that seemed to come so easy around him these days light up her face, despite the expectation of hearing it from Emmett later.

"No, go ahead and do what you gotta. We can handle it," she said, happy his returning smile seemed to be clueless about them being caught.

Choosing to ignore Rose's smug face, Bella worked in tandem with the asshole she called her best friend, frying up enough bacon to feed their group while trying to send Edward a telepathic message to keep his mouth shut.

"Is he going to say anything?" Bella asked, tired of pretending like the thoughts of how her brother might respond weren't playing ad nauseam in her head.

For once, Rosie skipped the playful teasing and looked at Bella with wide blue eyes. "I have no idea, Bell."

"How did he find out?"

Before her friend could respond, they heard someone making their way through the hall.

"Babe, is breakfast done yet?"

"Yeah, will you tell Edward and Ali to let them know?" She asked, hoping to buy her and Bella a second alone, only to get Emmett's loud voice calling out their guests by name and punctuated with, food.

"Just remember, you were my friend first," Bella whispered.

As everyone trickled in and served themselves a plate, Bella felt her emotions fluctuating between fear of Emmett's reaction, unsettled by her dream, and the thrill of seeing Edward.

As they sat down to eat, Bella was relieved when Emmett jumped in to talk about the party the night before, discussing his highlights of the night like a sports commentator would a game. Grateful her brother was content to leave it alone for now, Bella dug in, laughing along with others when appropriate and dodging the silent conversation Rosalie was trying to have with her eyes.

"Did you need a ride back to Seattle," Edward asked, pulling Bella from her thoughts.

Shooting a look at her brother, self-conscious and aware he was watching her with an indistinguishable expression, she responded, "oh, umm, Alice and I drove Ernesto; he's just parked at my parents."

"Gotcha," he replied, seemingly oblivious to the nerves making her breakfast feel like cement in her stomach. Or maybe it was just the start of a hangover. "I can't believe you still drive that beast."

"Bro, that's what we've been trying to tell her! Dad even offered to help, and this one turned him down."

"Dad already helped with getting Ernie; the next car I get, I'm buying myself," she responded, annoyed before realizing it might sound like a dig at Maggie. But as she peeked at Edward between bites of toast, she didn't think he took it that way.

"I respect that."

"What time you heading out?" Emmett asked Edward, though he continued to watch his sister.

"Uh, probably after this. I gotta stop by my mom's and visit since Emily is in town."

Bella tried not to be bothered by the fact that Edward would offer her a ride knowing he was planning a stop to see his family. It reminded her of when they were in the gray zone of 'togetherness,' and he'd invite her to go on outings with his family while still insisting on not defining what they were. For all intents and purposes, they were a couple in everything but his words, even if he claimed to remember otherwise.

"Bella?" The offending party asked.

"Sorry, I was daydreaming. What was that?"

"He asked how your classes are going," Alice said softly, watching her cousin curiously.

Quickly glancing at Emmett and Rose, who seemed busy planning the rest of their day, she turned to look at Edward before answering. She felt a residual pang of embarrassment, watching his face shift from curious amusement before his eyes softened into a hint of concern.

"Oh, really great! I feel nerdy admitting that it's actually been fun. I talked to my professors about finishing early, and they're allowing me to submit assignments ahead of time."

"Wow, sounds like you're busy."

"Oh my god, she's ridiculous. I hardly ever see her at home anymore. But I'm so proud of you, Baby Bells, even if you're running around like a chicken with its head cut off."

Bella couldn't help the cloud of angst that settled over her as the conversation continued around her. Her dream and Edward's invitation to ride back with him had her feeling young and vulnerable all over again. And so, as breakfast wrapped up and everyone went their separate ways to get ready for their respective days, she was surprised when a freshly showered Edward found her in the room scrolling through her phone.

"Hey, how'd you sleep last night?" He asked, leaning against the door jamb and taking in her prone form

"Kinda garbage; how about you?"

"Like a baby. I thought you seemed pretty comfortable out on the swing," he responded quietly, making sure no one would overhear.

"Yeah, I was out, but I meant back in here. Just some weird dreams-"

"What kind of weird dreams?"

"Maybe I'll tell you some other time. So, Emily's in town?"

"Yeah, kind of a last-minute trip back with Congressman Black."

"Wow, that's cool. It's nice you guys are able to spend some time together."

"Yeah, I'm excited. Too bad you insist on driving that death trap."

"Excuse you, Ernesto is great. Working at the garage means he's in the best shape of his life. And why would it be too bad? Wouldn't it be so awkward if I just showed up with you?"

"It wouldn't; Mom and Emily like you."

"They don't even know me."

Before he could respond, they heard his name called by Emmett asking to help him move some things in his garage-turned workshop.

"Can I call you later?" He surprised Bella by asking.

Although she responded with a sure, the funk her dream had caused had her unconvinced she'd answer if he did.

———

Driving down the tree-lined street to his mom's home on the edges of the Olympic national forest, he made his way up the gravel drive to the dated bed and breakfast his mother had lovingly updated and restored. Somehow, she made the much-too-big house into a warm family home, and Edward was excited to see his family there. Those feelings, coupled with his thoughts about how Bella fit perfectly against him and how he hoped the next opportunity to be alone with her came sooner rather than later, left him feeling happier than he had in a long time.

"Mom?" He called as he made his way into the foyer.

"In here," her voice called from the kitchen where he found her and Emily.

After hugs, lively conversation, and a friendly debate on the congressman's recent outing at a local high school with his namesake, Edward found himself sharing about Bella and his recent reconnection.

"That sweet girl, how is her family doing?" Esme asked between sips of her mimosa

As Edward thought about it, he was disturbed to find he really didn't know before responding with a good, I think. Over the weeks they spent catching up and relearning each other, he hadn't once asked about her parents or even Emmett for fear of scaring her away. So singularly focused was he on letting her help him get over Maggie that he hadn't realized he neglected to ask about the other important aspects of her life. As he shared that they were just friends and updated them on what he could, he resolved to make a better effort to actually know her—all of her.

After hours of talking as they prepared a late lunch, eating contentedly on their large wraparound deck, he found himself alone with his sister after their mother insisted on cleaning up without their help.

"You better be careful with that girl," Emily warned out of the blue.

"What are you talking about?"

"You could have been kinder to her back then instead of keeping her holed up in the basement like some creep anytime she was over."

"When you put it like that, it does sound creepy. But that wasn't the case. She went out and did things with us. I took her out when we could."

"Maybe, but you could always tell how uncomfortable she was. The only time I ever remember her smiling, and not that forced polite one, was when Mom and I asked her to teach us Spanish."

"Oh my god, I completely forgot about that. I still don't appreciate that you two only wanted to know dirty words."

"Well, as a woman, I don't appreciate how you treated her back then."

"Emily, I know, okay? I'm trying to be better. It's not like you went out of your way to make her feel comfortable."

"How could I when she clung to you like a life raft. And it was weird for me that you were with someone a few years younger than me. But this is about you, and all I'm saying is you better not be a dick this time."

As she got up to pack her bags and leave her brother stewing, Edward's wanted to argue against her assessment of their situation back then. But as he thought of all the times he and Bella spent together with his family; he could feel the truth of Emily's warning.

————

That evening, after a day spent helping Emmett and Rose around the house and in their garden, Bella sat in the front seat of his car as Alice sat in the backseat, no doubt occupied with texting Jasper.

"So, have you heard of Ring cameras?" Emmett asked, breaking up the silence in the car.

"What? Obviously - who hasn't?"

"Yeah, seriously, right? We set ours up a few months ago but got the whole security package; cameras set up at every corner of the house."

Peaking at Alice in the rearview mirror, Bella knew this was the moment she had been fretting over all day.

"Bella, that dude's been in love with you since forever. I'm surprised he waited this long. I'm not going to go all overprotective big brother, because that's never been me, but I know a place to hide a body if you ever need me to."

Bella forced a laugh as she stared out the window avoiding eye contact with Emmett and Alice. She wanted to correct him, that Edward had never been in love with her, but thought better of jeopardizing his passive acceptance.

Not that there was anything between her and Edward worth accepting, she thought defiantly.