A/N: Surprise! Today is my birthday, and so I decided to give you an extra update. I hope you will enjoy and take a moment to help me celebrate my 29th year (for the ninth time!).

This is a stealth attack for everyone. So, I didn't get a chance to reply most reviews, and my pre-reader, Cejsmom, didn't even know about this. But I have loved your response to "the talk" chapter. Thanks to all who reviewed. I'll try to get back on track…

Thank you to WitchyVampireGirl who wrote a lovely review of DH on robnation. I didn't stumble across it until this week, so sorry I didn't mention it sooner

Chapter 19

I floated through the rest of the day in a daze. I mostly watched TV, but I couldn't begin to relate what I saw. I thought of calling Rosalie, or even Alice, but I wanted to replay the conversation in my head and digest what Edward had told me a bit more before I shared it. I got a full night of uninterrupted sleep for the first time since Valentine's Day.

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. The warm morning sunshine perfectly matched my mood. I reveled in it on my tiny balcony while enjoying a cup of coffee. I decided to go to church. Goodness knows someone was looking out for me up there.

St. Paul's United Methodist Church was right on the edge of the Museum District, which, of course, reminded me of my trip to the Menil with Edward all those years ago. It's gothic spires and soaring sanctuary had always appealed to my inner art historian. I sat alone in a pew near the back, but I smiled at a few people who passed me that I recognized from volunteering at a free clinic several months ago.

One lady looked surprised, but she approached me and chatted for a few minutes before joining her husband and children in their pew towards the front. A man I recognized as an internist waved from the other side of the sanctuary. After the minister began the service, I pondered their reactions.

I averaged one church service per month. It had been my dad's thing, and my mom and Phil had never bothered to take me when I was in high school. I started going to St. Paul's as a college student, given its proximity to Rice. Usually, I just slid into one of the back pews unnoticed and departed at the end in the same fashion. I'd attended church on several occasions since the free clinic. Why were people greeting me today?

I realized that the difference was probably me. I tried to remember if I acknowledged those people before. Did I deliberately make eye contact and smile before? I didn't think so. I felt chastened. I really had closed myself off from the world. Well, I decided determinedly, I was ready to turn over a new leaf.

I lingered after the service and spoke to those I recognized, and even committed to another shift at the free clinic for later in the spring. As I walked to my car, parallel parked on a side street, I turned my phone back on. I noticed a missed call and voice message and nervously punched the button to listen.

"Bella? It's Alice. Please call me when you get a chance," Alice's voice requested simply. I decided to make the short drive home before returning the call. The temperature had heated further, so I decided to sit by the pool for a while. I quickly changed into a bathing suit and donned a cover-up before heading down there. Once I was situated on a lounger far from the other two sunbathers, I called Alice back.

"Hi, Bella," she greeted when she answered. She sounded a little strange.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked apprehensively. She cleared her throat.

"Edward was over this morning," she stated and paused, the silence pregnant. She seemed to be struggling with what to say next.

"Oh yeah?" I finally said to break the awkwardness.

"Yes," she answered with more conviction. Then her words seemed to rush out. "I'm so, so sorry, Bella. He told us about the break-up. I mean, I knew that you kept some work stuff from him, and that he confronted you about it. I'd always assumed that the argument ended with you both angry and walking away. The way you always talked about Edward as if he had an expiration date, well, it just made me figure you didn't really care." I didn't answer in order to digest her thoughts, but she was worked up and tumbled on through my silence.

"Why didn't you tell me? We talked on the phone several times. Why didn't you correct me when I told you that he didn't want you at his game? I mean, I know I should have asked for specifics, but why weren't you angrier about what he did?" she demanded. All good questions, I thought to myself wryly.

"Alice," I interrupted her guilty ramblings, "I never understood what Edward could see in me. I knew he'd be better off without me distracting him in his early career. So, I decided to let him go. There was no point in rehashing the details of the break up. You might have tried to convince me to contact him again, and I knew I'd probably cave under that kind of pressure. I wanted it to go away." She sucked in a breath.

"But it didn't go away, did it, Bella? At least that's according to Rosalie," she accused. "How could you let Edward lie to us?"

"But that was my problem, now wasn't it?" I retorted. "And did Edward really lie? Or did you and Jasper just assume what happened based on how upset he was?" She was quiet as she thought this over.

"Well," she answered slowly, "I guess you're right. Edward didn't say much. He was pretty much drunk all the time unless he was at a game or practice, or about to go to a game or practice. I honestly couldn't stand being around him. I told Jasper multiple times that I couldn't fathom why he was wasting his time with him. But Jasper insisted he was just hurting and having trouble dealing with all the pressure on him. Then, you got so distant with me…" she trailed off.

"Alice, don't worry. It's all water under the bridge now," I tried to reassure her.

"And why are you defending him anyway?" she asked suddenly. "Is it really true? Are you getting back together?" I could hear the wonder in her tone.

"Yeah, I think so," I confirmed shyly. "We're going to try, at least. I've never really gotten over him." The last part I muttered, but I know she heard me because she squealed in familiar Alice effusiveness. My heart clenched since I hadn't heard that from her in so long.

"Oh my God, I'm so happy and relieved," she breathed. "I'm going to have my friend back!" she exclaimed to our invisible audience. I laughed lightly.

"Yeah, I'm pretty pleased with things right now, too," I agreed.

"So, what's the plan?" Alice asked with an excited tone. "How did this happen? Did he just blurt it out, or did you lock eyes and just know?" She sighed, sounding like a frustrated romantic. I laughed again, remembering similar conversations all those years ago when we were silly college roommates.

So, I decided to channel that Bella, the one who lived in the corner room on the seventh floor of Brown College with Alice Brandon. I relayed the timbre Edward's therapy sessions and the details of the ballpark tour. Then, I told her about my painful week, waiting to hear from him, and how he showed up at my door.

"Damn that Edward, he can be such a drama queen," she exclaimed. I laughed at her frustrated assessment but felt a twinge of jealousy that she knew him so well. But she interrupted those musings to demand I continue the tale. So, I finished up with all that Edward and I had said to each other yesterday afternoon. She sighed with satisfaction when I was done.

"Wow, it's like a nightmare is finally over," she said. I was surprised at how much her appraisal matched my own.

"Yes, that's exactly it," I agreed. "I know we have a lot of hurdles to overcome, and it still may be hard, but I want nothing more than to make it work," I told her sincerely.

"Don't tell me, tell Edward," she instructed, and I hummed in agreement.

"Seriously, when are you seeing him again?" she asked.

"Well, I'm going to manage his therapy session tomorrow, but I'll have to resign as his medical professional after that," I warned Alice. "But, we're going to spend some time together after the session and hammer out logistics, I guess." I shrugged even though she couldn't see me.

"Well, I figured that," Alice agreed. "I wish you good luck." I could hear the sincerity in her voice.

"I'm glad you called, Alice," I told her. I could hear her smile when she answered.

"I hope we'll have many more calls like this in the future. I'll see you soon," she promised, and we hung up.

I hoped Edward wouldn't be upset that I'd shared all the details of our reunion with Alice like that, because it really felt good to confide in her again. I lamented the fact that I'd been so closed off and hesitated to confide in her way back when.

Which reminded me that I had another dear friend who had supported me through thick and thin. So, I picked the phone back up and called Rosalie to relay all the good details. As someone who usually avoided emotion and talking about my feelings, I surprisingly enjoyed the sequel to my talk with Alice. It was peppered with the same exclamations and sighs as the one before, but I found my participation was genuine, not forced in any way. But, Rosalie was biased so she ended the call in typical Rosalie fashion.

"If he screws this up, I'm going to cut off his balls," she promised, "and I'll do the same to you, if you screw it up, Bella."

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

The sun was beginning to set, giving way to twilight, when my phone rang again. The butterflies returned as I picked it up and saw Edward's name lighting the screen.

"Hello?" I answered nervously. I was suddenly afraid that he was calling to tell me yesterday had been a mistake.

"Hey," he breathed, and my fears retreated. I could hear the smile in his voice. "How was your day?"

"It was fine," I said, but I was seized with a desire to be completely honest with him. That's what had gotten us before. "Well, I had a great day. I thought about you a lot," I confessed. He chuckled, and it was a pleased sound.

"That's pretty much all I did, all day long, too," he admitted.

"You thought about yourself?" I joked. His chuckled deepened.

"No, silly, that's what I did every day up until yesterday. Today, I thought about you," he emphasized huskily. I had to catch my breath after that sentiment.

"Alice called. I guess you stopped by to see them this morning," I offered. He was silent for a beat before answering.

"Yes, I talked to Jasper and Alice this morning. That conversation was long overdue," he confirmed seriously. I hummed in agreement, and neither of us knew what to say next.

"Edward, can I ask you something?" I broke the silence.

"Of course," he answered promptly, "I owe you any answer you'd like."

"Well," I began slowly, "did you know I'd be there on Valentine's Day? In the office, I mean." This was something I'd wondered about all along. He'd seemed so calm and collected. He chuckled again and sighed into the receiver.

"Yeah," he finally answered, "I did. When I heard I was going back to Houston, I knew I'd need to see an orthopedic surgeon at Baylor." He paused, and I could practically see the crooked grin on his face and the apologetic shrug. "So, I googled you." I barked out a laugh, and he joined me, both of us enjoying the irony.

"So you weren't as unaffected as you seemed, then?" I asked for clarification even though he'd told me as much the day before. "You were just prepared. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, seeing you that way," I admitted.

"Yeah," he agreed with a long sigh. "It took everything I had not to climb over that counter when I saw you. It was definitely the best acting job of my life. But I wanted to talk to you. And I would have before I left, but you turned away when I tried to get you to come to the end of the hall. Remember?" I closed my eyes in deep regret. Could all of this been avoided if I'd just been brave enough to face him that day? I remembered him beckoning me as clear as day.

"Yes, I remember," I confirmed, "but you'd flummoxed me. I was too stunned to see you again."

"I'm sorry, Bella," his voice was sincere and sad. I knew he was apologizing again for more than just surprising me that day.

"We're both sorry, Edward. We've got to just accept that if we're going to turn over a new leaf and move on," I told him, thinking of church that morning and my pledge to be less self-involved, to let people in. He hummed in agreement, and thankfully changed the subject.

"So what do you want to do tomorrow after the session?" he asked excitedly.

"Oh, I don't know," I replied with some surprise. "I guess we should just talk and catch up," I mused.

"Do you want to see my new condo?" he asked shyly. I thought about being alone with him in his new space. It seemed right somehow; I could have more insight into where he was in his life now. God knows, there wasn't much new to see about me, I thought ruefully.

"Yeah, that sounds perfect," I agreed with a little thrill at the thought that his bedroom, and bed by extension, would be so close to us. Surely, it was too soon for that sort of thing, I admonished myself.

"Great!" I could hear the excitement and boyish grin in his exclamation. "We can order take-out. Do you still like Mai's?" I smiled as I thought about that perfect day spent with him at the Menil and later at Mai's.

"Yes, but Edward, they don't deliver," I reminded him. He laughed softly.

"You have a lot to learn about what it's like to be a pro baseball player," he promised. I shook my head and rolled my eyes even though he couldn't see me. The next day couldn't come soon enough for me.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

On Monday, we only had three cases, thanks to a last minute cancellation, so I decided to wait to talk to Carlisle until we were done. It was right at lunchtime, and I had several hours to kill before I needed to be over at Whitlock and Associates. Carlisle seemed to have forgotten our recent differences and invited me to join him in the cafeteria for lunch. He seemed to be in good spirits, and I was glad to see it.

He tried to pay for my slice of pizza, but I demurred, too nervous about our coming discussion to go further into his debt. He agreed gracefully enough, and we headed to a table in the corner of the area cordoned off for faculty. We ate in silence for a few minutes, and I finally forced myself to speak up.

"So, Carlisle, after today, I'm not going to be able to help out with Edward Masen's therapy," I dropped casually. He looked up from his salad with a creased brow.

"Oh, why not?" he chewed with food on one side of his mouth and eyed me with a confused expression.

"Well, I just think you're right that my relationship with Alice and Jasper complicates things," I grasped for words, knowing I sounded suspicious. Carlisle continued to watch me as such. "And Edward and I are friends, too. I'd just like to take myself out of the situation," I finished. Carlisle said nothing. He just looked at his plate and took another bite of lettuce, chewing and swallowing before he glanced up at me again.

"Whatever you think is best, Bella. But remember, he is still our patient, so be sure to keep it strictly professional," he said in an unconcerned tone. We finished lunch in essential silence. Carlisle seemed at ease, but I couldn't shake that uncomfortable gnawing in my gut. Finally, I excused myself to make a grocery store run prior to heading over to Whitlock. I resisted the urge to look back at Carlisle as I left, unsure what I might see on his face if I did.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

I was practically skipping as I made my way into Texas Orthopedic Hospital that afternoon. I was giddy with the knowledge that I would see Edward again in just minutes. I smiled when I saw his silver 'Vette parked in the front row of the patient parking area. I ran my finger over the shiny metal of the hood as I passed by it.

Lucy smiled brightly and welcomed me with her usual effervescence when I entered the office. I smiled back and waved in greeting as I approached her. Her expression faltered a bit with what I imagined was consternation. I cringed thinking how much of a bitch I must have been to her in our prior meetings that a friendly smile could cause such surprise. I attempted to make amends.

"Hey, Lucy, how are you today?" I asked pleasantly. Her smile was back in full force; I figured it was her natural expression.

"I'm doing just fine, Dr. Swan. You look nice today," she complimented me. I had taken a bit more care with my appearance today since I knew I'd be heading over to Edward's place after the session. I had paired dark jeans and flat sandals with a feminine flowered short-sleeved blouse. It was actually highly inappropriate for a physical therapy session, but I didn't care.

"Thanks, Lucy. I thought I saw Mr. Masen's car in the parking lot outside. Should I just go on back?" I asked her, motioning with my thumb at the door to the gym. She shook her head and creased her forehead in confusion.

"No, Mr. Concord is already back there working with him. Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock are waiting to see you." She stated it like a fact and seemed confused I wasn't aware that was the plan. I schooled my face and just went with the flow. Just then the door to the gym opened, and Alice came through. She didn't hesitate this time; she came straight to me with her arms lifted and gave me a genuine hug.

"Garrett's got us covered today. He got started a little bit early since we know that the two of you have plans this evening," she said. I flushed at her words. She beckoned for me to follow her. "We thought we'd take the extra time to clear the air." I followed her cautiously into the gym and towards her office. She motioned for me to go ahead of her inside.

I stopped short at the door when I realized that Kate was seated in one of Alice's tasteful guest chairs. She looked up at me with a chastened expression. She was dressed just as chicly as the other day, but her hair was tucked behind her ears and her mouth turned down at the corners. The haughty air was definitely gone. She was giving me the upper hand.

"Hi, Bella," she began carefully. "I know I probably don't deserve it, but I was hoping we could talk for just a minute." Her voice was timid and unsure, and she allowed her mouth to curve up into a slight smile, but her demeanor was clearly deferent. I gave her a curt nod and moved toward the chair. Alice hovered nearby, but I turned to her, sending a silent message that I was all right with this, and she could go. She left quietly and pulled the office door mostly closed to give us privacy.

When I was seated, I looked at Kate and waited for her to speak. I knew she was probably going to apologize, and I appreciated the gesture, but I still kind of hated her for allowing me to think she and Edward were together. Finally, she cleared her throat and spoke.

"So, apparently, I owe you quite an apology," she said, her mouth twisting wryly. "I feel terrible about how I treated you before. I was operating under a misconception, as you've probably heard, but that's still no excuse." She sounded very sincere, but I couldn't trust myself to speak yet, so I just nodded again. She watched me closely and went on.

"I have to admit that I was very jealous of you when I first met you all those years ago. Edward was so attentive towards you at that New Year's Eve party, and you both seemed to have so much fun together. On top of that you included me that evening, and I envied the easy relationship you seemed to have," she revealed. I snorted, thinking of what a basket case I'd been back then, so unsure of what was happening between Edward and I. She seemed to understand my reaction and nodded.

"When Edward and I started spending time together during his last college baseball season, I knew instantly that he and I would never have what you guys had had. I could tell his heart was broken even before he opened up to me about it, and we decided just to be friends. But he refused to talk about it, and I never imagined that his misery really stemmed from the fact that he'd had a hand in the relationship's demise," she continued her back story in a calm, measured tone.

"I watched his self-destructive behavior when he was in the Minors and then encouraged him to move on with Victoria in Atlanta. I could never understand the self-loathing I saw in him. I had no idea where it could have come from given his professional success," she spread her hands in a gesture of confusion before going on. "I mean, he achieved his goals, had wonderful, loving parents, and true, supportive friends. Why couldn't he be happy? Now, I know."

"Bella, I'm so sorry. You are a kind and generous person if you can look past all this and give Edward another chance. I'm not sure he deserves it." She announced this while looking me directly in the eye. My attitude towards her softened just a little bit, but only a little. It did feel good to hear what she had to say, though. All this time, I had hated myself for the way I'd treated Edward, but I was starting to understand that he had a lot to atone for, too.

"Thanks for saying that, Kate," I answered, not completely forgiving her just yet. "I really do want to get to know Edward again. And, I want to help him get back into top pitching form, just not as his doctor." I giggled a bit uncomfortably; now that she'd said her piece, I wasn't sure how to get out of this room gracefully. Alice must have been listening because she saved me by opening the door.

"Hey, guys," she looked cautiously between us. "Bella, are you ready to meet with Jasper. He wants to talk to you about the coach's visit later this week." Kate stood hurriedly.

"That's my cue. I'll let you guys get to work. Bye, Alice. It was nice to see you again, Bella. I hope we can all get together again soon," she told us as she gathered her shoulder bag and moved out of the office. I allowed her a small smile in parting as she left. Baby steps, I thought. I'd be forced to see her on occasion if Edward and I were really going to do this. When she was gone, I turned to follow Alice.

"What coach's visit?" I asked curiously. We had reached the door to Jasper's office, which stood ajar, and he heard my question.

"Demetri Felix, the Astros pitching coach is coming into town Thursday. He wants a status update since Edward is almost halfway though his rehab. He's meeting with Edward, Dr. Cullen, and I on Thursday evening, and he's going to watch Edward throw some pitches afterwards. Didn't Dr. Cullen mention it to you?" Jasper answered with some surprise. Alice and I entered the room and sat down on the chairs in front of his desk, and he leaned towards us onto his elbows.

"No, he didn't," I said, my forehead creased as I wracked my brain trying to figure out how something like that could have not been mentioned. "I told him this morning that I wasn't going to assist on Edward's rehab anymore, so maybe he thought I wouldn't be interested or that it was no longer my business," I hazarded. We were all quiet, thinking that over.

"May I ask what sort of explanation you gave him for that?" Jasper asked cautiously. I shrugged.

"I didn't really give him one. I'd like to be vague with him until the department makes their hiring decision next month," I said in a tone that let Jasper know I felt it was none of his business. And he easily caught that undertone.

"Listen, Bella, I'm really sorry about everything. I know you got painted as the bad guy who broke Edward's heart and turned him into an asshole, but now we all know that Edward was always an asshole. You had nothing to do with that," Jasper said all this with a straight face but allowed a sly grin to creep onto his face when he saw the matching one appear on me. Alice let a small chuckle escape.

"If you guys are willing to put it behind you, then I'm all for it," he declared. I nodded to let him know I was. Jasper was a man of few words, and I understood that I had just received a huge apology.

"Okay, so back to the coach's visit," Jasper began again, changing the subject back to business. Just then we all heard Edward and Garrett's voices approaching, and they both appeared in the doorway shortly after. Garrett tapped his temple in salute to Edward and moved on to other clients, leaving him alone in the doorway. His eyes immediately honed in on me. A shy smile crept onto his face; it was adorable.

"Hey, Bella," he said, ignoring Jasper and Alice.

"Hey," I said back, a silly smile on my face, too. I should have been embarrassed to be acting like a teenager in front of an audience, but I was just too glad to see him. Finally, Jasper cleared his throat, and Edward broke eye contact with me in order to close the door and lean against it.

"The coach's visit," Jasper said again, putting us on task. "Edward needs another MRI and exam, and Dr. Cullen is planning to see him tomorrow for that. Apparently, it's his admin day, and he can fit him in pretty easily," Jasper glanced at me for confirmation. I nodded and felt relieved that I would be working with Dr. Alistair tomorrow and could easily avoid interacting with Edward around Carlisle.

"But as far as I'm concerned, therapy is going well, and I think Edward is ready to throw a few pitches," Jasper beamed as he gave this assessment. Edward nodded along.

"Yeah, I'm feeling pretty positive," he agreed and turned his attention back to me again.

"You're going to be there, right, Bella?" Edward asked in a hopeful, almost pleading voice. I understood the underlying significance in his request. I'd never seen him play. His request that I be there for this was actually his pledge that he was serious about our future.

But Carlisle would be there, too. It was very unlikely that I could hide the intimacy between Edward and me from Carlisle if we were all three in the same location. I could try and downplay things, but the possibility that I'd be caught was quite high. So, my future as a faculty member at Baylor was at stake. Could I really give up my dream job, that goal that I'd sacrificed everything for? I thought about Carlisle and his sad, half-life with Siobahn and how he'd stubbornly refused a chance at happiness with Esme.

"Yes, Edward," I told him with more intensity than an agreement to something so casual should rate. He didn't understand the gravity of my statement, but I did. "I'll be there."

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Happy Birthday to me! I hope you enjoyed this update. We'll be back to every Friday, including the upcoming one, after this. I'm anticipating 24 chapters…

EG