*edited as of 9/2017

Author's Note: A lot of you are nervous for obvious reasons about Maggie getting pregnant. I can guarantee that there will be no Maggie pregnancy although she isn't exactly done with this story yet.

Also for those wondering what Bree and Diego look like. I imagine Mila Kunis as Bree and Adam Rodriguez as Diego.

I am also now on FictionPad if something were to ever happen to my stories here on FFnet. Find me at Sylvia-Cullen

Chapter 12

"One heartbreak is like a thousand lessons. Loving again is learning them."

-Sandra McKendry

Bella's POV

"Wow." Bree gushes before breaking out into another round of laughter. I'd just finished giving her the details of last night's foolery and she was having a field day.

"Really Bree? Is that all you have to say? His whole freaking family knows that we slept together and all you have to say is wow?" I can't believe my eyes. Bree continues laughing to the point she's gasping for air.

"I'm so glad that my humiliation amuses you." Bree clears her throat a couple of times before speaking.

"Well what do you want me to say? Is it freaking hilarious? Absou-fucking-lutely! I swear you can't write stuff this good for television and of course it only happens to you." Bree grins before her laughter resumes.

Hmmpf….Some friend she was.

"Hey! Don't glare at me Missy! You may be embarrassed but it didn't stop you from agreeing to a few dates with Edward… which by the way, it's about time!" she cheers.

"I know, I know, but it's still humiliating. Besides, these dates are supposed to be an experiment of sorts. A test run to see if there really is something or if it's just the fact that we both just wanted a good fuck." I sigh.

"Well there you go. If that isn't a blunt answer than I don't know what is."

"I guess, although I'm still a little suspicious of Jessica. I mean she did blurt out that Edward and I had sex to her friends and family. I answer, stealing the carton of kung-pao chicken from her greedy grasp.

"Didn't Edward say that she was coming from a good place?" Bree asks.

"He did, but obviously I'm a little weary of everything going on right now. I can only imagine the impression I left when I ran out."

"Screw their opinion of you. Shit happens…granted it only seems to happen to you but that is beside the point. Has she tried calling you?" Bree questions.

"Jess has texted me a couple of times but I haven't replied. I've been a little too caught up in this whole date thing to really give her a response." I mumbled through a mouthful of food.

"Swan I swear you're a piece of work. Anyways—"Bree snatches the carton back from me, "Do you know where he's taking you for the first date?"

"No, he didn't say. Edward knows I have to work that night, so we agreed to go out for a late dinner. After that who knows, we live in the city that opens us up for anything."

"Well let's hope its fun, because you're a little blocked up right now and need someone to clean out your pipes." Bree waggles her eyebrows suggestively earning a hit to the head with my pillow. She continues to blurt out random sexual innuendos until I'm red in the face.

"I don't know what you're trying to insinuate, but there will definitely be no sex. Helloooo…this is what got me into this mess in the first place. This is our first date and he'll be lucky to even get a kiss from me." Bree eyes me skeptically and even I could hear the doubt in my voice.

I wanted to kiss Edward silly and then some.

"What? I'm serious." Bree's incredulous glare never wavers as she starts gathering her belongings to leave.

"Fine, there's a chance he might get a little peck if tonight goes well, but there will be no and I repeat NO sex of any kind!" I screech as she opens the door, earning a pervy wink from my passing neighbor Mr. Banner; a sixty eight year old man who was supposedly "blind" and yet never failed to "fall" and grasp onto my womanly parts when I saw him.

"Whatever you say Swan, whatever you say. Just remember that I want the details including the dirty ones, I know will happen." Bree grins, dodging my flailing hands as I tried to pop her.

"Remind me why I'm friends with you again?" Bree sticks her head back in through the door.

"Because I'm cute of course. I'm also your girl best friend who happens to be boning your male best friend who just so happens to have the biggest di-.."

I slam the door in her face hearing her cackles echo down the hallway.

….WLTYAS…

"Fuck, this can't be happening again." I groan as I serve my last check. A sense of déjà vu hits me; the night Edward and I met suddenly vivid in my mind.

Fuckkkkkkk…..Someone upstairs must really hate me.

Tonight of all nights.

I worked all week with no issues but the night I have my date with Edward, Freddie's decided to be extremely busy. Some big business conference was in town and they'd chosen the restaurant as their dinner destination. Add that business along with the usual clientele and we were all ready to leave for the night.

Now I was going to be late.

Well not late for my date, but late as in I was never going to be able to make it home in time, shower and get changed for said date. I was supposed to leave a hour ago and yet here I was.

I was never going to make it home at this rate as my customers were going from table to table talking to nearly every person in the room instead of paying and signing their bill that they adamantly agreed being split amongst the eight of them.

Edward was supposed to pick me up at my place for 9:00 and it was already 8:45. I send him a quick text.

Running late. Still caught up at the restaurant. Possible rain check? – Bella

My phone buzzes less than thirty seconds later.

Trying to get out of our date already? I don't think so Swan. –Edward

I don't get a chance to reply, turning suddenly at the urgence of my customers who had now decided that they wanted some dessert to go; which meant a new bill that they still wanted to be split separately.

I grudgingly smile and head to the back to send in their order, fighting the urge to throw my notepad down and throw a tantrum like a little girl.

Fifteen minutes and a hundred dollar tip later, I was finally free.

Naturally my freedom comes at the expense of my blouse that now harbors a large steak and spinach stain. I was sweaty and it was now 9:00; the exact time that Edward would have been picking me up. I check my phone to see if he responded but see nothing.

Feeling resigned, I drop off my receipt copies and grabbed my bag to leave when I hear a voice call my name.

"Stalking me again mystery guy?" I breathe, walking over to the tall figure hanging out by the bar. Edward looked delicious with his windblown red hair, dark wash jeans and blue dress shirt. A pair of ray-bans lay on the collar of his shirt despite the now dark sky and his cologne is light but fragrant and draws me in like a moth to a flame.

It made me want to lick him.

Shit…Bree was right.

"Had to make sure you weren't trying to run out on me again." Edward smiles, his eyes looking especially bright. He leans forward to hug me and I instinctively take a step back and wrinkle my nose. A look of hurt flashes across his face.

I shake my head. "No, its me. I'm gross and sweaty and…" He cuts me off by grabbing me in a quick hug that makes me melt against him. Edward smiles sheepishly.

"Sorry, I just had to get that out of the way. So am I wrong to assume that you aren't ready for our date? I did make reservations at an nice Indian restaurant but if you don't like that then we could eat here and…." I fight a smile as he begins to fidget.

Was that a sign of nervousness I detected?

Did I make him nervous?

Mr. So sure of himself was now looking like he wanted to throw up.

"Edward.." He continues to ramble.

"Hey Edward…" He finally stops talking and looks at me.

"Okay, three things. First, I'm going to need you to take a breath and relax because you're freaking me the fuck out." I raise a second finger, "Two, I work here all week. Do you really think that I want to eat here as well? So yes to Indian food it's actually my favorite." I raise up another finger "Three, I'm surprised you still want to take me out with the way I look right now."

I gesture to my customary white blouse and black pleated skirt and Mary Jane heels; my apron tied higher up on my stomach to cover the food stains. My hair was slightly damp with perspiration and in a messy bun with about a thousand fly-aways in my face. Edward's eyes linger longer than normal on my legs and I snap my fingers to get his attention.

"I mean…you…you look fine. It's fine to go out." Edward stutters before straightening up and clearing his throat.

"Edward do you really think I look appropriate to go out? Maybe should do this another day." I moan. His eyes glaze over again and I quickly realize that moaning wasn't the best idea.

"Bella you look fine." He assures. I remove my apron to show him the large green and red stain that covered the front of my blouse.

"Hmm…. that does pose a problem, although I didn't peg you as the clumsy type." He smirks. Edward's eyes shift to the top button of my blouse.

"Do you have an undershirt on perhaps?" I furrow my brows in confusion.

"Yeah so…"

"Take it off."

"Excuse me?"

"Don't argue with me Bella and just do it please. Its not like I haven't seen it already." Rolling my eyes, I shove my bag and apron at him and begin unbuttoning my shirt. Thank god I had decided to dress modestly today and wear a black lace tank underneath my top. Not to mention, I had a good bra on opposed to my usual sports bra.

I mean the girls weren't that huge, so why struggle with underwire and all that crap.

"Okay…." I shrug once I'm finished. Edward walks forward, pressing his body so close to mine that I can smell the mint on his breath and the slight hint of aftershave he used. I'm beginning to think/hope he's going to kiss me, when he grabs the top of my bun and removes the elastic, letting my hair fall free around my shoulders.

"Now you look perfect." Edward smiles crookedly making my lady bits tingle.

Damn it Bree!.

I was going to prove her wrong…I was going to make sure of that.

I hope.

My face flushes. "Um yeah thanks…so you ready?" Edward nods his head and gestures for me to go before him. His hand finds itself on the swell of my back; the sudden heat causing me to shiver as the cool Seattle air hit my shoulders.

"Damn, I forgot how cold it can get at night. Shit, wait here while I go get my car." Edward huffs as he walks at a brisk pace down the street to where his car was parked. He must had parked a good distance back, which was understandable considering how busy the restaurant was.

While I waited for him to return, Brady; a busboy spots me and comes over, stumping out the bud of his cigarette on the ground. He was young, maybe nineteen or twenty and harbored a big crush on me. If I was in to the whole cougar thing, it wouldn't be a problem, but that just wasn't my cup of tea. Brady was cute but naïve as he never seemed to get the hint that I wasn't interested. I guess tonight was going to be no different.

"Hi Bella." He beams, flashing me a wired and rubber banded smile.

"Hey Brady, enjoying your break I see." I reply conversationally. Brady smiles and run his hands through his sweat slicken blonde hair.

"Now I am. I see you're off work….you look different." Brady points out. His eyes are focused on my chest and I cross my arms in attempts to shield myself.

"I guess I do. I'm going out tonight."

"Going out tonight? You aren't going out by yourself are you? Seattle can be quite dangerous at night for a girl like you." Brady smiles taking a step closer to me. I take a step back.

"No I think I have it under control. I'll be fine."

"I…I mean I could join you, you know? I will get off.." A laugh slips from my lips as he stutters to finish his sentence.

"Soon! I mean I will get off soon...shit that's not right either…I can take you out if…" he trails off as Edward comes up behind me. Brady suddenly stiffens.

"Oh so this is your friend." Brady blanches.

"No, I'm her date and if you will excuse us, I would like to get our night started." Edward grunts. Looking between the two, I see some weird silent conversation occurring. Brady is the first to look away. Edward looks triumphant.

Men and their pissing contests.

"Edward we should go. It was nice seeing you Brady." I wave.

"Yeah. Enjoy your date." He mutters, although I'm sure his sentiments weren't genuine.

"Oh we will… believe that. Excuse us." Edward growls. He steers me towards a sleek black and grey Volvo that I'm pretty sure isn't out yet. I look pointedly at the ostentatious automobile. Edward seems to read the question in my eyes.

"It isn't out yet and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't look at me like that." Edward helps me in and walks over to the driver's side.

"Look at you like what?" The car wasn't the only reason I was staring at him.

"Like I'm some pretentious asshole…okay maybe I am, but he had no right to look at you like that."

"Oh just like you were earlier."

"That's different. We're dating." Edward mutters as he pulls out the parking lot.

"Oh so we're dating now? You're pretty sure of yourself aren't you? Usually one waits until the first date is over before they assume there's going to be another one don't you think?" I kept my face expressionless.

"Well we are...I…I think?" Edward stutters. His grip suddenly goes tight and I fear he's going into shock.

"Relax dude, you're going to give yourself wrinkles." His expression becomes neutral.

"Rule numéro un..." I start.

"Wait shouldn't it be rule numéro uno?" Edward questions.

"Maybe, but I took French in college so were going to say it my way, which reminds me…" I raise my pointer finger up.

"Rule numéro un, I have no filter. I've dealt with too much crap to try to censor the things I have to say. So if I say something, don't take offense. If I was trying to intentionally try and hurt you with my words you would know." I smile. Edward chuckles and pulls up to the restaurant.

"Fair enough. I'm the same, especially in my line of work. Is a first date a little too soon to question what made you not have a filter?" Edward asks as he parks the car.

"Too soon? Is it too early for me to ask why you went through all that trouble to find me and I don't want that general, 'I couldn't get you out of my head crap.' You ready for that?" Edward narrows his eyes at me before smirking and I wonder what's going on in his head. He opens my door and grabs my hand.

"Ms. Swan we're here. Now come on. It seems like I've been waiting forever to take you out on a date."

….

"So that's it? No shredding of the clothes, knocked over furniture, body fluid stained sheets or anything?" Bree exclaims.

"What the fuck Bree? What is up with you and sex lately?"

"Who knows, I'm a bit of a perv. I take it where I can get it." Bree laughs.

"So I see. Find that somewhere else Tanner and not with me."

"I want moreeeeeeeee." She exaggerates dramatically.

"I told you it went by fine." I muse.

"Fine, just fine! Swan, you've been on two dates with the guy and all I get is fine? Obviously it must be going well if you're still seeing him."

"Well I did agree to three dates. I want to see it through."

"I know you Swan and by now, you would have said fuck it and moved on. Obviously Mr.-wait what is his last name again? And please tell me you at least know it by now." She prods.

"Do you think that little of me to not know his last name by now…. its Cullen."

"And what's his job?" "Bree asks.

"He works in advertising. Why?"

"No reason, his name sounds a little familiar to me. " Bree smiles, her blue eyes twinkling with mischief. She suddenly gets up and grabs my laptop off my kitchen counter and opens it up.

"What are you up to Tanner?" I'm immediately suspicious when she asks for my password. I give it her and watch as she pulls a search webpage.

"Oh nothing. Just doing a little research."

"Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

"Not at the moment, dear friend of mine, but in due time." Bree replies vaguely.

"You're really irritating you know that?"

"Oh shut it Swan, you know you love me."

…

"Why am I freaking out right now?" I mutter to my reflection as I once again fidget with the edge of my cardigan. I couldn't understand why I was so nervous about seeing Edward again.

It wasn't my first time being alone with him as it was our third and final date. However this one decided if we were going to take things further. Despite our two dates, we spoke on the phone every night, often into the early hours of the morning when one of us would fall asleep. We would talk about mindless things and slowly but surely Edward was becoming more and more incorporated into my life.

He was funny, intelligent and seemed to do whatever it takes to put a smile on my face. I still had that little nagging voice in my head that this was all a little too good to be true, but the other part of me; the part I thought was frozen from being cheated on constantly was finally beginning to warm up…and it was from a certain man named Edward Cullen.

Edward Cullen.

Once you got past the brooding, intimidating, cocky façade he had on the surface he was actually really sweet. He was a huge family man, who although they ran him crazy (part of which I witnessed), he loved him unconditionally. Sans my knowledge about his job, I learned that we was an avid adventurist, loving the outdoors and made it his mission to go out and do something at least once a week.

Edward also loved music. I found out that if he hadn't gone into advertising he would have become a music teacher. He played over five instruments, the piano included and I nearly swooned right there, but I was adamant on keeping myself reserved until after this third date.

It was weird to think that after so many years of avoiding getting close to men that I was letting the illustrious Edward Cullen get under my skin.

Edward had asked that I dress up for the evening making me nervous yet excited about the possibilities of tonight's date.

I was dressed in a lavender colored dress with capped sleeves that my mother had given me for my birthday and paired it with a cardigan and small nude heels. I added my grandmother's diamond stud earrings and even taken the extra effort to curl my hair along with my usual makeup.

It was a little excessive for my tastes but as Edward only managed to see me in work clothes or something stained, I wanted to make a lasting impression. I look back in the mirror and contemplate changing. Maybe it was a little too much. I just couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go wrong. I knew I shouldn't be paranoid, but old habits die-hard.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sound of my cell phone ringing.

I grab it and feel my heart race when I see its him.

"Hello?" I answer. I mentally begin praying that he was just calling to tell me he was on his way.

"Bella." Edward sighs and I hear voices echo in the background. It doesn't sound like an engine, radio or even a television. It sounds like a woman's voice.

Edward calls my name again.

"Sorry."

"Bella I can't make it tonight. I'm sorry it's such short notice." Edward grumbles.

And there it was.

Canceled.

"Um that's okay." I couldn't hide the disappointment in my voice. I just knew that this would happen. My paranoia had its reasons and that's why I always waited for the other shoe to drop and what do you know; it always did. I wondered what his excuse was this time.

"No it isn't. Long story short, Ben and Angela had a family emergency and I have to watch their son for a couple of days." Edward apologizes the same time I hear the unmistakable sound of a baby crying.

"Crap hold on." Edward gushes.

God I am such a bitch. I was just about to shoot Edward off as a grade-A asshole when he was watching his nephew.

Minutes later he picks up the phone again.

"Sorry Bella. My nephew decided since he wasn't getting my full attention he was going to make some noise. Can we reschedule?"

"Yeah that'll be fine, do you know when?" I ask hoping that it was going to be sometime soon.

"Not at the moment. I need to figure out my work schedule and crap Joham, no! Bella I have to go. I'll call you later." Edward rushes out and hangs up the phone.

I drop my phone onto my coffee table and kick off my shoes. Well this was not how I wanted to spend my night; dressed with no place to go, but at least there was a reasonable explanation as to why my night didn't go as planned.

Now I just had to wait for him to call and reschedule.

….

He didn't call.

I wasn't the one to sit and wait by the phone but after not hearing from him for eight days despite my occasional texts that remained unanswered, I was just about ready to wipe my hands clean of him. Being busy is one thing but the audacity of him to not respond back to me was another.

Okay maybe that was a little hypocritical of me, but the sentiments were still there.

I was aggravated….and alone.

Bree and Diego were off on some trip so I couldn't bother them and I still wasn't sure where Jess and I stood since that night. The sudden realization of my loneliness made my mood even worse so I turned to my saving grace.

Food.

I decide to make a pizza run since my fridge was scarce of food. I shower, forgoing washing my hair and change into a ratty t-shirt, my favorite pair of skinny jeans and converse. I'd just finished tying one of my shoes when I hear a hard rapt on the door. I yell for them to wait, but the knocking continues.

Fueling my already nonexistent patience and even nastier mood, I storm towards my door with only one shoe on and swing my door open with such force that it bangs loudly against the wall.

I'm met with a pair of desperate green eyes.

Edward's POV:

I looked in in the mirror and gave myself a final glance over. Today was D-day also known as my third and final date with Bella that would decide where we went from here on out.

I'd planned an extravagant night, using all the connections I had made in my line of work to make sure this night was one she'd never forget. Hopefully this date would show her how serious I was and then I could finally call her mine.

Isabella Swan was an amazing woman. She was intelligent, ambitious, and feisty. Very different from the girls I'd pursued and dated. I always thought I had the upper hand on her, but she always seemed to surprise me when I least expected it.

I could tell that she had been hurt, badly. I didn't know the whole story, but from her guarded expressions every time our conversations led into past relationships I knew that I had to tread lightly.

As much as killed me, since I wasn't a patient man, I was going to bide my time.

I didn't want to mess this up.

Speaking of time… I had about an hour and a half left until I picked Bella up and had a few work related calls that needed to be made before I could go.

It seemed that my phone calls were going to be delayed for a bit, hearing my brother call my name from the other side of my door.

"I swear I see more of you and your kid then your wife does." I joke as Benjamin hands over the squirming baby in his arms to me. I love on my nephew for a bit and hear the door close from behind me. I offer him a beer but he shakes his head.

It was then that I notice a baby bag wrapped around his shoulder along with a mini suitcase. Benjamin smiles at me grimly.

"Oh no Benj, no. I have a date tonight!" I growled. I settled my squirming nephew on the floor and turned my attention back to the brother I was about to kill.

"Please Edward. Angela's dad passed and we need to head to Vancouver for a bit to help her mom with the preparations. I mean she'd take the short drive herself but she's inconsolable right now." Ben sniffs. He wipes his own eyes that are tearstained. I look down at the squirming ten-month old.

"You know she doesn't like traveling out the area with him and it's only for two days. Come on baby brother I wouldn't come here if I wasn't desperate. This was my plan E."

"Plan E? What in the hell happened to plan A, B, C, and the rest of the damn letters?" I question shaking my head.

"Exactly. This is why I'm here as you're my last resort. Our usual babysitter fell through. Mom and Dad are out helping Aunt Ruth since she just had her hip replacement. The twins have chicken pox so he can't go over to Marcus and Jane's and Jessica and Mike are out of town seeing some family before the wedding." Benjamin gripes.

"I swear you forget that we have a big ass family. Do you guys not have any other friends to watch him? Why is it always me? You could have been called and told me this."

"Cause you're immediate family and the closest in the area. I swear its last minute."

"Benj, you knew I had a date tonight. Don't do this to me."

"Please bro. Just two days. I'll even pay you to take her out when I get back. Really Edward, I need you. Just two days man and once I'm sure Angela will be fine, I'll be back to get him." I shifted my eyes from my brother to my nephew.

Bad idea.

Of course, little man was conspiring against me just like his father was. Little dude smiled at me showing two little teeth before pouting at me just like his father was. My resolve was fucking gone. I wanted to scream and curse every expletive at my brother. He knew what I had been planning with Bella for our final date so I knew he must have been desperate.

My almost perfect date…ruined at the hands of my brother and nephew.

"Fine….but you owe me big time. Like the rest of your life."

"Aww thank you, thank you." My face squints up in disgust as he grabs my face and plants a wet kiss on my cheek.

"Gross Benj." I wipe my cheek on my shirt sleeve.

"Hey you know you liked it. I have to go. Angela's probably finished packing our bags and we need to hit the road before traffic sets in." Benjamin picks up his son and kisses his cheek, before placing him back down on the floor. With a quick wave, he leaves.

I look down on the floor where my nephew grins at me with his newly visible teeth.

"Don't get cute with me, you date blocker." I sulk as I picked up my phone and dialed the one number that I had familiarized.

Just minutes later after I practically hung up on her, I was ready to throw my phone at the wall. That phone call definitely didn't go the way I wanted it to. I hadn't meant to be abrupt with Bella but Joham was pulling on my cd case and nearly toppled it.

I forgot that my apartment wasn't baby proof. It wasn't as if had a

lot of dangerous objects around but with my nephew newly walking around and exploring I was going to have a heart attack.

"Ungha" Joham babbles, his way of acknowledging me.

"Yeah, yeah. You got what you wanted." I pick him up off the floor and settle him onto my lap, where his hands latch onto my tie.

Picking up my phone, I realized that not only did I have to still make some work related phone calls, but also cancel everything I had worked hard on for tonight.

…

The next two days….ultimately gave me reason to not have kids. My nephew was bad as hell. Not only did he somehow get into everything I had in my room but also achieved in flushing my phone down the toilet, rendering it useless.

To top it off, one of our biggest potential clients were considering another company and I had to work harder than I'd ever had to convince them to join our team.

This left me with absolute no time for anything. While I had immediately replaced my phone after the toilet incident I still hadn't called Bella to reschedule our date. I was being an asshole for doing so and I honestly had no idea why I was acting this way.

Blame it on the stress I guess.

Bella had sent me a few texts, asking if I were okay but I hadn't managed to respond back.

I knew I had to make things right quick, or I was going to fuck over everything I had worked so hard to get.

To say I was a planner, I was definitely unorganized when it came to this whole romance shit.

My phone buzzes signaling I had another text. I knew it wasn't Bella as her texts had stopped two days ago. I prayed it wasn't Maggie as her incessant badgering nearly had me contemplating changing my number.

I pick it up and see it's from an unknown number.

Hey ass-ward! You need to get your shit together and see Bella, before I kick your ass. She really likes you and this ignoring crap isn't funny. You only have so long before you're on her shit list forever. Here's your only warning! (BTW, don't ask how I got your number) –Bree aka size 10 shoes.

Oh yes, Bree. The girl who threatened to shove it where the sun didn't shine that day I got Bella to talk to me.

She was right.

What in the hell was I doing?

The girl of my dreams was out there and here I was giving myself a coronary trying to get a client who still may or may not decide to go with us.

What was I doing to myself right now?

Thinking quickly, I grab my keys and jacket and run out of my apartment and to my car. Someone must have being looking down at me, as there was no traffic and a parking space available when I pull outside of her place. I barely remember to pull my keys from the ignition and bound up the stairs to her apartment.

I hear her yell for me to wait, but I couldn't. I continue to knock loudly and the door abruptly swings open and there she was.

Slightly rumpled in appearance and holding a lone shoe in the air in a striking position, Bella looks at me with disbelieving eyes.

"Oh so now you acknowledge me you asshole after hanging up on me and…" she continues screaming.

I did the only thing I could think of to shut her up.

I kiss her.

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xoxo Sylvia Cullen