Chapter eight

Obsession-

Edward POV-

Last night was the first time in, well, a really long time that I'd had to run two nights in a row. Usually I run a few times a week, but I haven't run that long or hard since I was in cross country, back in college. I just needed to control my anger, otherwise I'd be on a plane to Florida right now, to go punch Jacobs face in. I know how juvenile that sounded, but it's what I actually wanted to do. That, and break all the bone in his body, and then kill him. But that was beside the point.

I watched Bella open the door, and walk down the couple of stairs, leading to me. I wonder how she slept last night. After she'd admitted to not sleeping well, and not feeling safe, I'd thought of everything that could help her. That's why the people who installed touch pads were coming today. I needed all of the extra security I could get, and although Emmett and Jasper didn't exactly get why we needed so much of it in Alaska, they didn't have a problem with it.

Emmett had called this morning, babbling about Connor. He'd obviously fallen in love with him. He had talked to Rose about kids, before, and I guess they had talked again last night, and had agreed to start trying. I couldn't imagine anyone more perfect for Emmett than Rose. He'd never really liked girls who were really clingy, yet, although he wouldn't admit it, he was a huge cuddler. Especially in his sleep. Jasper and I had found out the hard way on a camping trip. He was almost banished to the truck, but we decided to be nice. Anyways, Rose was independent, but she liked to know she had someone waiting for her back home. They both had their freedom, and each other, and were completely in love.

"Hey, Edward. What are you thinking about?" She was laughing. I had been daydreaming again. They usually consisted of her. This one had started with her child, though. I was somehow getting attached to him, too, although I'd only seen him a couple of times. It was hard not to become attached when you heard how Emmett had talked about him. You'd think the kid never cried.

"Emmett and Rose." I replied quickly, realizing that I'd almost started daydreaming again.

"Why? Are they okay?" Her voice and face held concern.

"No, they're going to try and have a baby. Apparently Connor has had an effect on Emmett."

"He does seem to really love him. I can't wait until they do. He'll be a really good dad." The worry was quickly erased with happiness for Emmett.

"Yeah, he does. I had a couple of people call late at night. I didn't want to mess up your file system, so they're laying on your desk. How did you sleep?" I asked.

"Okay. I was actually sleeping until Connor started fussing. Then I couldn't get back to sleep. Hence the coffee. I brought you some too." She said, setting it on my desk. I took a sip.

"Thanks. Does he usually wake up?" I asked. It was unnecessary for me to know, and yet I wanted to know everything I could about her and her child.

"Not really, but he's teething. I don't now how Emmett puts up with him all day, but he loves it. He fussed quite a bit last night." She shrugged and headed over to her desk, and began putting files away.

I continued working, occasionally looking over at Bella working. I was pretty sure she was unaware of it, but she softly sang to herself as she worked. I recognized the band, and was surprised it was something that she listened to. She was singing Secondhand Serenade… Fall for you, I believe. Personally, my favorite was Your Call, but I liked that one too. Not many people listened to them, possibly because it was literally serenades, but I loved them.

I had an conference in a half hour, and I would need to leave soon. I was confident in Bella, though. I knew that she would be fine here alone. The problem was that I didn't want to leave her. I didn't want to take the chance that he would find her while she was alone, because if it was the Jacob I remembered, then he would. And he wouldn't leave until either someone was hurt or he had his way. I doubt he could find her this fast though. She'd been here less than a week. And I had to go, Emmett would possibly kill me if I didn't. We needed to fill up this complex, and start getting the word out there. I sighed, taking the posters I had recently made and walking over to Bella.

"I have to go to that conference now. You'll be okay, right?" I knew he couldn't find her. That didn't stop me from being worried.

"Of course. What time are the installation people coming, though?" She asked, taking out a schedule, I assumed, to write it down.

"Around two. They should be here in a half hour. Just tell them that I want one over the main door. And make sure that they give you multiple keys and that you get the code."

"Okay. I will. Have fun, I guess." She said, biting her lower lip. She did it automatically, I assume. But I loved it. I loved all of those little things that she did subconsciously. "What?" She'd noticed me staring.

"Oh, nothing. I'll try."

"Bye." she called out as I walked out the door. I waved, shutting the glass door behind me.

The conference was deeper into the city, and I wanted to make sure I wasn't late. I jumped into my Chevy Silverado Hybrid. I'd decided to splurge when my old truck died. I knew that I'd need a truck. The roads could get pretty nasty in the dead of winter, although they were usually okay, I didn't want to take the chance. I made it there in time to get everything set up before the committee members even showed up. I already knew what I was going to say, so I wasn't nervous, but I kept glancing at the clock as the members slowly trickled in. At exactly two I looked around.

"Is everyone here?" I asked, to no one in particular.

Various members nodded around the table, and so I started.

"At the Cullen Complex we can provide luxury apartments at a reasonable price, with very little down. We offer advanced security with diamond class appliances, high class carpets, and linoleums…"

My speech lasted for at least eight minutes. I looked around at the obviously impressed members.

"However, we have no way to advertise so far. We need a partner who will be willing to place us on billboards, radio, and possibly television ads. I came here to ask if you would be interested in this opportunity."

Needless to say, I walked out of there satisfied. They had offered to cover all advertising, including television, billboards, newspapers, radios, anything that was available. I knew that Emmett and Jasper would also be happy with the results. We had been working toward this for a long time.

I hurried back to the complex. It was almost four. When I got there the installers were just finishing up. Perfect. I walked into the office and checked my messages, then realized that I wouldn't have any, because anything that needed scheduled or updated Bella would have them fax over. It was going to take me a while to get used to having a secretary again.

My secretary. I laughed to myself. How cliché, the boss falls in love with his secretary. At least neither of us would be married, soon. We had set the court date for Bella's case in a week. It was short notice, but I'd managed to get her in. It would be easier on her to just get it over with. Maybe she would be able to sleep again. I sighed, looking over her, and watching her look at the clock. She stood up, smiling at me, and walking out the door, to check on the installers, I assumed. She had the checkbook with her, and I could tell that she was hoping they were done, so we could wrap up the day.

She emerged with a satisfied look, a keychain full of keys, and a slip of paper in her hand.

"I take it it went well?" I chuckled at her expression.

"Yep."

"What's up with you?" She was acting strange.

"The stupid guy asked me for my number." she said, laughing.

I felt a surge of protectiveness over her, and instantly hated the guy, even though I had never met him. I wasn't usually like this, but Bella wasn't normal. That would have to be my excuse for now. She set the keychain on my desk, taking off a key for herself. I had gotten enough keys for Emmett, Jasper, Bella, and myself. Along with a few spares, incase we expanded enough to need more people working here. The others would just get in with the touchpad, but we could lock it at night, where they had to call the office, and get buzzed in, after one am. There would probably be exceptions on holidays and such, but we made sure we didn't get partiers living here anyways, since they just made all of the other tenants mad, so I was sure that there wouldn't be a lot of people going in and out at that hour of the morning.

"And this is the code." She said, handing me a piece of paper. "I've already programmed it into my cell, and it's fairly easy, I think."

I looked at it. "84356? How is that easy to remember?"

She shrugged. "I'm not really sure, but it is to me. It's always been easy for me to memorize numbers somehow."

"Huh. Well at least you won't be locked out."

"And if I do, we can just get in with the key." She pointed out.

"I'll probably end up calling you, you know." I was horrible with numbers.

"I know. I kind of expected that anyways." She looked over her shoulder and went to shut off her computer for the night. I did the same, closing all of the windows I had opened earlier.

She walked out the door, and I followed her, locking the door behind me.

"Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you mind if I come over and get to know Connor a bit?" I felt like I was about to enter some personal bubble, that I wanted to belong in, but I wasn't sure if I did yet.

"No, not at all. Come on." She smiled, and continued walking down the hallway. She paused to unlock the door, and then opened it.

"Hey Emmett. How was he?" She asked, walking over to Emmett, who I had to laugh at. He was laying on the couch, with Connor on his feet, and he was holding onto his hands. But that wasn't what had me laughing, he was laying there making cooing noises and talking to Connor in baby talk. He looked over at me, surprised, and jerked upward.

"What? Why is he here?" Bella laughed at him.

"He's coming over to meet Connor. You can share."

"I know… I should go home. Rose and I have a hot date." he said, jumping up and heading out the door, throwing a "Bye guys! Behave!" our way.

I laughed. "Told you he has some kid in him still."

"Yeah, I can see that. I'm glad he and Rose are happy though. What would you like for dinner? I still have some soup, otherwise I could make something."

"Soup sounds good, actually. I haven't had any in a while. I usually grab cereal." I admitted with a sheepish smile.

She laughed, shaking her head. "What am I going to do with you?" she asked.

So this chapter was to get to know Edward better, and clear up all questions with Emmett and Rose. I didn't want to try and do a POV from Emmett, because he doesn't do much all day except watch Connor, so it would all have to be at night, and i don't want a lot of sex in this story (seeming as how they're engaged and live together, it happens)