Chapter 8: Edward's POV

Holy cow…that was some kiss! I can't believe I kissed Bella! I kissed her and I want more! Oh man! Nancy, what am I doing?

You're moving on with your life…oh honey…you're living! I'm startled when I hear Nancy's voice again. You're doing the right thing Eddie!

Am I…? I ask.

Yes... Nessie's going to be a teenager soon and she'll need a woman around to talk to and to help her with things!

Nan, why did Bella's dad see you in a dream? I question her.

Oh…that. I just wanted to say 'hi' after all these years…Don't you recall meeting him?

I shake my head.

Honey, do you remember the night Renesmee was born?

After looking at the calendar, I recount in my mind that day, nine years, nine months, and one week ago…

Of course I remember the night our baby was born…You and I were at lunch with friends when you went into labor.

The guy at the table next to us had a girl with him. She was in her late teens with dark brown hair and pretty eyes; she must've been his daughter. They were just paying their bill when you grabbed my arm and said, 'Eddie, it's time.'

Our friends paid the tab and said they'd visit after the birth. Our car had been parked next to a cop car and when we got to it, the guy who'd been sitting at the next table was in the driver's seat. His daughter was in the car too. He saw that we were in a hurry and asked if he could help. We told him that we had to get to the hospital really fast and he gave us an escort.

I called the family as soon as we got there but he and his daughter hung out as I waited for them. Then, I came into the labor-room and we did Lamaze breathing, but poor Nessie got stuck and you had to go in for a C-section. I was kicked out of the birthing room as soon as the baby was out. Our family, the cop and his daughter were still there. The nurses brought our baby out to me.

Then they told me that there were complications so I wouldn't be allowed to see you yet. It was noon on the next day when I found out about the fever, infection, blood loss, and organ failure...That combination led to a progressive weakening of your immune system and 3 weeks later…your death, but not before Alice fixed you up a bit so I could take some family photos to show Nessie…so she'd know her mommy.

What does that have to do with Bella's dad? I question my wife.

Patience, Eddie, I'm getting to that … The cop…He was such a nice man…wasn't he?

Yeah…his daughter was sweet too… I remember.

Do you remember his name?

I don't think he told us his name, Nancy. I try to recall it.

He visited me one day about a week after Ness was born and he told me his name. It was Charles Emmett Swan…father of Isabella and Emmett Swan…

I let that sink in and slowly realize that Bella and her dad were there at the birth of my daughter…In fact, they were the first non-family members to hold her! I even have pictures, but…how am I going to tell her?

Bella's POV

"No way…!" I say to my editor on the phone. Its 2 days after 'the kiss' and my pain in the ass editor wants me to go to a business dinner in NY City…tomorrow night. "Jane, I have a date tomorrow night! I can't be in the city by 7 if he's picking me up for dinner and a movie at 6:30."

"Isabella, what's more important: your livelihood or some guy you're seeing?" Jane says incredulously. "It'll be just you, me, my hubby and the 3 heads of the publishing company who will have their spouses with them. You know what…? Bring him if you want to."

"Really…?" I ask. "They won't mind?"

"As long as you're there, they'll be happy. They have questions about the new story." She says.

I sigh. "Fine, then…we'll be there. Email me the place and time." After we hang up, I call Edward and check my email account. The message from Jane is there and Edward picks up the phone.

"Hello…?" He says.

"Hey, it's Bella. Have you got a minute?" I ask.

"Uhmmm, yeah…are you canceling? Was my kiss that bad?" He jokes.

I blush and giggle. "No, but I do have to change the plan a little…if you don't mind…?"

"Sure, what's up?" He says.

"The heads of the publishing company that I write for want to meet me for dinner in the city. Come with me?" I plead.

"Huh…ok, formal or informal?" He inquires.

I glance at the restaurant name on the email. I gasp. "It's at The Carlyle…"

"Wow, ok…formal…I'll ask my parents to take Nessie overnight tomorrow and call you back." He tells me as he hangs up.

I call Jane back. "Jane! I can't believe we're having dinner at The Carlyle! What the hell do I wear?"

"Wear a dress, of course, and your date should wear a suit and tie." She advises. "Don't go ultra formal, though; no evening gown or tux."

"Ok, I've gotta go shopping, bye!" I say hanging up the phone and as I run out the door a yellow Porsche pulls up, blocking my driveway.

The driver is a lovely young woman who comes over to me and holds out her hand…she looks familiar for some reason. "Hi, I'm Alice; we spoke on the phone the other day. I thought I might join you for your shopping trip."

"How did you…?" I shake her hand and see Edward coming out of his house.

"I asked my mom about taking Nessie tomorrow night but they can't, they're busy. Anyway, Ali was with her when I called." He explains.

"Oh, don't worry about that, Edward, Jazz and I will take care of Ness. She can play with Hale." Alice volunteers.

"Thanks, Ali, that's a great idea!" Edward smiles, "I told them it was formal attire and she said she'd help. I need a new suit anyway. So, let's go shopping together."

"Ok…" I shrug. "Who is Hale?"

Alice moves her car and we get into Edward's Volvo and head to the mall. Once there, we take Edward to the correct section first. I watch as she advises him on the cut and fit of everything and then we leave him in the care of the store's tailor. "Ok, Bella now it's your turn!" She steers me toward the dressing-room and grabs 10 random dresses from the racks on the way; she doesn't even look at the prices.

I try them all on and Alice takes pictures, sending them to her sister-in-law, who picks the five best ones. Then they let me get rid of the one's I don't like and I'm left with two. Alice then amuses me with a bit of eeny-meeny-miny-moe. "You'll wear the green one tomorrow night." She says hanging them both back on the hangers and walking away.

"I thought I was only getting the green?" I say, following her.

"Where did you get that idea?" Alice asks.

I sigh. "You just said I'm wearing the green tomorrow night…so why should I get both?"

"…Because you'll need another dress for something else later this summer." She says. "Do you have shoes that go with a dress like this?"

"Yes, I have metallic bronze heels that match the trim on the hem." I tell her.

"Just go with it, Bella. Alice always knows what's going to happen." Edward says as he rejoins us at the register. "I'll be paying now and picking up the suit tomorrow morning." He says to the check out person.

Alice keeps talking and talking telling me about her son and husband, even her sister-in-law. She's like the Energizer Bunny on crack.

I barely get a word in edgewise to tell her about my brother and before I know it, we're back in the car on our way home. I wonder aloud as we pull into Edward's driveway, "What happened to my dresses?"

Edward helps me out of the car and hands me a garment bag. "They're right here… Relax, Bella. We'll be elegantly dressed and ready to meet the heads of …what publishing house is it again?"

"It's called 'Total Eclipse Publishing'. It was started around 10 years ago, by three brothers and their silent partner…" I tell him. "My friends, Jane and Alec Michaels, are editors at the company. They'll be there tomorrow night." I get confused. "Wait… I don't remember paying for those."

"You didn't…" Edward says, eyeing me. "I bought them for you. It's a gift Bella…please accept it?"

"It's too much." I say. "At least let me pay you back for one of them?"

He sighs. "If that's what will make you happy, Bella, then I have no problem with that."

"Thank you." I reply. "I'll see you tomorrow night at 5 pm. We'll take a train or do you think we should drive?"

"I'll take you in style, Bella. I have a special car for trips like this." Edward says winking at me.

Edward's POV

I pick up the suit and take Nessie to Alice and Jasper's house before taking my car…my Aston Martin…out of storage and driving home to get dressed and pick Bella up. I take a shower and primp the way a woman would; my hair and cologne are just right. The new suit fits perfectly. I know this means a lot to Bella, so I want to help her make a good impression. The next steps are to go to her door and help her into my car. As I approach her porch, the door opens and she's a vision in emerald green satin with bronze embroidery. She was so right; those shoes are perfect for this dress. The drive into the city goes well and the valet takes the keys. I lead her into the lobby and as we walk toward the maitre-de he asks for the name of our party. I look to Bella.

"Total Eclipse Publishing…" She says confidently.

"Ah, yes… This way…" He says.

The table has 12 chairs and eight of them are occupied. I glance at Bella as I pull out her chair. She starts to introduce me, but I have to say something. "Bella, these men are friends of my father's. We've met multiple times."

"Oh…" She says warily. "I was told there would only be the ten of us. Is someone else joining us?"

"Yes, and may I say, it's so nice to meet you, Ms. Marie Blackwell." A familiar voice says from behind me.

I gasp looking up into my father's eyes. "Talk about a small world…"

Thanks, hnwhitlock2000! You did this so quickly!