I do not own Twilight. I thank Stephanie Meyer for the lovely characters to play with.

Summary: Bella isn't sure where her life is going, what the next step should be or even how she is where she is now five years after graduating college. Due to circumstances beyond his control Edward finds himself burdened with responsibility and yearning for stability. AH\AU

Chapter Three: Waking Up

Thursday passed in a blur for Bella. It was much like Wednesday; she knocked out her necessary work early in the morning and dove into her project from Garrett in the afternoon. She finally had a mock profile she was proud to show Garrett around 5, but she still couldn't stop the butterflies invading her stomach as she walked into his office to share her work. Knocking on his door, Garrett welcomed her with a smile and a wave of his hand, indicating that she should take a seat. Noticing that he was out of 3 Musketeer bars today, Bella settled for a mini Reese Cup to calm her nerves as she prepared to go over her work with Garrett.

A half hour later Bella walked out of Garrett's office beaming. He loved her mock profile and had very few changes he wanted to implement. He was even going to have her lead the presentation to the rest of the team next week to teach them how to use the application she'd created. This called for a celebration, but as Bella settled back at her desk thinking of who to call to meet for dinner or a drink to help her enjoy her latest accomplishment, she drew a blank. She'd been out with Emmett and Rosalie the night before, and while she loved her brother and was sure he'd be happy for her, she couldn't bring herself to intrude on the couple again. Her best friend was her college roommate Emily, but she was engaged to her college sweetheart Sam and currently living and working in Buffalo, a bit of a drive for a celebratory drink. Her other close friend from college that she still talked to on a regular basis, Claire, was living in Florida, working for the tourism bureau. Bella still kept up through email with a few of her other friends from her college days, but wasn't close enough anymore to call them about something like this. Having grown up in the area, Bella always marveled at how many of her childhood friends had hightailed it out of the Philadelphia area over the past few years. She had a few friends at Pathmark, like Jess, who were good for a movie, but Jess wasn't the person you call first with the good news. Her parents would be happy for her. Charlie and Renee Swan still lived in the home she'd grown up in and she would be welcomed over for dinner in a heartbeat if she called, but something was holding her back.

Two years ago this would have been the information she immediately called or texted Riley to share and they would go to one of their favorite restaurants or meet up at the grocery store to pick up something to make together. Bella had finally gotten over the heartbreak from the end of her relationship with Riley, but she still missed having him to call when she needed a friendly voice. The couple had been friends for six years before they even began dating, so the end of their relationship also spelled the end of a long friendship. Even two years later Bella wasn't sure she was ready for another relationship, but thinking about Riley was quickly bringing Bella down from her good news high, so she'd save analyzing that part of her life for another time. Resigned to the fact that she had no one to call with about her good day, Bella quietly packed up her desk, set her out of office email and left with the happy notion that she didn't have to come back here until Monday.

Friday morning dawned grey and drizzly, but Bella loved her Friday mornings off. She set about her morning routine and once she was ready to go she grabbed her Kindle, a Christmas gift from Emmett last year, and left to enjoy one of her favorite parts of the week. On Friday mornings, while the rest of the world was slaving away at their desks, Bella made the short drive to South Philly for breakfast at Melrose Diner. Living on her own the past few months had taught Bella to be more independent and she was more shocked than anyone to learn that she enjoyed venturing out alone. She had no problem dining by herself and was particularly fond of seeing matinée movies on her own. Bella wasn't anti-social really, but she'd learned the joys of not having someone try to talk to her during a movie or wrestle over the armrest with.

Bella spent an hour sipping her tea and reading an older John Grisham novel, The Testament, while she enjoyed her breakfast. The staff at Melrose was friendly and Bella enjoyed the bright atmosphere and bustling energy of the diner. Not to mention the buttercream cake that more weeks than not she ordered a slice of to go to enjoy later. Bella also picked up a slice of apple pie today, a treat for her co-worker Esme, who she knew she'd be working with later this afternoon. Bella had been working the early Friday evening shift at Pathmark since she'd started her new work schedule. The rest of the afternoon was spent running the errands she never got to during the week, picking up her dry cleaning, hitting the post office for more stamps and getting prescriptions refilled.

"Bella! Welcome to the madhouse," Esme greeted her later that afternoon.

"Is it that bad today?" she asked as she unzipped her coat and slid Esme's piece of apple pie toward her.

"Oh Bella, you shouldn't have," exclaimed Esme as she saw the Melrose bag, knowing it would be the apple pie she loved. "And to answer your question, yes, the customers are in rare form today."

"It's not a problem Esme, I was at Melrose this morning and since I couldn't leave without getting dessert for myself, I figured you could use a treat too," Bella reasoned.

"Well if you insist…" Esme trailed off, grabbing a fork from under the counter, planning to sample her pie while the customer service counter was shockingly empty for the time being.

Esme was a matronly looking woman in her early 50s, who much to her dismay, had never had children of her own. Years ago Esme had been married to a local politician, and while many of the details never hit the press, if Bella one was to believe the gossip circles, the politician had abused her wonderful co-worker physically, emotionally and mentally. Bella had never asked Esme about her marriage, feeling it wasn't her place to dig into her personal life, but Bella did know that as a natural nurturer, Esme looked after everyone in the store and was the first one there with a kind word, sympathetic shoulder or when she thought you were screwing up, a stern talking to. Bella had never been on the receiving end of one of Esme's lecture, but they were legendary.

Business picked up after Esme finished her pie and Bella quickly found herself immersed in lottery sales and customer questions (and of course the odd complaint about service, quality, and general grumpiness). One of Bella's favorite customers came in and spent ten minutes telling her about his grandchildren and his upcoming trip to Atlantic City. She had never quite understood why, but the senior citizen set seemed to flock to Bella, many of them would stop by the counter just to chat with her for a moment or two before continuing their shopping. If only the men under 60 noticed her as often as the men who qualified for senior citizen discounts.

Around 6:30 Bella spotted a familiar customer approaching the counter. Standing just over 6'0 tall, with messy auburn hair, this particular customer stood out from the crowd. He had green eyes, and pale skin that was dotted with a few freckles. He came in to the store every Friday around this time, and though she didn't know more about him other than his name was Edward (information supplied to her courtesy of Esme), but subtly checking him out each time he came in was one of the highlights of her week.

"Bella," Esme called out softly breaking her from her daydreams, "Can you take care of the next customer for me, I've got to go check a price for someone."

"No problem Esme," she replied, and then noticing that Edward was the next customer in line, her cheeks immediately flushed a startling shade of red. "I can run and check the price for you if you want," she added, not quite sure that she was ready to talk to the slice of sunshine that brought her out of her own head for a few minutes every Friday.

"I've got it Bella, you just take care of Edward for me," Esme responded, and if Bella didn't know her better, she'd think there was a bit of mischief lurking in Esme's smile as she waved to Edward on her way to the opposite end of the store. Taking a deep breath Bella steeled herself and worked up a smile before walking to greet Edward.

"Hi, how are you today?" she asked politely as she tried not to stare. Esme always waited on him and would spend a few moments talking to him quietly while she took care of his Western Union paperwork, so this was the first time she'd seen him so close.

"I'm fine thank you, how are you?" he quietly answered while fiddling with the pen in his hands.

"Great, thanks. How can I help you today?" Bella continued as she also noted that this handsome man looked tired. He had faint purple rings rimming his eyes and while his green eyes were a startling shade, they looked dull and lifeless. She couldn't help but wonder what had this beautiful man looking so exhausted and defeated.

"Could you send this for me please?" he softly asked, not meeting her eyes as he slid the form across the counter.

"Sure, this will just take a few minutes," Bella replied in what she hoped was a reassuring tone. Edward also seemed slightly skittish and nervous.

She glanced down at the paper, confirming what she already knew, that his first name was Edward, his last name was Cullen. The last name seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place it so she continued to scan the rest of the form. He was sending $50 to a Carlisle Cullen in prison? Edward did not look like the type of man to be consorting with criminals. His usual Friday attire consisted of dress pants, a button down shirt and a loosened tie.

Trying not to seem phased by the new development, Bella began intently entering the information into the computer and didn't look to Edward again until it was time to inform him that there was a $6.95 fee attached to his transaction. Edward had the exact change in his hand and ready to go, which led Bella to believe this was not the first time he sent money to Carlisle Cullen. Was Carlisle his brother? A cousin? She couldn't help but wonder. Bella was struck by a strong desire to make small talk with Edward while they waited for the transaction to process, but she couldn't seem to find anything to say.

"Any exciting plans for the weekend?" Bella blurted out, seemingly losing track of metal filter. She wanted to cringe and take the words back the second they were out of her mouth. She hoped he wouldn't think she was asking him out!

"Uh, oh…well…" began Edward who appeared just as flustered as she did.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked," Bella quickly jumped in to apologize and hopefully end this awkward encounter before she embarrassed herself further.

"No, no, it's fine," he answered as he took a deep breath to seemingly settle his nerves, "I'm taking my little brother shopping for a suit to wear to his Homecoming dance."

Not quite the answer Bella expected from him.

"That should be fun," Bella tried to respond brightly, unsure of how to answer him.

"I'd settle for quick and relatively," replied Edward with a hint of a smile.

Bella smiled back and could have sworn that she saw Edward's smile increase just a little as she did. The paperwork had finally printed and was ready to be signed, so she wrapped everything up and cashed out the transaction. With everything now completed, she didn't really have a reason to draw out the conversation.

"Well, good luck shopping," she said cheerfully, handing him his portion of the paperwork, "and have a great weekend."

"Thank you Bella, you too," Edward said gently, giving her one final slight grin before walking away.

Bella had never been happier to wear a nametag in her life, since she knew she hadn't told him her name.

Esme came back almost at the same time Edward left and from the look on her face, she'd been discreetly watching the encounter between Bella and Edward.

"Thanks for taking care of that for me," Esme said. "How is Edward this week? I worry about him."

Bella knew that Esme worried about everyone, but she seemed to have an extra soft spot for Edward.

"Fine, I guess," she replied, not quite sure what Esme was asking about, "He's taking his little brother shopping for a Homecoming suit."

"Good, good," echoed Esme, "I'm glad he's doing well."

Unsure of whether or not she really wanted to know, or continue living in the fantasy world where that cute green-eyed man could be anyone she wanted, she asked Esme, "What's his story?"

She knew there had to be a story, no one could look as drained and emotionally beaten down as he did without having a story.

"It's not really my story to tell," Esme replied with a sad smile. "But I can tell you that boy needs a friend."

Bella murmured in agreement as a group of customers approached the counter wanting a rain check for the paper towels on sale. She had a steady stream of customers the remainder of her shift, which helped the time pass quickly, but she couldn't stop her mind from flipping back to her brief encounter with Edward Cullen. She wasn't sure what to make of it, the whole thing had happened so quickly, but she couldn't stop thinking of his timid smile.

Bidding a goodnight to Esme, Bella set out to pick up a few groceries so she'd have something to make for dinner that night. As Bella pulled up to her house, for the first time all week instead of the endless questions that had been plaguing her about her future, Bella felt some hope that something good was coming.

Thanks so much for reading. All criticism, positive or negative, is welcome. I don't have a strict outline for this story so I'd love to have some readers who want to bounce ideas with me. Not sure if I should include an EPOV in this story, thoughts? Thanks again for reading my drabbles!