Disclaimer: I do not own, only play. These are Stephanie Meyer's characters.


Now just be warned, my parents are a little 'old school'.

—no probs. my parents r the same.

—No, I mean they are really 'old school'. Don't be too hurt if my mother ogles your tattoos so it might be wise to cover them. With long sleeves, perhaps.

—K.

—And your hair; well, she'll stare either way. But don't take it personally.

—K.

—Maybe a bun?

—jesus christ, edward, y don't I just wear a paper bag?

—Sorry; I didn't mean that. I just don't want your feelings to be hurt by their… potential unfriendliness.

—so they r going 2 be mean 2 me?

—No! They're just 'old school'!

—fine. I'll tone it down.

—Okay, I'll pick you up at around 5.

—K.

The different styles of texts were obvious to anyone. Bella had used her shorthand, as any other person who texted for a living did, while Edward being a professional writer, texted like he wrote. Grammar and punctuation and capitalization on point; using 'u' instead of 'you' would be a sin in his eyes.

As Bella was about to put her phone down, she received another text from him and when she expected it to be another tip on what to wear, she was mildly surprised.

Wear whatever you want. You're beautiful either way.

And it made her drop any anger she may have been feeling towards Edward because he was trying. But for his sake, she was going to try and do the same for him. She would wear the bun and the long sleeved dress because she wanted to come off with a nice manner. Bella wasn't stupid; she wasn't going to go all off on Edward by ranting 'I'll wear whatever I want; you can't change who I am.' Because she knew even Rose put her hair in a bun every once and a while for the occasional parent-meet. Needless to say, Rosalie would have to do more than a hair-bun if she was to ever meet Leah's parents but that was a whole other story.

But Bella would dress like she was going on a job interview. Professional.

Because their son was professional, they were professional, and so she would be to.

But when she had put on, quite frankly her only conservative dress, she had wondered when this dinner had become a business transaction?

She took the dress off and sifted through her closet once more.


Edward waited for his date outside, against his car. He was there like he said he would be—at 5. Edward was never late, never early. But it seemed maybe Bella leaned on the late side as 5:08 came and went. He was just about to call her again until Bella stepped outside with her dorm keys jingling in her hand, as well as a light jacket draped in her arms.

"Hi," she greeted him.

He reached for her, expressing a somewhat confused look. "Hey. I thought you said you were going to wear long sleeve?"

Bella looked at herself then, noting her gold and blue baby doll dress was still conservative in her eyes. "You said to wear whatever I wanted."

And knowing he had said that, he didn't fight her on it. But with Edward's casual theory that naturally everyone took his advice, he seemed that it would apply to her as well. But this wasn't about money and so therefore, it couldn't have resulted the same way.

Her tattoos were on display all through the car ride, and more than ever, were screaming up at Edward as he drove them both. His parents lived about an hour away and it was a lot of time in the car he had to ponder over whether he should ask her to wear the sweater. But he couldn't; it would be wrong to do so.

Her hair was still up in a bun and her makeup was still light and overall, somehow, Bella managed to maintain a smile even though he knew she didn't want to be doing this at all. He kissed her hand when he got out of the car and walked around the side to open the passenger door for her.

The first thought that ran through Bella's mind was that Edward's family was rich. Their house didn't scream it on the outside, but the inside was magnificently well done and decorated. One could never tell how big the inside was just by judging the outside. Everything was white, but by some means, didn't feel cold. The carpet was white, the couches were white, and there was a large sheep skin throw rug near the fireplace.

God forbid there be a wine spill; it would look like an episode of Law & Order, Bella thought tenderly as she stepped through the foyer.

Edward and Bella still hadn't managed the holding hands stage yet in the relationship, but he didn't go as far as dragging her in by her elbow either. Instead, he slowly led the way with his hand on her hip, into the kitchen where Mr. and Mrs. Cullen were cooking.

Now because Mr. Cullen had already met Bella once before, her presence wasn't as much of a shock as it could have been, being if this was the first time meeting her. If anything, it was a shock to see her looking more conventional than when at the business party. Mr. Cullen thought mindful of her attempts.

However, Mrs. Cullen delightfully smacked her lips upon surprise of the bright girl walking through her kitchen. She slowed the movements of wiping her hands on her towel, eyeing her son's girlfriend deliberately. Then Mrs. Cullen cleared her throat and went in for a gentle embrace.

"Oh, so slim," Mrs. Cullen noted lightly, with a smile to tone down the serious meaning behind it.

Bella forced a smile, but didn't say anything back.

"I'm Esme Cullen. This is my husband Carlisle, but I assume you've met before."

Bella nodded, with an additional smile before taking another look around. "Your home is beautiful."

She thanked the young girl.

Now Esme Cullen knew she was an older woman who grew up with older traditions. She had known that in today's world, kids were running around with different colored hair and piercings in places Esme didn't know one could pierce; however, she had never come in contact first hand with someone of such different taste.

Isabella Swan, in her mind, was an unfortunate beauty; she quickly pictured the girl with brown hair and pink cheeks and clear skin. But Esme Cullen tried not to judge too harshly; she was very fond of her son and knew that he was a smart man. Any girl that had stayed longer than a week in Edward's life must have been something special and so Esme unwillingly accepted this.

Mr. and Mrs. Cullen set the table, along with Edward rolling up his sleeves to go out and pick a bottle of wine. He returned to the table to pour some glasses. As they all settled at the dining table, it was Carlisle at the head of the table with Esme next to him on the left.

On the right sat Edward and Bella, side by side. Bella felt more comfortable this way.

Catfish with a spicy lobster sauce; sautéed vegetables and salad on the side.

Early into the meal, Bella was asked about her college studies. She went into a brief explanation, similar to the one she had during the double date with Edward, Emmett and Rose. The Cullens seemed fairly interested in her reply, finding her passion in the field compelling. It was nice to see young adults still so anxious to get out into the work field, Mr. Cullen thought vivaciously.

"Bella would like to direct one day," Edward said encouragingly, offering a smile in Bella's direction.

"That's great. A great career to strive for," Esme replied, picking at her vegetables.

"You know, after Bella graduates, it may not be a bad idea to see if there are any openings in the company?" Edward mentioned casually, speaking to his father specifically.

It was the first mention of this that Bella had heard and frankly, she wasn't too keen on the idea. She didn't want to stay in Chicago; that plan did not change even with Edward in the mix now.

"Oh, Edward, I'm sure that's not what Bella wants to do," Carlisle brushed the idea off.

Bella nodded, a bit perplexed. "No, I'm a terrible writer."

Edward looked over at her. "You wouldn't have to be in my department."

"Edward, I'm not sure that would be best. Besides, Bella seems perfectly set on moving westward."

In the midst of the conversation unfolding, Bella was getting the hint that perhaps working for Edward and Mr. Cullen's company was something not that she didn't want, but rather what Mr. Cullen didn't want. And she understood why.

A girl with purple hair and nose piercings would definitely set the company off balance with its appearance. Bella wasn't sure if Edward was picking up on his father's clues but the conversation was dropped anyway. Esme's decorating of the house was light and easy on Bella's part because it bestowed most of the talking on Esme. They settled on this topic until dinner was over.

After dinner, Esme took Bella on a tour of the house, including the upper part where the bedrooms, offices were. Another pattern of white and blue occurred throughout the house; it was truly professional work that had been done. But once Bella's eyes settled on Edward's old bedroom, her interest ran exclusively to opening his door to peek inside.


Edward was in a deep conversation with his father as they cleared the table. Mostly about work, mostly about stock—a special interest him and his father shared.

Near the sink, his father ran the soapy water and dowsed the silverware and dirty plates in it.

"I never got your opinion on Bella," Edward said carefully.

Carlisle didn't shift his gaze from the plate he was working on. "She's a nice girl, Edward."

"I'm feeling a 'but' in there somewhere."

Carlisle set the plate down and looked over at his son. "Why do you always do that to me?"

"Because you always have an objection to something."

"No I do not."

"Yes, you do."

"Do you want me to share every detail about how I feel?"

Edward crossed his arms in front of him, leaning against the sink. "Yes, dad, the truth is helpful." Sarcasm rolled off the tongue.

"She's nice but—" Edward rolled his eyes at his father, "—she's not someone I pictured you having a steady relationship with."

"Because of how she looks?" Edward was prepared for this.

"Not only that but her age. I know she's not that much younger but I feel, for your case and your profession, that you would find yourself with someone with similar careers, interests... and age."

"Bella and I have the same interests. And she's graduating in a few months."

"And moving to California."

Edward found himself mimicking a certain action that Jasper had always done when he felt uneasy. He rubbed the back of his head as he turned from his father.

"Yeah, but that may change."

Mr. Cullen turned off the sink and took out a dry towel. He grabbed for one of the washed wine glasses.

"Didn't seem that way to her. Have you talked to her about it?"

"No, but—"

"Edward, here's the thing. She is still young. Maybe 5 or 6 years younger, but she is just beginning her life. After college, she wants to go places, experience things. Now you're very young too, but you have already gone out and accomplished some of those things after you graduated from college. You're rooted to your job right now. You certainly can't pick up and move to California with her and it wouldn't be fair to ask her to stay."

His father's words were left in the air like a comic book bubble. Edward thought about it and made sense of his words but didn't like the way they sounded. Obviously, it was not what he wanted to hear.

"Yeah, but I can write anywhere. I don't need to have an office in Chicago for that."

"Son, it's not that simple. You're not an author. You're a columnist for the Sun-Time Chicago newspaper. They want their writers in the same city as the newspaper they are writing for."

Edward didn't answer.

"Might want to talk with her about it."

After a minute of silence from the both of them, Edward let out another sigh and pushed himself off from the counter. He grabbed some of the wine glasses to put back in the glass bureau off the dining room. When he returned, he dried his hands on a hand towel.

"So, it isn't about how she looks?"

Carlisle gave a light chuckle. "Not with me. Your mother, however, might have a harder time grasping the purple hair and tattoos."

Edward grimaced, while hearing footsteps move above him, around the second and third floor.


Bella pushed the door open, letting it crack on its own.

"Edward's room," Esme said over her shoulder and then suddenly, Bella was alone in the hallway.

She walked in cautiously, taking note of the open space the room had. It looked very personal, as if someone was still vacating the room now, however, Edward had probably moved out years ago.

It still had a child feel to it but with some few additions like the extra suits in the closet or a Bears foam finger stuffed in a laundry hamper made it seem that they were left here recently, within the past five years.

Edward's apartment back home was gray but here, everything was blue and young and clean. She ran a finger along everything, something similar she had done the first time she entered Edward's apartment.

The drawers still held clothes he possibly wore when he was a teenager, along with a mix of new things like large socks, briefs and cotton t-shirts. There may have been a Tom Petty band tee but Bella would have to unfold it to be completely sure.

"You can take whatever you want."

Bella jumped in her spot, scared from Edward's sudden appearance by the doorway. He leaned on the frame, hands in pockets as he watched Bella standing near his dresser.

"I'm sure I'd look very attractive as a cross dresser."

"Well, I did buy the most expensive briefs when I was younger," he laughed, walking into his old bedroom.

"Why's that?" Bella seemed fairly curious, opening a drawer.

"I thought it would impress the ladies."

"Consider one impressed." She winked at him.

"It wasn't like I was getting laid every night; although my seventeen year old self would have liked to believe that were the case."

Bella reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed his jawline.

"Oh, I'm sure you were very attractive when you were younger."

"Eh, you wouldn't have liked me when I was younger. I was really cocky." Edward then pulled out a couple of bobby pins from her hair, letting it fall out of its bun. It cascaded down her back.

"Everyone is cocky when they're seventeen."

Edward kissed her stronger this time, letting the kiss linger into places of no return. He grabbed her by the neck, feeding into the kiss until their legs hit the bed and Bella shot an eyebrow at him.

"Ever actually sleep with anyone in this bed?" she asked, half joking.

Edward twisted his mouth. "You would be the first one."

Bella laughed.

"I wouldn't advise it though; my parents are still downstairs."

Bella went quiet for a moment, getting lost in her own questions. Very quietly, she curled her fingers behind her ears. "Do your parents like me?"

"Yeah." It wasn't much of a lie; at least not how Edward perceived it. Because he didn't make his parents take a survey and check off what they did or didn't like about her, he only assumed that from how they acted tonight, Bella had made a nice impression on them.

"Pretty sure I should have gone with the long sleeved dressed." Bella looked down at her fox tattoo with mixed emotions.

"Don't be puerile; my mother hasn't been living under a rock her whole life."

Bella made a face. "But you said to wear the long sleeved dress because you didn't want to freak her out."

"I know, and I apologize. What you wore was fine; anything you would have worn would have been fine because it would have been you. That's why I like you."

"So if I had come in dressed as a librarian, you wouldn't like me?" Again, Bella meant it as a joke but a part of her was mildly curious of his answer.

Edward thought about it, taking into consideration that it would definitely make his mother happy. "Sure. I mean, it would be shallow to say I only liked you for how you looked. But I like your mind, Bella."

And it came out randomly, but it was in Bella's thoughts the whole night. "Your father doesn't want me to work for your company."

Edward sat on the edge of his bed, watching Bella stand in front of him. He rested his hands on her upper thighs, absentmindedly rubbing them, feeling the material of her opaque black stockings on his fingertips.

"That's not true. I just think he didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable by making you feel compelled to say yes."

"I wouldn't have said yes. I wasn't lying; I bomb all my term papers."

Edward let out a quiet laugh.

"But really, he seemed pretty resilient to me working there."

"Well, I won't beat around the bush. The company has a very specific image and I'm pretty sure if you applied there, they would ask you to dye your hair and cover your tattoos. It would be standard for anyone who applied with artificial hair color."

Bella nodded, uneasily, but nodded. She understood; she wasn't ignorant to the way some things worked. She was very familiar with this when she went in for her first tattoo on her back.

The way his father reacted was similar to the way Edward reacted the one night they were discussing her plans in L.A. That same nail biting feeling occurred again and it upset Bella that he may have been right.

Then, Edward pulled her down to sit on his lap. He kissed her neck and nuzzled his face in her hair, sighing. "Don't work at my company. All the employees, excluding Emmett and Jasper, are assholes. You wouldn't like it there."

And it was one of the many reasons why she liked Edward so much. He somehow changed heavy situations around and made her not feel so dense about everything. But she knew this conversation would never settle on the backburner forever. Because it was important.

"Speaking of Emmett. Does he know yet?"

"Yeah. He knew since the first night he met her. But he's in denial."

"I don't think Rose told him yet; I don't know why she's stringing him along," Bella said, pursing her lips in wonder. "I think she's still just really confused."

It hadn't been too long since Rose came out about being gay so it could have been that very reason as to why she was holding onto Emmett. Because she wasn't necessarily attracted to him, not physically, but maybe it was nice having someone want you while the person you really wanted, didn't.

Or maybe Rose was somehow convinced that if she hung out with a guy long enough again, she would somehow change who she was. Because liking Leah made her hurt.

But she was 'liking Blondie' when they all knew Rose was actually a 'Rihanna' kind of girl. And fake liking something has never helped anyone with anything.

"C'mon, let's go back downstairs." Edward got up and by complete instinct, he grabbed for Bella's hand. Neither one mentioned it, but it was the first time either held each other's hand. And even though it was small, it was a step forward.


On the way out, as hugs and handshakes, coats and collective farewells were being given out, it was noted that Esme did not go in for a last embrace at the door. Instead, she touched Bella's shoulder, twisted her red stained lips into what could almost be deciphered as a grimace, said goodbye.

And it was Bella's cracked lips that didn't mutter a word on the entire ride back.


Chapters will be getting a little longer from here on out.

Drama and circumstances will be increasing from here on out.

Thanks a million to everyone who reviews!

I would also like to mention that because this story is in third-person, I like to take the opportunity to get other inputs from other characters because I think it adds important detail to the story, which I wouldn't appropriately be able to do if I had just used first-person.

Hope all is well (: