A/N: Here is the next chapter! I had a really hard time brainstorming what I'd like to happen in this one, so it took awhile. I've already got the last couple chapters figured out, and an epilogue which I think may come after the next two or three chapters. I will be posting a snippet of the story I plan on writing as soon as this one and TOFT are finished, so keep your eyes peeled for that, pretty please!:)

WHOOPS! I made a boo-boo in the original Ch. 11 so thank you to jackiehydelover for pointing that out. Too embarrassing. Tsk, Becky, Tsk!

Previously…

"I read a lot of Rilke's work growing up," I said, feeling slightly corny now. Bella was the kind of girl who deserved to be romanced, and I wanted to be the one to do it. I just couldn't help feeling silly, all the same.

I could hear her breathing even out and I knew she'd finally fallen asleep. "Goodnight, Bella. Sweet dreams," I said softly.

"Mmm 'night, Edward. Miss you," she mumbled before we hung up.

I put my phone back into my pocket and pulled my hood up over my head before settling back into the bench seat. I sighed and closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep with Bella's face in my mind.

EPOV

"So, what you're saying is, Kids Incorporated was better than MMC?" I asked Bella incredulously.

I could hear her laugh ring in my ear through the phone. I sighed. I wanted to hear her laugh in person, but that wouldn't happen for another couple weeks. I was beginning to get seriously impatient to see her and hold her again, and the rest of my family was getting sick of my grumpy mood.

"Definitely. I mean, even though MMC spawned Ryan Gosling, and he is absolutely delicious, it also brought us Britney Spears and J.C. Chasez. I shudder in my music-loving boots when I think about the music that they brought to fame. Anyway, I mean, if we're going to be debating the shows we watched as kids, we can't go without mentioning Boy Meets World or Growing Pains," she said.

"True, I mean, I always wanted to find my Topanga," I joked.

"I had a crush on Shawn. He was such a bad boy!" she laughed again.

I rolled my eyes, wondering what it was about girls and their taste for guys who would inevitably treat them like crap. "Shawn had too many issues, Corey was obviously the much better choice. Very stable, that guy."

She huffed, and we both broke into laughter. "Why do we even care?" she asked, obviously out of breath from the hilarity.

"Got me, I'm just here getting sucked into your world of 90's television. I'm like the innocent bystander, forced to defend my position on Power Rangers versus the V.R. Troopers," I replied.

She groaned. "Oh god, please tell me you didn't watch either of those!"

"Bella, I was a prepubescent boy. Did you really expect me to resist the seductive powers of Amy Jo Johnson as the Pink Ranger?" I joked.

She snorted before saying, "You are ridiculous!"

We teased each other some more after that, but eventually things became quiet and I wondered what she was thinking. "So, how have you been since I saw you last?" I asked, wishing I could ask her in person.

She sighed, and I wished fervently I could read her mind or at least see her face. "I'm okay. School is going well, I've had plenty of time to get into my photography class and the teacher says I'm making progress."

She was quiet for a moment and I was surprised when she blurted, "I miss you so much!"

I couldn't help the tender smile that spread across my face. "I miss you too, Bella. When I get home, I want to talk to you about things…" I trailed off, hearing the sound of a knock on the door in the background.

"Hey, Edward, can you hold on a sec? Someone's at the door. Hey, are you sure it's not you at the door?" she teased.

I groaned, "I wish!"

I could hear her snickering softly as she opened the door. Then I heard her gasp and I was instantly alarmed, wondering why she reacted the way she did. Suddenly, I understood as I heard her muffled voice say, "Jake, what are you doing here?"

Shit! My head screamed at me. What did this mean? Were he and Bella going to get back together? Would I be left high and dry? I mean, we weren't exactly "officially together" or anything like that, so Bella was still a free agent. She could be with whomever she chose.

My stomach twisted at the thought. I wanted her so badly that I couldn't help the insane surge of jealousy. This wasn't good. I had to keep a cool head if I didn't want to scare her off.

My face registered shock and dismay as I heard Jake's equally muffled response: "Hey, Bells. I'm here 'cuz I missed you and your dad said you would be here today."

Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck. This was worse than I'd thought. Jake and Bella had been together for years before I walked into the picture; people tended to stay in their comfort zone. Maybe Bella would get back together with him just because he was familiar.

I had to check the urge to growl, I was beyond worried and I wanted nothing more than to break Jake's face. I didn't want him anywhere near her, especially when things were going so well between us. There was so much potential in the connection I felt with Bella; I didn't want Jake to come and fuck that up.

Bella's voice came back on the line, clear as a bell. "Uh, hey Edward? Can I call you back later?"

She sounded uncomfortable. Great. Maybe that meant she wanted to get back together with Jacob. Maybe that meant that she'd seen him at the door and suddenly the world seemed right again. For all I knew, the time they'd spent apart could have made their hearts grow fonder. I could be the chump sitting around with his thumb up his ass, waiting for her to call back and break my heart.

I bit off the growl once more, finally saying, "Sure, Bella. That's fine. I guess I'll talk to you later."

We hung up and I felt like I'd just received a round house kick to my stomach. I wanted to punch something, and that surprised me. I'd never felt this way about a girl before; it was almost too much. Too much passion, too much intensity, too much space between us.

I went to find Emmett and Jasper, intending to see if they wanted to go have a liquid lunch. I needed a beer for sure.

BPOV

I stood in the doorway, completely surprised to find Jake looking hopeful and contrite all at the same time. I had a message zooming from my hand to my brain to remind myself that I was still holding my phone, which was still connected to Edward.

I quickly said goodbye to Edward and hung up, not paying much attention. I didn't know why Jake was here, but I was pretty sure he wouldn't keep me in the dark for long.

My eyes were still wide and my mouth was still hanging open, so Jake just brushed past me and settled himself into the couch. I turned to watch him make himself at home, as if his mind and body had never left in the first place. I just shook my head, feeling a confusing mixture of bemusement and annoyance. I'd been having a really good conversation with Edward before Jake showed up.

I crossed the living room cautiously, my eyes never leaving Jake's. Once I was settled, I cleared my throat in an invitation for him to begin explaining himself.

Jake leaned forward, rubbing his hands together nervously before placing them on his knees. Jake was so tall that his knees were almost level with his chest as he sat on the couch. Finally, he began to speak. "Bella, I wanted to come and talk to you because I miss you. We used to be so close, even way back before we dated. I just feel like there's this big missing space in my life ever since we broke up."

I felt his words pierce my chest, and the sadness spread throughout my body. I wasn't in love with Jake anymore, but I did miss his friendship. I longed for the way things used to be, when the space between us was filled with comfort and contentment. I wanted to feel that way with him again, but I didn't know if that would ever happen.

I sighed before answering him, hoping that he wasn't here in an attempt to get back together with me. "Jake, I've missed you too, but I don't know if we can ever be friends again. Things might have just changed too much." I'd put an emphasis on the word friends.

He looked slightly crestfallen, and I wondered if he really thought it was going to be that easy. Really, one little speech and he expected me to just fall in line with his wishes; no way was that going to happen!

"Bella, I was hoping maybe we could get back together. You know, remember how great we used to be together? I mean, we were best friends and we got along so well. Besides, all the guys miss you. We all want you to come back," he said.

I frowned, my irritation growing. "Jake, seriously, did you think that I would honestly get back together with you after you cheated on me? Yeah right! Besides, I don't see what the guys have to do with us getting back together," I said angrily.

He looked taken aback, and I felt a small measure of satisfaction. I just did not understand what kind of drugs he was on if he thought I would come back to him after everything. Jeez. Talk about a stupid boy!

He cleared his throat nervously, his hands now running up and down the top of his jean-clad thighs. "Look, I know I hurt you but I want you back…" he began, but I quickly interrupted him.

"Jake, you don't know what you want!" I said loudly.

"Wh…what do you mean, I don't know what I want? I think I would be the one to know what I want!" he replied, beginning to get offended.

"Really? So you want me but yet you sleep with someone else? Well, I didn't want to bring this up, but I guess I'll have to now so that you'll see what a jackass you really are. I loved you in the beginning, but at the end, I wasn't happy anymore. I felt more like a sister than I did a girlfriend, and I just don't think we were right for one another. You sleeping with that Leah chick just made me realize it fully. I want to be friends with you Jake, but nothing more."

As I spoke, I watched all the emotions roll across his handsome face. First, there was incredulousness, followed by hurt, and finally anger with a mix of hopelessness. "Oh," he finally said.

I was starting to feel bad about being so brutally honest, so I tried to change the subject slightly. "Jake, I want to be friends with you. Can you accept that and see how things could be?" I asked hopefully.

He looked sheepish now, and I watched a small smile play across his mouth. "Sure, Bells, I can try to be your friend again," he replied.

I made an impulsive decision then, hoping that it would work out for the best. I watched Jake's body language relax and said, "Good, because I have a show I want to go to tonight in Seattle and I need a friend to go with. Wanna go?"

"Uh, sure, I guess I could do that," he said, sounding surprised.

EPOV

We had just finished our set about thirty minutes ago when my phone rang. I felt the now familiar nerves kick up in my stomach when I recognized Bella's ringtone. I listened to it a couple times before I felt prepared enough to answer.

"Did you know, my sweet
That I once took the liberty of watching you in your sleep?
I rolled over and over
Trying to touch your knees underneath the sheets…"

"Edward?" She was practically yelling, and I had to wonder what all the noise was in the background.

"Bella?" I replied.

"Hey, I just wanted to call you back. I'm sorry I had to go earlier, but Jake showed up out of the blue and he wanted to talk to me and we got into it and one thing led to another…"

I cut her off, not wanting to hear anymore. "So did you guys get back together or something?" I asked, trying with all my might to keep the sick sadness out of my voice.

"What? NO! Are you kidding me? Edward, I dumped Jake because I didn't love him. Why would I get back together with him? Jeez. I mean, ever since I met you I knew that what I had with Jake wouldn't last, because I just didn't feel the same way about him once I got to know you."

Wait, what? This was a surprise. A very, very awesome surprise. "Wait, Bella, what are you saying? Are you saying that you liked me before you broke up with Jake?"

The noise in the background got quieter, and she was able to lower her voice. I sighed in relief because my ears couldn't take much more abuse. "Edward, the minute I saw you I knew my life would never be the same. Maybe it's too early for me to say anything, or maybe it's too much for me to say and I'm probably going to scare the shit out of you, but I just knew after I met you that Jake wasn't the one for me. Whether this thing between you and I works out or not, I knew that I felt more for you in my pinky finger than I felt for Jake, at least as far as those feelings go. I mean, after all those dreams, how could I not?"

I was beginning to wonder if I was dreaming, because the real life Bella would never be so honest and bold in her declarations. There was just no way that she could be so adorably endearing and yeah, it was a little scary to be laying things out on the table this early, but who was I kidding? I already knew I wanted to hang on to her for dear life, because she just made sense in my life. I couldn't imagine not having her around.

I guess I'd been silent for too long, because Bella's voice became nervous and shy. "Edward, are you still there? Oh god, I really did scare you off! I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have said anything!"

"Bella, Bella! You didn't scare me off, I just dropped the phone because I was too busy doing a really awkward victory dance. I'm pretty sure Emmett and Jasper are on their way over here to drag me to the mental hospital," I said happily.

Her sweet laughter rang out over the line, and I laughed along with her. "Edward, I'm so glad I didn't scare you off. I don't ever admit to things this early on, but I guess it just feels different with you. Something about you just inspires me to be bluntly honest. I'll probably end up saying really stupid shit around you and embarrassing myself," she said.

Now that we'd gotten past the awkward declaration stage, made especially strange because we were in different states, I got down to the matter at hand. "So, about 'all those dreams' you mentioned before…" I said teasingly.

"Oh, shut up! Let's just say I had some pretty convincing dreams about you before I broke up with Jake," she said, sounding embarrassed now.

"Oh, do tell," I encouraged.

"Edward, I am so not going to go into that right now. I'm at a show with Jake in Seattle and I didn't even mean to be away this long, but you just suck me in with your charming phone voice!" she exclaimed.

I felt a little burst of jealousy once more, even though she'd already assured me that she didn't love Jake anymore. "That's kind of weird, don't you think? How'd all that happen, anyway?" I asked.

"Well, I told him that I really just wanted to be friends because I feel like I owe it to the friends we used to be before we ruined it with a relationship. I convinced him to come with me tonight so he could see how much better off we are as friends," she replied.

I guess that made sense, but still, she hadn't seen him in forever and now they were hanging out together at a show? I wasn't entirely thrilled about it, but I knew I had to be cool. "So, how's it going then?" I finally asked.

"Well, that's the crazy part. You know how Jake met that other girl on tour? Well, her band is playing the show tonight and we ran into her when we got here. Jake was totally floored, and I could see that there was totally something going on with them. They were both so awkward with each other, but there was definitely some attraction going on. Now Jake is at the bar, acting like a stupid teenage girl who didn't get invited to the prom by her crush. It's sickening and vastly amusing, really," she said, almost gleefully.

I smirked, trying to imagine the bizarre situation Bella had now found herself in. "So, wasn't that kind of weird? I mean, to meet her?" I asked, awkwardly.

"Not at all, surprisingly. If I didn't already know Jake and I weren't meant to be, I would definitely know it now because I didn't feel even an ounce of awkwardness. She's really pretty and nice, and her band totally rocks. I may have to buy some of their music, actually. But I do have to say that it's hilarious to watch Jake squirm, because I think he knows what he wants and she's it, but it doesn't look like she'll be convinced easily," she laughed.

I felt like the weight of the world had dropped off my shoulders, and I couldn't wait to see her again. I wanted to hold the owner of this beautiful laugh in my arms; I wanted to kiss her and watch her face light up with the joy and pleasure I'd seen the last time.

"Well, I guess I'd better get back. Maybe I'll take pity on him and help him get her back, what d'you think?" she asked.

"I think you're probably a much better person than I, Bella. I would just watch his ass flounder. As a matter of fact, I still think he's a complete idiot for messing around on you, even if you don't really care. Any guy given the chance to be with you should be falling to his knees daily to thank his lucky stars for such a generous blessing," I replied honestly.

"Jeez, Edward, you're making it really hard for me to wait for you to get home. I think I could probably die from the torture of waiting if you keep all that sweet talking up," she said, sounding shy.

"Well, it's true. I'm counting the days until I can come and show you just how lucky I feel to be with you," I said, laying it on as thick as I thought I could get away with.

She chuckled softly, and I smiled in response. "Edward, when you get home, we'll both be getting lucky," she said.

What??!?!?!? Holy blue balls, Batman! "Bellaaaaaaaa…" I growled.

"K, gotta go, bye Edward! Talk to you soon!" she responded, a little too cheerfully.

Unbelievable! What a tease!

I hung up the phone, a huge smile on my face. It seemed like that was the permanent expression on my face when it came to Bella these days.

"Hey bro, what's got you so happy?" Emmett said loudly, pounding me on the back.

"Urgh, man, can't you ever say anything in an inside voice?" I asked irritably.

Emmett just laughed uproariously, obviously unconcerned with ruining my good mood… for the moment.

A/N: OOOOH! You know what this means? The next chapter is the one we've ALL been waiting for!;) You'd better stay tuned, 'cuz this next one is gonna be awesome. I'm so stoked to write it, you don't even know! -HIE