Chapter 7

EDWARD POV

I had already hit snooze on the alarm clock twice. I really didn't want to get out of bed. I was supposed to met one of our associates to work on a gun smuggling deal at ten o'clock. That left me only two hours. I grumpily got out of bed and was making my way to the shower when I saw the red light flashing on my answering machine.

I hit play and listened to the message.

"Edward, we didn't get to finish last night. Call me!" Tanya's voice sounded annoying on the phone.

Don't get me wrong she was great in bed, but she lacked in other areas. She could get clingy, and I realized quickly I was going to have to set her straight again. This happened every once in a while, she was probably my only steady lay. She definitely was the only other woman I had kissed since Bella. I decided I would call her back after I got out the shower, and we could meet up.

I was making my way to our associates warehouse when I got a call from Emmett.

"What's up man?" I asked.

"Just left the hospital, and I must say that Bella still has that pretty little blush of hers."

He was lucky he wasn't physically near me or I promise I would have punched him. Hard.

"Don't worry Edward. She was find and dandy when I left, oh and you can thank me I left her your number." He said like it was no big deal.

"What do you mean you left her my number?" I questioned.

"Well, I really wanted Rose's number, but Bella being Bella said if Rose wanted to call me she would give her my number. Bella handed me her phone, so I programmed mine and yours in there. You're welcome." he responded.

I was happy that Bella had my number, but now there is so much uncertainty. I think we had come to the conclusion that all we would be was friends. I think that was wise for now especially, but what if she never calls. Does that mean she doesn't want to be friends? I wish Emmett would have just left it alone.

"She loved the flowers I brought her by the way." He added.

I quickly remembered Bella's favorite flower being tulips. I wonder if I should send her some as a welcome home gift.

"So you think she's going to call?" I asked Emmett.

"Of course she is going to call you jackass. I bet you a hundred bucks she calls you by the end of the day." He said.

"I wasn't talking about Bella, you dumbass. I was talking about Rose." I said honestly.

He could be so dense sometimes.

"Yeah, I think she will call. Where are you?" Emmett asked me.

"We had an appointment today remember?" I responded.

"I didn't forget. I was just making sure your ass didn't forget." He laughed and I heard tires squeal.

Yeah right he didn't forget.

I was about to end the call, when I had a beep.

"Em, It's Alice. I'll talk to you later." I clicked over.

"Hey Alice! What can I do for you?" I asked sarcastically.

"Hi favorite brother of mine. I was hoping you could keep Jasper company tonight after the family dinner. I have plans." She wasn't elaborating, and I didn't feel like babysitting for no good reason.

"What are you not telling me?" I said.

"Well I am going over to Bella's to surprise her. I really want to get close again, I miss her." she whined in the phone. I knew she missed Bella, but ever since she found out Esme practically drove her out of town she has been trying to figure out a way to make it up to her.

"Sure tell him to call me later." I hung up and pulled up to the warehouse.

Emmett pulled up just as I was getting out.

"You ready man?" I asked.

"Let's go." He said back.

Dad was intrusting us to close this deal. We needed some ak's to ship out of the country, and we were buying them from "our associate." It was a first time transaction, and we were a little nervous about the kind of cash we would be forking over. Carlisle had spoke to the head man on the receiving end and we were promised a shit ton of guns, including the AK's. The money would be wire tapped to an account overseas as soon as we saw and secured the product. It should have been an easy transaction, but should of and would be are two totally different things. Let's just say that in the past the easy one's turned into the worse one's. I was just hoping today would not be one of those days.

I checked out my piece to make sure it was loaded and ready; and also secured the one strapped to my ankle. We knocked on the warehouse door and was greeted by some loser wearing a white jumpsuit. He ushered us to a door and waited outside. We walked in and met a middle aged banker looking gentlemen.

He motioned for us to sit in the chairs in front of the desk, and we followed suit.

"I am Aro. It's nice to meet you. Carlisle speaks very highly of you." he spoke softly.

The man looked pasty white.

"Carlisle ensured us that we would receive the product here." I said trying to get in and out.

Transactions like these need to quick for our sakes, and our associates.

"I can guarantee that the product is here and ready to go." He stood up, and we instantly shot to our feet.

"Please follow me." He motioned for us to walk through a door with him.

We stayed behind a couple of feet, but did follow where he was leading us. There were about twenty barrels of oil in the warehouse. He grabbed a crowbar and pried one of the leads off. He pulled out the top and voila our Guns were secured in all the barrels.

"Please feel free to inspect the merchandise." He said pointing to the other barrels.

Emmett and I grabbed a crow bar and started inspecting everything. It all looked good. We nodded at Aro, and Emmett sent a text to our father giving him the okay to send the money transfer through.

Running guns brought in lots of money, and we refused to sell or make profit off of any drugs. Carlisle was adamant that. We didn't deal in drugs no matter how hard things got. We spoke to Aro for a few more minutes, while we loaded up the merchandise in the van Emmett drove.

"Pleasure doing business with you boys." Aro spoke.

"Pleasure's ours" Emmett said.

"We'll be in touch." I told Aro as he headed back into the warehouse.

Emmett looked over at me. "Dude looks dead."

I shook my head at him and smiled. "I don't care if he is dead or not as long as he keeps supplying. Bring the merchandise to our warehouse, and we'll deal with the distribution later." I told him walking to my car.

"I am going to drop this off, and I'll see ya tonight at Ma's. I have a meeting with someone looking at some property later." He said.

"Secure it, be careful. Call one of the boys to tail you. Make sure you aren't followed." I demanded.

It was important to keep our business dealings secret and confidential. It would suck ass to have a million dollar deal go to shit.

"You worry to much bro. I got this." He said climbing into the van.

I immediately called one of our guys, and told them to follow Em.

We had just left our warehouse when mom called to let us know it was time for dinner. She did this at least weekly. She wanted her family to stay close, and this ensured her to get her weekly gossip on what was going on with her children.

I walked in and noticed Alice sitting at the table, she looked like she was ready to bounce out her seat. She must have been super excited about going to Bella's tonight. Poor Jasper, sometimes I wonder how he could handle Alice and her bundle of nerves.

I went straight to my mom and kissed her cheek.

"Mom" I said.

"Hi, Baby! How was your day?" she asked while making the salad.

"Same old, same old! How was your day?" I asked .

"Saw an old friend today." She said and I smiled. "Carry that to the table please." she pointed to the dressing.

"Lasagna, my favorite." Emmett said.

"What's not your favorite?" Alice asked laughing.

We all sat down and Carlisle said grace.

The meal was pretty much like any other night, until mom asked Alice why she was so jumpy.

"Umm, I am kind of going see Bella tonight." She said nervously.

My dad just smiled, but my mom frowned.

"I think Bella has seen enough of the Cullens today." My mom said very low.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Well your brother said he saw her today, and then I happened to run into her at the hospital." She said like it was no big deal.

My dad's eyes shot up from his bite of lasagna to my mother.

"You happened to run into her?" He questioned her.

"Yes, I had an appointment there, and I just so happened to see her on my way out. We exchanged a few words." She looked at me. "Don't worry Edward. I didn't threaten her." She said.

"Well if you will all excuse me, I am going to see Bella." Alice jumped up and kissed Jasper and my father on the cheek and all but ran out of the dinning room.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Emmett don't forget you owe me a hundred bucks." I said remember that he bet Bella would call me.

"The days not over bro. She'll call." He said.

My mom just stared at us with confusion, and I smirked and continued eating.

BELLA POV

I was just pulling into my driveway when I saw her sitting on the porch.

"HI!" I greeted.

She had the biggest smile on her face.

"Bella!" She skipped over to me and hugged me.

"I was wondering how long it was going to take until you just threw yourself back into my life." I said it jokingly and Alice knew it.

"I would have came sooner, but I didn't know how to apologize. I still don't. My mother is difficult. I just wish you would have told me before leaving." She said sad.

"I'm sorry Alice. I can only move forward from here, and speaking of which its' freezing outside let's go in." I said pointing to the door.

"Lead the way." She bounced following me.

Some things never change.

I opened the door and walked into the kitchen. I threw the pile of mail onto the table.

"Tulips?" Alice asked looking at the arrangement.

"Yep, got them this morning. Your brothers sure know how to apologize." I said laughing.

"Who? My brothers? Are you sure?" she said smiling.

"Well, this bouquet didn't have a note, but only a few people know that tulips are my favorite. Edward being one of them, and Emmett today brought Roses to work for me, and apologized." I said.

She seemed to be in her own little world, and then quickly came back to the present.

"They are beautiful" she said.

"That they are. So…." I said unsure of where to go from here.

"Are you hungry?" I asked her.

"No, we just ate at mom's. You remember our weekly family dinners?"

I nodded. Of course, I remembered. I used to attend every one with Edward.

"Well I am going to put a pizza in the oven. Why don't you go sit down in the living room and I will be there in a minute." I said.

She skipped off towards the living room.

I grabbed us two wine glasses and filled them up. I through the pizza in the oven and set the timer.

I walked into the living room and handed Alice a glass.

"So tell me what have you been doing the last eleven years?" Alice said.

"Subtle, Alice. Very Subtle." I laughed.

"Well, let's see it's all pretty boring. I moved to Phoenix since it was the last place I knew my mother had lived. I ended up finding a job as a waitress instead of finding her. I applied to college, and working my way through and taking out about a dozen student loans, I graduated top of my class. Went to medical school, and did my residency there. Missed home, came back. Here I am. " I said taking another sip of wine.

I had left a whole bunch of details but if I knew Alice she was going to ask them.

"When did you decide to become a doctor?" She asked.

"It was gradual. One day I just realized I really wanted to help people, and I started taking med classes. I thought the blood was going to be a big issue, but I managed to overcome it. I love being a doctor." I said smiling. It was the best thing about me. I loved helping people and saving lives.

"Okay, how did you meet Rosalie?" She asked next.

" I met her when we were in college. I had been staying in the dorms with a psycho roommate. I spent more time at the library than I did in our dorm room. One day I went into the library to escape the nut job and Rose was the only one sitting at the table by herself. I made my way over to her, and before I could ask her if I could sit down she had pulled out a chair and gestured for me to sit. We never said a word to each other. For weeks, she and I shared a table. It was peaceful. One day she asked me why I spent so much time there, and I told her about my roommate. I in return, asked her the same thing. She told me she hated staying in her apartment by herself. We went for coffee and we have been best friends ever since. I moved in with her a week later." I finished and looked up at Alice. I could see the hurt on her face. I didn't mean to upset her. Alice and I had been best friends, and I am sure we could be again. I needed to fix this.

"Alice, I am sorry about how I left. You were my best friend, and I should have told you or tried to contact you. I can't change it, but we can move forward from here, and I would be very happy if you and I grew started hanging out again." Her smile took over her whole face and she flew into my arms.

Just then Rose walked in.

"Am I interrupting something?" She asked with her eyebrows raised.

"Rose, I would like you to meet Alice Cullen. Alice Cullen I would like you to meet Rosalie Hale." They exchanged pleasantries.

I left them to talk for a minute while I grabbed the pizza. I refilled our glasses, and brought Rose one.

"So did you find an office space?" I asked her.

"As a matter of fact I did." She said smiling.

Alice just looked at me, and I looked back at Rose.

"Well?" I asked.

"I got it for a bargain. Well if you call a bargain three dates." She said.

"What?" Alice and I both asked.

"Before you get mad Bella, I didn't know who owned the property when I called. He showed up and I tried to leave, but he was pretty convincing." She was smiling the whole time.

"I thought you learned your lesson last time?" I questioned.

"I'm sorry. The sign said EPC properties in the listing." She said.

Alice smiled, and I realized instantly who owned the property.

"Emmett Paul Cullen." I stated.

"He made me promise him three dates. I tried to get out of hit, and offer him the money, but he refused. He refused any money, he only wanted three dates. He promised that if after three dates, I didn't want to see him anymore. He wouldn't protest. I couldn't say no. I really liked the property." She said.

Alice said. "I am sure you liked the property." She giggled.

I shook my head. Emmett was a smart son of a bitch.

"I guess you don't need his cell number then huh?" I scrolled threw my phone and before I got to Emmett's name. I saw a familiar name. He had put Edward's number in my phone.

"No, Emmett and I have our first date tomorrow night." She said proudly.

"We should all double date." Alice squealed. I looked at her like she was crazy.

"I'm sorry. I mean when you have a date we can all go together." She said backtracking, but I know she was secretly hoping that Edward and I would join them.

We ate and talked for hours, and Alice called for a ride home. She had a few too many glasses of wine and I wasn't going to let her drive back to her parents house.

Rosalie went upstairs and that left Alice and I in the kitchen. There was a knock at the door, and the first thing I noticed next was the bronze hair sticking out in all directions.

She had obviously called Edward, instead of Jasper to pick her up. She was sneaky that little elf.

She stood up. "I need to use the restroom, I'll be right back." she said running up the stairs to the only restroom we had.

"Hi!" I said blushing. He was gorgeous and the years had only intensified his good looks.

"Hi Bella!" He said. "I'm sorry about this, Jasper was passed out, and Emmett wasn't in. I was the last choice, and I didn't think you would like my mother to come and pick her up." He said smirking.

"No, seeing your mother once today was enough." I replied.

"Yeah, I am sorry about that." He said I motioned for him to sit on the couch.

"No worries. I can handle myself." I said meaning it.

He looked like he wanted to say something but was too afraid to ask.

"What?" I finally said after a few seconds of silence.

"Why do you have a gun?" He asked.

I froze. I wasn't expecting him to ask me that.

Alice decided that minute to come running down the stairs.

"Sorry about that. Too many glasses of wine, makes for a lot of bathroom breaks." She laughed. "Ready?" She said to Edward.

Edward was still staring at me waiting for my answer.

"I have it for protection." I didn't want to lie to him, but I didn't want to go into detail either.

He seemed satisfied with my answer, but I knew he would question what I told him as well.

Alice bounced over to me and hugged me tightly. "I'll call you tomorrow, B" She said.

"Sure thing, munchkin." I replied.

"Edward." I said.

"It was good seeing you Bella, I hope we can finish this conversation later." He said and knew we would be having it alright; I just wanted to avoid it a little while longer.

They walked out the door and I made sure the padlock and regular lock was in place, and made my way up the stairs.

After I finished my shower, I grabbed my phone. I completely forgot to thank him for the flowers while he was here, and scrolled down to his name and pressed talk.

It rang two times and his sweet voice answered.

"Cullen." He answered.

"How professional!" I giggled.

"Bella?" he asked.

"Yep!" I said popping the p.

"Are you okay?" He asked next.

"I'm fine. You?" I said trying to get passed the awkwardness of talking on the phone to him.

"I'm good." He said.

"Look I know this is a little weird, and I am sorry. I just didn't want to go to bed without thanking you." I said.

"Thanking me for what?" He asked confused.

"For the tulips." I said happily.

His next words made my blood run ice cold.

"Bella, I didn't send you any tulips." He said.

"I'm sorry. I gotta go." I hung up. It wasn't a coincidence. He had been here. If it wasn't Edward, then it was only one other person.

THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL REVIEWS. I LOVE READING THEM ALL. I TRY AND RESPOND TO ALL OF THEM. KEEP THEM COMING. I LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU ENJOYED AND WHAT YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. THIS CHAPTER WAS PRETTY MUCH A FILLER CHAPTER. MORE DRAMA AND ANGST TO COME. WE WILL FIND OUT A LITTLE MORE ABOUT WHAT BELLA IS FREAKING OUT ABOUT IN THE NEXT CHAPER. THANKS AND PLEASE REVIEW.