sorry to those that have read this story i made one change to the story line. instead of making Edward an art history teacher i made him a CEO of his dad's oil company i recommend you read the chapter again because i have changed some parts. sorry i usually don't do this and i won't do it again i promise :)

Edward's P.O.V

A month had gone by since my get together with Emmett and jasper. Things were going great in my life. I do not believe that there was a happier couple than Bella and I. That baby was all I could talk of.

When we told her mother of the news she demanded we pay her a visit. Bella had wanted to go to Arizona for some time it had been a while since she'd seen her family. Unfortunately my job in my dad's oil company had not allowed me to accompany her on the trip yet I wanted her to visit her family so we arranged for her trip.

So here I was at the airport ready to say goodbye to Bella for an entire month.

"I wish you could go." she spoke as she gave me a quick kiss.

"I know love, but I think you could use some time alone with your family. I don't want you to get tired of me." I joked. She rolled her eyes but smiled when I put myself to level with her stomach, she was four months along and she had yet to show it, though she swore she was already gaining weight. "Take care of mommy for me." I softly crooned to her stomach while I rubbed it. "Don't let her trip." When I looked up she was blushing and I understood why. A lot of passerby's were watching and smiling at us.

"I think it's time to go," she stroked my hair and I straightened up. "It's going to be a long month." She was right, it would seem never ending.

"I know love." I stroked her soft face. "But I'll call you every day, I promise." Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes but she nodded and looked down as her flight was announced. I raised her face to look into her sad chocolate brown eyes and I kissed her softly. "Say hi to your family for me."

"Okay" she said and then picked up her bags. With one final kiss she began to walk away. I stayed there until her plane left. Once gone I headed back home to pass the rest of my Saturday all alone.

Monday Edward's P.O.V

"Good morning honey." I paced back in forth in front of the living room with the phone glued to my ear.

"Edward, you sound guilty, what happened?"

I smiled to myself at that. It was only natural that she would know me so well. We knew each other since we were toddlers.

"I've done something really horrible… You know how you always told me I was going to lose the wedding ring if I kept on taking it on and off."

"What did you do?"

"Well, I took it off to shower –you know I don't like to get it wet- and well…I knocked it over and it…it went down the drain."

"I told you so," she didn't sound mad so I took that as a good sign.

It had only been a day and already I missed her. The month would really be eternal as I'd never been away from Bella for so long.

We met at the age of six when her mom got back with her dad; she and her mother moved to forks where they became our neighbors. She got along just great with my brother Emmett and my sister Alice. But it was her friendship with me that proved to be stronger.

I always liked her; she was a very intriguing person. Kind and entertaining, we quickly formed a deep bond that slowly morphed into something more than a mere friendship. She noticed it first…I had been too caught up chasing after other girls to see what was in front of me. It wasn't until junior prom that it became official. We were both seventeenth and decided to go to prom together; I remember how beautiful she looked that day in her deep blue dress. I even remember the song that was playing when we kissed for the first time. It was Brian Adam's heaven playing as we slow danced on the dance floor. Ever since then we were together and knew we wanted to spend all of our lives together.

When we turned twenty we both decided there was no point to waiting, we were eager to get married and start our lives together. My family approved of her and so did hers but neither was comfortable with us marrying so young. They talked to us both about the seriousness of marriage. But we knew what we wanted and that's exactly what we got, we were married January 25. After four years of being happily married we'd proven to our families that we had been right and that we really were meant to be together forever.

I'd wanted to major in music but my dad insisted that Emmett and I had to work in his company to inherit it later in the future. I'd never been particularly thrilled about it but dad had been planning this future for us for so long that I'd never really dared to argue. I loved him and didn't wish to upset him. Of course sometimes I wished I had just studied music. The job was very demanding at times and sometimes I didn't have enough time to spend with Bella.

She had gone to culinary school and once done she'd decided to open up a bakery. Her business, though small, it thrived and she loved it.

We were ready for this baby. We would be the best parents we could possibly be and it would be loved and have everything it needed. I wanted a girl Bella wanted a boy but we both knew that it didn't matter what it was we would love it just as much.

Once Bella and I hung up I decided to do something that I hadn't done in a very long time. I got dressed to go take a jog around the park. There's something about marriage that just makes you awfully lazy. After Bella and I married I stopped my daily jogging routine, I never completely stopped I would just leave it for a couple of months then get back into the habit. With Bella gone, I had a feeling I would be doing this daily.

For six in the morning the sun was barely going up and there was only a few other joggers out in the park. With my earphones firmly in place I fell into an easy jog.

I remembered why I liked to run, it was refreshing. It liberated me of any bad energy. All bad thoughts were gone and I felt at peace as I got my metabolism going. I'd been thinking of what I had planned after work. I would probably visit my parents and have dinner with them; I didn't want to be alone for too much time. My attention was caught by a small body running in the opposite direction. She ran at a much faster pace than I was and seemed completely concentrated in her run. She seemed familiar but I couldn't quite place the face. It wasn't until she sped by me once more that I recognized her to be the girl from the bar. I couldn't remember her name but I was quite certain it was her. So I turned around and ran after her wondering if she would remember me.

She didn't notice me when I catched up to her. She too was listening to her iPod. After some time she seemed to take notice of my presence and glanced up at me then paused her iPod.

"Did you call me?" she asked. I immediately knew she did not remember me. Her voice was polite but she seemed slightly annoyed to have been interrupted.

Without stopping our run I responded. "I don't suppose you remember me."

"I don't suppose I do. Care to refresh my mind?" once again she concentrated on the path in front of her.

"I'm Edward. The guy from the bar about a month ago."

It didn't seem to ring a bell as she furrowed her eyebrows in a questioning manner.

"I was with the two noisy guys. You said you were an editor."

"Oh yeah…I think I remember but I'm not too sure." She began to slow down and I did the same until we both automatically came to a stop. "But in any case let me introduce myself again. I'm Desiree glass."

I extended my hand and shook her considerably smaller hand. "Edward Cullen. Would you like to walk?"

She seemed as if she was going to refuse, but then agreed and we began a slow stroll as the sun rose in the horizon.

"So exactly how did we meet?" she asked. "The memory is hazy."

I chuckled, "how much did you drink?"

"Well I can't remember much of the night so you figure it out." she smiled gently.

"My brothers and I were out having a drink and you were sitting next to me busy in your writing."

"Ah I see."

"When we talked you mentioned you're an editor?"

She looked as if she finally believed I was saying the truth after I said this. "Yeah, well it's what I do mainly; I take on a couple of other things when I'm available."

"Like what?"

"I teach yoga on weekends, I teach art in a community center and I am a part time high school music teacher."

I looked at her and wondered how she managed to fit in so much in seven days of the week.

"Well you must be really good at managing your time."

She chuckled. "Well there's not much else to do, I don't have much of a social life to maintain. I have more time right now as the publishing house is a bit slow at the moment so there's not much for me to do. I am in the process of editing just one book. So I'm able to do more things right now."

"What kind of books does your publishing house edit?"

"Mostly fiction and the occasional history book."

"Oh, because about a year ago I wrote this story and my friends have kept trying to push me into publishing it. Lately the idea has stuck but I'm still unsure whether it really is good enough or not."

She nodded, "tell you what, bring me the manuscript I'll read it, free of charge," she smiled, "
and I will give you my opinion then you can decide whether you want to proceed."

"I think that sounds like a good idea." I glanced at my watch and saw it was time to go or I would get late to my job. "Hey I have to run but tell you what, let's have dinner together and we can discuss this later tonight. Sound good?"

We had stopped walking by now; she seemed to be in thought before she nodded. "That sounds good."

"Great here give me your number and I will text you the directions to the restaurant."

She agreed and we exchanged numbers quickly. She too seemed to be in a bit of a hurry.

"So is six an okay time?"

"Yeah six is perfect. Well I have to run or I'm going to be late too. Nice meeting you…again."

I smiled and waved before we both ran off in different directions. I thought about the conversation and was suddenly excited at the thought of having someone from outside the family circle read what I had written. I needed an honest opinion and I felt that she would offer one. She was an editor after all and I suppose honest opinions were required of her. Well I guess I wouldn't be having dinner with my parents then…

"How's the lonely life?" I looked up from my paperwork and saw Emmett walk into my office and sit on the chair in front of the desk.

"Lonely." I muttered.

He laughed, as if it was really that funny. "You need to loosen up. I swear you're tied to her butt."

"Look who's talking." He ignored the comment.

"So no sex for a month. Wonder how long you're going to last."

"Emmett honestly if you have nothing interesting to say leave I'm real busy."

"It's only been what two days and already you need to get laid. It's going to be a long month." He teased. I think what annoyed me the most was the fact that he was right.

"Out!" I barked. He did as I said but did not forget to laugh at me on the way out.

I sighed and stretched on my chair. Working in an office for so long had never been my ideal job. I would have honestly preferred to sit all day teaching music or writing music for a living. Now the time I spent in front of my piano was very limited.

When my phone rang indicating a new text message I was quick to pick it up. My heart warmed as I saw my wife's name.

I miss you babe 3

I smiled at the screen as I read Bella's message and quickly replied.

I miss you too love, how are you?

I'm well honey. The baby just kicked :)

And I wished so badly that I could be there to have felt it.

How's work?

Nothing remotely new, you know how it is.

By the way remember that story I wrote that you all felt like I should seek to publish it?

Yes, did you finally decide to do it!

Well I met this person that agreed to read it. I'm going to show them the manuscript tonight.

Oh honey I'm so glad. I really hope you are successful with this.

Thank you love, I'm sorry for cutting it short but I need to finish this paperwork.

I understand, Have a good day dear 3

I gave a quick reply to the last message and then continued with the tedious job.

When work was over I headed home immediately and looked for one of the manuscripts I'd printed. Unfortunately the only one I could find was all written on and nearly impossible to read I had to search for the file in my computer and printed out another copy. Before I knew it I had to change to be at the restaurant in time.

I was excited at the prospect of having my story published. It had always been a dream of mines to write a book and I hoped that I would be successful in this.

I didn't have to wait long for her. Five minutes after I arrived I saw her small form walk towards me. She looked around rather nervously, as if she were uncomfortable. I stood up to greet her and she gave me a small uneasy smile. It was then that I truly took her in and observed her character.

She was small maybe five feet; she wore a long cream colored sweater with a brown belt on her waist. Over it she wore a short forest green coat with brown buttons and brown borders. Her dark blue skinny's were small and accentuated her toned legs, her small feet were clad in matching forest green lace up boots with brown laces. She had a pretty hourglass shape despite being so small. Her brown hair created a lovely contrast with her light skin. She had a youthful round face with natural rosy cheeks that seemed as if they still had traces of baby fat in them. A dainty nose that was slightly upturned was placed in the middle of her face it was almost completely straight except for a small bump that could have been a result of a broken nose. She had a small mouth with delicate and finely curved pink lips. But what attracted me most were her eyes. They were averaged sized and almond shaped but the electric blue color of her eyes was captivating. I wondered how I hadn't noticed them before; I could only imagine how much lovelier they would look against the natural light. They were surrounded by long brown eyelashes and softly rounded eyebrows. She was a lovely little thing, captivating there was no doubt about it. It only took a minute for me to take in all of these details.

She shook my hand and I quickly helped her out of her coat and into her seat. Before we could say anything the waiter arrived. She slowly removed her messenger bag from her shoulder and set it down. I took notice of the special manner in which the waiter spoke to her but she seemed oblivious to it. I chuckled internally; his actions were after all completely understandable. Once he was gone she pushed her hair behind her ear and looked at me.

"Nice to see you again." She smiled. "Talk to me more about your story."

I nodded and pulled out the manuscript and handed it to her. As I talked she skimmed through the pages, nodding in acknowledgement that she was listening.

"Well it definitely sounds interesting." She said after I'd finished talking. "I'll try to get through it as fast as possible."

"Oh take your time." I said. She smiled, we both suddenly went quiet and it became awkward. It was only for a moment before her smile turned teasing.

"So what do you work in?"

"I'm a CEO in my dad's oil company."

"so you sit in an office all day?" her expression was that of great distaste and possibly pity. I found it quite entertaining and could not help the small chuckle that slipped out of my mouth. I think her expression matched my internal one.

"pretty much."

"I'm sorry but I don't think I'd ever have the patience to do something like that. business and everything involving it just doesn't call to me."

"I can tell."

"what made you go into business?"

"well my dad had always wanted us to inherit the family business, he didn't approve when I demonstrated interest in studying music. I was never the one to argue."

She frowned and pursed her lips. I looked into her blue eyes as she scrutinized me for a moment, and wondered what she was thinking.

"do you like it?"

I thought about my response. Did I like my job? "I don't dislike it. but It's not my ideal career."

"what was your ideal career?"

"music." I responded immediately. "I suppose you major in english?"

"yeah."

"did you want to be an editor?"

"well it was always an option. I was never the one for math or science so I immediately knew I did not want to be involved in anything of the sort. In the end I decided English because I wanted to write screen plays but when the chance came to take a job as an editor I took it. I'm pretty happy with it."

"you must have studied more if you teach art and music too."

"yeah I minored in both. I loved them too much to not study them."

She seemed more at ease now; she had stopped glancing around her nervously.

"You seemed uncomfortable when you arrived," I said. She looked at me and bit the inside of her cheek.

"You noticed that?"

"Yeah…why?"

"I'm not used to being out. I'm not very social if you haven't noticed."

She seemed fairly social to me, she had no difficulty making conversation with me at least.

"I know it's not polite to ask but, how old are you?"

"I just turned twenty one, and you?"

"Twenty four… so you don't get out much? With your friends or anyone?"

She looked down and blushed. Just then the waiter came with our food we said thank you and he quickly left after taking another glance at her.

"You could say I don't have any friends." She responded after a moment. Her voice was quieter and I had to focus more to hear it. "I mean I have colleagues but friends friends just one. Making new friends has never been easy for me not since I was in high school."

"Bad experience?"

She thought about her response for some time. "You could say that."

"I had wondered why you were all alone on a Friday night at a bar."

"Oh that day…that was a bad day my best friend was going to marry the following week and that day he caught his fiancée in bed with someone else…"

"So you felt the need to drink for him?"

"Well, he's like my brother you know. I've known him for a very long time. He didn't want me to be there with him that night and I guess I was just hurt. Not to mention I'd been having problems of my own with my mom."

"Oh I see…you know drinking isn't the solution."

"I don't make a habit out of it, really. I usually have my friend there to keep me from drinking my problems away but I took advantage of the fact that I was completely alone."

"How did you get home?"

"I drove. Irresponsible I know."

"I'll say."

We enjoyed a pleasant conversation as we ate. She was a quite interesting woman and it surprised me that she was single. I suppose her dedication to her various jobs prevented her from dedicating time to a relationship. When I told her this she said the only relationship she needed was with her best friend and her dog. That made me laugh, she seemed to have a lot of love for animals. While I enjoyed pets Bella wasn't particularly fond of them.

Before we realized it we had finished our dinner and were ready to depart.

"What are you doing?" I asked feeling very indignant as I saw her withdraw her wallet from her bag.

"Paying for my food." She said as if it was painfully obvious.

"I can't let you do that I invited you here."

"You invited me that's all"

"It doesn't matter it is courtesy to pay for you."

She rolled her eyes but did not argue. I remembered when Bella and I began dating. She would always argue so much about letting me pay. She never would win.

I walked her to her small car in the parking lot. "Thank you for tonight." She said. "I'll call you as soon as I finish reading your manuscript alright?"

"Sounds good to me. Hope it doesn't bore you"

She smiled and toyed with her keys. "Don't worry I'll tell you if it does."

"Well," I extended my hand and she shook it. "I hope to see you soon."

"Alright goodnight Edward." she smiled at me and then got into her car. I watched her speed away before I reached my own car. I reached into my coat pockets for my keys and found a twenty dollar bill wrapped in a note.

We're in the 21st century Edward. Things have changed. Thank you for inviting me I had a lovely time.

I smiled as I saw her signature and wondered how she had slipped in the note and the money without me noticing.

"Don't get me wrong mom I love your cooking, but I miss Bella's cooking terribly." I ate the last of my meatloaf and savored the taste of it.

"I know honey I can imagine how much you must miss her. Tell her I say hi when she calls you again."

I was having dinner with just my mother Esme and my father Carlisle. Already it felt like I was going crazy from not seeing Bella at all. Web-caming was just not the same.

"Edward," I looked at dad as he called my name. "Where's your wedding ring?" I automatically moved the finger where the ring should have been resting.

"I…it fell down the drain."

Mom shook her head and frowned. "Don't worry ma I'll get another one made."

"Edward you shouldn't take such things so lightly. A wedding ring is a very important symbol of your love to your wife."

"I know mom. But really it could have happened to anyone."

Before they could say anything else my phone went off. I excused myself from the table to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Edward?"

"Who is this?"

"Desiree glass..."

"Oh hi Desiree how are you?"

"I'm fine thank you. And you?"

"Alright. Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

"Yeah I just finished reading your manuscript for the second time."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. The book was pretty lengthy so the fact that she read it not once but twice impressed me.

"And?"

"I really like it. Can we meet and discuss this in person?"

"Of course how bout we have a cup of coffee tomorrow?"

"Sure. I know a great place with stellar coffee."

"Well then I'll see you tomorrow at twelve?"

"Sure thing."

"Oh and Desiree,"

"Yes?"

"This time I'm paying, no excuses."

As she laughed I imagined the sound of wind chimes. "Okay Edward if you insist." With that she hung up and I returned to the dinner room to help clean up.