Hi again. Two chapters left, I think. Of course, I can't really remember what day it is, sooo...Just kidding. I know it's Thursday. ;)

Thanks for putting up with me.

Blind Ambition – Chapter Twenty

"You're pretty good; you've been taking lessons?" Edward asked while he picked absently at his guitar strings.

"Yeah, and practicing constantly. It helps me relax after class," Seth replied and propped his guitar up against his wheelchair.

"How's it going? Leah says you've got a full load this semester."

"I'm taking four classes. It's good. I mean, it's hard, but it's good. No one treats me any differently, and I like that," he explained and Edward smiled.

He could understand not wanting special treatment because of something you had no control over, and he admired Seth for his strength. Edward wasn't sure he would have been so tough if he had lost his sight when he was younger.

"Are you boys behaving over here?" Leah asked, touching Edward's shoulder gently.

"Of course not." He grinned and slipped his free arm around her waist, the other hand still holding tight to his guitar. Leah noticed and took the instrument from his hand, setting it next to her brother's.

"Just a little innocent jam session, don't worry. We weren't talking about you at all," Seth teased his sister.

"Hey, I'm just glad you're over here and not in the lion's den, okay?" She laughed and Edward knew she meant the crowd that had gathered in her father's backyard to help celebrate his sixtieth birthday.

"I can handle it," he said and puffed out his chest.

Seth and Leah laughed.

"Yeah, you haven't met Aunt Ruth yet," Seth mumbled.

"Let's hope you don't have to," Leah whispered loudly.

Edward simply rolled his eyes behind his Wayfarers and tightened his grip around Leah. He wasn't afraid of the rest of her family when he knew he'd already won over her brother and father. Well, from what she told him he had, anyways.

"As long as they don't ask me to play football again, I think we're okay," Edward said with a smirk, making Seth snort and try to cover it up as a cough.

Leah sighed, remembering how one of her idiot cousins had tossed a football to Edward and hit him square in the chest just a few moments after they arrived.

"I probably should have mentioned that to them."

"Just hang out with me," Seth laughed. "They'll leave you alone."

"I did apologize, you know." Leah pouted. "Hey, are your pants talking?"

"Not in front of your brother, Leah- oh!" Edward tried to be a smartass, but stopped when he realized his phone was vibrating in his pocket and saying a number to him.

"Your phone talks?"

"Blind perks." Edward grinned. "I don't know any two-one-two numbers." He clicked the top button of his phone and slipped it into his pocket, only to feel it vibrate with a voicemail a few minutes later.

He didn't check it until much later, when he and Leah were on their way home from her father's party. After he listened to the message Edward frowned and put his phone back in his pocket.

"What's wrong?" Leah reached over and rested her hand on the back of his neck. He turned to her and smiled.

"Nothing. It was an old professor from NYU. He wants me to come and give a guest lecture for his musical theory class."

"That's amazing!" she cried and shoved his shoulder. "Why aren't you excited?"

Edward shrugged. "I don't know. It's a little scary."

"You'll be perfect. When is it?"

"In two weeks…"

"That soon?" she asked, trying to stay excited, but Edward could hear the reservation in her voice. They'd spent nearly every night for the past month together and really hadn't been separated in their three months of dating. He didn't like the thought of being away from her, either.

"Yeah…you should come with me. Take a long weekend: Thursday to Monday. That's plenty of time for you to clear your schedule, right?" Edward said and took her hand from the back of his neck. He kissed her palm and heard her sigh.

"On one condition," she replied after a moment.

"What's that?"

"Call your sister."

He groaned and let go of her hand, still feeling angry that Alice would think he was a cheater.

"I'm mad at her," Edward grumbled.

"Then get over it. Or the answer is no."

"Women," he muttered under his breath while he fished his phone out of his pocket once more. "You're all conspiring against me."

"Yes, and you love it."

He made a face. "Call Alice," Edward commanded his phone. "Would you like me to put it on speaker?"

"No, this is your fight, babe."

Edward didn't have time to respond because his sister answered on the third ring, sounding apprehensive.

"I'm sorry I was so angry," Edward said quietly after she'd answered.

"No, you were right. I shouldn't have assumed. I should have known you better than that," she admitted.

"Okay," he sighed.

"I'm glad she makes you happy, Edward."

He smiled. "I know you are."

"And I think you should tell her about what you told me."

"What did I tell you?" he asked and reached over to take Leah's hand again. Her palm slipped into his and their fingers fit together perfectly.

"The stuff about kids. I think you and Leah should talk about it."

Edward glanced in his girlfriend's direction, hoping she couldn't notice how nervous he'd suddenly become. They hadn't been together for that long and, even though he knew it was something he wanted, he wasn't sure it was something she wanted, or even if she thought that far into the future.

"I think it's a little early for that, Alice."

"Well, I don't think it is."

"Okay," Edward laughed. "I'll think about it."

"Call me soon."

"I will," he promised before ending the call.

"What did she say?"

"Nothing, nosey."

Leah growled and bit his knuckles.

"Are you trying to turn me on?" he teased and she giggled.

"Sorry. So, we're going on a trip, huh?"

"Looks like it." Edward smiled. "Are you ready for an adventure with a blind guy?"

"Every day is an adventure with you, Edward."

But really, there are two chapters left.