Edward and I spent the rest of the day pretending to read before finally giving up and deciding to make dessert. All plans for finding something new on Pinterest were put aside and instead I went with simple chocolate chip cookies because I knew that I had all the ingredients. Edward mostly watched, handing me a few ingredients I needed until the first batch went into the oven. He told me stories of sneaking into the cottage as a teenager to avoid his sister when she had friends over to the house. Apparently before this became my escape, it was Edward's escape too.

The day passed quickly and I found myself getting nervous at the thought of going to dinner together.

"Maybe you should head over there first and I'll come down in a little bit," I suggest.

"My truck has been here all day. Do you really think my parents haven't noticed that?" he argues back. "I'm surprised my mom hasn't found a reason to come over and see what we're up to or maybe she did and we were too distracted to notice."

"That's not funny," I pout as he wiggles his eyebrows.

"You worry too much. It's going to be fine, now let's go," he announces, grabbing the plate of cookies with one hand and laces our fingers together with the other.

As we near the main house I try to pull my hand back from Edward's but he isn't letting go. Instead he begins to rub his thumb in gentle circles on my hand before leading us up the stairs. As I walk through the doorway he does surprisingly let go after another squeeze of our hands. Before I think he's changed his mind, his hand finds my lower back as we move toward the kitchen where I know we'll find Esme at work.

Esme looks up with a smile as soon as we enter the room. She's beaming even more than usual if that's possible.

"You two!" she points. "I knew it. I'm so happy."

"These are just chocolate chip cookies mom. I don't know why you're getting so excited over that," Edward places the plate down on the table keeping a straight face and throwing a wink my way. "If I'd known making cookies would make you so happy I would have started baking a long time ago."

"Don't tease your mother Edward. I spent half the day keeping her from running over to check on the two of you," Carlisle laughs, greeting me with a hug. "I'm glad you came over when you did. I don't think I could have held her off much longer."

Esme tells Carlisle to hush as she places a pan into the oven. Then she is over to give both Edward and I hugs.

"Tell me everything," she implores.

I look over to Edward letting him know that he can take the floor on this one.

With a shake of his head, he turns to his mother and simply says, "We're dating. It's still new, but everything is good."

Before he can say anything else, there's a gasp and squeal from behind me.

"I knew it! I knew it! I told you Jazz!" an overly excited Alice shouts as she bounces into the kitchen. "Oh this is perfect! Why didn't you tell me when I asked who your date was with last night?" she turns to Edward.

He simply puts his hands up and shrugs.

"This reaction is much more entertaining than it would have been over the phone," Edward smiles.

"Thanks for that Edward. You aren't the one that had to handle her last night when she tried to piece it all together," Jasper points out.

I know the inquisition that is about to take place and honestly don't know what to say for most of it. We've been dating less than a week, with only two dates, but the way Alice and Esme are beaming you'd think we'd won a Noble prize. The men steal away to the living room, while I try to distract Alice and Esme in the kitchen. For a while they seem to allow the distraction from the conversation. Dinner conversation consists of the typical Sunday family dinner talk with some added smiles and looks between Edward and myself. It's easier than I thought to be here with the family and I wonder why I was so nervous in the first place.

The men begin to clear the kitchen with Esme's supervision, leaving just Alice and I at the table.

"I'm really happy for the two of you," Alice blurts interrupting my thoughts. "How was the date last night?"

"Thanks Alice. Last night was perfect, everything seems almost too good to be true, you know? He came over earlier today so we spent the day just lounging around and it felt easy…I don't know how to describe it really," I respond quietly.

"I knew you guys would be perfect together."

"I wouldn't go that far, it's still really new."

"Yes, but you guys have been circling around this for months now. I'm glad it's finally official," she smiles.

"Me too," I reply, smiling to think about our official Facebook conversation from earlier.

"I promise I won't pry, but you have to realize this is a big deal for him," she seems more serious now.

"What is?" I ask.

"Edward bringing a girl to family dinner. It's a first for him."

"I've been to family dinners before though so that doesn't count," I challenge, still slightly thrilled that Edward never brought a past relationship into the Sunday tradition.

"Trust me, it counts. He's different with you, I can already tell. I know these things," she chuckles.

I glance over at Edward where he's hard at work drying the dishes before putting them back in the cabinet. There are laughs back and forth as Carlisle leaves the dishes to dance with Esme around the kitchen instead. It feels like home. These people, strangers just months ago, feel like family.

The mood is lighthearted the rest of the evening as we settle in to watch a movie before heading down the path to my cottage. It's convenient Edward's truck is still parked by my place because it gives him the excuse to walk me back home. The chill in the air keeps our goodbye quick with promises that he will let me know when he's made it home.

As I'm settling in bed for the night, a text comes through.

Goodnight pretty girl –E