Sorry for the late updating...so much things have been going on lately :(

Thank you to all my readers who wait patiently for the updates. This chapter is half-beta'ed because my beta is still busy with her schedule. FYI, you can read the previous chapters in edited version :)

This is chapter 14.

Chapter 14

The Outing

I arrived at Our Hearts 10 minutes early on Wednesday morning. I walked straight to the employee's room to talk with Kate about my plan to take Margaret out. I've already discussed this matter with my lecturer and he already agreed about my plan. He also gave me his recommendation that my plan would be the final conclusion for my project; either the result is good or bad. But, I was positive it will be good.

Kate was sorting some papers when I arrived at the room. I knocked lightly on the half-opened door and she raised her head from whatever she did earlier. She smiled genuinely. "Bella! Hi! Come on in."

I smiled. "Hi!" I opened the door wider and got in.

Kate put the papers on her desk and gestured to me to sit on a chair across from her table. I sat down and watched her for a moment before she finally sat on her chair.

Kate exhaled. "Sorry about that. Since the volunteer program will be ended soon, I need to deal with those administration papers."

I blinked. "It will end soon?" How could I loose the track of time?

Kate smiled knowingly. "It's nearly two months, Bella. I'm surprised you didn't even realize it. I guess this place already show you its real magic."

I chuckled lightly. "I guess so. This place is wonderful. The kids are wonderful. I won't forget about this place."

"There's always next year if you want to come back," Kate said again.

I smiled slightly. I've been thinking about that too, but I didn't think I can come back next year. Next year is my final year in college and I will get busy with my final semester. Maybe I could come back if I arranged my schedule, but I still didn't figure it out by now.

"So, what can I do for you this morning?" Kate's voice brought me back to reality.

I ran my hand through my hair. "Uh...I want to talk to you about my plan to take Margaret out. There's a high school festival this weekend and I planned to take her there. We won't be long. I will take her out in the morning and take her back to Our Hearts in the afternoon. I hope that's alright with you."

Kate smiled again. "Of course it's alright, Bella. Margaret's progress is amazing. Her psychiatrist told me that mostly it's because of your friendship with her. She feels more confident with herself now."

I nodded and smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. But, please. I've done nothing. It's all Margaret's will to get better. I'm just trying to help."

Kate chuckled. "I know you're going to say that. Just take her back safely, Bella."

I put my hand on my chest, feigning hurt. "Ow...what? You don't trust me?"

Kate rolled her eyes while I was laughing. "Ha ha!" she said.

I grinned and took my bag from the floor. "Well, thank you, Kate. I'll see you soon."

"Um...Bella, can I talk to you for a moment?"

I furrowed ny eyebrows and dropped my bag back on the floor. "Sure, what is it?"

Kate looked into my eyes. "It's about Edward."

I went rigid. "What about Edward?" I felt my heart turned erratic. Is something happen with him when I wasn't here?

"It's nothing big, really," Kate said as if she could read my expression. "He's just more...improved."

I raised my eyebrows. "Improved?"

She nodded. "Yes. He begins to listen on what others said and his session with his therapist is better than the first time they met. Let's just say Edward is more open now."

I breathed the sigh of relief. Well, that's good to hear. It's a small step for his progress, but it's good. And then, I remember about the incident with Carlisle and I winced mentally. I didn't know if Kate or the staff or maybe the kids knew about that.

I cleared my throat. "Um...that's good. I will have my session with him after lunch. Thanks, Kate."

Kate grimaced. "Actually, Dr. Cullen wants to see you after lunch."

I blinked. "What?"

"He told me yesterday he wanted to meet you when you get back here."

Oh, this is great. I sighed. I guessed my time in this place is not longer than I expected. In this case, I didn't think I can go back to Our Hearts next year if I had the chance.

"I think it's not a big one, Bella," Kate said, as if she could read my mind.

I sighed. "I guess you know what happened last week."

Kate chuckled. "I can't say no to answer your question. Although I'm not fully agreed on what you did, but I think you did the right thing for the moment."

I grimaced mentally. I'm very much hoping she didn't talk about my kiss with Edward.

Suddenly Kate extended her hand and held mine tightly. I raised my head and looked at her eyes. She smiled. "I'm glad to have you here and to help these children, Bella. Thank you."

I smiled slightly. "Thank you, Kate."

"Bella! Over here!"

I giggled when I saw Margaret in the main room. She looked happy and I walked to her table. I sat next to her and smiled. "Hey. Good morning. I can see you're in good mood today."

Margaret grinned. "Of course I am. I miss you."

My heart felt warmer when she said that. I missed her too.

I ruffled her hair. "And I miss you too, little one. Thank GOD I don't have to deal with my lecturer more than two days."

Her eyes lit up. "Oh, so how did it go? I mean...about your project?"

I grimaced. It's weird to hear that question from your subject. "Well...it went well. Thanks to your progress, I think."

She nodded happily. "I'm glad I could help you, Bella."

I chuckled nervously. "You're not mad at all? I mean...even though we're friends, but theoretically speaking, you're still my subject. Even though I had never like the term."

Margaret shrugged and took one of her books on the table. "How could I be mad if I was feeling better because of you?"

I blinked and Margaret started to open her book. She quickly got lost with her book while I was still staring at her. Kate was right, though. This place really taught me so much.

After lunch hour, I walked to the main building to see Carlisle. I was curious, but also nervous. What will happen? Will I get kicked out from Our Hearts? Even if I did, I still want to do my outing first with Margaret. That is my promise to her. When I arrived at the big building, I walked on the stairs and stopped momentarily in front of Edward's room, but I heard nothing. I sighed and continued to walk to Carlisle's office. I took a deep breath before I knocked three times on the closed door.

"Come in."

I chewed my bottom lip and opened the door. I smiled grimly when I saw Carlisle. "I heard that you wanted to see me, Dr. Cullen." After several unpleasant events, honestly I wasn't very comfortable to call him with his first name and he never said I should call him with his first name either so I guess we have the same sentiment.

Edward's father nodded and rose slightly from his chair. "Please come in, Miss Swan."

See...told you!

I walked slowly into his office and sat on the chair opposite from him. And then, suddenly the situation felt awkward, but I pressed the feeling. I took deep breaths and tried to calm myself.

"So, how are you, Miss Swan?"

I smiled slightly. "I'm good. Thank you, Dr. Cullen."

He nodded. "I heard from Kate you will take Margaret out this weekend."

"Yes, sir," I answered him. "With her progress, I think it's a good opportunity for her to be back around people. It could help her self confidence because I heard she will be released by the end of the volunteer program."

He nodded again and pursed his lips. "It's good to hear your opinion, Miss Swan. To tell you the truth, I haven't thought about that."

Silence.

And then, he cleared his throat. "Well, I guess you could guess my intention to call you to my office."

I narrowed my eyes slightly. "No, sir. Not really."

He smirked. "You're a smart girl, Bella. I don't think you're clueless."

I raised my eyebrows. "Thank you, sir. Well, actually there are some possibilities from my part why I've been called here. First, it's about Margaret and I think you already gave me your permission. Second, it's about my time in Our Hearts and the last one...it's about Edward." I looked at his eyes.

He smiled. "Very good, Miss Swan." He leaned on his chair and looked at me. "For your time in Our Hearts, I could assure you that you have nothing to worry about. You will stay here until the program is over."

I blinked. What? Is he serious? "Really?" I thought he will kick me out from this place. Is it something to do with Edward?

Carlisle chuckled. "You don't have to look surprised like that, Miss Swan. Even though I will ask you to leave Our Hearts, there are certain people who don't agree with me. Mostly my son."

I took a deep breath.

"He's in love with you," he said and my breath stopped.

A shiver ran down on my spine and I swore I felt my body was turn colder. Edward...is in love with me? How could that be? I mean...is it possible?

"I think he fell in love with you the moment he saw you from the window," Carlisle continued while I sat there motionless. "He asked me about you and he always did afterwards. The moment when he finally met you, it was unintentional. He looks like a love sick boy after meeting you for the first time. I've never seen him like that before."

I took a deep breath when I felt my lungs are empty. I didn't realize I held my breath that long.

"Bella?"

I raised my head and looked the him. At this moment, he was no longer an egoistic father who abandoned his family or a doctor who has the long hours in the hospital. He was more of a father who lost his sons and his wife. My heart clenched automatically.

He smiled warmly. "I'm sorry for what happened. I'm really grateful with you helping my son. I was acting the way I was because I was afraid he will get hurt again if you didn't return his feeling. He's already have enough from what I did." He sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

I still couldn't find my voice.

"Edward also told me that he has plan to take you to our home in Chicago when the time is come. I already spoke to his therapist and I think we could do that in the next two weeks before the volunteer program ended. What do you think?"

Did he really ask me to go with them to Chicago?

"Bella?"

I took deep breaths. "Why the sudden change? Three days ago you wanted to kick me out from this place," I finally could find my voice.

He smiled grimly. "I'm really sorry about that, Bella. I really am. Well...let's just say Edward and I had some talks and we get to this conclusion. If we wanted to make things better, we should start to cooperate."

I scoffed. "Cooperate? I doubt that."

Carlisle chuckled nervously. "Edward is a bright boy. I don't want to lose him and now, the most important thing for him is you. I'm trying to see from his side."

I smiled coyly. "You didn't do this for Edward. You did this for yourself. And after all that happened, you still don't understand." I knew better. Carlisle is still thinking to get Edward back to bring back his pride as a doctor and it angered me.

He sighed. "Maybe I am, Bella. But, I'm working on that part."

I doubt that.

"Is there anything else, Dr. Cullen? I will have my session with Edward soon," I said to him, wishing I didn't have to stay longer in his office.

Carlisle laughed lightly. "Edward is not here, Bella. He went to Chicago yesterday."

I blinked. "What? I thought he isn't supposed to go out."

"He went home with Emmett."

Ah! I see!

I breathed the sigh of relief. Well, that's better. So, I guess I will have more time with Margaret to plan our outing this weekend until Edward come back, which I didn't know when. But, it didn't matter anyway.

"It's good to hear that. I can tell he misses his mother," I said to him.

Carlisle nodded. "So, did you tell Edward you will come with us to Chicago in the next two weeks?"

I chewed my bottom lip. Honestly, I couldn't answer him now. I even didn't tell Edward about my answer yet. I looked back at Carlisle. "I will give you my answer soon."

He smiled slightly.

I rose from my chair and took my bag from the floor. I walked to the door and opened it when Carlisle said, "And Bella..."

I looked at him over my shoulder.

"Please, call me Carlisle."

I spent most of my time with Margaret when Edward was not around. Between those times, sometimes I was thinking with myself. Edward is in love with me. But, am I in love with him? I couldn't find the answer yet. I aware of the change on my heart beat whenever we get so closed or the warm in my body when we sat to next to each other, but is that love?

Besides, I knew better not to involve with my subject in any form relationship more than friendship. I never think of Edward that way. Well, maybe not yet. And as much as I wanted to talk about this with Alice, but I couldn't bring myself to open the conversation. We just chatted casually at night before we both fell asleep.

Saturday morning came and I arrived at Our Hearts just on time. Margaret and Kate already stood in front of the building and she beamed when she saw me. I parked my truck on the parking lot and turned the engine off. I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out from my car.

"Hey," I greeted both of them and closed the driver's door.

Kate and Margaret smiled when I approached them. "So, are you ready?" I asked Margaret. She wore blue shirt and jacket with jeans and she looked lovely.

Margaret nodded and turned to Kate. "Goodbye, Kate. See you this afternoon."

Kate grinned and gave Margaret a hug. "Have fun, Margaret."

She nodded again and leaned away from Kate's embrace. I smiled and wrapped my arm to her shoulders and opened the passenger door. Margaret got in and I closed the door. "Don't forget to wear your seat belt," I reminded her.

Margaret nodded and I turned to Kate. "See you later, Kate."

Kate smiled and nodded. I walked to the driver side and opened the door. I got in and after checking Margaret's seat belt, I turned the engine on. From the corner of my eyes, I could see Margaret winced slightly when she heard my truck's engine.

"Wow, Bella. You have unique car," she said to me.

I chuckled. "Thank you. So, are you ready?"

"YESSS!"

I laughed lightly and started to drive from the parking lot. Margaret waved to Kate when we nearly left the building and then she turned to me. "So, do you know anything about this festival?"

I smiled. "Well, you should be the one who can answer your own question. What do you remember about your high school festival?"

Margaret pursed her lips and turned her head to see the road. "Not much. It's usually held in school with different section, like science or language or game booth."

I nodded slowly. "Maybe this festival is not so different than that. Just consider, this is the reward for your progress so you can enjoy your time."

She smiled slightly.

We rode in comfortable silence after that and arrived at the festival one hour later. The school building was so crowded and so colorful. I glanced at Margaret and I could tell she was a little nervous. I smiled and held her hand. She turned her head and looked at me. "Shall we go inside?" I asked her.

Margaret bit her lip and then nodded.

"Okay, let's go inside," I spoke to her one more time before unbuckled my seat belt and Margaret mimicked my move. We both got out from my truck in the same time and closed the door. I walked to her direction and held her hand. "Come on."

She nodded again and we walked hand in hand to the school building. I could tell her nervousness was not entirely disappeared because she held my hand so tight. She remained tense when we already inside the building, but after some moments I felt her hand relax and I breathed the sigh of relief. The room was crowded and I felt like I returned to my high school time. We walked through the hall and stopped at some classes to look over the kids project and then Margaret stopped at science room.

Apparently, there will be a small competition and anyone could participate. Margaret looked at me and I nodded. She slowly approached a woman in front of the class and registered her name. I stood in the back of the class while she sat on one of the chairs. Moments later, all the chair were full and the competition began.

I honestly didn't understand at all about the questions. They were all related to some formulas or theories that I despised when I was in high school. Surprisingly Margaret could answer the entire question correctly while other kids one by one left the room if their answer were wrong. Some of the kids looking at Margaret in awe and some of them were looking at her with odd expression. I pursed my lips and studied Margaret's reaction. She looked so calm and didn't seem affected with the other kids. That's good!

And then, finally it was the last question and it's only Margaret who still sat on the chair. Some of the kids who were answered wrong stood next to me and I knew they wanted to know if Margaret could answer the last question. The woman wrote a formula and asked Margaret to finish it. Margaret pursed her lips and then stood from her chair. She walked to the blackboard and started to write. I raised my eyebrows when I saw she seemed enjoying her time finished the formula. I heard whispers next to me and I could tell they all were awe with Margaret's intelligence.

And then, Margaret finished her writing and turned to the woman who looked at her with her jaw dropped. I smiled coyly and winked at Margaret when she glanced at me. She just giggled in return.

"Wow, Miss..." The woman glanced at the paper, "Montgomery. I'm so impressed. Not all students here could solve this formula."

Margaret smiled sheepishly. "Thank you, Ma'am."

The woman smiled and gave Margaret a small trophy. "Thank you for participating, young woman. I hope I could see you again sometimes."

Margaret chuckled and took the trophy. "I'm having a great time too, Ma'am. Thank you."

I beamed at her and gave her a quite applause when she approached me. The other kids who sat next to me already left the classroom. "So, how do you feel?"

She grinned. "It's great, really."

I laughed lightly and took her hand. "Alright, let's see another class."

We got out from the class together and started to walk when a woman called us. "Miss Montgomery, wait!"

Margaret and I looked at each other and turned to see the woman from the class. "I'm sorry to call you like this, but I just want to give you my number. You have a bright talent in science, Miss Montgomery. I have some scholarship applications for college in case you're interested."

Margaret looked at me and I shrugged. "Um...thank you, but I need to consider the offer first...with my parents."

The woman chuckled. "Of course. Just call me anytime you ready. Have a good day, Miss Montgomery." And then, she turned to me. "And Miss..."

I smiled. "Swan. Bella Swan."

"It's nice to meet you too, Miss Swan. Um...are you two..."

"I'm her cousin," I answered her question without thinking. "I just accompany her here because her parents are out of town this weekend." From the corner of my eyes, I could see Margaret raised her eyebrows. I tried so hard not to roll my eyes.

"Well, have a nice day, Miss Swan. Thank you for coming," she said again and turned around.

I looked at Margaret who smirked at me. "What?" I asked her.

"I thought you said you are a bad liar."

I held her hand. "I am." We started to walk again in the hall.

"But, you look so convincing earlier," Margaret pressed me.

I smiled coyly. "Well, that was the best excuse I could come up with and the most convincing."

Margaret giggled.

We walked for a while, but didn't find any interesting booth before we realized it was lunch time. I bought burger and coke for both of us and ate our lunch outside the building. While we ate, my eyes caught the sight of some game booths and I was dying to try them.

"Do you want to try the games?" I asked Margaret after we finished our burgers.

She shrugged. "I'm not so good in games. Or maybe I could watch you now," she smirked again.

I rolled my eyes and ruffled her hair. "Come on."

We walked together to the game booths and I was dying to try the dart game. The price is a cowboy hat if you could shot 'bulls' eye'. Margaret raised her eyebrows. "You play dart?" she asked me in amusement.

I smirked. "I played this often when I was in high school. My dad taught me."

"Your dad taught you?"

"Uh-huh."

She smiled coyly. "Did he teach you how to shoot with gun too?"

The booth keeper gave me five arrows and I took it. I looked at Margaret. "He did. Once or twice."

Her eyes widened. "Seriously?"

I looked at the dart board and shot the arrow. It landed on the circle near the bulls eye dot.

"Wow!" she said. "What did your father do for living anyway?"

I shot another arrow and it landed near the first arrow, still in the same circle. "He's the chief of police."

"Wow!" Margaret said again.

I took another arrow and shot it to the board and it landed exactly at the outer ring from the bulls eye. I narrowed my eyes and took another arrow. I held the arrow tightly and shot it again and it landed on the yellow spot.

Margaret clapped her hands and jumped up and down. "Bella, you did it!"

I chuckled lightly. "Yes. Just be still. I still one more arrow to shoot."

The booth keeper removed the arrow and then I shot the last arrow. It landed exactly at the yellow dot. Margaret clapped her hands again and I laughed.

"Congratulations, young lady. Here's your prize," said the booth keeper.

"Thank you," I said to him and gladly took the cowboy hats from his hand. I turned to Margaret and put the hat on her head while I did the same. She grinned at me. I chuckled and wrapped my arm to her shoulders. "Let's go, cowboy!"

We enjoyed the last hours of the festival by buying another burger and tried the fishing game. I won at the last minute and gave Margaret the gold fish as the prize for winning the game. We went home after the day turned twilight and I could see she was so happy. We sang random songs from the radio in my truck and giggled at each other.

I didn't expect to meet with other person rather than Kate or maybe Garrett, but a tall figure stood in front of the building when we arrived at Our Hearts parking lot and the closer we get into the building, I could see the figure is Edward.

I blinked several times and from the corner of my eyes, I could see Margaret raised her eyebrows. I turned the engine off and unbuckled my seat belt. Margaret did the same and we both got out from the car. Edward walked to our direction and his lips turned into coy smile. "So, you both are cowboys now?" he asked and gestured to our cowboy hats.

I blushed while Margaret grinned. "You should see her shot all the arrows, Edward. She's amazing!"

I raised my eyebrows. Since when are they close to each other? Well, I guess my absence the past four days brought something good to this place.

Edward smiled warmly and I blushed again, mostly after I remember what Carlisle said to me about Edward being in love with me. "Really? Well, I'm very much hoping to see that anytime soon."

Margaret giggled and I looked at both of them. I smiled slightly when I saw their eyes sparkled and lit with happiness. Edward listened to Margaret's story and sometimes he laughed along with her. At that time, I knew my answer would be. I will go with him to Chicago.

So, have you guys seen the first still of Breaking Dawn with Edward and Bella in bed? Woot!

Oh, I posted a short story about R/K on my blog because FF is not allowed to post a story based on real people. You can find the link to my writing blog on my profile. Just search for 'R/K story' on the page section :P and of course, please leave your review for this story and my R/K story on my blog. I will create more if I get enough reviews :)