I don't own anything Twilight.

Thank you to Tropical Sorbet for listening to me whine and for making me not delete all my words.

Kissing Edward and having him kiss me back was amazing. Although it was relatively chaste, lips parted ever so slightly, I could feel the energy coursing through my body.

When we parted, my face felt flushed and I saw his cheeks redden too, a silly grin on his face.

"What does this mean, now?" I asked, suddenly worried that we would go back to how things were the previous week.

"I don't know. What do you want to happen?" He countered.

"We could like...go on a date? That would be the logical thing, right? Unless you don't want to do this. I'll understand."

Edward laughed. "Bella, I want to do this. I feel like I should be asking you out on a date, though."

"Edward, this isn't the nineteen fifties. I can ask you out on a date and you don't have to ask my father permission to court me." I rolled my eyes.

"I know, but my mother would be horrified at the thought of me not doing this right. She raised me a certain way. Plus, my grandfather would probably roll over in his grave if he knew I didn't court you properly."

I wanted to laugh at Edward saying he wanted to court me, but held back. This was the first time I'd every heard him mention his grandfather's death since he came back from Chicago.

"Okay," I relented. "You plan something. Just tell me when and how to dress."

"That sounds good. I'll look into it."

I didn't respond, lost in my own thoughts for a moment. "What are we?"

I wanted to slap myself, again. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't put that pressure on you. Guys hate being asked that, right? I think I read that in one of Rosalie's Cosmo's."

"Bella, it's okay. I want whatever you're willing to give me," Edward assured me. Looking into his eyes, bright and glimmering, I knew he was being honest.

"So, you would be okay with me calling you my boyfriend?" I asked, hesitantly.

If possible, Edwards smile grew tenfold, becoming impossibly goofy looking on his face. "I'd like that. So long as I could call you my girlfriend."

I slapped his arm, loving this side of Edward that I had so rarely seen before. In fact, the only time prior to now that I had really seen Edward look so happy was last Friday with Charlotte.

I briefly felt jealously swell up inside of me. She's just a friend. A childhood friend. She's a lesbian.

Besides, he kissed me. He's smiling like that for me, now.

Edward and I didn't get much more time to talk. His mom called, wondering where he was and if he could pick up his fathers dry cleaning.

Our goodbye was awkward, but not as much as before. My arms wrapped themselves around his neck and I took a deep breathe into his shirt. He smelled so good, like pine and musk and Edward.

0-0

I didn't talk to Edward for the rest of the day on Saturday. Or all of Sunday. I had picked up the phone countless times, wanting to just call him, but never actually doing so. It was ridiculous, he was my boyfriend. I should be able to just pick up the phone and call him. But he should have been able to call me, as well.

It was nearly one AM on Monday and I had yet to fall asleep. Tossing and turning, I was so nervous about the coming school day. How would I act around Edward? Around our friends and the entire school?

I should have called him. I felt so unprepared and hated it.

My phone beeped quietly from my nightstand, alerting me of a new text message.

Are you awake? -E

I stared at the screen for a moment, then highlighted his name and pressing send.

The phone rang once before he answered.

"Hi."

"Hi. Is this okay?" I whispered. I could hear Charlie snoring down the hall, but didn't want to speak too loudly in case he woke up. "I mean, calling you this late?"

"Of course. I couldn't fall asleep. I would have called, but I wasn't sure if you would be awake. Why are you awake?"

"I couldn't sleep either," I replied, stifling a yawn.

"You aren't...you aren't regretting this, are you?" His voice wavered slightly, sounding worried.

"No!" I exclaimed, too loudly. I stayed still for a moment, listening for any signs of Charlie waking up.

"No," I whispered. "I'm not. I'm just nervous about tomorrow. Is it okay if I still have lunch with just Angela and Victoria tomorrow? I haven't talked to them since all this happened. I know they'll want to talk. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine. I'll tell the guys too, I guess. I'm sure they'll be happy."

"Okay, so that sounds good. I guess I should get to sleep now, I am pretty tired," I yawned.

Edward chuckled quietly. "Okay, Bella. I'll see you at school."

"Night, Edward."

"Sweet dreams, Bella."

0-0

"Oh, my GOD!" Victoria exclaimed, squealing loudly enough to earn a chastising look from the librarian.

I had just finished retelling Angela and her how mine and Edwards talk had gone, earning 'aww's' and squeals of excitement from both of them.

"I knew it, Bella! I so told you!" Angela said excitedly, smiling widely.

I couldn't help the blush that rose to my cheeks and the uncontrollable fit of giggles that bubbled in my throat.

I had yet to see Edward today, but James had texted Victoria, letting her know that Edward had requested they have a 'guys lunch' out in the quad. This eased my worries, knowing that he wasn't backing out on telling them.

"Yes, yes. You both were right, I was wrong." I rolled my eyes.

"This is great, Bella. Edward's a really great guy. You two deserve each other, really." Angela reached over and gave me a quick hug. "You guys are going to be so cute together."

Victoria nodded in agreement. "I mean, now when the six of us hang out, it's like a triple date or something, not like the two couples and the two blind idiots who can't see what's in front of them."

"Vic!" Angela admonished, shaking her head.

"No, no it's true, I guess. I'm happy. This is all so new, but it's going to be a good thing. I think."

0-0

Biology was hell.

Unlike the times that it had been hell because he wasn't there or he wasn't speaking to me, it was now hell because of how acutely aware of his presence I was.

Mr. Banner was out at a science conference, so we had a substitute. Our lesson included watching part of a documentary on reproduction, which was the last unit we would be covering before finals.

I couldn't have told anyone what the documentary covered, although judging from the bursts of nervous giggles from classmates, it had to be somewhat embarrassing.

The space between Edward and felt like it was vibrating with electricity. We were sitting with our chairs closer together than we ever had before, but it didn't seem close enough. Feeling like I needed to have some sort of physical contact with him, I reached over, grabbing his hand that was resting on his knee.

His head snapped over to my direction, looking at me before a lazy smile found its way on his face.

Our seats were in the back of the room and the lights were off, everyone's attention otherwise focused on the television screen. Edward's hand stayed locked with mine, under the desk and resting on his knee, his thumb tracing swirling patterns on the back of my hand.

We stayed like that the entire period, until the bell was about to ring and the substitute flipped on the lights.

After packing up our things, Edward followed me out of the classroom, trailing slightly behind me as we made our way towards our next classes.

"Soo..." Edward began.

"Yeah?" I asked, turning around and pausing so that he could catch up to me.

"Charlotte's still in town until Wednesday and she kind of, really wants to meet you."

"She does?"

"Well, yeah. It's no big deal, really. Charlotte just made me promise I would ask you. You can say no."

"No." I shook my head. "I mean, no, I wouldn't say no. So yes. After school is good?"
"Yeah. That sounds good. Charlotte told me she would just be hanging around the house today, so anytime is good."

I nodded. "I'll just run home really quick after school and then stop by."

The next two periods passed by slowly. I was excited and nervous about going over to Edwards after school. Excited to spend time with Edward, yes. But nervous about going to his home for the first time since we became a couple. What if his parent's didn't think I was right for their son? I was also really nervous about meeting Charlotte and felt stupid when the familiar feeling of jealousy tinged my thoughts. She's just a friend. A childhood friend. She's a lesbian.

A light mist of rain was coming down in Forks as I drove over to Edwards. His parents must have been at work, since the only car out front was Edwards Volvo. Well, at least that was one less thing to worry about.

I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head and skipped out of my car and up the path leading to his house.

After ringing the doorbell, I could hear a lot of commotion coming from behind the closed door.

The door quickly swung open, revealing the same small girl I had seen hanging all over Edward the day in the supermarket.

"Hi! You must be Bella, come on in!" Charlotte greeted, moving to the side of the door and flourishing me to come in.

"Hey, it's nice to meet you..." I trailed off, feeling awkward. Edward stood behind Charlotte, cringing.

"Charlotte! But surely, Edward here has told you about me, right?" She turned around to look at Edward, who shook his head.

"Seriously, Edward? You haven't shut up about her months and you couldn't even mention me in passing? I'm hurt."

Edward groaned. "Could you just...shut up? Please."

"Edward's just being weird." I piped up, shooting Edward a look before turning back to Charlotte. I really didn't want her to dislike me or think poorly of him. "He's mentioned you before. Both your families are friends. Known each other since diapers, all that good stuff."

Charlotte broke out into a wide smile and stepped forward, linking her arm through mine. "I think I like you, Bella Swan."

"Wait, how do you know my last name?" I asked.

Charlotte laughed, rolling her eyes. "I probably know everything about you. But, I bet you don't know everything about Edward. Come on, let's leave Edward to his own devices and go up to his room. I can tell you all his dirty little secrets. Like where he hides his porn."

"I do not have porn!" Edward yelled, his face turning red.

If Edward hadn't looked so panicked and embarrassed, I would have found this whole scenario incredibly funny.

"I don't know, Charlotte. I think I should let Edward tell me things on his own time," I suggested, trying to save Edward from further embarrassment.

"Ugh. Fine. It's probably best to hear it from him. But seriously, he does have porn."

"Ookayy..." I replied, making a mental note to ask him about the porn.

After the interesting greeting, we all headed to the living room where the TV was. Charlotte sat down on one of the arm chairs, while Edward and I took the couch.

"Oh, is Newport Harbor on? I love that show." Charlotte commented, picking up the remote and flipping through the channels.

After enduring an entire episode, with Charlotte talking the entire time, trying to fill me in on the entire season, which apparently I had missed, her phone rang.

"Oh!" Charlotte jumped up, clutching at her phone. "I have to take this, it's Peter. If you leave before I'm done, it was so great meeting you. I'll make sure to get your number from Edward so we can chat sometime!"

"Okay, it was nice meeting you too!" I called after Charlotte as she ran upstairs to take her call.

"Who's Peter?"

"Peter is Charlotte's girlfriend," Edward answered, shutting off the TV.

"Oh." I shrugged, "Charlotte's really nice. I was...nervous, I guess, about meeting her today."

"Nice is definitely one way to put it. How about embarrassing, pushy...I could think of a few things. Why were you nervous?"

"It's silly, really. But you guys have known each other for a long time. If she didn't like me, maybe that would make you think twice."

I looked down, feeling stupid about mentioning anything. I definitely wouldn't say how I felt slightly and very unreasonably jealous towards their relationship.

"No, Bella. That's not even an issue because I knew she would, Charlotte's really cool like that."

"Well, I should get going. Charlie will be home soon and hungry."

"Let me walk you to your car, then." Edward stood up, holding his hand out for me to stand as well.

"That's okay. How about just until the door? It looks like it's raining pretty hard," I looked over at the window, seeing the sky a nasty shade of grey.

When we got to the door, there was a pause. I wasn't quite sure what the protocol was for this goodbye's. Did I hug him? Kiss his cheek?

I found myself second guessing everything around Edward and for a moment, I found myself wishing that he had more experience so he could take the lead in these kind of situations.

I quickly pushed that idea out of my head because, really? I wanted Edward to have more experience? Yeah, right.

Basically, though, the boy had been driving me crazy all day. And what boy is going to reject a kiss from his girlfriend?

Standing in front of him, I reach my arms up and wrapped them around his neck, gently tugging him down.

As I pulled him closer to me, I could actually feel him take deep breathes, his chest expanding against mine and feel his breath on my face as he parted his lips to lick them.

When his lips met mine, I wanted to do something embarrassing like moan or push myself harder against him.

I could count the amount of times we had kissed on both hands, but I was pretty sure that we would be doing a lot more of this. Preferably all the time.

The way Edwards lips moved against mine was incredible and left me doubting that I had ever been truly kissed before. Because, really, what the hell had I been doing before? I'd only had a handful of kisses in the past, but I never felt anything. It was also just perfunctory. My first kiss was simply a means to an end as I did not want to move to a new state without having that looming over me.

I continued to lose myself in the way Edward kissed me and feeling emboldened, parted my lips ever so slightly to trace Edward's lips with my tongue.

French kissing was something I hadn't done, so we were both in completely foreign territory. But it was beyond nice, feeling Edwards tongue graze against mine, slowly and languidly, not at all how I had seen Jessica or Lauren shove their tongue's down guys throats.

When the need to breathe became overwhelming, I kissed him again, lightly against the mouth and pulled back.

Then I giggled. Like full on, ridiculously girly giggles.

"Um..Bella? Are you okay?" Edward asked, looking concerned.

"Yeah, I'm good," I said, trying to control myself.

"Okay, you're kind of bruising my ego, here." Edward frowned, "I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to laugh after something like that."

"No no no!" I shook my head. "I don't know why I started laughing. I'm just, happy? Yes. Like, really happy. That was a pretty amazing kiss."

"I thought so too, Bella. At least I didn't laugh," he teased.

"Okay, okay. Laughing after kissing is bad. I'll take note of that for future reference. But I really gotta go now, I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow. Drive safe." Edward gave me another quick peck before opening the door for me and watching as I ran out to my car and got in, before he closed the door to his house.

I giggled the whole damn way home.

0-0

By the time Thursday morning rolled around, I figured I should probably tell Charlie about Edward and me, especially since we were going on a date the next night.

The past few days had been great, the guys had reintegrated themselves with us during lunch and we feel back into easy lunches. Victoria, Angela and their boyfriends were really great in that they didn't make a big deal out of Edward and me getting together, in fact, they had yet to openly comment on it, even when Edward would do things he wouldn't normally have done before, like reach out and touch me or sit closely to me.

I wasn't too worried about Charlie's reaction to the news, although I really had no idea how he would react. After all, he had once before thought Edward might be my boyfriend and he didn't totally freak out. He hadn't seemed too upset at the idea when he thought it was a possibility before.

I figured I'd cook something he really liked, but wasn't so out of the ordinary that he would automatically assume something was up.

Which is exactly what I did Thursday evening.

I made Salisbury steak, scalloped potatoes and mixed steamed vegetables, feeling the need to put something remotely healthy in the meal.

Once the meal was plated and Charlie was halfway through his first helping, I decided it was now or never. Because really, what was I so scared about?

"Hey, dad?" I began.

"Huh?" Charlie grunted, shoving another forkful of potatoes in his mouth.

"You remember Edward, right? Edward Cullen?"

"The kid that kept calling here? He giving you a hard time, Bells?" Charlie asked, narrowing his eyes.

"No...no, nothing like that. Actually, do you remember when you said I should throw him a bone?"

"Vaguely," Charlie responded, sounding suspicious.

"Well, I did. Throw him a bone." I winced, realizing how much of and idiot I sounded like.

"Oh, you did, did you?"

"Edward and I are going out on a date tomorrow night, is what I'm trying to say. But we're kind of like, together, already."

"Well," Charlie set down his fork against his plate and took a long drink from his beer. "I'd like to meet this Edward guy, officially."

Instantly, flashes of Charlie embarrassing Edward and making him nervous flooded through my brain. Charlie asking his intentions. Charlie cleaning his gun in front of Edward.

"Please, don't humiliate me. Or scare away Edward. I really like him and I would like him to not feel terrified to date me," I begged.

"Don't worry about me, Bella. I just want to meet the kid."

"Okay, as long as that's it."

Charlie just grunted again, before helping himself to another serving of food.

I pushed back any nerves I felt at calling Edward. If I had his tongue in my mouth, I could call him without feeling like I was possibly intruding or bothering him.

"Hey," Edward greeted when he picked up on the second ring.

"So, I told Charlie."

"I told my parent's." Edward replied. "How did it go with Charlie?"

I sighed. "Good, I suppose. You just have to come inside when you pick me up tomorrow night. He wants to meet you, officially. Whatever that means."

Edward audibly gulped on the other side of the line. "It's not a big deal, Edward. He may try to scare you, but he's harmless. All bark, no bite."

"If you say so."

"I do." I replied, decidedly. "How did your parent's react?"

"They were...excited. To say the least. Mom wants to invite you over to dinner."

"They don't hate me, then?" I bit my lip, releasing it with a sigh. "I am, was, whatever, a bitch. They have every reason to. I should apologize to them."

"Bella, they don't hate you. They just want me to be happy. You, you make me happy."

0-0

Edward hadn't told me where we were going, just that I should wear 'something pretty.'

My wardrobe consisted of very few things I would venture to call 'pretty' or were suitable for a date. Then I remembered the dress Renee had bought for me on our shopping trip in Phoenix. I dug out the garment bag from the back of my closet, unzipping it to reveal a black and blue hounds-tooth printed dress.

Decided that's what I would wear, I went about my routine of showering and shaving, using the nice body wash I rarely used that smelled like Gardenia.

Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped up my hair and changed into the black lacy bra and matching boy shorts I had. I definitely didn't expect Edward to see them, but if there's one thing I learned from Rosalie, it was that pretty bra's and panties give you confidence.

Thinking about Rose, even in passing left me feeling upset. I missed hanging out with her and even taking those stupid quizzes in Cosmo that she always insisted I take.

But I couldn't think about that now. I was already nervous enough.

It took me nearly half an hour to get ready for the date. I stayed in a fluffy robe while I did my hair, which basically consisted of brushing it and letting it dry, leaving it naturally wavy. I put Gardenia lotion on my arms and legs and moisturizer on my face, using just a thin coat of mascara on my eyelashes.

Once I was satisfied with how I looked, I took the dress out of the garment bag and unzipped the side, stepping into it so I wouldn't mess up my hair.

Glancing at the clock on my nightstand, I saw that it was five fifty. Teen minutes before Edward would get here.

I slipped on my converse, the nice pair I hardly ever wore and grabbed the clutch I was bringing with me, throwing in my cell phone, gum, wallet and chapstick.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, Charlie was sitting on the couch, watching the news and clutching a beer in one hand.

"Hey, dad." I greeted him.

He turned around, looking back to where I was, before turning back towards the television. Then he did a double take.

"Wow, Bells. You look really nice."

He sounded genuinely surprised that I could actually manage to look nice, that it actually kind of hurt. "Yeah, well, I can be a girl sometimes."

Detecting the irritation in my voice, he backtracked. "No, Bells. You always look nice. You just look so grown up. You're not my little girl anymore."

"Daddd," I whined, sitting down on the couch besides him. "I know it's cliche, but I'll always be your little girl."

Huffing, Charlie took another gulp of his beer. "Yeah, yeah. Tell that to the Cullen boy that's been sitting out in front of the house the past five minutes. Trying to steal my little girl away."

"Wait, what?"

"The Cullen boy has been sitting in his car in front of our house for the past five minutes. Seems a little eager, if you ask me."

"You're kidding me, right? He's just sitting out there? Why didn't you come get me? He didn't call!" I pulled my phone out of my clutch, double checking to make sure. No missed calls. No texts.

"Bella, let him wait. Another few minutes won't kill the guy. He's probably nervous about tonight. Don't you think that dress is a little on the shorter side?"

I look down at my lap, the dress goes mid-thigh. "Dad!"

"Okay, okay!" He holds up his free hand in mock surrender. "I'm just saying. You don't need to go chasing after boys."

I thought I heard him murmur something that sounded like 'like your mother,' but couldn't be sure, because at the same time, I heard a car door slam.

I stood up, pointing a finger at Charlie. "Be nice!"

He just grunts and takes another sip of his beer.

The doorbell rings and I give Charlie one more pointed look before going over to open the door.

"Hi!"

"Hey, Bella." Edward smiled, holding out a bouquet of flowers. "These are for you."

I take the flowers from his hands and just stare at them, feeling an incredibly girly sound threatening to escape my mouth. Never in a million years would I thought Edward would bring flowers. And that I would be so excited to get flowers.

"Thank you, they're beautiful. Come in." I stand out of the way to let him into the house and see that Charlie has come over as well.

Edward visibly gulps.

"Dad, this is Edward. Edward, this is my dad, Charlie."

"Hello, sir." Edward stuck out his hand and shook my dads.

"Nice to meet you," Charlie says with a nod of his head. I noticed he didn't correct Edward for calling him sir and while the sentiment is nice, I nudged him.

"Charlie, er, call me Charlie. Now, what are your plans for tonight, Bells?"

"We're going out to dinner, then a movie, right Edward?"

"Right."

"You'll be home by eleven?"

"Dad." I haven't had an eleven o'clock curfew since I was fifteen. "We're going to Port Angeles, remember?"

"Fine." Charlie relents. "Midnight."

There's an weird silence going on, so I sighed and turned to Edward. "Okay, this has been fun. Let's get going, alright?"

Edward nodded and turned back to Charlie. "I'll be sure to take good care of your daughter, sir."

Charlie's lip twitched and I couldn't tell if he was amused because Edward was so respectful, or if he was upset over having nothing bad on Edward yet.

"Okay, umm, have fun you too." Charlie smiled. "But not too much fun!" He added at the end as we opened up the door and started walking out to the car.

"Okay, dad. Bye! Oh and please put the flowers in a vase?" I called after him as we exited the house.

I look over at Edward as we're walking down the path. He's wearing an argyle sweater, black pants and shoes, which luckily, like mine, aren't dressy. He's also wearing his glasses and his hair is unruly as ever, although I can tell he made an attempt to tame it.

"I'm really sorry about my dad." I said, as Edward opened up the car door for me.

After he made sure I was in, he walked around and got in the car. "It's okay, Bella. He's your dad. Honestly, I thought it was going to go a lot...worse."

"Yeah." I nervously giggled. "At least he wasn't cleaning his gun."

Edwards laugh sounded equally as nervous. "Yeah. At least he wasn't."

I split chapter 12 into 2 chapters, because it was getting longer than I'd like chapters to be in this story. So, chapter 13 is already a 1,000 words in and there shouldn't be a long wait at all. If you reviewed last chapter, the teaser I sent is now not until next chapter.

I have a facebook, link is on my profile. I also updated my blog with pictures of the restaurant they're going to as well as the outfits they're wearing.

I'm curious, is there a song from when you were in high school that defined those four years? Or when you hear it, takes you back to that time? Let me know in your review. I'm hoping to compile a playlist.

I'm beta'ing a new story called Flash Drives by LaTiDo. She updates more frequently than me, which is awesome. Go check it out. www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/6262524/