A/N: I know, it's been a while, but I had some writer's block. You all seemed to like the lemon in the last chapter, and I'm glad, but this chapter is without a lemon. Unfortunately, it's a filler chapter, but that doesn't make it any less important! It sets up the next chapter! So here is chapter 12. It is called: Invitation.

Disclaimer: You know that I don't own Twilight or its characters. I also don't own any celebrities that may be references or pop culture references mentioned.

Rating: M for language and sexual content.

Bella Swan

I watched Edward as he drove, my mind going over the events of the previous night like a broken record.

After the couch orgasm, Edward carried me to his bed and we just lay there looking at each other for quite some time. Eventually Edward mentioned something about going to bed since it was past midnight and apparently and embarrassingly, I was looking tired.

Once we were both changed into our pajamas, me wearing the plaid bottoms with a t-shirt and Edward looking like a model in just some shorts, we climbed into bed.

It was probably the best nights sleep I had had in months. Plus, being woken up to Edward nuzzling my neck with his arms around me was nice as well.

We now sat in his car, driving to Alice's to pick up our kids. I couldn't stop smiling and neither could Edward. I swear, we looked like cheesy couple in a Volvo commercial.

"Do you think Alice had any trouble?" I asked, deciding to talk instead of continuing our commercial moment.

Edward shrugged. "I'm sure they gave her a little trouble, but Alice can handle anything," he responded, glancing at me briefly before turning his attention back to the road.

After getting stuck at a broken traffic light for ten minutes, we made it to Alice's. Edward, being a good citizen, was just getting off the phone with the police as he reported the traffic light.

Edward had parked and got out of the car before I was even able to take off my seat belt. He opened my door and extended his hand. I blushed at his very sweet gesture and took his hand and allowed him to help me from the car.

"Thanks," I murmured, still holding his hand as we made our way to the Alice's door.

Edward knocked and I bit my lip, just waiting for Alice to open the door and find Lucy had gotten hurt while in her care. Instead, Alice opened the door with a perfectly intact Lucy in her arms and Jackson right behind them. They all looked like they had just woken up.

"Mommy!" Lucy called, her voice indeed sleepy sounding. She reached her arms out to me, so I took her from my petite friend.

Lucy nuzzled her face into my neck, while Alice let Edward and me into her apartment.

"You guys are earlier than I thought you would be. I was just making Mickey Mouse pancakes for the squirts," she said with a pout, leading us into the kitchen to see pancake batter all ready to go in a bowl by the stove.

Edward glanced at me then back at Alice. "If it's alright with Bella, we can stay for pancakes." He looked back at me after he said this, and I nodded in approval. I loved pancakes, and I especially loved them when I wasn't the one making them.

Jackson made a victorious sound next to Edward and I chuckled. Lucy clapped her hands together and giggled.

"Well, if you guys want to go in the living room, you can watch TV or play. Jasper's in the shower right now, but he should be out soon," Alice told us, mixing more batter so she could make pancakes for a bigger crowd.

Jasper strutted in a moment later and kissed Alice on the cheek. His hair was almost a dark brown because it was still sopping wet from his shower. He really was handsome.

He greeted Edward and me before heading to the living room to hang out with the kids. Edward grabbed by hand and tried to drag me to the living room as well, but I stopped him.

"Alice, do you need any help with breakfast?"

She stopped and lifted pour some batter onto the pan. "Get out of here, Bella. I'm fine. Go spend time with your kid," she said turning back to the stove.

I nodded even though she wasn't looking at me and walked with Edward to the living room.

An hour later, we were bidding our goodbyes to Alice and Jasper. I had tried to pay Alice for watching the kids, but she flat out refused my money. So, on the way out the door, I slipped a fifty-dollar bill into her purse.

Once in the car, the kids started falling back asleep in their car seats. Edward and I tried to talk in hushed voices so we wouldn't disturb them.

"So, Alice and Jasper seemed to enjoy their company," I commented, smiling to myself as we stopped at a red light.

He smiled too, and nodded. "Alice has always loved kids, and kids seem to love Alice."

We chatted quietly about Alice and Jasper, how they were probably going to get engaged very early on in their relationship since Alice was spontaneous as hell, and Jasper loved the shit out of her already.

We pulled into my driveway way too soon for my taste. Edward helped me carry Lucy inside and deposited her sleepy little self on the couch. She didn't even stir.

Edward gave me a very sweet and sexy kiss goodbye, making me want to take him upstairs and basically molest him. Unfortunately, he broke the kiss and smiled at me.

"I can't wait to get you alone again," he murmured in a deep, husky voice that could only be described as sex.

I bit my lip and let out a whimper. "Me either."

He kissed me one more time and was about to turn the doorknob before he stopped, dropping his hand and looking at me with furrowed brows.

"What is it?" I asked, confused.

He nervously brought a hand to his hair and started tugging on it. The action distracting me and making me stare at those wonderful hands.

"Um, well, there's this charity event that the magazine is throwing next weekend. We throw it every year, and I hate going because it's a black tie event and dressing up is not my thing," he rambled, looking at the ground. "Anyway, I was hoping that maybe you would want to go. You know, be a supportive girlfriend and be my date."

My eyes widened. Black tie. No fucking way! I hated dressing up. "Um, I'm not sure. Wouldn't I be in the way or something?"

Edward's eyes shot to mine and he quickly took my hands in his. "Of course not. I wouldn't have asked you to come if I didn't want you there. Bella, I really want you to come."

I bit my lip and blinking a few times before nodding my head. "Sure, I'll come."

Edward broke out into a huge smile. He gave me all the details: black tie (again), seven in the evening next Saturday, he would pick me up at 5:45 so we could get some fancy dinner.

By the time Edward left, my head was reeling. What the hell was expected at these things? Was I supposed to hang on Edward's arm all night while he talked to his co-workers? What the hell was I supposed to wear?

That thought caused me to run upstairs after checking to make sure that Lucy was still sleeping. I went straight to my newly filled closet and dug for anything remotely black tie to wear.

I found a few dresses that I thought might be appropriate when my cell phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered distractedly, looking again at my choices.

"Hey, Bella, it's Alice."

"Alice? I just saw you! What's up?"

"Well, I just got of the phone with my cousin, you know, your boyfriend, and he was telling me that he invited you to the charity event the magazine is hosting!"

My eyebrows knitted together as I sat down on my bed. "He told you this already?" Gosh, he hadn't even left my house more than twenty minutes ago.

"Yeah, he called almost immediately after he left your house. He sounded all giddy and stuff. It was weird," she paused. "Anyway, he wanted me to see if you needed any help with you outfit for that night."

"Well, I have some of the dresses you bought me that could work."

Alice gasped on the other end like I had just told her I was an axe murderer. "Those will NOT work at all, Bella. Those are dressy, but definitely not black tie or appropriate."

I frowned. "Then what the hell am I supposed to wear?"

Alice giggled. "That's why Edward called me. I'll help you. Are you busy later today?"

"No, but I don't have a babysitter for Lucy. Can she come with us shopping?"

"Of course! I'll pick you up at three?"

"Sure, see you then."

We arrived back home around six in the evening. Alice had dragged Lucy and me to every over expensive store, trying on countless dresses, until I found one that looked fabulous at a reasonable price.

When Alice was putting the car into park, I noticed a familiar silver car in my driveway. Edward was here.

Edward Cullen

Even though I had dropped Bella off at her house earlier that day, I missed her like crazy. It didn't help that Jackson kept asking about her and Lucy when we got home. He kept muttering something about Legos and Princesses with Lucy's name mixed in.

I texted her a few times, but she never responded. Maybe Alice had called her like I asked. Maybe she was busy.

After feeding Jackson some lunch, I decided to text Alice.

Did you talk to Bella about what to wear?

Less than a minute later, I got a response.

Taking care of it right now. Bella is difficult.

I chuckled at her words, not knowing how I should respond.

Jackson and I watched some cartoons. I was trying to distract myself from thinking about Bella by watching the yellow sponge run around on screen, talking in that obnoxious voice.

After the episode ended, Jackson turned to me and pouted.

I raised an eyebrow. "What? Didn't you like the episode?"

"Can I play with Lucy?" he asked, ignoring my question altogether.

"I don't know what she's up to, so probably not, sorry. I would like to play with her and her mom too," I replied. So much for distracting myself.

"Can't you call her or something, Daddy?"

I sighed. "I tried texting her, but she wouldn't answer."

"Did you try Emmett? He's funny," Jackson said, smiling to himself, probably thinking about the crazy guy that was Bella's brother.

"I guess," I murmured, pulling out my phone and locating Emmett's number. This conversation was probably going to be odd. I hadn't really talked to Emmett much, but had his number anyway. Oh well, I would face the awkwardness.

He answered after two rings.

"Hey, Emmett. This is Edward Cullen."

I heard Emmett chuckle. "Yeah, I know, I have caller ID. What's up, Eddie?"

I decided to ignore the fact that he called me Eddie just this once. "Well, my son is wondering about Lucy, and I'm curious about Bella. Are they home?"

I heard him chuckle again. "Well, unfortunately they are at the mall with your cousin. They left me a note saying they should be back by five or so. Did you want to come over and wait for them?" he asked.

I thought for a moment, glancing down at my very hopeful looking son. "Uh, yeah, that would be great. We'll be there in fifteen."

After ending the call with Emmett, Jackson was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement. He started gathering toys in a little duffle bag to take. I had to stop him when he started grabbing his mini white board that happened to be attached to his door.

"What do you need this for?" I asked, blocking the white board with my body.

"I don't know. I thought Lucy might find it fun."

"Jackson, it's attached to your door. You can't take that."

He pouted before nodding and zipping up his bag.

I helped him put on his sneakers and jacket, and after getting into mine, we headed out the door.

The entire drive to Bella's, Jackson chattered away about Lucy and what he planned on doing when we got there. I tried to follow what he was saying, but he was jumping around too much, so I just nodded and smiled at him.

Bella's car was in the driveway when we pulled in. I smiled while helping Jackson out of the car, and while we walked up the steps to the door. Emmett opened it before I could even knock.

"Hey guys, Bella and Lucy aren't here yet, but they should be here soon." He moved out of the way to let us through.

I tried to keep the frown from taking over my face as we walked inside. I was hoping she'd be home. I mean, her car was in the driveway.

"I thought she was home," I commented, "her car was in the driveway."

"They took Alice's car. It's all in the note," he explained, holding out a small piece of paper. I took it from him and began to read.

Em,

Lucy and I went shopping with Alice. She picked us up around three and we should be home by five for dinner. If Rose is coming over, unthaw another steak, please. Keep out of trouble.

Love,

Bella and Lucy

I smiled at her note. She was such a mom. She actually treated Emmett like an extra kid.

Jackson, Emmett, and I watched TV while we waited. Luckily, Emmett changed to some kid-friendly show so Jackson wouldn't get bored.

Around six, I heard a car door open and close. Jackson must have heard it too, because he sat up straighter and looked toward the door. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Bella and Lucy walked in. Bella let go of her daughter's hand, the other hand holding onto a garment bag with what I assumed was the dress she chose for the charity event.

Just seeing the bag with the hanger sticking out of the top had me looking forward to next weekend. I now couldn't wait to see Bella in formal ware, all made up and looking gorgeous.

"Hey!" she said happily. "What are you doing here?"

I smirked and gestured to my son who was now showing Lucy some game on the Leap Frog system my mother had gotten him last Christmas.

I took a step closer to her. "Jackson missed your daughter," I paused. "And I missed you." I planted a kiss on her cheek to emphasize the point.

Bella blushed and Emmett started laughing at her.

"I missed you too," she said softly. "Um, let me put this away." She gestured to the garment bag and quickly made an escape.

She was about to head up the stairs when she stopped and gave me the most gorgeous smile I had ever seen. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"

A/N: Oh fluff. Isn't it adorable? Again, sorry for the lateness of this chapter, but writers block sucks. Anyway, next chapter will be the charity event and maybe things will get lemony and probably fluffy. Okay, leave reviews? I love to know what you think of this little story here.

Here are some fic recs:

(Just take out the [DOT] and replace with the actual . to get to link. )

First Edition by lambcullen

This story rocks. It's got mommybella and bookstoreward. Bella goes to a bookstore every week and Edward watches her. Unknown to him, she is watching him too. Rated M for a reason.

http:/www[DOT]fanfiction[DOT]net/s/5541047/1/First_Edition

The Weight of Words by georgeygirl

Edward is a TA in Bella's Shakespeare class and is not allowed to date the students. Of course, they are way too attracted to each other.

http:/www[DOT]fanfiction[DOT]net/s/5463683/1/The_Weight_of_Words

The Blizzard by sheviking

Bella brings in a young and gorgeous homeless Edward one snowy night. He is a mute and was in the army. They become close really quick.

http:/www[DOT]fanfiction[DOT]net/s/5838482/1/The_Blizzard