A/N haha good response to the last chapter :P I think we can safely assume that nobody saw the coming. And I know I promised you a little Edward in this chapter, so I won't keep rambling on much longer. Lol, this chapter is very cringeful.

Escort (October 26th 2016, Manhattan)

I rub my eyes with exhaustion. The last hour was a particularly gruelling one for me and Mitchell. It is two years to the day since his wife died. He didn't cope well.

But now, my working day is over. I grin to myself and stand up, grabbing my handbag as I practically jump from my office. I don't bother to say goodbye to everyone today, they are all still in sessions and I'm far too excited anyhow. Or am I nervous? Maybe a bit of both.

Baby...

The words flits around my head as I make my way towards the nearest subway station. I decend the stairs and enter the platform. I have already worked out my route and I know which train I am to take... I bite my lips in apprehension. Is this really a good idea?

Of course it is! I shout to myself. Why shouldn't I have a child? I wanted a child... and I was going to get one. But... is it fair? Is it fair of me to bring a child into my world? My depressed, half life is no place for a child. But then again, it wouldn't be that way once I had a child. My life would be full again.

Before I can contemplate right and wrong any further my train drags itself out of the tunnel and squeeks to a stop. I force my way in amongst the thick throng of people - standing space only on this train. I am crushed between a young latino woman and a middle aged man like a tetris block. The train sputters forward, back into the tunnel and I grab onto the overhead handrail. The man next to me is staring...

I smile politely and look away. Isn't it rude to stare? Or is that just me?

Every few seconds I cast a furtive glance at the guy. He is still learing. I wonder if he would feel the same about my body if he knew how it would look in a few months...

I try to ignore him for the rest of the journey, but get off the subway a stop early as to avoid him. I have plenty of time and the walk isn't that far.

But it is that fateful desicion, so insignifigant at the time, which altered the course of my life indefinately.

Once on the pavement, I look up at the sky. It is dark with rain clouds, but I've seen worse... this place ain't got nothing on Forks when it comes to rain. Still... those clouds don't look friendly.

I reach into my handbag as I continue to walk, rummaging around and checking I have my umbrella. My head is tilted down. Just as I acertain that I have my umbrella -

– "OUCH!"

I've walked straight into someone in my hurry. They are facing the other way, only now turning to see what happened. They must've been walking slower that my ninety miles an hour for us to collide. My hand is pressed to my head and I feel slightly dizzy. What the hell is this guy made of?

"Bella?" I know that voice… oh, crap.

I take my hand away from my head and look up at him. Oh God... please no. Not now, not here! He stares down at me with his peircing eyes, butterscotch and calm - yet full of surprise and some other emotion I cannot place. Jasper would know. He is still staring at me. The first of the light raindrops begin to fall. For a few seconds I seriously consider running away from him in the tears that are threatening me now. But that would be... worrying. Surely I can manage a conversation... just long enough fro me to make my escape. I can do that.

I open my mouth to answer.

"Oh. Um, hi. Sorry I didn't see you there, Edward" I mumble pathetically. He probably doesn't believe that.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, I'm fine. You're back is really hard, by the way," I say stupidly. He's looking down at me, the worry on his face flagrant. Wait, why is he worried?

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask.

"You're getting a bruise on your head already… you might have a concussion, maybe we should-"

"Oh well, it'll be fine. I'm going to the doctors now anyway, so I'll get her to have a look at it," I interrupt, eager to get away.

"Why are you going to the doctors?" he asks – sounding terribly worried I might add.

"I - no reason really, it's just routine... a check up, you know? Sorry I have to go now, I'm going to be late," I stutter as I remain captivated in his gaze. In his utter perfection.

"I'll walk you there, to make sure you don't pass out in the middle of the road." My eyes widen. Did he seriously just offer to walk me there? It must be guilt or something... he wouldn't want to spend time with me.

"It doesn't hurt that bad, honestly. You don't need to come."

"Really I don't mind, plus I could use the company. They're all shopping." He rolls his golden eyes and jerks his head towards the large department store a few meters away from us.

I see that I'm not going to win this battle so I nod and walk forward, trying not to look at his heart wrenchingly beautiful face.

God, if you're really truly there, please help me now! Edward is escorting me to a family planning clinic. This is bad; this is really, really, really bad! What am I going to do?

"So…" he begins.

"So…what?"

"What are you doing in New York?"

"I live here, well not here up in the East Village. I've been working here for the last two and a half years."

"Really? Where do you work?" he sounds politely interested.

"I'm a Junior Councillor at Jefferson and Associates Psychological Support. I specialise in people coping with the loss of a loved one; death, divorce etcetera." Why did I tell him that? Now he knows where to find me! Although... he probably wouldn't want to come find me, would he?

"Wow, psychology. I didn't expect that… I thought maybe journalism," he says, almost to himself.

"And what about you? What are you doing here?" I ask as politely as possible, trying not to let my desperation into my voice.

"High School. Again. Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper are in college though; they 'graduated' in the summer. Carlisle's working at the hospital – I was going to suggest taking you to him to look at your head, but seeing as you already have an appointment."

"Yep, I'm all covered," I say, almost through gritted teeth. Edward looks down at me curiously for a second. Ridiculous, I'm twenty-five and he's still taller than me. And much, much more perfect than me. Heartbreaking, really.

We walk in silence for a few minutes, and I can see the corner that will lead to the clinic; it's only a few hundred yards away.

"We're living in Rochester," he says in an attempt to start up the conversation again, my stomach is churning too wildly with apprehension to respond so I just nod slowly.

We round the corner and I can see the clinic a few buildings down. My heart rate begins to accelerate. I know he can hear it so I try to calm myself down, breathing deeply. The glass doors are getting closer and closer. Here I go.

I stop outside the glass doors and turn to face him. Edward examines the sign on the side of the building before looking at me and raising an eyebrow in question.

"Umm, well thank you for walking me here. As you can see I haven't fallen over or passed out, and I think I'll be fine from here. So, umm bye."

I turn hurriedly on my heel and pass through the revolving glass door before he can respond. I have a feeling that right now, my face is as red as a tube of scarlet poster paint. I approach the main desk and the secretary gives me directions to get to the right room.

I take the elevator to the ninth floor, turn left and find myself in a waiting room with another desk and another secretary. She is middle aged, black and slender. I approach her and wait patiently for her to finish her phone call.

"We have an appointment available on 29th at four o'clock…okay; we'll be seeing you then Ms Henkin. Goodbye." She hangs up the receiver and looks at me.

"How can I help you?"

"My name's Bella Swan, I have an appointment with Dr McCandless." She types something on her keyboard and nods at the computer screen.

"Okay, take a seat Miss Swan; Dr McCandless will be with you in about five minutes."

"Thank you."

I turn and make my way to an empty seat in the corner. I gently press the bruise on my forehead, cringing at the slight pain it causes, both physical and emotional. I sigh and cup my chin in my hand, wrapping my free arm around my torso. I can't fall apart here. Not now.

Why did I have to bump into him today? Why did I have to bump into him ever again?

I fight to keep the tears in my eyes at bay, it's an uphill struggle but I win. I take deep breathes in through my nose and out through my mouth. This is meant to be a happy day.

"Miss Swan, Dr McCandless will see you now."

I take one last deep breath and stand up form my chair.

A/N Edwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard. Sorry he didn't do much, he will in the next chapter I promise. Poor Bella, how embarrassing would that be?!

lol

reviews pleasey?

love you all lots

Sasha :) xxxxx