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Thank you to A Jasper For Me for helping me with my excessive use of misplaced commas, but mistakes here are mine and mine alone.

For those who complain about plot, characters and other things they hate ... please feel free to flounce this fic. There are a thousand other stories out there for you to choose from. I am not forcing you to read my story.

And for all of you who are still with me, here yah go. See you at the end.

I read somewhere if you remained friends with your ex, it could mean you were never really in love or still were. I was in love with Bella; that never changed. Even if I did have a physical relationship with someone else, my heart always belonged to her. And so her agreement to become friends while I pursued her gave me hope ... lots of hope. I didn't even want to entertain the idea that she might not love me anymore because that would be … fuck!

The large glass mirror in the living room reflected my image, and I stopped long enough to straighten out my coat. I was dressed to impress today. Although a little lame, judging by the importance of the subject to me, that was all I had. My purpose was to make a good impression, enough for my father to agree with my plan. Bella. She was who I came here to discuss. I needed to convince my father about her. Failure wasn't an option because that would mean I would lose her again, and I couldn't have that.

I blew a loud breath and knocked on the door, signaling my arrival. My father's office had always been a place for important matters, and no matter how I tried to push down my anxiety. I knew it showed on my face. The big oak doors made a soft sound and I saw my father raise his head from a set of papers he was reading. An early call to him made my arrival an expected one.

His eyes were on me as I closed the distance between us. I was relieved to see Aro was not in attendance. I supposed he knew this was personal and most likely dismissed Aro for the time being.

"Father."

"Edward," he acknowledged, and set the papers he had in his hands aside. He motioned for me to sit. "I'm glad you finally found time to see me."

"There was something important I needed to do first before I faced you." Not something, someone.

"I see," he said. There was still the matter of the photos of Bella and me at last Saturday's luncheon I had to explain. It was the reason he had called the other night, but I was too uncertain of things that I had convinced him to give me a few days to sort my shit out. "I presume you have settled all your predicaments, seeing as you're here now."

"Yes," I started, "and no."

He clasped his hands together, leaning forward on his desk. "Explain, Edward."

"Let's just say I was kind of successful in the first thing, and the second thing … well, it all depends on you." I was being cryptic.

"You're beating around the bush, and I don't have time for it. If you have something to tell me, then just say it."

The confusion showing in the lines on his forehead increased as he waited for me. There was no going back now. His agreement would mean the world to me, but in case he opted for another route, then I would just stand firm on my decisions.

"You see, Father, I went to Bella. She's the important thing I needed to attend to first." I searched his face, but he was seasoned enough to not allow me to see his emotions. He remained silent, so I continued. "I want her back."

"Son-"

"I came here today to tell you I plan to pursue her," I interrupted him, wanting to get this explanation over and done with. "I wanted to tell you myself, before you learn it from someone else. I want her back, and I'll do everything in my power for that to happen."

He remained silent, but he held my gaze, like he was trying to read me. I had expected for him to have made an argument by now, but there was nothing. I wasn't sure whether to be scared or elated.

"Are you sure about this, Edward?" His gaze never faltered. I couldn't look away. It felt like if I did, he wouldn't see … believe my conviction.

"Yes." My voice was firm, dead set on showing him I was ready to fight for this.

He exhaled loudly before he stood up. I stared and waited as he paced back and forth, burning a hole in the carpet. It seemed like forever before he spoke.

"I need to tell you something." He stopped so he could be sure I was listening before he resumed his pacing. "I talked to Bella before we left for Belize."

Bella told me this last night, and although my initial reaction when I learned about it wasn't as positive as it should have been, I had somewhat understood where he came from. It doesn't mean I agreed with what he did. "I just learned about it."

"Do you think the situation between you and Bella is different now? Because you-"

"Father, I told you … she isn't my girlfriend just yet, but I plan to rectify that," I insisted. I wanted Bella, and by God, I would fucking get her back. "I promised you … and Alec I would take the throne when the right time comes. I'm even trying to become a good heir."

He was not arguing, which was a surprise. He was still listening, and that gave me the courage to continue. "THIS! I'm even telling you my plan so I won't disappoint you again. Isn't that enough proof I'm trying here?"

"Is that what you call it?" He had stopped pacing, and turned to me. I could see the conflicting emotions in his eyes, the doubt more pronounced than any other. The doubt– his ever present doubt in me– threatening to cripple me of my resolve.

"Yes! I'm telling you I'll be a good prince … just … please I need Bella. You have to give this to me."

Another minute of silence, then he spoke.

"You and I … we never see eye to eye. At first, I had difficulty accepting we're opposites in a lot of things, Edward. It was Alec who had convinced me to allow you some freedom," he said. "I agreed to let you do what you wanted to do as long as it didn't hurt us. I had put up with all of your bullshit the way I did because you're my son, and nothing could change that. I tried to understand everything … just as long as you know your place. And your place is here with us … as a royal. As a Cullen."

I knew where this was going.

"What I couldn't accept was you refusing to take on the role you were born into," he continued. "I knew you loved Bella, and I had no problem with that … at first. But something changed in you only a few months after you were with her, and I wasn't even sure if I could blame her for that. You were moving your schedules so you could have more time with her, and … and that was unacceptable. You were ready to turn your back on us."

"It wasn't like that!"

"Are you sure?" He cocked an eyebrow, challenging my denial. "You were ready to give it all up just because you thought it would hinder your relationship with her. That love bordered on obsession. It wasn't healthy. I told you this."

I rubbed my face in frustration. Alec had been there, ready to take on the throne, and me, I was just the replacement just in case something happened. My responsibilities three years ago hadn't been as grave and important as they were now, I could've walked away without really hurting anyone. Well, maybe my family, but that was beside the point. Bella had been everything to me, and choosing between her and my duties as a prince had been easy. Of course, this time was different from before. That was why I was here, in front of my father, asking permission for something I wouldn't normally do. This change stemmed from the need to keep my promise to my brother, not to mention my desire to make everyone – my parents, Bella – proud.

"Father, I beg you. Just give me this one thing and I'll not ask you anything else!"

"Okay," he said. "Okay. Just make sure what happened before won't happen again. That …" he waved his finger around "… obsessive thing you got going … is a no-no."

I nodded, because that was all I could do. I expected for him to blow a fuse over this, but that didn't happen.

"And most importantly, I don't want you forgetting your duties and responsibilities. You got a lot of people counting on you now more than ever. Don't you forget that."

I didn't want to get my hopes up, not when this was too important for me, but the softening of his tone, and the decrease in the rigidity of his posture told me he was giving me a heads up to proceed.

"Do you mean …" I let my voice trail.

"Yes," he answered. "Pursue Bella all you want, just don't make the same mistakes as before."

Yeah, I needed not to fuck this up. That I could do.

I huffed, relieved. I put my hands on my thighs and stood up. I wanted to hug him, but I wasn't used to that kind of gesture with my father.

"Thank you."

He nodded and I grinned.

"The press doesn't know yet?"

I shook my head. "No. They got good pictures of Bella and me dancing last Saturday, so they used those to make their assumptions and speculations."

"Speculations, which are accurate," he said, and walked back to his desk to take a seat. "The reporters most likely would want more details … that would ensure them following you and Bella everywhere. Make sure she has some kind of security personnel with her."

It was good to have my father on my side. If only this was a normal occurrence. "Yes, Father. Emmett's on it while we speak."

"You be careful, Edward. You hear me. You only have this one chance to make everything right."

I wasn't certain whether he meant my role as the prince or my place with Bella, but whatever it was, he was right about one thing – I only have this chance to correct what had gone wrong in my life, and to proceed to be the best monarch and lover I could be.

My heart was light and full of excitement as I said my farewells to my father. It was hard to be certain why it was easy for him to listen and accept what I had wanted and planned for my future, but nonetheless, I was still grateful for the trust and confidence I was given. It reinforced my determination to proceed with the pursuit and conquer of Isabella Swan.

I grinned.

Now, to plan and devise strategies to make Bella fall in love with me again.

OOOOOOOOOO

"This will work," Emmett insisted, and I gritted my teeth in annoyance. He had convinced me inviting Bella for dinner tonight was a good idea. He just omitted the portion where this invitation included a five-man team carrying a huge bouquet of flowers each and a carriage. A chariot, for Christ's sake! I didn't want to ask what the latter was for, just glared at him and his crazy tendencies. Sometimes, it made me wonder why the hell my father trusted his sons with Emmett.

"Ya think?" I asked, annoyed. If I had known of his foolish inclinations, I would have stopped him even before he began.

"Of course! You've got to trust me, Edward."

If he fucks this up, I'm gonna cut his balls off!

A parked van with the big, bright colored words Blooms written on both sides was parked near the hospital entrance. That alone had attracted attention. The silver carriage … I didn't want to talk about. Emmett stood proud and confident his plan was a sure success. Although I wanted to crawl back inside my car and hide from what I expected would be a disastrous date, I didn't have the heart to actually do it and risk the possibility of insulting him. He was just trying to help, that was all. It was what I tried to convince myself he was doing so I wouldn't ram my fist down his throat.

I shook my head in an attempt to clear it. There was no way this wouldn't be all over the news. I could just picture how they would say it – Prince Edward, the shmuck, trying too hard to win back ex-girlfriend.

What would Bella think about all this? I groaned just thinking about it.

I had just arrived, but there were already several curious eyes directed at us … at me. The baseball cap I had on couldn't hide my identity even if I wanted to. It didn't help Emmett was a familiar face that linked him to me, let alone his enormous build, making him hard to ignore. I would make sure to question Emmett the reasons for this very noticeable invite he wanted me to participate in when we got home tonight, but at the moment, I needed to finish what I came here for – to go find Bella and get her to have dinner with me.

We were just making our way toward the entrance of the hospital, when suddenly there was a burst of activity. A handful of people came out just as Emmett instructed the men carrying the big flowers to follow us. Everything halted when they realized who it was. I saw a number of faces that were in shock, including that blonde guy I had seen Bella with over a month ago now. The group was standing directly in front of the entrance, preventing us from entering. I could sense Felix moving to direct them, and I gave the people a small smile as they slowly shifted to the side to let us pass.

In my periphery, I saw brown hair and I suddenly stopped. Bella was staring at me, her big eyes full of questions.

"Hi, Bella."

I saw one girl leaned toward her and whisper something in her ear. Bella said something back, and the strawberry-blond girl just giggled. Then just as Bella stepped away from the crowd, the same blonde guy said something to her to earn him a glare.

I didn't like this guy at all. There was no time to ponder about him though because Bella started to move toward where I stood. Somewhere in the distance I could hear the clicking of cameras, and that made me aware we were exposed for all to see. I wasn't sure whether or not she would object if we get her inside my car without informing her first about my plan for us tonight, but I didn't want to piss her off. Our situation was still so precarious, I was uncertain of my actions with her.

Felix ushered us inside the hospital and that afforded me time to justify this craziness. I just hope she wasn't annoyed we invaded her workplace.

Inside the lobby, we garnered attention again. This time I was prepared for it and confidently shrugged off the curious glances. My attention was focused on Bella, who was getting agitated as the seconds passed. I needed to calm her, but just as I was about to pull her inside a room, I bumped into Jasper.

"Prince Edward?" He looked surprised to see me, and I gave a nod in response. I wasn't in the mood to explain myself or my presence here to anyone except Bella.

It was a good thing I had Emmett.

"Ah, Dr…" Emmett peered closer to see his nametag "… Whitlock. I'm Emmett, the prince's trusted administrative assistant."

Jasper shook Emmett's hand, but his eyes were still on mine. They lingered until Emmett's next words forced him to look away from me.

"We only need a few minutes for the Prince and Ms. Swan to talk … in private. If you could ensure we get some kind of privacy, the prince would greatly appreciate it."

"Bella, are you okay?" Jasper asked, ignoring Emmett. He was searching Bella's face for something.

"Yes, don't worry, Dr. Whitlock."

His eyes lingered on her, as if to seek some kind of confirmation that she wasn't lying. When it was clear Bella had no problem whatsoever with us being here, he turned toward me with a frown. I cocked an eyebrow in challenge, and he sighed.

"Your Highness, come follow me," he said, and lead us to one of the doctor's rooms –his office.

"Thank you, Jasper."

He gave a slight nod before he closed the door. I turned to face Bella.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice was low, but there was no mistaking the annoyance in her voice.

"Bella, I'm-"

"It's my fault, Miss Bella. I convinced the prince to come here," Emmett interrupted before I could continue.

"Why?" Her question was directed at him, but she was still staring at me.

I glanced at him, and it was his cue to leave us alone. He would join Felix outside to stand guard.

"Bella, I didn't mean to come here and cause you problems," I started, my hands on her shoulders. "But I wanted to have dinner with you, and Emmett suggested I come here just in case you would be free."

I saw her smile and I felt relieved.

"I didn't know he would be crazy enough to hire a shop to bring enormous flowers for you. And that carriage, I don't know what his-"

"A carriage?"

I chuckled, thinking of the silver coach outside. "Yeah, he hired us a damn silver chariot. And for the life of me, I am not even sure why."

She giggled, and I felt my heart soar.

"So, what do you say?"

She grinned. "Dinner? I think that can be arranged. Just as long as we don't ride the … carriage."

"You got a deal."

We waited for Bella to gather her things and finally exited the hospital. With Emmett, Felix and my driver present, there was little privacy for the ride toward Bella's apartment, where we needed to go first in order for her to change.

Her proximity was too much for me. I leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"I missed you."

I felt her shiver, and I smiled. She missed me. I was sure of it.

This date started to look better than I expected.

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P.S I took a few classes in fashion design, so I apologise in advance if I won't be able to post during my usual Thursday schedule. I'll try to post once a week though.

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