a/n Please note that all WitFit entries are unedited. No beta. I don't own Twilight.

***This takes place after chapter 5, Agonize.

Word Prompt: Milestone

Dialogue Flex: "So far, so good."

Using the provided snippet of dialogue, explore what comes to mind, be it a scene, a thought, or something else.

"So," he said to me with those playful eyes and that flirty grin. "Is this place open for lunch or you still want Sarabeth's? Or maybe I can just hang with you guys for the next..." He glanced at his watch. "Fifteen minutes until you said you were leaving and I can walk you and Alice home."

He sealed my fate with a wink.

\\\

"Excuse me."

Bella, looking a little queasy, bolted up from the table and went down the nearby stairs.

"When you gotta go, you gotta go," Alice laughed awkwardly. "We'll be right back." She scrambled from her chair and followed after Bella.

My shoulders slumped and I scrubbed my face. That wasn't how I thought she'd react. I knew she would be freaked out but I didn't anticipate vomiting.

"So far, so good, Ace." Angela slapped my back and finished her drink as well as the rest around the table. "These are incredible and shouldn't be wasted."

"I'll get you another drink if you'd like." Being on Angela's good side seemed wise.

"Don't worry about it, baby doll. I already like you. Besides you think Bella is drinking anymore tonight?"

"No I guess not. Should I go check on her," I asked hopefully.

She stood up and patted my cheek. "You're so cute. I'll go see what's up. Tell B to snap the fuck out of it and grow a set."

Angela left me to brood over my strategy. I gambled that Bella wasn't going to leave her location when she texted me but maybe I should have given her space. As quickly as I thought that, I dispelled it. I'd given her three years of space. Space was unacceptable and off the table. My goal was to never have space again when it came to Bella but my tactics might need to be less aggressive.

"Can I get you anything?" I saw the server was attempting to charm me with her smile but it was wasted on me.

I reached in my back pocket and pulled out my wallet. "I'm good but could you close out the tab for this table," I asked, handing her my credit card.

"Sure," she said in a clipped tone.

While I waited for the girls to return, I rethought my plan. I'd been operating on a long term plan for nearly twenty years but never was in my element when I was spontaneous. It was a refreshing feeling to run down the street, catching the subway, once Bella's text told me to meet her at the bar. The frigid air bit at my face and watered my eyes but I was too elated to finally see her again. I couldn't wait any longer and didn't want to.

Except now I was alone in a bar with Bella fleeing the scene to possibly throw up after seeing me. The earlier elation had been instantly replaced with doubt.

The server placed the bill on the table and left without a word. I signed for it and rose when I saw Bella being led back to the table. I wanted to go to her but she was avoiding eye contact. My heart nearly stood still.

"We should get going," Alice announced.

"I figured," I mumbled and gathered their coats.

"I'll go find Miss. Merry to settle the tab," Angela said.

"I took care of it already." I handed them their coats but held out Bella's hoping she'd allow me to help her. She grabbed the coat with a soft thanks and downcast eyes.

It was my turn to feel nauseous. "I'll go grab you guys a cab."

"We can take the subway," Bella said abruptly, looking at me long enough for me to see the uncertainty I felt responsible for giving her.

"Thank you, Edward," Alice said, shoving Bella's side. "We'll be out in a second. There should be cabs on West Broadway."

I nodded stiffly and headed outside. A couple of cabs were coming down the street but drove past my waving arm. I pulled my beanie down on my head and buttoned up my coat. I was used to this kind of cold but I wondered how Bella took to it.

She adjusted to me not being in her life so why not adjust easily to the weather, I thought bitterly.

Another cab flew by as I waved and called out. I pulled out my cell to call a taxi company because whether she adjusted or not, I didn't feel comfortable with her having to wait in the cold. She could stay inside but a nagging feeling was telling me my presence was making her more uncomfortable than any chill in the air.

"No cabs," Alice asked as they came outside.

"Calling one now."

"Calling one? They don't teach you how to hail a cab in Chicago," Angela said, stepping off the curb and whistling at the cab approaching. It slowed immediately and stopped a few feet ahead of us.

"I've always had a car," I said defensively and opened the back door for them.

"Don't sweat it, Ace," she said kindly as she got in.

Alice smiled as she eased in the middle leaving Bella the last to enter. She didn't say anything so I shut the door and opened the front door.

I pulled two twenties from my wallet and handed them to the driver. "This should cover them. Angela, do you stay in the city?"

"I do but..." she trailed off looking confusedly at Alice.

"You're not coming with us, Edward," Alice asked.

I glanced at Bella who shifted her gaze away from me once I caught her eye. "I don't want to impose any further on your girls night. I shouldn't have come unannounced. Bella, I'll text you about lunch."

She nodded slightly and I gave her a reassuring smile because I had no intention of giving up. Ever. Although it was clear I'd need to revise my plan.

The cab pulled away and I waited until it was out of sight before heading towards the subway. I wasn't in a rush anymore and decided to think about how I should approach our lunch. Bella was obviously shocked to see me and I didn't account for the shock she must have felt from my first text letting her know I was in town. I had a few more shocking things to share with her and I had to figure out the best time to tell her.

I crossed the street into a park I barely noticed on my way to the bar. It seemed out of place - a small, triangular island of dense trees and iron benches. I liked how parks popped up among buildings and streets, a natural surprise for urban dwellers. If the weather was better I would sit a while and-

"Edward!"

Bella waved to me over the hood of her pulled over cab along the edge of the park. I jogged to her, my smile struggling to rein in a broad smile.

"You forget something," I called out.

"Yeah. You. Get in."